Imagine a time before chairlifts and cozy chalets, when navigating snowy mountains was a matter of pure grit and skill. For generations, resilient Alpine communities relied on their own strength, using skis not for leisure, but for survival. This was the reality for merchants trading goods and soldiers battling across treacherous icy peaks.
This incredible heritage forms the very core of ski mountaineering, a challenging sport now making its exciting Olympic debut. Fittingly, its first appearance takes place in the very mountains that once demanded such resilience.
Affectionately known as “Skimo,” this sport sees athletes conquering steep ascents on skis, then transitioning to climbing on foot, before an exhilarating downhill race. It’s an intense workout, demanding incredible strength, flawless technique, and relentless endurance—qualities that draw its passionate followers.
“You need to be powerful, explosive, and incredibly fast, all while being able to repeat these grueling climbs multiple times,” explains Cameron Smith, one of America’s most celebrated ski mountaineers and a US Olympic hopeful competing in Northern Italy. “It’s an incredibly demanding physical challenge.”
Skimo marks the first new winter Olympic sport since snowboarding’s inclusion in 1998. (While Skeleton first appeared in the 1920s, it only became a regular fixture in 2002.) Although organizers haven’t confirmed Skimo for the 2030 French Alps Games, its deep roots and immense popularity in Italy, France, and Switzerland are seen as strong indicators of its future Olympic presence.
A crucial moment in any Skimo race is the transition from skiing to moving on foot; it can truly make or break an athlete’s performance.
While relatively new to the United States, the International Ski Mountaineering Federation is actively campaigning to secure Skimo’s inclusion in the 2034 Winter Games, planned for Utah.
Early American success came from Nina Silitch, who discovered Skimo in France, earning two World Cup gold medals—a first for North America. Upon returning to the US, she established a Skimo club in Park City, Utah, dedicated to growing the sport with the ultimate goal of Olympic recognition.
“Gradually, youth programs gained parental support, establishing a solid foundation across North America,” Silitch explained. “Its Olympic inclusion is a testament to the dedication of many passionate individuals.”
Cameron Smith and his American teammate, Anna Gibson, secured their Olympic spots with a surprisingly strong first-place finish in a December mixed relay World Cup. At the Olympics, they’ll also compete in men’s and women’s individual sprints, alongside the mixed relay.
During the sprint events, athletes ascend roughly 230 feet on skis, then quickly remove them to climb on foot, before re-donning their skis for the final uphill push. The exhilarating downhill race follows immediately, with each sprint lasting approximately three minutes.
The mixed relay format involves the female athlete completing two ascents of 400 to 500 feet and two descents. Her male partner then tackles the identical course, and both repeat the circuit, making for a challenging 30-minute race.
For those watching at home, keep a close eye on the seamless transitions: from skiing uphill, to moving on foot, to re-attaching skis, and finally, to the downhill sprint. Athletes use “skins” on their ski bases for uphill traction, which must be quickly removed before the descent.
These crucial “skins” attached to the skis provide essential traction for the uphill climb.
Smith emphasizes that a racer’s agility during these transitions is often the decisive factor between victory and defeat. Athletes dedicate significant training time to these intricate movements, even using creative setups like yoga mats and uneven steps to simulate real course challenges.
Many Skimo athletes transition to trail running or cycling during warmer seasons. All three sports demand comparable physical prowess, engage similar muscle groups, and cater to a shared passion for unhindered movement across mountainous terrains year-round.
Smith was drawn to Skimo for the unique opportunity it provides: “accessing places that are otherwise incredibly difficult to reach once deep snow blankets them.”
Marco Colombo, a local ski mountaineer and guide, notes that the towering peaks of the Italian Alps surrounding Bormio offer such abundant snowfall that Skimo training is possible for up to half the year.
The iconic 15-mile Stelvio Pass, typically the quickest route to Switzerland by car, becomes impassable in winter. This very pass, situated above the Olympic Skimo course, was once a battleground where Italian and Austro-Hungarian soldiers engaged in brutal, high-altitude combat on skis during World War I—a period tragically known as the White War.
Remarkably, Italy’s three Olympic ski mountaineers all hail from the small town of Albosaggia, home to just 3,000 residents. A dedicated local sports academy there has been instrumental in cultivating young talent in this challenging sport.
“A strong tradition has always existed here since the post-war era,” states Alessandro Piani, president of Polisportiva Albosaggia, an academy that trains approximately 350 children in various mountain sports like skiing and cycling. He attributes this ongoing tradition to the closure of many smaller ski lifts, which necessitated locals mastering self-powered mountain ascents.
A snapshot from the women’s sprint race during the Ski Mountaineering World Cup in Bormio, Italy, February 2025.
However, ski climbing in untouched wilderness carries inherent risks. To foster the sport safely in regions like Bormio, dedicated trails have been established in snowy areas adjacent to existing downhill slopes. Colombo, now working with the local tourism bureau, spearheaded a project to create five new Skimo trails near the base of the Stelvio ski course.
A significant hurdle his team overcame was brokering an agreement between independent ski mountaineers and the conventional ski lift operators. Lift operators, who rely on fees for slope maintenance, agreed to a seasonal pass. This pass grants Skimo athletes one lift ride daily, allowing them to train at higher elevations early in winter when lower foothills lack sufficient snow for climbing.
Smith, the American athlete, expresses his hope that Skimo’s visibility in the Olympics will spark a surge in its popularity. He admits that many people he encounters still don’t fully grasp the unique demands of his sport.
“With its Olympic status, even people from my childhood—like former youth sports coaches and colleagues—are finally starting to understand Skimo,” he shared, “and they’re becoming genuinely excited about it.”