Cross Country Ski Racing
Cross country ski racing is renowned for being one of the hardest sports in the world, with Olympic level with athletes competing up to 50 km with over 1800 m’s of elevation gain. If you have not tried the sport, find out where you can learn here.
In Scotland, Snowsport Scotland run both the competition series and pathway in partnership with clubs, GB Snowsports and British Nordic. For more information please check the relevant sections below.
Roller Skiing
Roller skiing is the summer equivalent of cross country skiing. Athletes use roller skiing to train throughout the summer months as it simulates the same movements as on snow. If you haven’t tried the sport find out where you can learn here.
The Snowsport Scotland Roller Ski Series consist of 6 roller ski races that take place between May and September each year including the Scottish Roller Ski Championships. Each of the races are organised and run by one of the Scottish Nordic Ski Clubs with individual winners for each race and an overall Snowsport Scotland Series winner. The Snowsport Scotland Series races are also part of the wider GB Roller Ski Series. Locations may vary year to year but include races at the Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre, Glenmore Lodge, and the Fife Cycle Park.
Races consist of various distances and formats depending on the competition, age group and ability. For the youngest skiers races will start at 500 m and progress to 10 km for advanced adults. Race formats include head-to-head sprints as well as time-trials and hill climbs such as the annual race up the Cairngorm lift road.
Get Involved in Competitions
The 2019 Snowsport Scotland Roller Ski Series will kick off on the 25th of May with the Huntly Sprints at the Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre. There will be two prologues and knockout heats depending on your age group and category (First time racing to advanced racers).
If you have never done a roller ski race there are novice categories at all of the events. If you want to get some practise in beforehand, checkout our ‘Get Started‘ page for your closest facilities and clubs.
Check out our ‘Competitions and Events‘ page for more details.
Results for all the Snowsport Scotland Roller Ski Series races can be found at our ‘Results‘ page.
The Performance Pathway
The Performance Pathway
Snowsport Scotland employs two cross country coaches to run our national performance programmes;
- National Performance Coach – Alex Standen
- Pathway Coach – Sarah Young
They support cross country athletes progress through the pathway and into the GB Snowsports teams. This is done in partnership with the Clubs, GB Snowsports and British Nordic development squad. The performance coaches support the athletes in a number of ways through camp delivery, training programmes and competition support.
GB Snowsports
GB Snowsport (GBS) is the national governing body for snowsports in the UK, managing elite British teams and the development pathway for those athletes.
They select, manage and lead British teams to international events, promote participation in FIS and World Para snowsports disciplines, and provide opportunities for our athletes to achieve their full potential as individuals and as a team.
British Nordic Development Squad
The British Nordic Development Squad (BNDS) helps manage the British Nordic Pathway with GB Snowsports and the Snowsports Home Nations (SSE, SSS, SSW). British Nordic’s purpose is to facilitate the long-term athlete development pathway from club athlete to GB snowsports teams. They were formulated, under our present structure in 2001, to ensure that there was an opportunity for young athletes to progress into the Great Britain Racing teams.
Selection Policies
Snowsport Scotland Nordic Skiing Selection Policy: Season 2022 -23
Performance Squad
The Snowsport Scotland Nordic Committee select the Cross country performance squad based on the following criteria:
| DOB | Distance | Sprint |
| 2003 to 2006 | 1 results under 260 FIS point Male and 270 Female | 1 results under 350 FIS point Male and 370 Female |
| 2002 to 2000 | 1 results under 200 FIS points male and 220 Female | 1 results under 250 FIS points male and 270 Female |
This is based on the current selection criteria for the GB Snowsports junior squad and GB Snowsports world U23 and junior championships. We may invite athletes into the programme on a case by case basis who do not currently meet the criteria above.
Development Athletes
In 2022/23 Snowsport Scotland will be delivering it’s Cross-country Skiing Training Days for 12-16 year old development athletes.
Club members who are eligible to attend the Training Days are those:
- Born between 2007 and 2010;
- With current Snowsport Scotland Competitors membership*; and
- Meet the British Nordic Development Squad (BNDS) group ‘D’ requirement of being able to complete the 200 m Roller Ski Test in a time of 00:02:50 for girls and 00:02:45 for boys.
*This is for insurance purposes.
Selection for GB Snowsport squads and major Championships:
GB Snowsports selection committee select athletes and teams for training squads and major championships. Please see there selection policy for more details – Selection Policy
Athletes
Snowsport Scotland Performance Squad 2019/20:
 |
Hamish Wolfe |
 |
Cameron Cruickshank |
 |
James Slimon |
