Cross-country skiing at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics was held at the Birkebeineren Ski Stadium in Lillehammer, Norway from 13 to 18 February.

[1] *   Host nation (Norway)Each nation could send a maximum of 4 athletes (2 boys and 2 girls).

The top 7 teams of the Marc Hodler Trophy Cross-Country Skiing at the 2015 Junior Nordic World Ski Championships plus the hosts Norway were allowed to send the maximum of 4 athletes.

Any remaining quota spots were distributed to nations not already qualified, with a maximum of one boy or girl from one nation.

[2] The current allocation of quotas is listed below.