International competition is sanctioned by the International Ski Mountaineering Federation, while national bodies sanction national competitions, for example the United States Ski Mountaineering Association (USSMA),[REF] Ski Mountaineering Competition Canada (SMCC),[REF] and the Schweizer Alpen Club (Switzerland) [REF].
Three important races are the Italian Mezzalama Trophy the Swiss Patrouille des Glaciers, and the French Pierra Menta [REF].