CANCELLED

Snow Australia Falls Creek Skimo Weekend 2024

Falls Creek, 14-15 September

This Ski Mountaineering event weekend is organised by Snow Australia in partnership with Falls Creek Ski Lifts and the Falls Creek Alpine Resort.

Events Details

What: Ski Mountaineering
Events: Sprint Event + Mini Invidividual
Where: Falls Creek
When: 14-15 September, 2024
Who: Open to all Snow Australia members 

SkiMo - What is it?

Ski Mountaineering, or SkiMo, is a new Winter Olympic sport that will be contested for the first time in Milano-Cortina 2026. Though the SkiMo World Cup series features other race formats such as the Individual and Vertical events, the 2026 Olympic schedule includes a Sprint and a Mixed Relay.

SkiMo Sprint

The SkiMo Sprint event consists of a time trial against the clock followed by head-to-head knockout finals, similar to the Cross Country Skiing Sprint format. A race course typically consists of four main sections separated by transition zones, with climb of approximately 70m. Skinning sections require skiers to have skins on the bottom of their skis, bootpack sections must be covered on foot, and in the final descent skiers must ski through gates similar to a giant slalom. For the fastest racers a Sprint may take around 3-4 minutes.

Though the SkiMo Sprint is typically held within the relative safety of a snow resort, participants still must carry mandatory equipment that is often essential when ski mountaineering out of resorts in back-country terrain.

SkiMo Mini-Individual

A SkiMo Individual event typically has a minimum of three ascents and descents. Race times vary depending on the event, but top racers should complete the event in 1.5-2 hours, with a minimum elevation gain of 1,300 metres. Individual Races are set on challenging trails and include a mass start of all competitors. 

This Mini-Individual event is designed for both elite and new SkiMo participants to compete together on a looped course. The Falls Creek course will consist of small loop included two ascents and two descents starting and finishing from a central location near the Eagel Express chair. 

Categories

• Open Men
• Open Women
• Masters Men
• Masters Women
• Youth Men (U18)
• Youth Women (U18)

Program (preliminary)

Friday, September 13

• 10:00-12:00 – Sprint course open for training*
• 16:00 – Bib collection and event briefing, location TBC.

Saturday, September 14

• 9:00-10:00 – Sprint course open for training*
• 10:00-10:30 – Time trial
• 11:00-12:00 – Knockout finals
• 12:30 – Presentations

Sunday September 15

• Times to be confirmed

*Conditions permitting.

Note that times may change, the race day schedule will be confirmed at the event briefing on Friday.

Equipment

International SkiMo events have strict equipment and clothing requirements. As this is the first event to be held in Australia and specific SkiMo equipment may be difficult to obtain, some requirements are being relaxed.

Mandatory Equipment

• Skis with metal edges and retention device
  (the lighter the better)
• Bindings (alpine touring recommended)
• Boots
• Skins (must cover 50% of ski length)
• Poles
• Helmet
• Gloves
• Backpack

Recommended Equipment

• Eyewear
• Three layers of clothing on top
• Two layers of clothing on bottom

Course

Sprint

Snow conditions permitting, the preliminary plan is to hold the Sprint event at the bottom of the Summit, including Skin / Bootpack / Skin / Giant Slalom sections. Back-up plans include options in the Ruined Castle area. The final course will be confirmed in the week of the event.

Mini-Individual

Snow conditions permitting, the preliminary plan is to hold the Mini-Individual event near the middle of Eagle Express at the intersection between Broadway and The Y's. The event will include an initial ascent up South Gulley with a transition at Lorna Dunkley Shelter followed by a descent on Vertigo Valley. A transition back to skinning up Sundown will then be followed by the final descent down The Y's. 

Registration

Snow Australia Membership

All entrants must be members of Snow Australia. New members can sign up for a SkiMo Sport Racer membership. Existing Snow Australia competitors from another discipline (Cross Country, Alpine, Freestyle, Snowboard) are eligible to enter using their current race licence. 

Entry Fees

• Open/Masters - $55
• Youth (U18) - $45

Entry deadline is Wednesday 11 September. Late Entries are permitted up until 4.00pm on Friday 13 September (late fee $20).

Contact

For more information about the event format and suitable equipment contact Brian Lichi on blichi@snow.org.au or mobile 0435 426 046.

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