Ski marking area

This is the area immediately before the start line and immediately after the finish line where officials either mark a skier’s equipment or verify that the marks are still there at the end of the race. This is done to ensure the athletes start and finish the race on the same pair of skis.

Transponder

A microchip worn on the skier’s ankle that transmits an identification signal each time the skier passes a timing line along the course.

Track setter

An attachment pulled behind a snowcat or a snowmobile, and used to cut parallel grooves in the snow for classic technique races.

Diagonal, double poling, herringbone

Different variations of classic technique, respectively used in uphill, flat terrain and steep uphill.

Offset (V1), 1-step (open skate, V2-alternate), 2-skate (V2)

Different variations (with American denotations) of free technique used in uphill (offset or V1) and flat terrain.