Cross-country skiing has been contested at every Winter Olympics since the 1928 Chamonix Games. It involves skiing over various distances and terrains in two different techniques in the quickest time possible.

The classical skiing technique utilizes a kicking and gliding motion along a course with a prepared track. The freestyle technique utilizes a faster, skating motion along a smoothed course.

There are 12 events on the 2010 Olympic program, six each for men and women. The allowed technique is indicated in parentheses.

Men

• 15km (freestyle)

• Individual sprint (classical)

• Team Sprint (freestyle)

• 30km Pursuit (15km classical + 15km freestyle)

• 50km Mass Start (classical)

• 4x10km Relay (legs 1 & 2 in classical, 3 & 4 in freestyle)

Women

• 10km (freestyle)

• Individual sprint (classical)

• Team Sprint (freestyle)

• 15km Pursuit (7.5km classical + 7.5km freestyle)

• 30km Mass Start (classical)

• 4x5km Relay (legs 1 & 2 in classical, 3 & 4 in freestyle)