What started thousands of years ago as a means of travel in the far North became one of the very first Winter Olympic events.

Some people call cross-country skiing the sport of ‘skinny skis’. You may also hear it referred to as ‘Nordic skiing’. This is just a broader name denoting the region along with the style of bindings which only attach at the toes. 

Before it became a competitive sport and recreational activity, cross-country skiing was simply how people got around to hunt and trade in order to survive winter in Lapland.

Today cross-country skiing is accessible to most ages and fitness levels. The gear needed is modest and, with only a little instruction, you can be out striding across pristine snow-covered landscapes. This makes it great for anyone who wants to get some exercise while having fun and exploring more of Lapland’s vast untouched terrain.

We offer cross-country skiing as an optional excursion on all our Arctic Spirit holidays, plus you can try it on our festive Sleigh Bells Ringing short break at Jeris Lakeside Resort. 

From history to sport to winter magic, we’re going to take a look at where cross-country skiing came from, how it fits into the Winter Olympics and why we think it’s something you should experience with us deep inside the Arctic Circle!

What are the origins of cross-country skiing?

The indigenous Sami people of Lapland were using skis over 5,000 years ago. It simply began as a mode of transportation and quickly became important to them for hunting, trapping and survival. 

Given the region’s extremely long, cold, snowy winters – lasting more than half the year with temperatures dropping to -40 degrees Celsius or lower – finding food and firewood took a great deal of effort. Gliding on skis made those things easier.

Over time, the spears the Sami once carried for hunting would transform into poles.

Soldiers took to skis

Along with hunting, cross-country skiing became important for communication and military patrol. Norwegian troops began using it for reconnaissance in the late 1100s, while Swedish forces organised ski patrols by the 1500s. 

In 1733, Norwegian Captain Jens Emahusen wrote a military manual called Skiloperegglement covering techniques for ski warfare, including how to manoeuvre on skis while handling weapons. 

Cross-country skiing evolved from security to sport

While training and honing their skills at moving quickly over snow, soldiers would race one another. This naturally led to the creation of ski competitions. Informal races began to be held at local winter festivals. Army records also refer to formal, organised races from the late 1700s. 

In 1843, the city of Tromso in Norway put on one of the first public cross-country competitions. Holmenkollen Skifestival kicked off a few decades later in 1892, attracting crowds of over 10,000. This festival continues today, hosting the elite World Cup of cross-country skiing.  

These early competitions emphasised endurance, technique and tactical terrain navigation – many of the same measures used at modern cross-country skiing events! 

Racing onto the world stage

Cross-country skiing appeared in the very first Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France in 1924. Having become so popular throughout Northern Europe, it was a natural fit.

Initially just for men, the events featured were 18km and 50km races. A total of 59 skiers from 12 nations participated, with Norway’s Thorleif Haug winning both gold medals.

A ‘Nordic combined’ event also debuted consisting of an 18km cross-country race and a ski jump on Du Mont hill. It boasted 30 athletes from nine nations and was again won by Haug, who became the first triple Olympic champion in history!

Plus, there was a ‘military patrol’ event. A forerunner of the biathlon, teams of four raced across a distance of approximately 30km while carrying heavy rucksacks. What’s more, three members had to shoot rifles at targets. Six teams competed, but only four finished due to difficult weather conditions, with Switzerland claiming gold.

With cross-country skiing deeply embedded in their culture, Scandinavian countries – Norway, Sweden and Finland – dominated these events, as they still do today.

Over the past century, the cross-country skiing programme expanded from four events into multiple distances, techniques and formats. Events for women were also added in 1952 at the Oslo Winter Olympics.   

When cross-country learned to skate…

There was only one technique – now known as ‘classic’ – when cross-country skiing secured its place in the Olympics. This is based on historic Nordic form. Much like how you would walk or run, skis move in a straight-line stride. Think of classic cross-country skiing as a kick-and-glide motion. 

In the 1970s, American cross-country skier Bill Koch introduced the ‘skating’ technique. Resembling the movements of a speed skater on ice, it involves pushing your skis to the side, with the edges propelling you forward. While others were also experimenting with this technique, Koch used it in the 30km race at the 1976 Innsbruck Games and won a silver medal. 

After his success, the Olympics decided to separate the techniques into two disciplines. Along with classic, they created ‘freestyle’ events for skiers to incorporate the faster, more modern skating style. The 1988 Calgary Games were the first to feature both techniques in separate races, with freestyle 50km men’s and 20km women’s events officially added.

Taking a step toward equality

At the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, for the first time, all distances in the cross-country skiing programme were identical for both men and women. This was done to highlight gender equality and establish full parity within the sport. 

Held at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in the Italian village of Lago, the programme was made up of 12 medal events: 10km (freestyle), 50km (classic), individual sprint (classic), team sprint (freestyle), skiathalon (classic + freestyle) and relay (classic + freestyle). 

Norway’s Johannes Hosflot Klaebo also made history. After winning the men’s 50km classic and claiming his sixth gold medal, Hosflot became the first athlete in any sport most to win the most gold medals at the same Winter Olympics.

Unlike the cross-country skiing programme, the distances for the biathlon competitions, which combine freestyle cross-country skiing races with rifle shooting, still differed between men and women. The official programme featured these 11 medal events: individual (20km/15km), sprint (10km/7.5km), pursuit (12.5km/10km), relay (4x7.5km/4x6km), mass start (15km/12.5km) and a mixed 4x6km relay, all of which involved 50m shooting ranges alternating between prone and standing positions.

Cross-country skiing is a great activity for everyone!

We love cross-country skiing because it makes the most of Lapland’s pristine snow-covered forests and open landscapes. In addition to being fun, you really are immersed in the extraordinary surroundings and get to connect with nature!

Unlike downhill and other styles of skiing, cross-country feels peaceful and unhurried. What’s more, it’s easy to learn and doesn’t require much. You don’t need a major mountain... or a chairlift... or elaborate gear. You don’t even need experience!

So… what do you need?

When you visit True Lapland with us, we provide you with thermal suits and boots throughout your stay. 

Skis and poles are included with our Cross-Country Ski School and Guided Tour excursion, and local ski hire is available upon completion of this.

We offer classic cross-country skiing because beginners generally pick it up quicker than skate style, and enjoy the experience more. 

The skis used for classic cross-country skiing are long, narrow and lightweight.

The bindings only connect the toe of your boot to the skis, leaving your heels free for a more natural walking and gliding motion. This also enables a more efficient stride and helps if you go up hills.

Poles tend to be sized so that they reach from the ground up to your armpits.

No peak fitness required

You don’t have to be an elite athlete or even in top form to try cross-country skiing. A basic level of fitness is sufficient, such as the ability to go on a short hike or jog. The terrain chosen for beginners is typically flat, and you can control your pace. 

Getting the hang of it

The Cross-Country Ski School excursion lasts about two hours and takes place near our resorts on either groomed trail systems or flat, open snow-covered terrain. You will receive ample instruction before embarking on a short guided trip.

Among the fundamentals, we show you how to put on the skis and maintain a balanced stance, as well as how to shift your weight properly while coordinating arm and leg movements.

You’ll also learn how to slow things down, how to stop, how to fall safely (just in case)... and how get right back up!

Knowing the history of cross-country skiing and its roots as one of the oldest and most iconic Winter Olympic sports is sure to inspire you, but the real magic is in the experience itself!

This is an activity that welcomes all ages while inviting you on an adventure gliding across snow-covered terrain – often under skies which may surprise you with moments of magic. Not only are you rewarded with unforgettable sights and an almost meditative sense of calm, but the freshest, crispest air around will fill your lungs!

So come to Lapland, clip in and give it a try – find full details about cross-country skiing with us here!