Why do team ski mountaineering races require ropes and additional climbing gear?

In team ski mountaineering races, athletes are required to use ropes and additional climbing gear—such as crampons, harnesses, and ice picks—because these events are long-endurance competitions held in natural settings.12

Unlike shorter, track-based events, these races can last up to three hours and feature significant elevation gains of up to 2.4 kilometers. Because the terrain is often difficult and unpredictable, this equipment is essential for safety and navigation when traversing steep or challenging sections where skis alone are insufficient. In these team formats, two athletes must remain together throughout the duration of the race, working collaboratively to manage the technical demands of the course using this specialized gear.1