SKIMO

Athletes race over snow-covered mountainous terrain, using specialized gear to climb up and ski down as quickly as possible.

Key elements:

• Ascending (climbing uphill)
  Competitors attach skins (grippy strips) to the bottom of their skis so they can walk or glide uphill without slipping.
• Transitions
  Racers must quickly:
  • Remove or attach skins
  • Switch between uphill and downhill modes
  • Clip/unclip bindings
    Speed during these transitions is a huge part of winning.
• Descending (skiing downhill)
  After climbing, racers ski downhill—often on technical, off-piste terrain.
• Bootpacking sections
  Some parts require racers to carry skis on their packs and run or climb steep sections on foot.

Types of races

There are several formats in ski mountaineering competitions:

• Early origins (late 1800s–early 1900s):
  Alpine soldiers and mountaineers began using skis to move efficiently over snow. Informal races grew out of these skills, especially among military patrol units.
• Military Patrol era (1920s–1940s):
  The sport became more structured through military patrol races, which combined skiing, climbing, and shooting. This event even appeared in the Winter Olympics (1924, 1928, 1936, and 1948 as a demonstration sport).
• Modern sport development (1980s–2000s):
  Civilian races expanded across Europe, especially in France, Italy, and Switzerland. Iconic long-distance races like the Patrouille des Glaciers helped popularize the sport.
• International organisation (2000s–today):
  The International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) was founded in 2008, standardising rules and growing the sport globally.
• Olympic recognition:
  SkiMo racing debut officially at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

In short: Ski mountaineering racing began as a military and practical mountain travel skill over 100 years ago and has evolved into a modern competitive endurance sport.