Smithsonian Magazine

What Is Skimo? The Newest Olympic Sport Has a Long History in Europe

With roots in military training, high-endurance ski mountaineering is finally catching on in the United States

Skimo is about to make its debut at the Winter Olympics but what is it?

Ski mountaineering, also known as 'skimo,' will make its debut at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy this year. Unlike more traditional skiing contests, where it is all about going downhill, the Games' newest sport combines going uphill and downhill.

Ski mountaineering is about to make its Olympic debut

A new Olympic sport, ski mountaineering will make its debut at the Milan Cortina Winter Games this week. Here's how it works.
Channel 3000

Ready for skins on the slopes? Ski mountaineering is making its Olympic debut

The newest Olympic sport goes by the name “skimo,” which is short for ski mountaineering. The premise is simple — race up the slope and back down as fast as possible. U.S. Olympic qualifier Cameron Smith shows how it works. (AP video by Brittany Peterson)

What is 'ski mountaineering,' the new sport added to the Winter Olympics?

Ski mountaineering is a new sport in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy and mogul skiing, gets an additional twist; skiers now participate in pairs.