It’s a week like no other, where members of Australia’s Olympic cross country team, past and present, line up alongside local kids, World Cup Masters skiers and families in a series of community races and where seasoned skiers and novices alike ski up to eight kilometres for freshly brewed coffee amongst the snowgums.

The annual XC Week, held the first week of August on the Perisher Valley Cross Country trails, proved a major success this year, breaking records for participation at several of its events, proving the resilience and strength of the local cross country ski community.

Organised by NSWACT XC and the local XC community, XC Week helps raise funds for the development of the Perisher XC trail system, support for the NSWACT XC junior development squad and the maintenance of the Sverre Kaaten Nordic Shelter in Perisher Valley, the base for the week’s activities, as well as providing funds for the Australian XC Team’s World Cup racing campaigns.

Top up snowfalls, rebuilding of sections of the trails by the snow groomers and volunteers with shovels across the week meant that only one of the races - the Snowy Mountains Classic - had to be cancelled due to lack of snow, while others were shortened.

Races including the PXC Cup, the Boonoona Open, the KAC Classic and the Charlotte’s Pass Open, the Twilight Relays and the Sundeck Handicap were held across varying distances and, occasionally, testing conditions.

The racing centrepiece for week is arguably the eight kilometre Kosciusko Alpine Club (KAC) Classic which runs from Perisher to Charlotte Pass.

The 2026 edition proved a grind, starting at Perisher Gap and testing skiers ’ability in halting headwinds to Charlotte Pass.

Winning this year’s major cash prizes were Australian Olympic representatives Rosie Fordham and Seve De Campo competing in the classic style. National XC Team members Isabella Moon and Bentley Walker Broose won the Freestyle (skating events).

Racing however is just one part of the XC Week story.

The social events that run almost every day of the week allow new friends and old to ski together, share stories and plan other skiing adventures around the world.

The Stables Hotel at Perisher is a new supporter and hosted the week’s opening meet and greet function, while other key events included the Perisher Historical Society “Hello-In-The-Snow” gathering, a fab BBQ hosted by the Sundeck Hotel’s new owner Peter Deane to celebrate the Sundeck Handicap AUS XC Team fundraiser and the XC Week Presentations at Corobboree Lodge.

Quickly growing into the week’s most popular social events are the mystery coffee tours.

Tuesday’s coffee tour saw a record 74 skiers- and for the first time a snowshoe group - led by NSWACT XC volunteers around the Perisher trails area, for an hour to a mystery location where hot coffee and tea, home baked goods, refreshing cold drinks and a good fire were provided.

At the same time, members of the National XC Team, guided by National AUS XC Coach, Alexei Sotskov, use XC Week to practice their race skills.

They get in some good training in Perisher and have a bit of skiing fun.

Fresh off some of the best-ever results by Australian cross country skiers at the Milano Cortina Olympics and her historic third place in the final U23 World Cup race of the 2024-25 northern season, Aussie XC champion, Rosie Fordham, paid tribute to the Perisher XC community.

“Coming back to Perisher where it all began for me has reminded me what a fantastic community there is here and what wonderful support there is coming from this community," Fordham said.

"Representing Australia on the World Cup circuit and at the Olympics couldn’t be done without your support so thank you."