All about cross country ski racing

Racers in La Sgambeda [Photo: M Wray]

Any skier can race - as a minimum you need to enjoy a challenge, have a sense of adventure and reasonable fitness. 

If you already race in other sports you'll enjoy cross country ski racing provided that you take some lessons and learn to ski - combine your fitness and strength with skiing skills and you'll be flying! 

Which races?

• Pay your money and take your choice - anyone who thinks they can ski the distance in the required technique within the time limit can enter popular races. Popular in this context means 'carried out by the general public'.

• There's a huge choice of races in skating and classic technique that take place around the world.  Choose your destination, read the race details, check the course profile and cut off times to see if the event and price suit you.

• Some are run in classic technique, others in free technique when most competitors skate but it's perfectly legitimate to ski classic although the tracks may not be as good as in a pure classic race.

• Entry fees rise the closer you get to the event so it's worth considering taking advantage of the early bird entry prices. Also bear in mind some iconic races, like Vasaloppet, get booked up very quickly.

• Race websites usually also give details of how to get to the event and how to find accommodation which in some venues can be quite limited, so book as soon as you can. 

LRNSC and cross country ski racing

There are keen racers in the Club who take part in a broad spectrum of events and can offer advice and suggestions to other members.  In 2025 there will be a Club trip to the Gsiesertal Lauf in Italy and members will also be taking part in the Dachsteinlauf in Ramsau, Austria.

If you're interested in meeting up with other members at races let us know - please contact us. 

The main cross country race series that LRNSC members take part in are:

Worldloppet series

Worldloppet series comprises 20 of the most prestigious popular races from Europe, America, Asia and Australasia which gives you a great incentive to travel to new and different places to ski - see the Worldloppet calendar.

Buy a Worldloppet passport online [it comes with lots of benefits] complete at least 10 of the races and you can become either a gold [long distance] or silver [short distance] a Worldloppet Master. 

Races are categorised as long distance, between 42 km and 90 km, and short distance, between 17 and 45 km.  Often the events offer classic and skate races on different days so you can enjoy a good weekend's racing.

On Facebook you'll find the Worldloppet Skier's Forum and Worldloppet plus most of the races have their own pages.

The International Association of Worldloppet Skiers has some useful information about the races written by skiers for skiers.

The Worldloppet Ski Federation is an international sports federation of cross-country skiing marathons. Founded in 1978 in Uppsala, Sweden, it aims to promote the sport of cross-country skiing through the ski races around the world.

Euroloppet series

Euroloppet is similar to Worldloppet but within Europe and offers a good range of alternative challenges closer to home - see the Euroloppet race calendar. Purchasing a Euroloppet passport gives you various benefits and awards including lower entrance fees and a better starting position.

In 2025 the Dachsteinlauf races are an option on our Ramsau cross country ski trip and several members will be taking part in one or more events.

The European Union for Ski Marathons is the organisation behind the Euroloppet brand.

Ski Classics

This is a series of long distance classic ski races where there's a worldwide pro tour for elite skiers based on existing ski races which amateurs can also enter.  Some of the races also feature in the Worldloppet series.  ProXCskiing is the organisation behind it.

Global ski marathon calendar

This is a very useful searchable global calendar which combines the series above plus others to provide probably the most comprehensive ski marathon calendar available.

Masters World Cup

An annual meeting open to skiers over 30 which attracts keen Club skiers and former national team members organised by the World Masters Cross Country Ski Association - find out more from the British association, BMCCSA.

The 2025 Masters World Cup takes place in Klosters, Switzerland.

Elite racing

Top level racing has its own set qualifying rules and regulations - see the FIS and International Biathlon Union websites for more details and racing programmes.

The British Championships take place in Ruhpolding in January/February - you can find out more information from the British Biathlon Union.  

Development and organisation of GB skiers to elite level is undertaken by the British Nordic Ski Team.

The next Winter Olympics is Milan-Cortina in 2026.

La Sgambeda ski racers (Photo M Wray)