Ski mountaineering words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 35 words · Step 2 of 3

The sport and its races

Relay race

A race for teams of four of the same gender. Each member races one leg of two climbs and two descents, with a foot section on the second climb, then hands over to the next.

Also called: relay, RR
See also: Handover area

Vertical Kilometer

A single climb on skis of exactly 1,000 m of ascent, preferably on-piste, with split times every 250 m. A Vertical Half Kilometer is 500 m.

Also called: VK
See also: Vertical race

Olympic events

The ISMF rules for the Olympic Winter Games cover two events: the sprint and the mixed relay. Ski mountaineering was first held at Milan Cortina 2026.

Team Captains' Meeting

The meeting the day before a race at which the track, equipment list and rules for the race are set out; changes are announced at a pre-start meeting 30 minutes before the start.

Also called: TCM

The track

Kick turn

A turn on the spot used to change direction on a steep climb, lifting one ski round to face the other way. On the track athletes must follow the marked kick turns and may not cut them.

Also called: conversion
See also: Diamond

Gate (ski mountaineering)

A pair of poles with a panel on the descent (or a climb) that athletes must pass through. A gate is passed when both ski tips and both feet cross the gate line. A missed gate can be put right only before the next gate is passed.

Also called: gate
See also: Missed gate

Race checkpoint

A point on the track where controllers note each athlete's bib and passing order. Missing one disqualifies an athlete in the long races.

Also called: checkpoint, check point
See also: Race stoppage

Technical point

A transition area where the Technical Jury allows broken skis or bindings to be changed. The one next to the refreshment area always is one.

Also called: technical area
See also: Outside assistance

Refreshment area

The one marked area on individual and team race tracks where coaches may give food and drink, and where athletes must drop their rubbish.

Handover area

The marked box where one relay athlete hands over to the next by touching any part of their body or backpack (not poles), with both athletes' skis inside the box.

Also called: changeover area
See also: Relay race, Mixed relay

Skating corridors

The last 20 m before a flat or rising finish, split into at least three lanes of about 3 m. Athletes skate to the line, must keep to their lane and change lane to overtake.

Also called: finish corridors
See also: Finish (ski mountaineering)

Equipment

Shovel and probe

Avalanche rescue tools every athlete carries, meeting ISMF standards set out in the rule book's appendices.

Also called: snow shovel, snow probe
See also: Avalanche transceiver

Race skis

Skis with metal edges over at least 90 per cent of their length, at least 160 cm long for men and 150 cm for women. Each ski with its binding must weigh at least 780 g (men) or 730 g (women).

Also called: skis
See also: Weight limits (ski mountaineering)

Weight limits (ski mountaineering)

Minimum weights checked on calibrated scales: 780 g (men) or 730 g (women) for each ski with binding, and 500 g (men and U20 men) or 450 g (women and U18 men) for each boot. Up to 20 g short is a time penalty; more is disqualification.

Ski brakes

Devices that stop a ski sliding away after it comes off. They are compulsory: an athlete without them cannot race.

Layers (ski mountaineering)

Required clothing: a long-sleeved suit or top and full-length leg cover at all times, with extra upper and lower layers the Technical Jury may order to be worn or carried. A thermal fourth layer can be imposed in the cold.

Also called: three layers up, two layers down, fourth layer
See also: Wind chill rule

Crampons

Metal spikes fixed to the boots for icy foot sections when required, with at least 10 spikes. Off the boots they must be packed in the backpack with spikes facing each other. Walking without them where compulsory is disqualification.

Start, finish and results

Interval start

A time-trial start with athletes leaving one at a time, 10 to 120 seconds apart; used for the sprint qualification.

Also called: time trial
See also: Qualification (sprint)

Qualification (sprint)

The time trial that opens a sprint, athletes starting every 20 seconds. Its results set the heats; in bad weather the Event Jury can send the best six straight to the final.

Lucky loser

In a sprint with five heats, one of the two fastest athletes who did not qualify by place, who still go through to the semifinals; two more go from the semifinals to the final.

Also called: LL
See also: Sprint race

Overlapped

In a relay, a team the leader has caught up with, so no unused transition area lies between them. It is stopped at the next transition area and ranked without time.

Also called: LAP
See also: Relay race

Race stoppage

Stopping a race for safety, technical or outside reasons. A red flag means stop and go to the nearest transition area; a yellow or black and yellow danger flag means take care but go on. Results are then set from the last point each athlete reached.

Also called: red flag, danger flag
See also: Race checkpoint

Wind chill rule

The race may not start if the wind chill is colder than minus 20 °C at any of the measuring points. Between minus 10 and minus 20 °C a fourth layer can be imposed.

Place points (ski mountaineering)

World Cup points by place: 100 for a win, 90 for second, 81 for third, down to 1 point for 50th place and below.

Also called: World Cup points

Did not start (ski mountaineering)

DNS: an athlete who does not start must report it to the Jury President. One who does not start or abandons without telling the organisers starts at the back in the next race.

Also called: DNS, DNF, abandon
See also: Jury President

Penalties and officials

Disqualification (ski mountaineering)

Removal from the result, for cheating or a serious safety fault, missing a checkpoint, a major piece of safety kit missing (transceiver, shovel, probe, helmet) or deliberately making another athlete fall.

Also called: DSQ
See also: Penalty scales (ski mountaineering)

Missed gate

Not passing a gate on a descent and not putting it right in time: 3 minutes in long races, 30 seconds in short ones.

Outside assistance

Help from anyone outside the race, banned except to swap a broken pole (anywhere), a broken ski or binding (at a technical point) and food and drink in the refreshment area. Athletes must help anyone in distress.

Also called: outside help
See also: Technical point, Refreshment area

Team gaps

Team race partners may be no more than 30 seconds apart on climbs and 10 seconds on descents, and must leave each transition area and cross the finish within 5 seconds of each other.

Also called: separation rule
See also: Team race

Equipment control

Checks of kit at the start, on the track and in a closed area 15 to 30 m after the finish, where transceivers are checked for everyone and other kit and weights at random or for all.

Also called: kit check
See also: Compulsory equipment, Weight limits (ski mountaineering)

Penalty under review

The mark put beside an athlete in the results while a reported offence is checked; the Jury President then confirms or drops the penalty.

Also called: penalty under investigation
See also: Jury President

Protest (ski mountaineering)

A written complaint on the ISMF form with a 100 euro fee, returned if upheld, filed by a national official or the athlete. The window is 5 minutes for sprint and relay and 15 minutes for other races. No protests in sprint heats or semifinals.

Also called: protest
See also: Technical Jury

Technical Jury

The panel of the Technical Delegate, the Jury President and the ISMF referees that applies the sporting rules, decides penalties and protests. A separate Event Jury decides on safety, delays and cancellations.

Also called: Event Jury
See also: Jury President

Jury President

The ISMF official who runs the start, approves the results and decides penalties under review.

Also called: JP
See also: Technical Jury

Environmental rule

Athletes must not drop rubbish or leave kit on the track, and celebratory items such as confetti and balloons are banned. Breaking it costs 3 minutes or 30 seconds.