Ski Mountaineering Racing Steering Group

About the BMC Ski Mo Racing Steering Group

The BMC is the National Governing Body and the home of competition Skimo in the UK. The BMC Skimo Racing Steering Group manages and promotes the future of the sport along with the GB Skimo Racing teams, talent and performance pathways as part of the Performance Advisory Group (PAG) and GB Climbing internal department of the BMC.

The initial Steering Group meeting was held in May of 2023, with mixed representation from across the Skim racing and outdoors community. First, a terms of reference document was developed, with the relatively modest aims of promoting the sport, providing a framework for athletes to develop, and looking forward to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina.

Since then, the Steering Group has grown, become more organised, and begun to put in place the structures required to truly grow the sport of Ski Mountaineering Racing in GB.

Terms of Reference

The operation of the Steering Group is governed by the Terms of Reference*, (*NOTE link to document here?) In summary the remit is to:

• Promote and Develop Skimo Racing in the UK from Grassroots through to Elite Level

• Provide guidance, advocate for, and develop Skimo Race athletes that wish to compete at the national and international level

• Maintain oversight of the GB Skimo Race Squad and support its management team

Contact the BMC International Strategy Group

You can get in contact with the Ski Mo Racing Steering Group by writing in to skimo@thebmc.co.uk

Meetings and News

The Steering Group Meets every 3rd Sunday of the month, Meeting minutes can be found here*

Licence Application

Races organised by the ISMF (international ski mountaineering federation) or ‘La Grande Course’ races require competitors to have a racing licence from their home country’s Skimo federation. This is essentially to ensure that those applying to compete have the necessary skills and experience to take on the often complex terrain.

In the UK, athletes wishing to be considered for an ISMF licence should complete this application form and send it to skimo@thebmc.co.uk.

Policies and forms

ISMF licence individual athlete application policy

ISMF licence individual athlete application form

These forms are not yet available, please contact skimo@thebmc.co.uk for details.

GB Team Selection Pathway and Policy

British athletes have competed in ISMF European and World championships, the series of six races constituting La Grande Course and multiple smaller European and North American races for decades. This has been with the support of the BMC in obtaining an international race licence.

However, until 2023 there had not been a formal selection process in place for athletes wishing to compete for Great Britain on the international stage. We now have a formalised process to allow equitable and transparent team selection and opportunities.

READ MORE: Policies and forms