Ski Mountaineering — Vertical Race

Ski Mountaineering Vertical Race is one of the sprint-format disciplines of ski mountaineering (skimo), governed by the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF, founded 2008; formerly ISMC 1999). Racers wearing ultra-light race skis (typically 65-85 mm underfoot, ~1-1.6 kg/pair) attach climbing skins to the bases and race uphill only, ascending ~500-1,000 m vertical over ~3-5 km trail. No descent segment (distinguishes from Individual + Sprint disciplines). Signature race: Vertical Kilometer (VK) — exactly 1,000 m vertical gain — most famous of which is Kilómetro Vertical Fully (Switzerland, since 1994). Ski Mountaineering was added to Olympic Winter Games program for Milan-Cortina 2026 across 3 disciplines: Sprint (short high-intensity), Individual (long-course with uphill + downhill + technical sections), Mixed Relay (team). Vertical Race itself is not an Olympic event but is a key ISMF World Cup + World Championship discipline (biennial WC). Notable athletes: Kilian Jornet (ESP — greatest skimo athlete + trail runner all-time; multiple ISMF gold + numerous VK records), Rémi Bonnet (SUI — currently dominant), Robert Antonioli (ITA), Michele Boscacci (ITA), Axelle Gachet-Mollaret (FRA — women's dominant), Emily Harrop (FRA).

Fastest ascent time.

Win condition · First across summit finish line.

• Race skis (ultra-light, 65-85 mm underfoot)

  Typically 1-1.6 kg/pair; carbon or ultra-light wood core; e.g., Movement Session Race, Ski Trab Piuma, Dynafit Blacklight.

• Climbing skins (mohair or synthetic)

  Attached to ski bases for uphill grip; typically 60 mm width for race skis.

• Race boots (~500-800 g each)

  Ultra-light carbon fiber race boots (Scarpa Alien, La Sportiva Skorpius); AT+walk mode + tour lever.

• Race bindings (tech / pin bindings)

  Light pin bindings (~50-150 g/pair); e.g., Dynafit Superlite.

• Race suit + safety kit

  Ultra-light lycra race suit; whistle + emergency blanket + basic first aid (per ISMF requirements).

• Ski Mountaineer (Skimo racer)

  ×1

  Sole competitor.

• Race Coach + Support Team

  ×2

  Ground support (waxing + course prep).

ISMF-sanctioned officials panel.

• Race Director
• Course Marshals (checkpoint)
• Timekeeper
• Chief Referee

• ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Championships

  biennial · rotating Alpine venues · since 2002

• ISMF World Cup

  annual (Dec-Mar) · Alpine venues · since 2000

• Kilómetro Vertical Fully (VK)

  annual · Fully, Switzerland · since 1994

• Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

  quadrennial · Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy · since 2026

• 🇮🇹🇦ITA
• 🇫🇷🇦FRA
• 🇸🇺🇮SUI
• 🇪🇸🇵ESP
• 🇦🇺🇹AUT
• 🇬🇪🇷GER
• 🇳🇴🇷NOR
• 🇸🇼🇪SWE
• 🇺🇸🇦🇅🇍🇱🇮🇲🇮🇹🇪🇩🇎USA (limited)

• ISMF (International Ski Mountaineering Federation)

  Founded 2008 · Milan, Italy

• IOC (International Olympic Committee — added 2020)

  Founded 1894 · Lausanne, Switzerland

• Wikipedia — Ski mountaineering— Wikipedia
• ISMF official— International Ski Mountaineering Federation