Get the Games: Cross Country

How much do you really know about the disciplines our athletes compete in? To get you ready for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games opening ceremony, we’re launching a new series: Get The Games.

Across the next few weeks, we will be giving you an insider’s perspective on snowsport. The technical challenges, the speed, and what it’s really like in the start gate.

The Winter Olympics isn’t just skiing fast downhill—it’s a mix of speed, skill, style and more than a little bravery.

From blistering speed to gravity-defying tricks, these events are packed with skill, courage and the kind of wipeouts that make you watch through your fingers. 

Whether athletes are racing the clock, launching sky-high tricks or battling head-to-head on snow, each event brings its own unique thrill.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the must-know disciplines to help you watch like a pro.

Cross Country

This one’s all about engine and endurance. Athletes ski long distances across rolling terrain, grinding it out lap after lap — marathon running, but colder.

Cross-country skiing is one of the toughest endurance sports at the Winter Olympics, combining aerobic fitness, technique and mental grit. Athletes race across long-distance courses that wind through snow-covered terrain, tackling climbs, descents and flat sections using either classic or freestyle (skating) techniques.

Events range from fast, tactical sprints to punishing endurance races lasting over an hour, with competitors needing smart pacing and explosive finishing speed. Unlike alpine skiing, it’s not just about going downhill — cross-country skiers generate their own speed every step of the way, making it a true test of stamina and resilience on the world stage.