Ski Mountaineering at Milano Cortina 2026

Welcome to the Olympics’ Newest — and Most Grueling — Winter Sport

Ski mountaineering makes its Olympic debut at Milano Cortina 2026, and if you haven’t heard of it, that’s about to change. Known as “skimo” in the endurance sports world, this discipline combines uphill skiing (using adhesive climbing skins attached to ski bases), technical ridge traverses, and high-speed descents over mountainous terrain. It’s the winter equivalent of trail running — raw, punishing, and spectacular to watch.

The sport’s inclusion was confirmed by the IOC in 2023, making it the first new winter sport added to the Olympic program since the introduction of short track speed skating in 1992. For Milano Cortina, ski mountaineering will be held at the Bormio mountain venues, utilizing the natural alpine terrain that makes this region ideal for the discipline.

The Events

The Olympic ski mountaineering program features five medal events: men’s and women’s individual races, men’s and women’s sprint races, and a mixed relay. The individual race is the centerpiece — a multi-lap course featuring significant vertical gain where athletes skin uphill, transition at the top (removing climbing skins quickly is a critical skill), ski downhill, and repeat. Total vertical gain in the individual event is expected to be around 1,500 meters.

The sprint is a shorter, faster format designed for TV — multiple laps on a compact course with steep uphill sections and quick descents, run in a heat-based elimination format. The mixed relay pairs one male and one female athlete from each nation.

Transitions Are the Hidden Skill

Here’s what most viewers won’t initially appreciate: transitions — the moments where athletes switch from climbing mode to descending mode — can make or break a race. Removing climbing skins, adjusting bindings, and switching equipment takes precious seconds, and the fastest athletes complete these transitions in under 10 seconds. At the elite level, the difference between a podium and fourth place can be lost entirely in transition zones.

The uphill portions test pure cardiovascular fitness. Athletes skin uphill at gradients exceeding 30%, driving their heart rates above 180 bpm for extended periods. The descents require technical skiing ability on often-narrow, ungroomed terrain. It’s rare to find athletes who excel equally at both — which is what makes the best ski mountaineers such exceptional all-around athletes.

Who to Watch

The sport has deep roots in the European Alps, particularly in Italy, Switzerland, France, and Spain. Italy’s strength on home soil could be significant — the Italians have dominated the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) World Cup for years.

Robert Antonioli of Italy is one of the sport’s biggest names and will carry home-nation expectations. On the women’s side, Tove Alexandersson of Sweden — a multi-discipline endurance athlete who has won world titles in orienteering and ski mountaineering — is among the favorites.

For the United States, ski mountaineering has a growing grassroots following, particularly in Colorado, and the U.S. team includes athletes who have transitioned from mountain running and cross-country skiing. While medals may be a stretch in the debut cycle, the American team’s presence helps establish the pathway for future generations.

Why It Matters

Ski mountaineering’s addition to the Olympics reflects a broader trend: the Games are embracing endurance sports that take athletes into natural environments rather than constructed venues. Watching athletes race up and over actual mountains — with the Dolomites as the backdrop — will produce some of the most visually stunning footage of the entire Games. If you want to see something genuinely new at the Winter Olympics, this is it.

If You’re Tuning In for the First Time

Start with the sprint events. They’re short, fast, and easy to follow — you’ll immediately see the athleticism required. Then watch the individual race with fresh eyes, understanding that those athletes are sustaining sprint-level intensity over a much longer course. The mixed relay adds team dynamics and should produce a dramatic finish.

Athletes to Watch

Robert Antonioli (ITA, Individual / Sprint) — One of the most decorated ski mountaineers in the sport’s history, the Italian veteran carries home-nation medal expectations and brings decades of World Championship experience.

Tove Alexandersson (SWE, Individual / Sprint) — A generational multi-sport talent with world titles in both orienteering and ski mountaineering, the Swedish star has the cardiovascular engine and technical skills to challenge for gold.

Davide Magnini (ITA, Individual / Sprint / Mixed Relay) — The young Italian has been dominant on the ISMF World Cup circuit and represents the new generation of ski mountaineers who have trained specifically for Olympic competition.

Axelle Gachet-Mollaret (FRA, Individual / Sprint) — The French skimo star has won multiple World Championship titles and is one of the most complete female ski mountaineers, excelling in both the uphill and transition phases.

Grace Staberg (USA, Individual / Sprint) — One of the brightest American hopes in this new Olympic discipline, the Colorado-based athlete has competed on the ISMF World Cup circuit and represents the growing U.S. skimo movement.

Venue Spotlight

Ski mountaineering events take place on the natural mountain terrain near Bormio, utilizing the dramatic alpine landscape of the Italian Alps as both the course and the backdrop. The courses are designed to test uphill power, technical descending, and transition speed across varied gradients and snow conditions. As the first-ever Olympic ski mountaineering venue, Bormio will hold a permanent place in the sport’s history.