Cross-country skiing / Topic 02

Classical and free technique

FIS · 2026 / 2027
Last checked: 21 October 2026
Source: FIS Cross-Country ICR June 2026 + Nordic Competition Equipment 2026/27 (cross-country sections) · Source pages: ICR: 46, 80
In short

Classical technique · Free technique

On this pageClassical techniqueFree technique

Classical technique

Classical racing allows diagonal stride, double poling and specified turning movements. Skating is forbidden; herringbone movements must not include a glide. Repeated stepping between set tracks is prohibited.

Free technique

Free technique permits all cross-country skiing techniques. The jury may require or prohibit particular techniques in marked sections; a freestyle event does not override those instructions.

Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. References: ICR = sporting competition rules; Equipment = technical equipment specifications. Numbers refer to PDF viewer pages. Topic numbers are editorial. This guide combines the supplied FIS cross-country competition rules with the cross-country equipment specifications. It covers snow racing, not ski jumping, Nordic combined or roller skiing.
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