Ever wanted to try biathlon yourself? Austrian Olympic medallists Christoph Sumann, Daniel Mesotitsch and Julian Eberhard will be on hand as the coaching team at the “Nordic Skills Day” in Saalfelden Leogang on 31 January 2026.
Registration: www.nordic-skills.at – places are limited.
On Saturday, 31 January 2026, Saalfelden Leogang will transform into a biathlon hotspot: local biathlon professionals Christoph Sumann, Daniel Mesotitsch and Julian Eberhard invite you to the “Nordic Skills Day” 2026. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts and biathlon fans will have the unique opportunity to experience the combination of skiing and shooting alongside multiple World Championship and Olympic medallists – both on the track and at the laser shooting range. “Many people only know biathlon from television. But how it actually feels to aim at a 4.5 cm target from 50 metres away with an elevated heart rate – that’s something you can experience for yourself at the Nordic Skills Day,” explains Sumann.
Saalfelden Leogang in biathlon fever
Together with the former world-class biathletes, participants will collect kilometres on the track and hits on the shooting range. Training will take place throughout the day in small groups under the guidance of the former Austrian Ski Federation athletes, who will teach the key elements of the sport. In the Nordic Park Saalfelden at Ritzensee, a competition-standard laser shooting range will be set up with the original 50-metre distance. “The network of trails in and around Saalfelden Leogang offers ideal conditions to work on skating technique together with participants. Of course, fun should never be forgotten,” says Salzburg-born Eberhard, who was among the fastest cross-country skiers in the biathlon circuit during his active career. The highlight of the day will be a mini relay race, where participants will team up with the pros to compete for victory.
Limited number of participants
A total of 23 World Cup victories and numerous World Championship and Olympic medals: Sumann, Mesotitsch and Eberhard are among Austria’s most successful biathletes. “With the Nordic Skills Day, we want to make biathlon come alive. For one day, participants can immerse themselves in this fascinating sport side by side – ski by ski – with World Championship and Olympic medallists,” explain organisers Bernd Dorrong and Martin Kohlbacher.
Cross-country skiing and biathlon fans can secure a place for €125 per person at www.nordic-skills.at – places are limited.
