Dear SkiMo Skiers,

With the Southern Hemisphere throwing a number of curve balls and slowly closing up shop, snow is falling in the Northern Hemisphere as we prepare for the upcoming World Cups, World Championships, and Olympic Selection.  

Although Falls Creek and Perisher did their absolute best to get our Skimo races off the ground, the late-season conditions were a little too challenging, and unfortunately, we had to cancel our races. With this difficult news came a quick switch to positivity; we could use the availability built into the calendar to send Ava McCann, Noah Bradford and Phil Bellingham to Chile for the ISMF’s Youth Solidarity camp. With Phil pulling double duty as an athlete and coach, he was able to assist Ava and Noah in growing their knowledge of the sport. As you read through Ava’s recap, it looks like it was an amazing week for everyone. 

In International SkiMo news, our peak body, the International Ski Mountaineering Federation, or the ISMF, is currently hosting its annual Plenary Assembly in Baku, Azerbaijan (where I am seated as I write this update). This assembly will unite all partner nations in preparation for the upcoming World Cup season and the lead-up to the Milano Cortina '26 Winter Olympics. 

We’ve also just finished our first Skimo Test week at the AIS in Canberra. A few Skimo athletes put themselves to the test as new Skimo-specific testing protocols were put together so that our athletes could benchmark their fitness in the lead-up to the upcoming season. On top of this, we welcomed Kate Zander, Aus Skimo Team athlete and Committee member, to Australia and the testing week, which was an absolute pleasure.

As our athletes prepare themselves for the upcoming season, I look forward to seeing them all put their best foot forward as they represent Australia and work towards Olympic selection.

Brian Lichi
Snow Australia Ski Mountaineering Committee Chair

Earlier this month a SkiMo testing camp took place for the first time at the AIS, taking advantage of a series of fortunate coincidences. SkiMo World Cup skier Kate Zander provided this report on her camp experience.

Only once before had I done treadmill physiological testing, and that was back in University as a cross country skier and I had to run. This time, we had the mask on, which measures O2 consumption, as well as having our blood tested to see the pH and lactate, all while on skis with skins. So cool. 

This is the third ISMF Youth Development camp that Australia has participated in. Athletes Ava McCann and Noah Bradford travelled to Chile in late September together with coach (and WC SkiMo athlete) Phillip Bellingham. Ava McCann provides this camp report.

My second Olympic Solidarity ISMF Skimo Youth camp was packed with highlights. It seemed like half the world was there to take advantage of the incredible snow conditions in Nevados de Chillán, Chile, in our beautiful hotel on the piste. The resort was officially closed to the public, and it felt like we had the mountain to ourselves, only sharing with a handful of national Alpine Ski teams, including France and Canada.

SkiMo membership with Snow Australia ensures that you are notified of the latest news and updates within the sport and lock in your expression of interest in local and international events. 

Snow Australia is calling on the community to nominate individuals, schools, clubs, and programs, for the fifth edition of the Community Sport Awards.

Recognising individuals and programs at the development and pathway level of snow sports, the awards are an opportunity to nominate and acknowledge the extraordinary contributions of our community over the past 12 months.