Ski mountaineering
Ski mountaineering is a race up and down mountains on skis. Athletes climb on skis with skins stuck to the bases and carry the skis on their backpack up steep foot sections; then they strip the skins and ski down. Every change is made inside a transition area. The sprint is a short loop with a descent through gates, raced in heats of six after a time trial. The mixed relay pairs a woman and a man who each race the loop twice. Every athlete carries safety equipment, including an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.
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How long
Races uphill and down, with transitions from skins to skis
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Winter Olympic Games (ski mountaineering)New on the programme at Milano Cortina 2026.Every 4 years
- 2ISMF World ChampionshipsThe sport's own world title.Every 2 years (Morgins 2025) · Holder: Switzerland first in the nation ranking
- 3Asian Winter Games (ski mountaineering)Asia's winter multi-sport title.About every 4 years; next Almaty 2029
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- FranceSki mountaineering at the Olympic Games: 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze (latest 2026); ISMF World Championships (ski mountaineering): 8 golds, 5 silvers, 8 bronzes (latest 2025)
- SwitzerlandSki mountaineering at the Olympic Games: 1 gold, 1 silver (latest 2026); ISMF World Championships (ski mountaineering): 5 golds, 2 silvers, 3 bronzes (latest 2025)
- SpainSki mountaineering at the Olympic Games: 1 gold, 2 bronzes (latest 2026); ISMF World Championships (ski mountaineering): 2 golds, 1 silver (latest 2025)
- ItalyISMF World Championships (ski mountaineering): 1 gold, 6 silvers, 5 bronzes (latest 2025)
- ChinaSki mountaineering at the Asian Winter Games: 3 golds, 3 silvers, 3 bronzes (latest 2025)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF), Rules & Guidelines, version 2026-2027 |
| International federation | International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) |
| In India | No Indian body found. |
Where and when it is played
On mountain courses of climbs and descents, off-piste where possible for the individual race. The big events: the Winter Olympic Games (sprint and mixed relay) and the ISMF World Championships every two years.