ABSTRACT.The mortality of 396 Finnish champion skiers born from 1845 to 1910 was followed up to the end of 1967. Their median life expectation was 73.0 years. During the study the median life expectation of the general male population increased, but in 1956‐60 it still was 2.8 years shorter than that of the skiers. When the skiers were divided into those born before 1883 and those born during or after 1883, no trend was seen in their median life expectation. According to a parallel cross‐sectional study of surviving runners and skiers, former endurance athletes have low blood pressure, seldom smoke and are physically active. All these characteristics may contribute to their longevity.