Section 3: Playing Area
3.1 Course Design Principles
FIS-homologated courses must provide a balanced test of uphill, flat, and downhill ability. Under ICR 311.1.2, the course profile should include approximately one-third uphills (gradient between 9% and 18%, with some short climbs steeper than 18%), one-third undulating/rolling terrain, and one-third varied downhills, ensuring no single physical attribute dominates.
3.2 Course Specifications by Distance
- Sprint (1.0–1.8 km): Total climb 30–60 m (98–197 ft). Maximum single climb 30 m (98 ft). Course designed for spectator-friendly layout with multiple passing opportunities.
- 10 km: Total climb 250–420 m (820–1378 ft). Maximum single climb 50–80 m (164–262 ft). Laps of 2.5–5.0 km.
- 15 km: Total climb 400–600 m (1312–1968 ft). Maximum single climb 80 m.
- 30 km: Total climb 800–1200 m (2625–3937 ft). Laps of 7.5–15.0 km.
- 50 km: Total climb 1400–2000 m (4593–6562 ft). Maximum single climb 100 m (328 ft).
- Altitude restriction (ICR 311.2.7): At OWG, WSC, JWSC and WC competitions, the highest point of a course must not exceed 2000 m above sea level.
3.3 Track and Course Width
- Classic technique (Interval Start, ICR 311.2.6): Minimum 3 m (9.8 ft) wide, with machine-set parallel tracks
- Free technique (Interval Start, ICR 311.2.6): Minimum 4 m (13.1 ft) wide, groomed flat surface without set tracks; mass-start free technique courses require a minimum of 9 m
- Course marked with directional arrows and distance markers every 1 km (ICR 311.4)
3.4 Stadium Area
- Stadium must accommodate: start area, finish area with electronic timing, penalty loop (for sprint), warm-up area, wax cabins, and spectator zones (ICR 312)
- Finish straight: minimum 50 m long, with photo-finish camera and electronic timing mat (ICR 312.3.1)
- Exchange zone (relay): minimum 30 m long, clearly marked (ICR 312.4, 327.2.1)
- Transition zone (skiathlon): pit box area sized so each competitor has a designated, bib-marked box with a bypass corridor to minimize interference (ICR 312.5.1)