alpinist

noun

al·​pin·​ist ˈal-pə-nist 

variants or Alpinist

plural alpinists or Alpinists

1

: a mountain climber specializing in high, difficult ascents

In the world of alpinists Mr. Lowe was a celebrity, tackling routes that seemed impossible to other climbers and with as little equipment as he could.

—Daniel E. Slotnik

… on the top of the fifth highest mountain in the continental U.S., one on which alpinists practice before heading for the Andes and Himalayas …

—Paul Clark

2

: an Alpine skier (see alpine sense 4)

To the dedicated alpinist, cross-country skiing is an amateurish parody of the real art.

—Time

As for the women, the only American Alpinist with a shot at a medal is 20-year-old Cindy Nelson in the downhill.

—Peter Bonventre

Examples of alpinist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

British alpinists Sir Chris Bonington and Alan Hinkes wore the brand on separate expeditions to summit Mount Everest. —Violet Goldstone, WWD, 21 Oct. 2024

Mallory’s remains were found by alpinist Conrad Anker in 1999. —Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024

These lodgings cater to hikers, mountain bikers, alpinists and in winter, skiers and snowboarders. —Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024

The legendary alpinist Jeff Lowe ran the first Ice Fest here in 1996, drawing a modest crowd of a few hundred people. —James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 5 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1