What to know about ski mountaineering, the Olympic sport making its debut at the Winter Games

The International Olympic Committee has officially included ski mountaineering as a medal sport for the first time at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, bringing together elite athletes who will compete in grueling races that combine uphill climbing and technical downhill skiing across challenging alpine terrain. This historic addition to the Olympic program reflects the growing popularity of endurance sports that test athletes' physical and mental capabilities in natural mountain environments. Ski mountaineering, also known as ski touring, requires competitors to ascend mountains using specialized equipment before descending steep slopes, making it one of the most demanding winter sports. The sport's inclusion in the 2026 Games follows years of development and advocacy by the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF), which has worked to standardize rules and organize international competitions. Athletes will compete in multiple disciplines including individual races, team events, and sprints, with courses designed to test their endurance, technical skills, and decision-making abilities in variable mountain conditions.