2026 Perisher XC Ski Week

Perisher XC hosted the 2026 Cross Country Ski Week from August 1st to 8th, bringing together a wide variety of athletes. This week long ski festival gathers the entire community from juniors to masters to Olympians for some fun racers to help grow the sport and give the elite more race practice.

The week was kicked off with the PXC Cup. A skate race that highlighted PXC’s launch of their new race bibs.

PXC Cup Men's Podium with Fruit and Vegetable Awards

The KAC Cross Country Classic is another staple of the PXC Ski Week, with both Classic and Freestyle categories. Several Australian National Team members taking out the top positions and racing alongside our local racers.

A highlight of the week was the annual Nordic Shelter Twilight Relays. Teams of four entered and competed both for the fastest relay times but also in a costume contest. The 2026 Costume Competition winners were relay team ‘Respect Your Elders’ who sourced their costumes from the local op shop. Josie Wright, a member of this winning team shared her favourite experience from the week:

“My ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE race this week was the twilight relays! It is my highlight of race week every year. It is so much fun, so many people turn up, it doesn't matter if you win or not, and most importantly there is a group costume prize! This year with my amazing annual team we dressed up as old people and won best dressed, keeping our costume winning streak going! There is also always delicious soups, bread, treats and some gluvine for the older racers. You can win a very big glass mug or some chocolate for the best dressed team. It’s the best community and it's really fun playing in the snow out in the dark. If you could only do one race, I would 100% choose the twilight relays every time!”

Twilight Relays Best Dressed: Josie Wright, Henry McArthur, Zara Potocki, and Ivy Potocki

The Sundeck Cup was another headline event of the week. The Sundeck is a major supporter of the National Team and uses this event to further support the Cross Country community.

Sundeck Cup Winner David Hislop with Peter Dean, the new owner of the Sundeck Hotel

The week was concluded with the ACT & NSW Ski-Orienteering Championships, the perfect way to end such a fun, community driven week.

Ski Orienteer

A huge thank you to all the volunteers who make this cross country ski festival possible year after year.

For more results please visit this link.

Images sourced from the Perisher XC Skiing Community Facebook page.