USA Skimo Enters Into Agreement With U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee

Silverthorne, CO (Sept 25, 2023) – The United States Ski Mountaineering Association (USA Skimo) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee to establish an Olympic high-performance program for Ski Mountaineering before the sport makes its debut at the Olympic Winter Games Milan-Cortina 2026.

In addition to addressing a high-performance program for Ski Mountaineering, the agreement establishes the roles and responsibilities of USSMA and the USOPC in selecting and sending athletes to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and competitions within the qualification pathway to the 2026 Games.

“Formalizing our role with the USOPC represents a true inflection point for our sport. The USOPC will provide resources and expertise to our athletes, aspiring athletes, and the U.S. Ski Mountaineering community,” said Anthony Armstrong, Executive Director of USA Skimo. “This partnership will take our sport to the next level of competition and professionalism.” 

“Though new to the Olympic Games program, Ski Mountaineering is a dynamic, fast-growing sport that also boasts more than a century of tradition,” said Rocky Harris, USOPC Chief of Sport & Athlete services. “We are excited to welcome Ski Mountaineering onto the Olympic program and are excited to partner with USSMA to deliver results for Team USA.”

In July 2021, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) unanimously approved adding Ski Mountaineering to the Olympic Winter Games Milan-Cortina 2026. Further details regarding athlete selection and resources will be made available as race calendars and IOC selection criteria become available.  

To learn more about the sport and support USA Skimo please visit usaskimo.org. The full text of the agreement can be found at:  https://www.usaskimo.org/usopc_and_usa_ski_mountaineering_agreement_v-4-0/.

About USA Skimo

USA Skimo sanctions and governs competitive ski mountaineering racing in the US and promotes and fosters recreational ski mountaineering through access, resources, education and community sanctioned skimo races in the United States abide by a series of rules, by discipline, as directed by the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF). USA Skimo is recognized by the ISMF as the national sport organization for the United States. USA Skimo is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, entity. Funds generated from membership race licenses, corporate sponsorships and generous support from donors are used for athlete development programs and to grow the sport of ski mountaineering in the US. Please consider a financial donation to help support the next generation of USA athletes on the world stage. 

About The USOPC

Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee is focused on protecting, supporting and empowering America’s athletes, and is responsible for fielding U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games, and serving as the steward of the Olympic and Paralympic movements in the U.S.