The Australia Cross Country Skiing Race Calendar has events for all levels of participants, from kids, complete beginners and teenagers through to elite international competitors. This page is designed to help you understand the terminology used on the calendar and to identify the most appropriate events for you. Further information on getting started for beginners is available on Discover XC.
Most of the events on the calendar can be entered on the day, with the exception of major events like the Kangaroo Hoppet and Australian Championships, which should be entered online in advance, and the Interschools, for which entries need to be made by your school. To find out more information about a particular event, please contact the race organiser via the contact details on the calendar or their website if they have one.
Events are identified as Classic or Freestyle. It is always permitted to ski with Classic style in a Freestyle event, however tracks for classic skiing may not be set.
Nomenclature
* = Event will be used to National Junior Team selection
** = Event will be used for National Team selection
CC/FIS = Event is eligible for FIS points and part of the AUS/NZL Continental Cup Series
State and Australian championship races are held each year during July and August. In addition to providing an opportunity to compare to the best skiers in the state or the country, results from these events are used for qualification and selection for various teams. There is no qualification standard to compete in any of the state or Australian championship events, although it is necessary to have hold a race licence for all national and some state events.
In general it is recommended that juniors compete in at least one club or Interschools event before competing at the State Junior Championships, and that they compete at the State Junior Championship before competing at the Australian Junior Championship. However, talented juniors can also jump straight in at Australian Junior Championship level.
The biggest school events on the calendar are the Interschools, Also very suitable for school-age skiers are junior club events such as the Snow Trek & Travel Mini-Series at Falls Creek, the Lake Mountain Mini-Series, and the Paddy Pallin Junior events at Perisher and Charlotte Pass, which provide a much more relaxed introduction to XC ski racing. No pre-entry is required for these events, you can just enter on the day.
Club events are the staple of the race calendar, low-key events open to everyone. Pre-entry to the events via online registration when it is available is very helpful for race ogrganisers, but entry on the day is also available at all except for the Kangaroo Hoppet.
Events such as the Kangaroo Hoppet and NSW XC Week cater for all levels of participants, from beginners to elite. For newcomers to cross country skiing, these events are a great opportunity to meet skiers of all shapes and sizes. and see what the sport can offer.
If you’re not quite sure yet that racing is your thing, there are a number of events on the race calendar that are about skill development and an introduction to the sport. These include Ski de Femme and the Snowsports ACT Come & Try XC days. For other ways to get started on the non-racing side have a browse around Discover XC.