With the summer Olympics behind us, it’s time for winter sports to shine, and cross-country skiing is back! This classic sport started as a way to travel through snow, but by the late 1800s, it turned competitive. The men’s event debuted at the 1924 Winter Olympics, and women followed in 1952 and the Nordic countries have dominated ever since!

The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships have been a major event since their inception in 1925 for men and 1954 for women. Initially held annually, they shifted to a four-year cycle after WWII, and since 1985, they’ve been scheduled in odd-numbered years. Today, some of the biggest cross-country skiing events include the Winter Olympics, the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, and the FIS World Cup. And with the 2024-25 season just around the corner, it’s time to gear up for some epic snow action!

When and where is the FIS Cross Country World Cup 2024-25 taking place?

From late November through March, the world’s top cross-country skiers will dive into a packed World Cup schedule. The season kicks off, as tradition holds, in Ruka, Finland—an iconic starting point for both men and women. But that’s just the beginning of their snowy adventure!

These athletes will be traveling across the globe, starting on the icy tracks of Finland, gliding through the snowy woods of Sweden, and tackling Norway’s wintery slopes. Next, they’ll head to the stunning mountains of Italy, then on to Switzerland, where St. Moritz-Engadin offers 266 km of cross-country trails. The journey continues through the chilly peaks of the Czech Republic and concludes with a dash across the snowy trails of France. This wild ride kicks off on November 29, 2024, and goes all the way to March 2025. Buckle up for a season full of snowy action!

Athletes to watch at FIS Skiing World Cup 2024-25

The American cross-country ski team is heading into the 2024-25 season after an epic year, bringing together a blend of seasoned champions and fresh talent. Leading the charge are Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins, two-time Olympian Rosie Brennan, World Championships bronze medalist Julia Kern, and the dynamic duo of 2022 Olympians Ben Ogden and JC Schoonmaker. This crew is ready to hit the snow stronger than ever!

But wait, there’s more! The team has some exciting newcomers too. Gus Schumacher leaped from the B Team to A Team glory after making history as the youngest American to snag a World Cup win, becoming the first U.S. man in over 40 years to claim a distance World Cup title. Sammy Smith is joining the ranks while balancing her college soccer journey at Stanford, and don’t forget Sophia Laukli, who celebrated her first World Cup victory in that legendary Alpe Cermis hill climb. This squad is pumped and ready to make waves!

As Team USA gears up to conquer this season, which athlete are you cheering for and feeling the most excitement about? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear from you!