In Mid-March, the Ski Mountaineering World Cup in Schladming will be back for its third round! From 14 and 15 March 2025, there will also be a supporting programme for all touring ski enthusiasts and those who would like to become one.
ISMF World Cup Ski Mountaineering
14 to 15 March 2025
From 13 to 16 March 2025, Schladming will once again be the stage for a top-class winter sports highlight: the international elite will come together at the ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Cup to put their impressive skills to the test in Austria.
In the infamous witches' cauldron of Schladming, which already gives you goosebumps at the legendary Nightrace, things will also be hot here. On Friday, 14 March 2025, the Vertical will provide thrilling excitement as the athletes scale the steep slopes with almost unbelievable strength. On Saturday, 15 March 2025, the Planai Stadium will be transformed into a true competition arena as the ski mountaineers battle it out for hundredths of a second in the sprint.
But the event has much more to offer than just top sporting performances: The weekend kicks off on Thursday with a varied opening. Throughout the weekend, there will also be an exciting supporting programme that will make the hearts of all winter sports fans beat faster.
The Planai will once again be the centre of an extraordinary winter sports event - you shouldn't miss it!
Race information
Thursday, 13 March 2025
16:30 TCM | WM-Studio – Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen – Schladming
18:30 Official Opening Ceremony | Top 5 Presentation | Planai Stadion Schladming
Friday, 14 March 2025
13:30 Pre-Start TCM
14:05 Start Senior Men
14:20 Start Senior Women
Flower Ceremonies after each race in the finish area
18:00 Award Ceremony in the Planai Stadium
SPRINT RACE
Saturday, 15 March 2025
16:20 Inspection
17:00 Qualification Senior Women
17:25 Qualification Senior Men
18:00 Heats
18:55 Semifinals Senior Women
19:09 Semifinals Senior Men
19:30 Final Senior Women
19:40 Final Senior Men
19:47 Flower Ceremony
20:30 Award Ceremonies
The classic: the vertical
Friday, 14 March 2025
Start: Planai stadium - Finish: Planai middle station
Course length: 2.2 km - difference in altitude: 615 m
The ‘Vertical’ or ‘Vertical Race’ is a pure ascent race with ski skins. The start takes place in the Planai stadium, but it's already exciting here, as the mass start means that there is a fight for the best starting position for the first ascent right from the start. The route leads over around 600 metres in altitude to the middle station of the Planai cable car, where we expect the winners after around 25 minutes. Strength and endurance are just as crucial on the ascent as the right tactics on the very selective route. Victory will only be decided on the final steep climb and we are of course keeping our fingers crossed that our ladies and gentlemen will be right at the front. After the double victory of the ÖSV ladies Sarah Dreier and Johanna Hiemer from Schladming and the narrowly missed podium by Christof Hochenwarter last year, the Ski Austria skiers are also looking to impress in 2025. The best conditions for an exciting vertical race on the Planai.
For spectators, it is definitely worth taking the cable car directly to the middle station after the start and experiencing the exciting finale up close. The flower ceremony takes place directly after the vertical race in the middle station area.
The captivating: The sprint
Saturday, 15 March 2025
Planai Stadium - altitude difference 80 m
The sprint combines all the techniques of ski mountaineering in a very confined space on the final slope of the Planai. After qualifying, which each athlete has to complete on their own, 6 runners compete head-to-head against each other. Speed, skill and tactics are required, because the course that the sprinters have to master is a tough one. From the start, they practically head straight into the so-called diamonds, which act as course dividers and require a certain amount of skill. After a short ascent, it's time to change quickly: The skis are taken off and carried on the rucksack. The carrying section is also the steepest part of the course, at the end of which another transition zone awaits. With skis strapped on, the route continues in hairpin bends to the highest point of the sprint, where the skins are ripped off the skis. The rapid descent, which is also garnished with waves and small jumps, leads down to the finish. The first two of each ‘heat’ advance to the next round. In the end, the top 6 will battle it out for victory and the podium places. With Paul Verbnjak, Daniel Zugg and Andreas Mayer, we have three real sprint specialists in the team who will certainly give their all at their home race to be right at the front.
Participation in the supporting programme is only possible with prior reservation in our ticket shop.
Entries will only be accepted from National Members following ISMF quotas and rules for the Ski Mountaineering World Cups. Entries only will be accepted via the ISMF online registration system within the deadlines. Final entry deadline March, 9th 2025.
The registration fee is € 60,- per Athlete per race.
Due to Austrian Law, all (Team)radio equipment used during the event has to be registered. Please use the application form in the download on the event website.
We kindly ask that only one representative of each team collects all accreditations. Registration and accreditation take place in the race office: Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen - Coburgstrasse 52 - 8970 Schladming
Opening times:
Wednesday, 28.02.2024 | 14:00 - 18:00
Thursday, 29.02.2024 | 08:00 - 18:00
Friday, 01.03.2024 | 08:00 - 18:00
Saturday, 02.03.2024 | 08:00 - 20:30
Schladming-Dachstein Incoming GmbH
Bibiana Schweighofer | Ramsauerstraße 756 | 8970 Schladming | Österreich
Tel: +43 3687 23310 112 | bibiana.schweighofer@schladming-dachstein.at
According to the ISMF World Cup rules we will offer accommodation from the official arrival day until the official departure day. Teams must announce the room reservation via the Tourism board of Schladming-Dachstein as mentioned below. Please note the registration deadlines. Please note that accommodation at the ISMF rate is available for the dates of the official program only. Early arrivals and late departures are subject to availability and are not available at the ISMF rate. Additional Officials have to be paid directly in the hotel. Any extras must be paid by the teams or athletes themselves. A credit card is requested at your arrival at the hotel for deposit.
Thursday, 13.03.2025 | Arrival & Official Registration
16:30 TCM I WM-Studio - Planai-Hochwurzen-Bahnen - Schladming
18:30 Official Opening Ceremony I Planai Stadion Schladming
Friday, 14.03.2025 | Vertical Race*
13:30 Pre-Start TCM
14:05 Start Senior Men
14:20 Start Senior Women Flower Ceremonies after each race in the finish area
18:00 Award Ceremony in the Planai Stadium
Saturday, 15.03.2025 | Sprint Races*
15:50 Pre-Start TCM
16:20 Inspection
17:00 Qualification Senior Women
17:25 Qualification Senior Men
18:00 Heats
18:55 Semifinals Senior Women
19:09 Semifinals Senior Men
19:30 Final Senior Women
19:40 Final Senior Men
19:47 Flower Ceremony
20:30 Award Ceremonies
Sunday, 16.03.2025 | Reserve & Departure
*Exact times to be defined on TCM
We kindly ask all team members to carpool and take as few cars as possible to the Start area. The required parking permit will be handed out when registering in the race office. You will find reserved parking areas in the parking garage directly at the start area – please mind the maximum height 2,4 meters! Additional parking lots are available on P2 and P3 within a 3 minutes’ walk from the stadium.