Try Biathlon at an Iconic World Cup Venue in Europe
Practice shooting in both the prone and standing positions
Biathlon is a test of a skier’s endurance and composure, pairing fast-paced Nordic skiing with steady marksmanship. Biathletes push their limits on challenging cross-country trails before arriving at the shooting range, where they must steady their breathing to shoot five targets from 50m away, alternating between prone and standing positions. Every missed target incurs a penalty lap or added time which can make or break a race.
Try out biathlon in Slovenia this winter with Lumi Experiences
Across Europe, biathlon is a popular spectator sport that draws prime-time television slots and stadium crowds. Lumi guests have the chance to try out biathlon during their trip to several of our favorite ski destinations, including Sweden, Slovenia and France. Local experts and professional athletes lead our lessons, giving Lumi guests a first-hand experience with a Nordic discipline that’s not as common stateside. Most of these opportunities aren’t something you can easily organize yourself, if at all, at these European World Cup venues and clubs. Read on to learn more about biathlon experiences you can find on Lumi trips, and what makes each special.
Friendly Competition in Slovenia
Skiers on Lumi’s Slovenia & Italy Sight-Skiing trip spend a morning at the Pokljuka Biathlon Stadium learning tips and tricks from local experts. The venue is home to Biathlon World Cup events each winter, with extensive trails nearby to explore in between lessons. Although there’s no pressure to shoot like the pros, a little friendly competition between teams of Lumi skiers is a fun way to enjoy this unique experience – and a great excuse to share a local liqueur afterwards to celebrate. Later in the day, the group heads to Slovenia’s iconic Lake Bled, where a scenic boat ride to the lake’s historic church awaits.
Local experts at Slovenia's Pokljuka Biathlon Stadium will help guide you through the experience
A New Biathlon Experience in Sweden
Lumi’s trip to Sweden for the Vasaloppet features a number of cultural activities, from dogsledding to visiting the workshop where the region’s famous Dalarna horses are made. Along the way guests have the chance to practice biathlon under the tutelage of the Mora Biathlon Club. Local athletes guide each lesson, making for an exciting afternoon as skiers prepare for the largest ski marathon in the world later in the week. Penalty laps on the Mora Skistadion’s trail network are simply a chance to preview the last few kilometers of the Vasaloppet’s course.
Family Fame in France
“Do NOT miss out the opportunity to learn Biathlon!!!!!”
That’s according to past Lumi guest Leslie Johnson, who traveled on the 2026 France Transju trip. There’s a reason for her excitement: the biathlon lessons on our France trip are ranked highly by guests year after year thanks in part to trip leader Annette’s local ski connections. Annette’s son Jason is an Olympic gold medalist in Nordic Combined, a sport that combines ski jumping with cross country skiing.
Spot for your fellow skiers while practicing biathlon in France
We don’t offer ski jumping on Lumi trips (yet), but biathlon is much more accessible to skiers of all ages and abilities, so we like to include it when we can. Jason has played such an important role in the development of skiing in the region that they named Premanon’s World Cup stadium after him! Annette is humble about her family’s local ski fame, even though she also was the race director for the Transju Worldloppet for many years. Lumi wax tech Anthony leads our biathlon lessons before the group enjoys a post-ski wine and cheese pairing that evening. Later in the week Anthony prepares everyone’s skis for the Transju, making him an integral part of the trip.
Biathlon Excitement in Holmenkollen & Trondheim
Norwegians love all forms of Nordic skiing, biathlon included. A week after hosting the famous Holmenkollen Ski Festival, Oslo welcomes biathletes and fans to the Holmenkollen Biathlon World Cup – typically the last event of the season. The competitive atmosphere and throngs of cheering fans from around the world make the Holmenkollen one of the most lively venues. Every shot matters in biathlon which keeps fans on their feet as their favorite racers line up for each bout.
On Lumi’s 2025 Trondheim World Championships trip, Lumi skiers were treated to biathlon lessons with Trip Leader Linda’s hometown ski club at the Ramsjøen Arena. Guests raved about the experience.
“Linda is an outstanding trip leader. Sharing the biathlon range with her local club was an unforgettable moment!”
Guests on Lumi's 2025 Trondheim World Championships trip celebrate a successful day learning biathlon
Would you like to try out biathlon in Europe this winter? There is still limited space on Lumi’s Slovenia & Italy Sight-Skiing and Sweden Vasaloppet trips, both of which include this special Nordic experience. Whether you’d like to ski at your own pace in Slovenia’s Julian Alps or challenge yourself at Sweden’s storied Vasaloppet, your Lumi trip features a wealth of cultural activities to make your ski vacation that much more fulfilling.
Post-biathlon shots anyone?
Lumi’s Holmenkollen World Cup & Birken Trips are already sold out, but there’s still space on the Norway Sight-Skiing Trip, where you can ski the famous Holmenkollen trails overlooking Norway’s capital of Oslo and the fjord below. Reach out to reservations@lumiexperiences.com to receive a detailed trip itinerary or to sign up while space is still available.
See you on the trail,
Garrott Kuzzy
garrott@lumiexperiences.com
Founder & Olympian, Lumi Experiences