Has Anyone Skied Down Everest
Yes, multiple skiers have descended Everest, with the first confirmed ski descent completed in 1970 by Japanese climber Yuichiro Miura, who descended the Southeast Ridge from near the summit. Since then, a small number of extreme skiers and snowboarders have followed, with most attempts occurring on the North Face or the Southeast Ridge route, and the event remains a rare, high-risk feat documented in mountaineering records and expedition reports from Nepal and Tibet (China). Forbes
As of the most recent public records, the fastest ski descent from the summit is held by Kilian Jornet, who skied down in approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes in 2024, according to his verified expedition data and timing systems. The descent covered roughly 8,848 meters of vertical drop from the summit, and Jornet used a standard alpine ski setup without supplemental oxygen, making it one of the most scrutinized speed records in high-altitude skiing. Forbes
Who Has Skied Down Everest
Notable skiers include Yuichiro Miura, who first skied from the South Col in 1970, and later teams led by Davo Karničar (full descent from summit in 2000), Hans Kammerlander (short ski descent in 1996), and more recent attempts by extreme athletes such as Kilian Jornet and Andrzej Bargiel, who completed a notable descent in 2024. Most descents have been from the South Col or Southeast Ridge route, with a smaller number of attempts on the North Face, and the list of successful ski descents remains short compared to the thousands of climbers who reach the summit each season. ESPN
The commercial guiding industry on Everest, led by companies such as Alpine Ascents International and Himalayan Experience, does not offer ski descents as a standard service, and ski descents are typically self-organized expeditions requiring advanced mountaineering skills, high-altitude experience, and specialized equipment. The cost of a supported ski descent can exceed standard guided summit climbs, with logistics, permits, and safety teams adding to the total expense, and the number of ski descents per year remains low relative to the overall number of Everest expeditions. SEC
Risks and Challenges of Skiing Down Everest
The primary risks include extreme altitude, avalanche exposure, serac collapse, high winds, and the physical toll of skiing at above 8,000 meters, where oxygen levels are roughly one-third of sea level. Most ski descents require a prior climb to the summit or a high point such as the South Col, and the descent itself can take hours to days depending on the route, weather, and skier fitness, with the descent from the summit to base camp covering over 8,000 meters of vertical drop.