Classic vs. Freestyle Technique

Classic vs. Freestyle: Two Techniques, Two Worlds

Cross-country skiing’s two techniques — classic and freestyle (skating) — are so different that some athletes specialize in one or the other, rarely excelling equally in both. Understanding the distinction is key to following Olympic cross-country events, where the designated technique defines the character of each race.

Classic Technique

Classic skiing uses a diagonal stride — a walking-like motion where arms and legs alternate, with skis moving forward in parallel tracks grooved into the snow. The key movements:

Diagonal stride: the fundamental classic technique, where opposite arm and leg swing together.
Double poling: both poles plant simultaneously, propelling the skier forward. Used on flat terrain and gentle downhills.
Herringbone: a climbing technique where the ski tips are angled outward (like a herringbone pattern). Used on steep uphills.

What’s forbidden: any skating movement. Both skis must stay in or parallel to the pre-cut tracks during striding. Officials monitor the course, particularly uphills, for technique violations.

Equipment: classic skis have a grip zone under the foot — either fish-scale texture or applied kick wax — that provides traction for the diagonal stride. The front and back of the ski are smooth for gliding.

Freestyle (Skating) Technique

Freestyle skiing resembles ice skating: the skier pushes off at an angle with each stride, transferring weight from ski to ski. It’s 10–15% faster than classic over the same distance. Key movements:

V1 (offset skate): one pole push per two skating strides, used on uphills.
V2 (one skate): one pole push per skating stride, used on flats.
V2 alternate: pole push on every other stride.
Free skate: skating without poles, used on downhills.

Equipment: freestyle skis have no grip zone — the entire base is smooth for gliding. They’re also slightly shorter than classic skis. Poles are longer (up to the athlete’s height +1 cm) to maximize push power.

Why Both Techniques Exist

Classic technique has deep roots in Scandinavian skiing tradition and represents the sport’s heritage. Skating was “discovered” competitively in the 1980s when Finnish skier Pauli Siitonen began using a skating step in marathon races. The FIS formally separated the techniques after the 1985 World Championships, designating some races as classic-only and others as free technique.

The Skiathlon: Both in One Race

The skiathlon uniquely requires mastery of both techniques. Athletes ski the first half in classic, then switch skis in the stadium and complete the second half in skating. A skier dominant in one technique may build a lead in one half and cling to it in the other — or get caught by a rival who’s faster in the opposite discipline.

How to Spot the Difference on TV

Classic skiing has a distinctive in-the-tracks look: skiers move forward in parallel grooves, and the motion is rhythmic and linear. Skating looks more athletic and lateral: skiers move in a wider lane, pushing side to side with skis at angles. The tracks (grooves) are visible for classic; the skating lane is a broad, flat surface.

Which Is “Better”?

Neither technique is inherently superior — they’re designed for different terrain and conditions. Skating is faster on flat and moderate terrain, while classic can be more efficient on steep, narrow climbs. The greatest cross-country skiers — like Bjørn Dæhlie, Marit Bjørgen, and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo — have mastered both.