How heavy must ski mountaineering skis be?
Officials' detail · Equipment and results · 2 of 2Skis must be at least 160 cm (men) or 150 cm (women) with metal edges, and each ski with its binding must weigh at least 780 g or 730 g. Boots must weigh at least 500 g (men) or 450 g (women and U18 men). Up to 20 g short costs time; more is disqualification. Ski brakes are compulsory.
How it works
- Ski length: 160 cm men, 150 cm women.
- Ski width: at least 80, 60 and 70 mm at front, middle and rear.
- Ski and binding: 780 g men, 730 g women, each.
- Boots: 500 g men and U20 men; 450 g women and U18 men.
- 1 to 20 g short: 30 seconds or 3 seconds.
- 21 g or more short: disqualification.
- Ski brakes: compulsory; no brakes, no start.
- Wax: fluorinated products banned.
The glossary has the race skis, the weight limits (ski mountaineering), the ski brakes, the fluorinated wax, the equipment control and the compulsory equipment.
Tricky cases
A ski brake breaks in a sprint heat. Can the athlete go on?
Not into the next phase without both brakes working.
Can U18 athletes use full carbon boots?
No.
Can an athlete check their kit in advance?
Yes, with the Technical Jury after the Team Captains' Meeting.
Are bindings from two makers allowed?
No. Mixed bindings are banned.
Why the rule exists
Minimum weights stop a race of ever lighter, fragile kit. Ski brakes stop loose skis hurtling down onto others.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Men | 780 g ski, 500 g boot | 28.1 |
| Women | 730 g ski, 450 g boot | 28.1 |
| Olympic Winter Games | Kit weighed before and stickered | 56.9 |
From the rule book
ISMF, Rules & Guidelines, version 2026-2027, rules 25, 25.2, 28.1, 56.9 and 27.2 B.1 to B.3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the ISMF Rules & Guidelines 2026-2027.