IOC: Skimo becomes Winter Olympic’s official new sport

In Milan Cortina, the sport of Skimo made an exhibition status debut, and now it's been accepted into the official Olympic Program. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The International Olympic Committee unanimously approved the inclusion of Ski Mountaineering (Skimo) on the program for the 2030 French Alps Olympic Winter Games on Wednesday.

In addition to the return of Sprint and Mixed Relay, the Individual discipline has been added, bringing the total number of medal events to five. Ski Mountaineering is expected to share a venue with Snowboarding and Freestyle Skiing. In the Italy Games it shared a venue with Alpine Skiing.

Skimo made it’s debut in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Park City Ski & Snowboard’s Adam Loomis was not only a former member of the United States Skimo National Team, but he’s the Coach and Director of the local Club’s Skimo Team, from which a handful of athletes have moved on to Youth National Team membership.

Loomis told TownLift, “The inclusion of the individual race in addition to the sprint and team relay at the 2030 Winter games is the news that many of us in the Skimo world have been waiting for. It’s not surprising given the popularity of the shorter formats in this year‘s Olympics, but it’s definitely exciting to have the official announcement. The sport of Skimo has a ton of momentum right now, and I expect it to continue at all levels from the very top to the development and recreational level.”

Solitude Ski resort in Utah hosted the USA’s World Cup for Skimo last winter.

In a presentation of the recommendation to the IOC Session, Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Chair Karl Stoss said: “We recognized the sport’s potential to add meaningful value to the program, supported by its strong presence in Alpine regions, and its ability to enhance diversity, authenticity and appeal, while building on its growing Olympic momentum.”

He continued, “The competition format delivered exciting head-to-head racing, even in challenging weather conditions – with strong engagement from spectators, a good atmosphere, a format that was easy to follow and observe, and clear competitive value.”

He also discussed the sport’s “youth appeal, and “continued growth in recent years.”

Historically managed out of Colorado, USA Skimo is setting down administrative roots in Salt Lake City.

By comparison, Breaking, the sport version of break dancing, attempted to become an official Olympic sport after the Paris 2024 Summer Games exhibition status debut, however, citing low approval ratings by the public spectatorship, it was not picked up for future Olympics.