The Winter Olympics are renowned for their exhilarating challenges, ranging from skiers racing down slopes to skeleton athletes hurtling past at speeds exceeding 100 km/h. Ice skaters perform breathtaking spins and jumps, while slopestyle competitors showcase their flair through daring tricks and high-flying maneuvers. Yet, in a sport where thrills are the norm, there is always potential for new excitement to emerge.
Introducing ski mountaineering, or skimo, set to debut at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. This exciting discipline offers a unique challenge: athletes will ascend the mountain, hike briefly, and then swiftly descend on extremely small skis. The question of “why” this new addition to the Olympics comes down to “why not?” when the spirit of competition thrives on new challenges.
Historically, ski mountaineering has its roots in practicality. Emerging in the 1800s, prior to the advent of chairlifts, the sport required both climbing and descending while navigating rugged terrains. Today, while traditional ski touring and backcountry skiing remain popular, the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) has modernized the sport to make it more accessible and suited for Olympic audiences.
From February 19, the picturesque town of Bormio in northern Italy will host two thrilling skimo events: sprint and mixed relay races on-piste. These events are designed to showcase the fast-paced excitement of the sport. Ramone Cooper, director of the ISMF, explained that the distinction between skimo and other skiing disciplines lies in the equipment and technical transitions. Ski mountaineering emphasizes lightweight gear and requires athletes to master quick transitions between ascending, boot-packing, and descending.
One innovation propelling athletes upward is the use of “skins,” which are strips of grippy material affixed to the underside of skis. These allow skimo competitors to climb quickly, with the unique course requiring them to briefly navigate around obstacles.
The transition process is critical in skimo. Athletes quickly switch from skiing to boot-packing, stowing their skis on their backs and adjusting their boots. They also make swift changes from using skins to skiing down the course, demonstrating remarkable agility and efficiency.
Currently, the skimo athletes are engaged in a World Cup season. Recently, French competitors Emily Harrop and Thibault Anselmet exhibited their prowess by winning the sprint and mixed relay events, highlighting the competitive nature of this emerging sport. With France, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland leading in the World Cup circuit, local athletes in Bormio are set to benefit from the support of the home crowd.
Looking ahead, the future of ski mountaineering seems promising, with its potential to overshadow longer, traditional formats amid concerns of climate change. The ISMF is adapting to changes, with events increasingly incorporating artificial snow areas to ensure reliability.
The sport’s minimal infrastructure requirements afford it greater flexibility, which is vital as climate issues redefine winter sports. Many skimo participants are acutely aware of the environmental shifts affecting their beloved mountains. Following the Olympics in Milano Cortina, the ISMF faces the challenge of expanding the sport in the French Alps for the 2030 games, where distance events could shine.
As ski mountaineering debuts on the Olympic stage, its combination of tradition, adaptability, and the thrill of competition provides a fresh experience for sports enthusiasts. The evolution of this sport reflects not only humanity’s love for challenge but also a conscientious approach to an ever-changing environment.