The biggest reason Saudi Arabia cannot be taken lightly as a potential winter sports power is its financial might. Since the oil-rich country is still at least a couple years away from providing access to ski slopes within its borders, the Saudi government has spared no expense housing winter sports athletes in Europe for months at a time.

Saudi Arabia has had to scale back several ambitious development projects due to rising costs and falling oil prices.Kazakhstan will replace Saudi Arabia as the host the 2029 Asian Winter Games. The 2029 Asian Winter Games had originally been planned to be held in Neom,

Fayik Abdi, Saudi Arabia's pioneer alpine ski racer, has qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics. This is his second consecutive appearance, solidifying his historic role and highlighting the Kingdom's expanding presence in global winter sports.

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia will be represented at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics after the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee officially confirmed the Kingdom’s participation in the Games, which will be hosted by Italy from Feb.