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.

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.