Cross Country Skiing is an integral part of Special Olympics Switzerland and combines endurance and technique. The winter sport offers competitions over long and short distances, making it suitable for beginners as well.

Competition Format

• Races usually take place in classic technique, but skating is also possible in longer distances. Most competitions also include relay events.
• Distances vary from 500m to 10km. For beginners (Level 1), competitions take place on predominantly flat courses, while for advanced athletes (Level 2), they are held on hilly terrain.
• The shortest distances per level (Level 1 – 500m, Level 2 – 1km) are run with individual starts (interval start), while longer distances sometimes feature attractive mass starts.

Special Olympics Switzerland is also invited to international competitions and the World Games. We forward invitations to events abroad to sports groups that are active with us. Further information can be found under International Competitions and World Games.

Through a cooperation with Swiss Ski, the development of Cross Country Skiing in Switzerland for people with intellectual disabilities is supported by the association.