In the Beaufortain massif, it is a pure version of ski mountaineering that brought together aficionados, elite and amateurs, for a duo race that has become legendary, the Pierra Menta, created in 1986.

The competitors surveyed 10,000 meters of vertical drop over four days for intense daily routes of three hours, climbing to an altitude of 2680 m, climbing on skis with their feet covered in sealskin (also called plush) to catch the snow and not not slipping, scrambling with your skis on your back, walking like tightrope walkers on terribly narrow ridges, to finally descend at full speed into the powder.

"There is an incredible physical level and a level of performance that is just extraordinary. They are truly complete athletes. If they came to other sports, I think we would see them well ahead", explains the champion to AFP. ultra endurance races, François D'haene, faithful to the Pierra Menta for 12 years and who takes part in world cups.

Skiers during the 36 edition of the Pierra Menta, in Areches-Beaufort, March 11, 2022 Jeff PACHOUD AFP

5 Olympic titles in 2026

For a time called mountain skiing in French, ski mountaineering first existed around major races, such as the Pierra Menta in France or the Patrouille des Glaciers in Italy.

Then appeared the major championships and a World Cup circuit with shorter formats, all managed by the International Federation (ISMF) which offers 18 events for the 2021/2022 season.

In four years, it will be the big Olympic swim when the Italian organizers have proposed it as an additional sport.

Three events (sprint, individual, mixed relay) for five titles at stake.

Frenchman François D'Haene during the third stage of the 36th edition of the Pierra Menta in Areches-Beaufort, March 11, 2022 JEFF PACHOUD AFP

"Italy is a mountain country and one of the leading countries in ski mountaineering. I am convinced that it will remain, it is a very beautiful sport, it is the origin of skiing", assures the AFP the president of the French Federation (FFME), Alain Carrière.

"The formats take place over the same day, or even halfway through. The sprint lasts less than 3 minutes, the relay about ten minutes and the individual race is played in 1h30. It's more readable and more suitable for requirements of the IOC", continues Alain Carrière for whom "ski mountaineering ticks all the boxes".

"Not real ski mountaineering"

The discipline has already known the world of Olympism.

In Chamonix in 1924 for the very first Winter Games, she appeared there with a single event - by team - known as the "military patrol" (a climb with skins and a descent in alpine skiing) before to leave in 1948.

In 2026, the events will be near the slopes and not on the summits, meeting the IOC criteria for the presence of the public.

Which puts a damper on the community.

"It will not be like here, where we climb the Grand Mont, on the ridges, on the mountain. It will be ski mountaineering but it will not be real ski mountaineering," said AFP. Italian Michele Boscacci, world N.1 and winner of the Pierra Menta on Saturday with his compatriot Matteo Eydallin, who expects a "sader atmosphere".

Italian Michele Boscacci, winner of the 36th edition of the Pierra Menta, during the race on March 12, 2022 in Areches-Beaufort JEFF PACHOUD AFP

"But hey, the Olympics are none of my business, I leave that to the youngest and those who are motivated for sprints, I stay to do my classic races!" Eydallin told AFP.

The relay should allow today's thirties who prance at the top of the rankings like Eydallin or Xavier Gachet and his wife Axelle Mollaret, five-time world champion, to experience the Olympic adventure.

"For many, I hope it will be a good thing. I came to ski mountaineering for races like the Pierra Menta, where you have time to go to really wild places and to go for walks on real peaks. At the Games, the format will respond to World Cup formats and I like real long races more," said D'haene.

© 2022 AFP