Oberhof, located in the Thuringian Forest, is a familiar venue for World Cup racing and is known for its cold temperatures, artificial snow reliability, and technically demanding tracks. The competitions will take place at the Oberhof Nordic Ski Center, a facility that regularly hosts international events across Nordic disciplines. The January dates place the Oberhof races firmly in the middle of the World Cup season, when overall standings and discipline rankings begin to take clearer shape.
Oberhof’s role in the World Cup calendar
The Oberhof stop is traditionally valued for its consistency and challenging racing conditions. The venue often features compact courses with repeated climbs and descents, testing both endurance and ski handling. January weather in Oberhof is typically cold and stable, which allows organisers to deliver firm tracks that reward strong pacing and efficient technique.
While the official race programme for the weekend is confirmed by FIS closer to the event, World Cup weekends commonly include individual distance races and sprint competitions for both men and women. Points earned in Oberhof contribute directly to the overall World Cup standings as well as discipline-specific classifications, making every result significant for athletes targeting season titles or podium finishes.
Leading athletes and nations expected in Germany
The Oberhof races are expected to feature full national teams from the major cross-country skiing nations, including Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Switzerland. Norway has dominated recent World Cup seasons, with athletes such as Johannes Høsflot Klæbo consistently contending for sprint and distance victories. Sweden’s women’s team, led in recent seasons by Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson, has also been a strong presence in mid-season World Cup events.
Germany, as the host nation, is expected to field a full squad, with home athletes aiming to take advantage of local knowledge and crowd support. Competing on home snow has historically been an important opportunity for German skiers to score valuable World Cup points and deliver standout performances in front of domestic fans.
Importance of the Oberhof weekend
The January World Cup races in Oberhof come at a crucial stage of the season, following the early-winter competitions and preceding the final build-up toward championship events later in the winter. Performances here often influence team selections, confidence levels, and tactical approaches for the remainder of the campaign.
As the FIS Cross-Country World Cup caravan arrives in central Germany, the Oberhof weekend promises high-level racing and intense competition across two days. With valuable points on offer and the season entering its decisive phase, the 17–18 January 2026 stop is set to play a meaningful role in shaping the trajectory of the 2025–26 World Cup season.