The Ymir Climber

Nestled within the picturesque Selkirks, beneath the awe-inspiring silhouette of Ymir peak, lies Whitewater Mountain Resort. Embracing the allure of its backcountry terrain, the resort boasts an array of bowls, ridges, and peaks, all accessible within a few hours of uphill travel.

Situated a mere 20-minute drive from the vibrant and eclectic town of Nelson, BC, this cherished destination, beloved by locals, eagerly anticipates hosting three days of exhilarating ski mountaineering racing as an integral part of the esteemed Canada Cup.

These meticulously-crafted courses will challenge competitors to navigate both in-bounds terrain via dedicated uphill tracks as well as Whitewater's pristine backcountry, uncovering hidden gems and lesser-known zones.

Courses are subject to change based on conditions and avalanche hazard.

Starting at the Day Lodge, the Vertical Race ascends Hummingbird Ski Way, Silver King Ski Way, and Ymir Ski Way to the top of the Raven chair.

The course is a single ascent, completed entirely on skis or a splitboard with skins.

Elevation Gain: 435m

Distance: 3.3km

Vertical Race Required Equipment

Vertical Race Route

Vertical Race Flyover

There are male, female, and non-binary elite & recreational categories for the Vertical Race.

12:00pm - 2:00pm: Check-in for all events at the Yurt

2:15pm: Athletes Meeting at the Yurt

2:30pm: Warm up

3:30pm: Vertical Race start

4:30pm: Cutoff for Finishing

5:00pm: Cutoff for After Race Check-in

5:00pm: Results posted

5:30pm: Podium on the 2nd floor of the Day Lodge

Starting at the Day Lodge, racers will ascend the Raven slope, bootpacking above the Goat Wall cliffs before transitioning back to skinning for the final climb to Half Dome. They will descend Goat's to Motherlode Trees, then skin up through the trees towards the bottom of Catch Basin. Racers will rejoin the grooming on Motherlode Flats and skin up Motherlode towards Stanger Steeps where a short bootpack will take them onto the ridge and rejoin grooming on Motherlode.

A short skintrack will take racers up to the Patrol Hut where their next transition will be. At this point Elite racers will skate across the ridge towards Morning Glory and the Glory side of the Resort. Midway down Morning Glory a right hand turn will take them onto Ramble On which they will continue down. A transition near the bottom of this run will set them up for the final climb up Claim Jumper. At Claim Jumper Col they will transition to descend and head down Motherlode. At the Patrol Hut, Recreational racers will follow Motherlode towards the Day Lodge. Both divisions will finish with a final skate and uphill sprint behind the Day Lodge.

With multiple ascents and descents and ranging from 1.5 to 3 hours, this race offers a mix of on- and off-piste skinning, bootpacking, and both groomed and backcountry skiing. This course is completed entirely on skis or a splitboard with skins.

Elevation Gain & Loss: 1,302m (Elite) | 964m (Recreational)

Distance: 11.97km (Elite) | 9.44km (Recreational)

Individual Race Required Equipment

Individual Race Route - Elite

Individual Race Flyover - Elite

Individual Race Route - Recreational

Individual Race Flyover - Recreational

There are male, female, and non-binary elite & recreational categories for the Individual Race.

7:30am - 8:15am: Check-in at Coal Oil Johnny's Pub

8:15am: Athletes Meeting

8:30am: Warm up

9:15am: Pre-Race Transceiver Check

9:30am: Individual Race start

2:00pm: Cutoff for Finishing

2:30pm: Cutoff for After Race Check-in

2:30pm: Results posted

3:00pm: Podium in the base area

This 2026 Winter Olympics discipline is a short-format event that is new this year. As the title implies, with six athletes per heat and athletes starting every minute, this is a very fast race, and is based on the fastest racers completing the total course in approximately 3 minutes.

Sprint racers will compete right outside the Day Lodge on Sluice Box. Racers will skin, bootpack, and skin to a transition point mid-run. From here, racers will descend back down to the start point through race gates. This course is completed entirely on skis or a splitboard with skins.

Elevation Gain & Loss: 60m

Distance: 0.64km

Sprint Race Required Equipment

Sprint Race Route

There are male, female, and non-binary elite & recreational categories for the Sprint Race.

7:30am - 8:15am: Check-in at Coal Oil Johnny's Pub

8:15am: Athletes Meeting

8:30am: Warm up & Course Inspection

9:30am: Qualifications start

10:15am: Men's Semi Finals start

10:45am: Elite Women's Finals start

10:55am: Men's Finals start

11:20am: Open start

12:00pm: Results posted

12:30pm: Podium in the base area

Nicoya Schmidt
Sales & Marketing Coordinator

There are male, female, and non-binary elite & recreational categories for the Individual Race.

7:30am - 8:15am: Check-in at Coal Oil Johnny's Pub

8:15am: Athletes Meeting

8:30am: Warm up

9:15am: Pre-Race Transceiver Check

9:30am: Individual Race start

2:00pm: Cutoff for Finishing

2:30pm: Cutoff for After Race Check-in

2:30pm: Results posted

3:00pm: Podium in the base area