The complete guide to the most anticipated season in the history of ski mountaineering
Emerging in the late 19th century from the combination of cross-country skiing and mountaineering, ski mountaineering is a winter sport that involves the use of specialized skis with skins to climb snow-covered slopes without the aid of ski lifts. The uphill is followed by a descent on fresh snow, after removal of the skins. Over the decades, skimo established itself as a highly technical discipline, with the first competitions organized starting in the 1930s.
The 2025/2026 race season marks a momentous stage in the history of ski mountaineering racing and of the athletes on the national teams supported by Karpos.
The season opens in December 2025 with the start of the 23rd ISMF World Cup and finishes in March 2026 with the 40th edition of the Pierra Menta, the classic of skimo classics, which will decide the long-distance world title.
In the middle are two events to circle in red. March will be the month of the European, American, and Asian continental championships. And anticipation is also building for ski mountaineering’s debut on the most prestigious stage in winter sports: on February 19 and 21, the athletes will battle it out at the Stelvio Ski Centre to win the most significant medals of their careers and in the entire history of skimo racing.
Learn about the race formats, the key national teams, and the most important events to follow on the international scene with our complete guide to the 2025/2026 season.
Inhalte
1. The Races
1.1. Individual
Welche Vorteile bietet eine Basisschicht beim Wandern aus Naurfasern?
The vertical race features the shortest distance and is climbing only, with a minimum elevation gain of 500 to 700 meters, so there are no descents or transitions. Depending on the size of the course, athletes either sprint from the starting line in a group or follow one another in a time trial format. The race requires maximum physical effort, and the winner usually finishes in under 30 minutes.
1.3. Sprint
Of all the events, the sprint is the one most closely linked with cross-country skiing and is also the most adrenaline-filled. The athletes compete in heats of six, creating a thrilling single-elimination battle to the final.
The five minutes of racing feature a climb consisting of three segments — two on skis, including a technical “diamond” section, and one on foot in the middle — followed by a descent on the opposite side, along a course marked with appropriate signs at the turns. The sprint race requires great skill in attaching and removing skins, as well as maximum explosiveness due to the presence of single track that limits overtaking, especially when climbing.
1.4. Mixed Relay
An evolution of the sprint event, the team race involves a mixed pair of athletes from the same national team. Each member must complete a course that includes two climbs (on skis and on foot) and two descents before handing over to their teammate. The female athlete goes first, and each team member races twice. The mixed relay, which lasts approximately 20 minutes, follows the sprint event’s single-elimination format.
1.5. Team Relay
This is the format of the great ski mountaineering classics. Each team is composed of two or three athletes who must remain together throughout the entire race and cross the finish line together. While climbing, teams are usually permitted to use a tow rope for support in certain sections.
The team relay can be either a single race, as in the case of the Transcavallo, one of the most legendary team races, or a stage classification. This is the format of the Pierra Menta, the “Tour de France of ski mountaineering,” which awards victory to the men’s, women’s, or mixed teams with the fastest overall time at the end of the event’s four stages.
2. The key National Teams
2.1 Italy
2.2. France
2.3. Switzerland
2.4. Spain
2.5. Belgium
2.6. Slovakia
2.7. Andorra
2.8. Canada
2.9. Poland
3. The Events
3.1. World Cup
3.2. Road to Italy
3.3. Pierra Menta
3.4. European Championship
3.5. Transcavallo
4. Conclusion
This guide to ski mountaineering for 2025/2026 has outlined what will undoubtedly be the most important season in the sport’s recent history. From the explosive challenges of the sprints in Italy to the grueling marathons of the Pierra Menta, the calendar offers can’t-miss events for every enthusiast.
While the athletes fine-tune their preparations and the national teams finalize their strategies, attention now shifts to the snow. Closely following the World Cup and the major classics will be crucial to understanding who will be in top form in February.
At Karpos, we will continue to share this extraordinary journey with you, supporting our ambassadors and taking you behind the scenes with the “Road to Italy” project. All that’s left to do is prepare your gear, lace up your boots, and enjoy the show: the skimo race season has just begun.