Cross-Country Skiing at Milano Cortina 2026

The Hardest Endurance Test at the Winter Olympics Isn’t What You Think

Forget the marathon. The 50-kilometer mass start in cross-country skiing — now a 50 km for men and a 50 km for women at these Games — requires athletes to sustain near-maximal effort for over two hours in freezing conditions at altitude, navigating steep climbs and technical descents on narrow skis. VO2 max values among elite cross-country skiers rank among the highest ever recorded in any sport. If you want to see the purest expression of human cardiovascular fitness, this is it.

Cross-country skiing at Milano Cortina 2026 takes place at the Tesero Cross-Country Stadium in Val di Fiemme, a Trentino valley that has hosted multiple World Championships and is considered one of the finest Nordic skiing venues in the world. The courses weave through the valley with significant elevation changes that test both power on the climbs and technique on the descents.

The Two Techniques — and Why It Matters

Cross-country skiing has two distinct techniques: classic and freestyle (skating). In classic, skis stay in parallel tracks and the athlete uses a diagonal stride — it’s the older, more traditional method. In freestyle, athletes skate on groomed snow in a V-pattern, which is faster but more energy-intensive. Events are designated as one technique or the other, and the skiathlon uniquely combines both: athletes race the first half in classic, then switch skis at a designated point and finish in freestyle.

If you’re new to the sport, the easiest event to follow is the sprint, which features short qualifying rounds followed by bracket-style heats. It’s fast-twitch, explosive cross-country — completely different from the grinding endurance of the distance races.

The Event Lineup

Milano Cortina 2026 features 12 cross-country medal events. Individual distances range from the sprint (roughly 1.5 km) to the 50 km mass start. There are also the skiathlon, team sprint, and the 4x10 km men’s / 4x5 km women’s relay — the relay being one of the most electric events in all of Nordic sports, with national pride and tactical drafting creating high drama.

Norway’s Dynasty and Who Challenges It

Norway’s dominance in cross-country skiing is almost absurd. At the Beijing Olympics, Norway won seven of twelve gold medals. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo is the face of the sport — a sprint specialist who has expanded his range to dominate distance events, making him a threat in virtually everything on the program. He’s 29 and at his peak.

The challenge to Norwegian supremacy comes primarily from Sweden and Finland. Sweden’s Calle Halfvarsson and the next generation of Swedish skiers have shown flashes of brilliance, while Finland has invested heavily in its sprint program.

For the United States, Jessie Diggins remains the standard-bearer. Her bronze in the 2023 World Championships 10 km freestyle and consistent top-ten World Cup finishes have established her as one of the top female distance skiers outside the Scandinavian powerhouses. Rosie Brennan provides additional U.S. depth, particularly in freestyle events. If the team relay goes well, a medal isn’t out of the question for the American women.

Tactical Nuance for First-Time Viewers

In mass start events, drafting matters enormously. Skiing behind another athlete at altitude can save 10-15% of energy expenditure, so athletes tactically position themselves in packs for most of the race before launching attacks on the final climbs. Watch for athletes who sit in third or fourth position through the middle kilometers — they’re often the ones with the strongest finish.

Also pay attention to wax choices. Each team’s wax technicians test snow conditions obsessively the morning of each race, applying specific kick wax (for classic) or glide wax (for both techniques) tailored to the temperature, humidity, and snow crystal structure. A wrong wax call can cost an athlete 30 seconds over a long race — more than enough to drop off the podium.

Athletes to Watch

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (NOR, Sprint / Skiathlon / 50 km) — The Norwegian superstar has transcended the sprint specialist label, winning world titles across multiple distances and entering Milano Cortina as the most versatile male cross-country skier on the planet.

Jessie Diggins (USA, 10 km Freestyle / Skiathlon) — America’s most accomplished cross-country skier holds an Olympic gold (2018 team sprint) and a World Championship bronze, and she continues to post elite results against Scandinavian competition.

Therese Johaug (NOR, 10 km / 50 km) — Johaug came out of retirement for a final Olympic campaign and remains a formidable distance racer when fit, adding a compelling narrative to the Norwegian women’s squad.

Alexander Bolshunov (AIN, Skiathlon / 50 km) — The Russian — competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete if cleared — is one of the few skiers capable of matching the Norwegian depth in distance events.

Frida Karlsson (SWE, 10 km / Skiathlon) — The young Swedish racer has established herself as Norway’s primary challenger on the women’s side, combining relentless climbing ability with an increasingly tactical race IQ.

Venue Spotlight

The Tesero Cross-Country Stadium in Val di Fiemme has hosted three FIS Nordic World Ski Championships and numerous World Cup events, making it one of the most familiar venues in the cross-country calendar. The courses feature a balanced mix of challenging climbs, fast descents, and rolling terrain that rewards complete skiers. At approximately 1,000 meters of elevation, conditions typically favor hard, fast snow that produces competitive racing.