ROLLER SKI TRAINING: Pacing intervals for younger athletes

by Ingeborg Scheve • 05.08.2026
training
Interval session with standardized efforts and medium intensity designed to train the ability to maintain the right pace in ski races – specifically developed for younger athletes.

Interval session with standardized efforts and medium intensity designed to train the ability to maintain the right pace in ski races – specifically developed for younger athletes.

Maintaining the right pace from start to finish requires training. The purpose of this session is to practice pacing for shorter ski races.

This session was developed by coach Vetle Leander Johansen from Team Swenor-Splitkon, who is responsible for athletes including Calle Halfvarsson and Oskar Svensson, as well as several of Norway’s fastest elite skiers.

Training facts 

TypeInterval
Duration45 minutes to 1 hour
IntensityMedium to high
TerrainRelevant tracks
StructureWarm-up / Main Session / Cooldown
FrequencyWeekly

Training benefits 

The aim of the session is to train pacing for ski races.

Execution

Warm-up 

  • Ensure you are well warmed up before starting the intervals

Main Session – Intervals 

  • Perform 3-minute intervals at medium to high intensity
  • 1.5 minutes rest (90 seconds)
  • The goal is to go faster and faster from interval to interval. This is the focus – not that the effort should be extremely high

Cooldown 

  • Include a good cool down after the last interval

Description

Conduct a standardized interval round – preferably on roller skis or skis. The focus of the session is to increase speed from interval to interval – not to push the effort too high. If you still have plenty of energy after the last interval, you can add another one.

This session can be performed weekly or as often as necessary in the final phase of preparation for the ski season – until you feel confident that you can pace as well in a competition situation as in training.

Also Read
ROLLER SKI TRAINING: VO2max intervals
ROLLER SKI TRAINING: Standard session on SkiErg
ROLLER SKI TRAINING: Strengthen your skate technique with just two kilometers of asphalt

Are you interested in training for Ski Classics, long-distance, traditional cross-country skiing, and biathlon? Click HERE and read more about it.

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