The first Winter Olympics were held from 25 January to 5 February 1924 in Chamonix, France, and were later officially recognized as the inaugural Olympic Winter Games.

Key facts

  • Host city and country: Chamonix, in the French Alps.
  • Dates: 25 January – 5 February 1924.
  • Status at the time: Organized as “International Winter Sports Week” of the 1924 Paris Olympics; in 1925–1926 the IOC amended its charter and retroactively declared it the first Winter Olympic Games.

Quick historical scoop

  • The event brought together athletes from 16 nations for around 10–12 days of winter sports such as skating, skiing, and ice hockey, helping establish a distinct winter counterpart to the Summer Games.
  • Its success in Chamonix led the International Olympic Committee to create a regular series of Winter Games, held in the same year as the Summer Olympics until that practice ended after 1992.

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