The General Assembly of the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF), held this week in Baku, brought together 23 nations to discuss the development of mountain skiing, preparations for the 2026 Winter Games, the election of a new Council member, and the inclusion of four new federations.
wintersportsnews: ISMF President Regula Meier formally opened the event, expressing her gratitude to the National Federation of Azerbaijan for their warm hospitality. Meier emphasised the importance of international collaboration in promoting mountain skiing worldwide. Following this, Florian Sengstschmid, Vice President of the Azerbaijan Winter Sports Federation, reiterated his country’s commitment to fostering the growth of this sport both locally and globally.
One of the highlights was a video message from the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, who praised the progress made by the ISMF and celebrated the forthcoming inclusion of mountain skiing in the Winter Olympics for the first time. This recognition from the IOC reinforces the sport’s growing relevance within the global winter sports community.
During the Assembly, the ISMF’s Annual Report was reviewed and approved, providing a summary of the federation’s achievements and challenges over the past year. Significant amendments to the Federation’s Statutes were also approved, aimed at enhancing governance and aligning its structure with international best practices.
In the elections held to appoint a new member of the ISMF Council, Turkish representative Vehbi Aytekin Sanalan was re-elected, ensuring his continued presence within the organisation. Additionally, Helder Alberto Navarro Carriazo from the Skimocol Federation of Colombia was elected to join the Compliance Office, where he will bring his expertise to the governance team.
Preparation for the Olympic debut of mountain skiing was another hot topic. Naoko Maruyama, a member of the organising committee for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games, gave an informative presentation. She outlined the collaborative efforts between the ISMF and the Olympic Committee to ensure a successful introduction of this sporting discipline on the Olympic stage.
Demonstrating further commitment to the global expansion of the sport, the ISMF welcomed four new member federations during the Assembly. These include the Hungarian Mountaineering and Climbing Federation, the Cypriot Mountaineering, Climbing, and Orienteering Federation, the Skimo Federation of India, and the Mountain Skiing Federation of Malta. Their inclusion marks an important step in broadening the reach and inclusivity of mountain skiing worldwide.
In addition to the Plenary Assembly, the ISMF organised a workshop for Member National Federations the day prior. This activity focused on reviewing the highlights of the past season and discussing future projects, fostering collaboration and active participation among the involved federations.
Founded in 2007 and based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the ISMF is the governing body for competitive mountain skiing worldwide. Officially recognised by the IOC since 2016, the ISMF oversees global competitions, including World Cups and World Championships. The sport’s inclusion in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games represents a significant milestone that further solidifies its place on the international stage.
