What is ski mountaineering? More on the sport making its Olympic debut

The International Olympic Committee officially welcomed ski mountaineering as a new Olympic sport at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy on February 6-22, 2026, recognizing both its ancient roots in mountain travel and its modern competitive challenges that push athletes to their physical and mental limits. Ski mountaineering, often abbreviated as 'skimo,' represents a return to the origins of skiing as a means of transportation in mountainous terrain. Unlike alpine skiing which focuses on groomed slopes and ski lifts, ski mountaineering requires athletes to ascend and descend steep, often unmarked terrain using specialized equipment. The sport combines elements of alpine skiing, mountaineering, and endurance racing, with competitors carrying packs and using climbing skins to ascend before skiing down challenging descents. The Olympic debut will feature multiple disciplines including individual races, team relays, and vertical races, testing competitors' endurance, technical skills, and decision-making abilities in high-altitude environments. Athletes will navigate through variable snow conditions, steep slopes, and potentially dangerous avalanche terrain, making it one of the most demanding winter sports in the Olympic program.