WMA was formed in February 1982 as a worldwide association for masters cross-country skiers. The Association provides a common international platform for top competitive skiers as well as for those who simply enjoy racing, regardless of the ranking.
Foundation for the yearly organized and Masters World Cups called events has been layed by the Canadian Bill Gairdner in Uppsala when he proposed the founding of a worldwide masters association. This announcement became executed during a meeting in Zürich on June 13, 1982. The representatives of 14 skiing nations concluded the foundation of “The World Masters Cross-Country Ski Association”, called WMA.