[5] In 2006, Dario Cologna won a bronze medal at the 10 km classic event in the Junior World Championships in Kranj, Slovenia.

Cologna debuted in the FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Kuusamo in November 2006 and took his first points in Falun in March 2007.

In December 2008, Cologna took his first World Cup podium finish with second place in the 30-kilometre competition in La Clusaz.

On 27 December, he won his first World Cup race as he finished first on the 15 km classic pursuit on stage two of the 2008–09 Tour de Ski.

[7] Cologna won the 2010–11 FIS Cross-Country World Cup with more than 300 points ahead of Petter Northug, who came second.

[8] Later in the games he successfully defended his title from the Vancouver Olympics in the 15 km race, this time in classic technique.

Alongside female skier Justyna Kowalczyk, Cologna is the only athlete to win the Tour de Ski four times.