Candanchu, in the Spanish Pyrenees, hosted the International Ski Mountaineering Federation's (ISMF) Olympic Solidarity Development Camp. More than 60 young athletes and coaches from 11 nations took part. The camp was organised by the Spanish federation and funded by the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Solidarity Programme. 

The aim of the camp was to provide young athletes with the skills and resources they need to develop their sporting careers. Participants from eleven different nationalities took part in the cultural exchange.

The aim was to provide young athletes with the tools they need to develop their careers in ski mountaineering. Through workshops, training sessions and guidance from experienced coaches and instructors, the participants were guided to improve their skills and develop strategies to improve the sport. Participants came from Australia, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Greece, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Poland, Bulgaria and Turkey.

Regula Meier, President of the ISMF, stressed the importance of such projects: "These initiatives play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of ski mountaineers and expanding the reach of our sport." 

"Not only do we enrich their individual journeys, but we also strengthen the global ski mountaineering community as a whole by providing young athletes with opportunities for development and cultural exchange," she added.

Despite the young age of the participants, ranging from 16 to 20, they also received professional sprint training from the official coach of the Spanish youth team, Jordi Guillaumes.

The camp was organised by the Spanish federation, but advised throughout by Monika Strojny, a member of the ISMF Council who is also responsible for overseeing Olympic Solidarity projects for the International Federation.

Strojny said: "The ISMF Olympic Solidarity Youth Camp is a beacon of opportunity and inclusivity in the world of ski mountaineering. We are not only nurturing talent, we are building bridges that transcend borders and unite us as a global community by investing in the development of young athletes and fostering cross-cultural connections."

Participants gained skills in skiing, climbing, sprinting techniques and shoe fitting, as well as their physical fitness and stamina. "Camps like this create long-term friendships and professional contacts. Promoting international cooperation and sharing best practices can lead to the development of this sport in all participating countries," said one of the coaches, Peter Svätojánsky.

"Everything about the camp was amazing: the location, our hotel, the coaching and the organisation; we've all learnt so much about ski mountaineering and also enjoyed visiting the beautiful mountains of the Spanish Pyrenees," said Kim Nym, coach of the Australian team. 

"Olympic Solidarity, ISMF and FEDME have given us this wonderful opportunity and we are very grateful. We hope to make many new friends and help grow the great sport of SkiMo in Australia," she added.

The development camp in Candanchu follows a successful first camp in the Tatra Mountains in 2023, where over 30 young athletes had a similar experience.