Overview
- Races cycle through uphill ascents on skins, a short on-foot segment with skis on backpacks, then a downhill after skins are removed.
- Quick, precise transitions often determine results, as athletes switch between climbing, running, and skiing under pressure.
- Olympic courses are expected to feature a snow staircase on the climb with gate-controlled descents that demand tight control.
- The sprint runs about three minutes, while the mixed relay typically spans roughly 30 to 60 minutes for compact, intense viewing.
- Ultra-light boots around a pound and skis under two pounds favor uphill speed but challenge stability on descents, as a growing grassroots scene frames the effort as akin to trail running.