Cross Country

Cross country is the oldest ski sport. Participants traverse snow-covered terrain using skis and poles without the aid of ski lifts, and typical practice on groomed trails. It’s a highly effective workout and high performance endurance sport.

Rules / Criteria / Resources

Getting Started

It is easy to start cross country skiing and competing in New Zealand. The Snow Farm offers excellent gear hire, lessons, training programmes and events, available for all levels and abilities. The resort has specific programmes for kids, students, schools, women, competitive development or to get ready for the Merino Muster.

The Snow Farm runs an event calendar that makes competing available to anyone. The days are fun, competitive and social. The events are run by the Waiorau Nordic Sports Club and a dedicated team of volunteers and officials.

Development Pathways

Talent development begins with coaching programmes delivered at the Snow Farm which will support you with training and prepare you to compete.

The Snow Farm offers a range of development programmes for all ages and abilities to improve cross country skiing skills. No matter if it is your child’s first time to the snow or if they are an up and coming nordic racer, the Snow Farm kids' programmes are perfect for developing new skills.  The Mini and Midi programmes are for kids aged three years upwards to learn or improve their skiing.

The Youth Development programme is competition focused and is designed to build young skiers into successful nordic ski racers. A senior team focuses on training and peaking for key events - the Merino Muster and the Kangaroo Hoppet - while the junior team focuses on developing their skills and fitness.  

High Performance Pathway

The purpose of Peak Respect Snow-Pact is to set the standards of behaviours required by all people involved in Snow Sports NZ sanctioned events to create a safe, fun and respectful competition environment. This will protect our people, our reputation and ensure that Snow Sports NZ complies with our legislative requirements around safeguarding and health and safety.  

Sport Integrity
​​​​​​​Commission

Snow Sports NZ is committed to clean, fair sport. We believe in protecting the health of our athletes, the integrity of our sport and the spirit of clean competition in which the best succeed. We work in collaboration with the Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui (the Commission – formerly Drug Free Sport New Zealand)