Canada’s Kylee Toth relishes uphill battle of ‘punishing’ ski mountaineering ahead of its Olympics debut

Ski mountaineering may sound like a daunting task to many, but for Kylee Toth, a native of Cochrane, Alta., it is where she finds her sense of peace. Currently ranked 36th on the World Cup Provisional Ranking, Toth is the highest ranked Canadian woman in the sport. She describes the experience of gliding upwards on a mountain for hours at a time as being in a state of flow, surrounded by beautiful places that many people never get to see in their lifetime.

Toth acknowledges the physical demands of ski mountaineering, describing it as a punishing sport that is entirely uphill. She compares it to a super long hill sprint, where athletes push themselves to their anaerobic threshold and then quickly transition to racing down the hill as fast as possible after reaching the top.

Originally a competitive speedskater, Toth turned to ski mountaineering in Canmore, Alta., following her retirement from the ice. What started as a challenge soon turned into a passion that has become a central part of her life. At 41 years old, Toth is the oldest woman on the World Cup circuit, attributing her longevity in the sport to her background in speed skating.

The sport of ski mountaineering will make its Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Games, with a condensed sprint event that is a departure from the usual long races that athletes are accustomed to. While there were initially mixed feelings about the format change, Toth and her fellow ski mountaineers have come to embrace the opportunity for the sport to gain more exposure on the Olympic stage.

Qualifying for the Olympics in ski mountaineering is a fierce competition, with only 36 spots available (18 for men and 18 for women). Toth dreams of representing Canada at the Olympics for the first time and believes that being part of the inaugural Olympic ski mountaineering event would be a special experience.

The qualification process for ski mountaineering began on Nov. 1, 2024, and will continue until Dec. 21, 2025. As Toth and other athletes work towards securing their spots at the Winter Games, the sport continues to grow in popularity and recognition. Ski mountaineering, also known as ‘skimo’, offers a unique blend of athleticism and adventure that is sure to captivate audiences at the 2026 Winter Olympics.