What must ski mountaineering racers carry?
Officials' detail · Equipment and results · 1 of 2Every athlete carries an avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe, survival blanket, whistle and ID. They wear a helmet, gloves, eyewear and the required layers. The transceiver must stay switched on until equipment control after the finish. Missing a transceiver, shovel, probe or helmet is disqualification; most other items cost 3 minutes each.
How it works
- Transceiver: EN 300718, 457 kHz, three antennas, in a zipped inner pocket.
- Shovel and probe: to ISMF standards.
- Helmet: certified, chin strap fastened start to finish.
- Layers: long sleeves and full-length legs always; more as the jury orders.
- Others: gloves, eyewear, backpack, survival blanket, whistle, ID.
- Major kit missing: transceiver, shovel, probe, helmet: disqualification.
- Minor kit missing: 3 minutes each, or 30 seconds.
- Relaxed list: some items dropped for short races on secured slopes.
The glossary has the compulsory equipment, the avalanche transceiver, the shovel and probe, the helmet (ski mountaineering), the layers (ski mountaineering) and the equipment control.
Tricky cases
A transceiver battery dies mid-race. Penalty?
Yes, 3 minutes in long races.
An athlete switches off the transceiver after the line but before control. Penalty?
Yes, 3 minutes.
The helmet strap is undone on a descent. Penalty?
Yes. A helmet worn wrongly counts as missing: disqualification.
Can kit be swapped during a race?
No, except broken poles, skis or bindings.
Why the rule exists
Races cross avalanche terrain, so every athlete must be able to be found and to dig out others. Clothing rules guard against cold injury.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Individual and team races | Full list always | 25 |
| Vertical, sprint and relays | Some items can be dropped | 25 |
| Cold weather | Fourth layer imposed | 24.2.8.1 |
From the rule book
ISMF, Rules & Guidelines, version 2026-2027, rules 25, 25.2, 26.4.9, 26.4.12, 28.1 and 27.2 B.4 to B.6. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the ISMF Rules & Guidelines 2026-2027.