Cross-country skiing is a popular winter sport in countries with snowy landscapes, but what happens when you live in a place like Britain, where snow is increasingly a rare occurrence? Well, that hasn’t stopped 19-year-old Hannah McHugh from Perth from pursuing her dream of becoming a word-class cross-country skier! 

In our latest blog shining the spotlight on the young athletes who are part of Live Active’s Emerging Athlete Programme, we caught up with Hannah to chat about how she got involved in the sport, her ambitions for the upcoming World Junior Ski Championships in Slovenia, and exactly how one trains for a snow sport in a country with little snow.

What inspired you to take up cross-country skiing?

That's a hard question in the regard that it does not have a simple answer. I went to a taster session at Fife Nordic Club and really enjoyed it so I started going to Monday night sessions. I spent more and more time skiing and when lockdown hit I was selected for the British Nordic Development squad. I spent more and more time training and realised that I loved it. So, I guess the short answer is - the training inspired me.

Who is your biggest inspiration in the world of sport and why?

My biggest inspiration is Jessie Diggins. She puts in so much hard work and has an unmatched work ethic that separates her from the field (whether people agree with it or not). She always puts on a show every time she races and loves what she does.

What are some of the challenges you face whilst cross-country skiing, and how do you overcome them?

Finding good training locations can be really difficult. When in Britain I spend a lot of time roller skiing, which means I need to find smooth tarmac which isn’t too busy with traffic. It can be tricky finding places best suited for training, and I usually end up travelling a fair bit to get to some semi decent roads. However, places like Fife cycle track are great for safe and smooth training.

What is your training regimen like, and how do you balance it with other commitments?

Cross-country skiing has one of the toughest training regimens. I can train anywhere from 10 to 20 hours per week, sometimes even more in the summer. However, the best bit about cross-country skiing is the ability to cross train. Roller skiing and snow skiing take up the majority of my hours, but I am also able to run, strength train, cycle and swim. In order to be a good cross-country skier you have to love to train! I have always been able to organise my time well, but it requires me making many sacrifices in order to get enough sleep, training, work and study. I guess it just comes down to what you are willing to sacrifice. But with everything in life, it’s all about balance. Spending time away from training and studying to be with friends is so important. Being happy mentally is key to getting the most out of everything you do.

What are some of the most important skills you need to excel at cross-country skiing?

You need to be good at working hard, organising yourself and have enthusiasm for what you're doing. You can train as much as you want but what gets you across the line winning medals is enthusiasm. It's something which cannot be taught.

What is your favourite moment or memory whilst cross-country skiing?

My favourite memory in cross-country skiing is probably my time spent in Lillehammer, Norway with the home nations project ‘Lillehammer’ and all the training camps I have been on with the British Nordic Development Squad. The time I have spent away from home training with other athletes has been so much fun and I have created so many memories in doing so.

What are some of the biggest competitions or tournaments in cross-country skiing in 2024, and what are your goals for participating in them?  

The biggest competition in cross-country skiing has to be the world cup, but I’m still a few years away from that. This year is my last year as a junior and I am setting my sights on the World Junior Ski Championships (WJSC) in Planica, Slovenia. I also have the goal of just racing to the best of my ability in all the races I am doing this season. This is my biggest season yet! I was able to race 5 weekends in a row before Christmas and I enjoyed every minute of it. I am also starting at the University of Stirling this September so being able to manage uni life and training will also be a goal for mine later into the year.

How do you handle setbacks or challenges in your athletic endeavours?

I like to take setbacks as a restart. Setting yourself back to zero and building up from there is quite motivating for me. Setting little goals along the way gives me something to set my mind to and allows me to see how I am progressing. Although the big goal may not be on track (right now) I can work toward the goal of getting better. Talking to my coach about challenges that I am facing helps me out a lot. Being able to get everything off my chest and planning how to get back on track is always step 1 in overcoming bumps in the road.

How do you stay motivated and focused during training and competitions?

It's the pure love for the sport that motivates me the most. Who in their right mind would find skiing round the woods in -15°C motivating? Even when I may be questioning my life choices, I just remember how much I love skiing the woods, surrounded by other like-minded people who can’t wait to reap the reward of a post-session hot juice. Self-improvement also motives me to keep going, seeing myself improve and become a better athlete feels really good!

Are there any rituals or routines your follow before competitions to get you in the right mindset?

I’m not really a lucky socks kind of girl (even though I almost always do classic roller ski races in the same pair of fish socks). Just listening to good music and reminding myself that I can do it is helpful for getting in the right mindset. I have taken a less superstitious approach to racing this season, I found that I got very stressed out if things weren't exactly how I wanted them to be and used them as a blame for not doing well. A more chill approach has been working well. I can only go as fast as I

can go and as long as I empty the tank and ski well, I am happy.

What strategies do you use to stay mentally and physically sharp?   

Following my training plan, eating well and getting enough sleep are the biggest ones. Sleeping is definitely the most important! A lot of the time training doesn't go to plan for various reasons, so having a good diet and sleep schedule makes the training losses smaller.

What advice would you give to younger athletes who are just starting out in cross-country skiing?

Learn as much as you can! Becoming a skiing nerd helps a lot, knowing about training can help you create plans that are more specific for you. Learning about ski waxing helps on race days when waxing your own skis, and just learning about the sport helps with your development so much. Besides becoming a nerd, focusing on speed and technique is so beneficial as an U16 athlete, endurance will come later.

What is your biggest accomplishment as an athlete so far?

So far my biggest accomplishment is qualifying for a classic sprint in Ostersund Sweden. It’s not something I usually get to experience so it was pretty cool being in that situation.

What is your favourite sports quote?

I don't really have one, but I do like what American alpine skier Lindsey Vonn said; “If you go around being afraid, you're never going to enjoy life. You have only one chance, so you've got to have fun.”

How has Live Active’s Emerging Athlete Programme helped you to develop as an athlete?

The EAP programme has not only improved my strength, but it has allowed me to connect with athletes from other sports and give me a strong training group. Along with the strength and conditioning program I have learnt about what it takes to be an athlete through the monthly lessons Stevie sets for us. It gives me time to reflect on how things are going, which I sometimes forget to do.

And finally, if people want to follow your journey where can they find you on social media?  

You can follow me on Instagram @mchughannah and TikTok @hanmcxcski