The season started on 13 January 1978 in Ruhpolding, West Germany, and ended in April 1978 in Sodankylä, Finland.

It was the first ever season of the Biathlon World Cup, and it was only held for men.

Below is the World Cup calendar for the 1977–78 season.

[1][2][3] *The relays were technically unofficial races as they did not count towards anything in the World Cup.

Following notable biathletes retired after the 1977–78 season: