Milano Cortina 2026: Introduction to Para cross-country skiing

 Ready to dive into the thrill of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games?

From 6–15 March 2026, the world’s best athletes will compete for glory in 79 medal events across six sports: Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard and wheelchair curling.

Each day, we take a closer look at the six sports featured in the programme and answer all your questions ahead of the Paralympic Games. Today, we’re covering everything you need to know about Para cross-country skiing.

What is Para cross-country skiing?

Para cross-country skiing is a sport that tests athletes’ endurance and determination. Athletes race long distances across a variety of terrain, skiing uphill, level and downhill tracks. Competing in sprint, 10km, and 20 km races, as well as open or mixed team relay.

There are two different techniques: in classic style races, athletes ski parallel in pre-made snow tracks. While in skate or freestyle races, they carve their own path by pushing side to side.

Athletes compete in one of three categories – standing, sitting and vision impaired. Within the three categories, athletes are grouped into sport classes based on the impact of their impairments on their ability to perform tasks and activities fundamental to their sport.

In standing categories, they race other athletes with upper or lower limb impairments, or a combination of both.

In sitting races, athletes use a sit-ski, a sitting device mounted on a pair of cross-country skis. They push themselves forward with their upper body and strength.

Athletes with vision impairment may compete with a sighted guide, who gives them direction during the race. They are a team, and both athletes and guides receive medals on the podium.

A formula is used for each sport class to calculate the final competition result. The athlete with the fastest competition results wins.

Para cross-country skiing at Milano Cortina 2026

There will be 20 Para cross-country skiing medal events at Milano Cortina 2026, taking place over four days at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Val di Fiemme.

Men’s

Men’s sprint classic VI

Men’s sprint classic standing

Men’s sprint sitting

Men’s 10km interval start classic VI

Men’s 10km interval start classic standing

Men’s 10km interval start sitting

Men’s 20km interval start free VI

Men’s 20km interval start free standing

Men’s 20km interval start sitting 

Women’s  

Women’s sprint classic VI 

Women’s sprint classic standing 

Women’s sprint sitting 

Women’s 10km interval start classic VI 

Women’s 10km interval start classic standing

Women's 10km interval start sitting

Women's 20km interval start free VI

Women's 20km interval start free standing

Women's 20km interval start sitting

Mixed/Open 

Open 4x2.5km relay 

Mixed 4x2.5km relay 

Brief history of Para cross-country skiing

Para cross-country skiing was one of the two sports along with Para alpine skiing that were contested at the inaugural Paralympic Winter Games in 1976. Events for sit-skiers were introduced at Lillehammer 1994.  

Norway is the most successful Para cross-country nation, winning a total of 78 gold, 49 silver and 36 bronze. Finland is placed second with 65 gold, 46 silver and 53 bronze medals.  

Five facts about Para cross-country skiing 

1. Para cross-country skiing events will take place at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Val di Fiemme, the home of Nordic skiing in Italy. The venue staged the Nordic World Ski Championships in 1991.  

2. Ragnhild Myklebust of Norway was unstoppable in Para cross-country events at the Winter Games, winning an impressive 16 gold medals across five Paralympic Winter Games. Myklebust, who is the most decorated female Winter Paralympian of all time, also won medals in ice sledge speed skating and Para biathlon for a total of 27 medals (22 gold, three silver and two bronze). 

3. Canada’s Brian McKeever is the most decorated male Para cross-country skier. He won a total of 20 medals, including 16 gold, two silver and two bronze, before retiring from competition after Beijing 2022. He transitioned into a coaching role and Milano Cortina 2026 is set to be his first Games as a coach. 

This is what McKeever said about Para cross-country skiing.

4. At Beijing 2022, China topped the Para cross-country skiing medal standings with seven gold, six silver and five bronze medals. Hongqiong Yang earned three gold medals on her Paralympic debut. 

5. At Milano Cortina 2026, Cristian Westemaier Ribera aims to become the first Brazilian athlete to win a medal at either the Paralympic Winter Games or the Olympic Winter Games. Last season, he achieved seven podium finishes on the FIS World Cup circuit and won two bronze medals at the World Championships in Toblach, Italy, in February. 

Read about Ribera's road to Milano Cortina 2026.

Secure your tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games  

Milano Cortina 2026, which takes place from 6-15 March 2026, is set to be the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet. Ticket prices start at EUR 10 for children under 14, with approximately 89 per cent of the tickets available for EUR 35 or less.

For more information, please visit tickets.milanocortina2026.org