The Tour de Ski kicks off on Saturday, December 28, with a skate sprint in Toblach. Nine days and seven stages later, a winner will be crowned at the top of the Final Climb in Val di Fiemme on Sunday, January 5.

Based on this year’s competition setup, previous performances in the Tour de Ski, results, and trends from the World Cup’s first period, ProXCskiing.com’s sister site Langrenn.com has identified the favorites and dark horses among the women.

Overview and Concept

The Tour de Ski aims to crown the best cross-country skier in the world through a series of races featuring all competition formats: sprints, distance races, classic, freestyle, mass starts, individual starts, and pursuits.

This year’s Tour de Ski includes seven races over nine days: a skate sprint, a classic sprint, a 15 km classic mass start, a 20 km freestyle individual start, a 15 km classic pursuit, a 20 km skiathlon, and a 10 km freestyle mass start up the “Monster Hill” Alpe Cermis.

Favorites for the Overall Victory

Jessie Diggins leads the World Cup standings, is the reigning Tour de Ski champion, and has won the Tour twice.

Behind Diggins, the competition is unusually tight, with Therese Johaug as both a favorite and a wild card. The former queen of cross-country skiing, who has won the Tour five times (most recently in 2020), faces stiff competition. At least six athletes are expected to fight for the other podium spots, including Norwegians Heidi Weng and Astrid Øyre Slind, who both look strong this season.

Other podium contenders include Sweden’s Linn Svahn, Germany’s Victoria Carl, and Finland’s Kerttu Niskanen. Notably, Sweden’s Frida Karlsson, the 2023 Tour winner, is out with an injury.

Top Favorites for the Tour de Ski 2025 Overall:

1. Jessie Diggins (USA)
2. Victoria Carl (Germany), Therese Johaug (Norway), Heidi Weng (Norway), Astrid Øyre Slind (Norway), Linn Svahn (Sweden), Kerttu Niskanen (Finland).

Favorites for the Climb Competition

This year, the FIS has introduced a new climb competition inspired by cycling’s Tour de France. Points will be awarded on all distance stages, with a special climb jersey for the leader and extra prize money.

Top candidates include Heidi Weng, Sophia Laukli (USA), and Therese Johaug, all strong performers on the Monster Hill.

Top Favorites for the Climb Competition:

1. Heidi Weng (Norway), Sophia Laukli (USA), Therese Johaug (Norway).

Sprint Favorites

If Linn Svahn is healthy, she is a top contender for the sprint competition. With Jonna Sundling skipping this year’s Tour, Svahn’s main rivals include Julie Myhre (Norway) and Jasmi Joensuu (Finland).

Top Favorites for the Sprint Competition:

1. Linn Svahn (Sweden).

Key Facts About the Tour de Ski 2025

• The 19th edition of the Tour features seven stages over nine days, all in Italy.
• New rules include a climb jersey competition and changes to sprint formats.
• Winners can earn up to 680 World Cup points.

FACTS Tour de Ski Season 2024/2025

• When: Saturday, December 28, 2024, to Sunday, January 5, 2025 
• Who: Elite national skiers – women and men
• Where: Toblach and Val Di Fiemme, Italy
• What: Tour de Ski, Italy

PROGRAM

Saturday, December 28, 2024: Sprint F – Toblach-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:00 CET: Sprint Quali F, Men
• 12:00 CET: Sprint Quali F, Women
• 14:30 CET: Sprint Final F, Men
• 14:30 CET: Sprint Final F, Women

Sunday, December 29, 2024: 15km Mass Start C – Toblach-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:30 CET: 15km Mass Start C, Women
• 14:45 CET: 15km Mass Start C, Men 

Tuesday, December 31, 2024: 20km Interval Start F – Toblach-ITA (More information can be foundHERE)

• 11:30 CET: 20km Interval Start F, Men
• 14:45 CET: 20km Interval Start F, Women

Wednesday, January 1, 2025: 15km Pursuit C – Toblach-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 10:30 CET: 15km Pursuit C, Men
• 12:30 CET: 15km Pursuit C, Women

Friday, January 3, 2025: Sprint C – Val Di Fiemme-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:15 CET: Sprint Quali C, Men
• 12:15 CET: Sprint Quali C, Women
• 14:45 CET: Sprint Final C, Men
• 14:45 CET: Sprint Final C, Women

Saturday, January 4, 2025: 20km Skiathlon C/F – Val Di Fiemme-ITA (More information can be foundHERE)

• 11:00 CET: 20km Skiathlon C/F, Men
• 15:30 CET: 20km Skiathlon C/F, Women

Sunday, January 5, 2025: 10km Mass Start F – Final Climb – Val Di Fiemme-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:15 CET: 10km Mass Start F, Men
• 15:30 CET: 10km Mass Start F, Women

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.