3 August 2012 Last updated at 07:07 ET

Ski mountaineering racing first for Scotland

The sport is already established in the Alps and North America

Ski mountaineering racing is to be introduced to the UK for the first time later this year.

Skimo combines skiing with mountaineering skills.

The sport is established in the Alps and North America, but organisation Skimo Scotland said it had not spread to the UK.

Four races will be held in Scotland, starting with an event at the Lecht on 29 December. Further races will be hosted by other ski centres next year.

They are planned for 19 January at Glenshee, 23 February at Glencoe Mountain and 23 March at Nevis Range.

Races lasting between 60 and 90 minutes can involve vertical sprints where racers scramble uphill on foot, before skiing technical downhill sections.