If you follow uphill events like Copper’s Mammut Uphill Race Series, A-Basin’s Rise & Shine, or other mountain uphill ski challenges, SkiMo may already be on your radar. Short for ski mountaineering, SkiMo is a winter endurance sport that combines uphill skiing, fast transitions, and downhill skiing.
USA Skimo lists local race series at Arapahoe Basin, Copper, Breckenridge, Aspen, and many other mountain communities. Ski mountaineering made its Olympic debut at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics after being approved for inclusion in 2021.
For many athletes, the sport offers a new way to race, train, and build mountain skills throughout the winter. It is especially attractive to Nordic skiers, runners, mountain bikers, and other endurance athletes.
Learn More About Team Summit Ski Mountaineering
What Is SkiMo?
Put simply, SkiMo is a human-powered race format in which participants complete one or more laps up and down the mountain. Competitors race uphill on lightweight skis using climbing skins, then remove the skins and ski back down before climbing again.
The result is a sport that blends endurance, technical efficiency, skiing ability, and confidence in the mountains.
SkiMo for Endurance Athletes
SkiMo is a natural fit for endurance athletes, especially Nordic skiers, runners, and mountain bikers. The sport builds aerobic strength, pacing, and comfort with sustained effort.
Crossover with other sports is a big part of SkiMo’s appeal. It gives endurance athletes a winter challenge that feels familiar while still pushing them to develop new skills both uphill and downhill.
What Happens in a SkiMo Race?
In a typical SkiMo race, athletes skin uphill on a marked course, transition at designated points, ski downhill, and repeat the process through one or more climbs.
Both the uphill and downhill sections are important to each lap. SkiMo participants are tested not only on endurance, but also on transitions, efficiency, equipment management, and technical skiing ability.
Coaching and Support
If you’re looking to take your uphill experience to the next level, coaching can help you develop the skills needed to progress in the sport. Team Summit Colorado offers coaching and support for aspiring SkiMo athletes.
Breckenridge local Tim Faia works with athletes using a strong growth mindset and a focus on long-term development. That approach has helped athletes progress all the way to the national level, including three Team Summit athletes who joined the USA Skimo National Team.
Team Summit also offers opportunities to help reduce costs for families through a variety of financial initiatives, including the Annual Ski & Snowboard Swap and a Nordic Ski/SkiMo hybrid program.
Find Your Next Climb
Whether the goal is a first uphill event, a first SkiMo race, or long-term competitive progression, SkiMo gives athletes another path toward growth in the mountains.
As more people look for physical challenges, outdoor experiences, and strong communities away from the digital world, sports like ski mountaineering continue to attract athletes. The SkiMo community is passionate, supportive, and connected to endurance sports throughout the year.
Questions?
Connect with Coach Tim Faia: tim.faia@teamsummit.org
Learn more about Team Summit’s Ski Mountaineering Program.
Team Summit Colorado is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering young athletes to realize and celebrate their personal podiums. See all of our ski, snowboard, and mountain bike programs by visiting teamsummit.org.