ISMF is pleased to share that Australia is set to host its first-ever Ski Mountaineering (SkiMo) race. The Falls Creek SkiMo Challenge will take place on Sunday, 24 August 2025, marking a historic step for the sport in the Southern Hemisphere.
After three years of preparation and challenging conditions, Snow Australia will deliver this debut competition, creating a unique opportunity for the national snowsport and back-country community to experience SkiMo – now an Olympic discipline and set to feature at Milano-Cortina 2026.
Several Australian athletes with SkiMo World Cup experience are expected on the start line, including Daniel Trevena, who competed in his first ISMF World Cup and World Championships earlier this year, and Phil Bellingham, a Winter Olympian in cross-country skiing.
The event will be held on a Mini-Individual format with an M-style course between the Dicky Knees and Scott chairlifts, including multiple ascents, descents, and bootpack sections. Course inspection opens at 10:00, followed by a mass start at 11:00. The competition will conclude with a prize-giving ceremony at Dicky Knees.
Brian Lichi, Chair of the Snow Australia SkiMo Committee and Chief of Race, emphasised the importance of this milestone:
“After two years of cancelled races it’s great to finally see this event ready to launch. As we look ahead to the Winter Olympics at Milano-Cortina 2026, this is a stunning opportunity where everyone – from the casual tourer to the uphill specialist – can try SkiMo and test themselves against the mountain, and maybe their friends.”
While Australia fielded five female athletes on the ISMF World Cup circuit last season, none are expected to compete in Falls Creek due to overseas commitments or academic schedules. This leaves the women’s field wide open for new challengers.
Registration for the Falls Creek SkiMo Challenge is open on the Snow Australia website.