Ski mountaineering will experience a historic moment at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, being included for the first time in the Olympic program under the supervision of the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF). This Olympic debut will feature 36 pioneers of this discipline, equally distributed between men and women, whose pathway includes the key event to be held in Bormio on February 22-23, 2025, with the next stage of the World Cup to be held. This test event will be fundamental to fine-tune the organizational details and ensure the success of the competition in 2026.
The debut of ski mountaineering at an Olympic Games will have an important specific weight with the three titles and gold medals at stake: the men’s and women’s sprint, on February 19, 2026, and the mixed relay final, on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio. Hence, this coming February’s event is a key event for both organizers and athletes.
THE ROOTS OF SKI MOUNTAINEERING
Ski mountaineering has its origins in the prehistoric need to move through snowy terrain efficiently. From medieval images to the use of sealskins on skis, this discipline has evolved in terms of equipment, but it has kept its basic principle intact: autonomous movement on snow-covered mountain terrain.
Valtellina, with its rich tradition in this sport, is the perfect setting for this stage of Olympic preparation. During the test event in Bormio, it will be possible to evaluate the logistical and sporting capabilities of the site, consolidating its importance in the international calendar.
A WEEKEND OF ACTION IN BORMIO
The event will start on Saturday, February 22, 2025, with the men’s and women’s sprint qualifying rounds, followed by the finals in the afternoon. The following day, Sunday 23, the mixed relay event will be contested, closing an intense weekend of competition.
This test event will not only be a rehearsal for the organization of the Games, but also an opportunity for the world’s best athletes to strengthen their positions for Olympic qualification. With a World Cup calendar that includes nine events in eight countries, Bormio consolidates itself as a strategic stop on the road to Milano Cortina 2026.