Alpine Chief Reacts to Ski Center Bankruptcy at Folgefonna: – The Loss Will Have International Consequences

Alpine Chief Reacts to Ski Center Bankruptcy at Folgefonna: – The Loss Will Have International Consequences

The bankruptcy of the summer ski center at Folgefonna has left the skiing community in shock, creating concerns regarding its potential repercussions on international skiing. Michael Sutti Rottensteiner, head of the Norwegian alpine team, expressed alarm over how this closure will impact training availability and athlete development for young skiers, particularly from the west coast region of Norway.

For over 30 years, the Folgefonna ski center has served as a premier training ground not only for Norwegian athletes but also attracted teams from various countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, and Austria. Following the announcement of VisitFonna's bankruptcy earlier this week, many in the alpine community fear the ensuing loss of opportunities for athletes.

Rottensteiner stated that the Folgefonna ski center has long been recognized as one of Europe's finest summer ski destinations, known for contributing to the development of competitive skiers. He mentioned that major training camps for Norwegian teams were already in the works for the coming years.

The closure is particularly concerning for the recruitment of new talents, as alternatives are limited to facilities that lack the same accessibility and training capabilities. Former Norwegian champion Bjørnar Neteland echoed this sentiment, stating that the lack of a summer ski center close to Bergen heightens the barriers for young, aspiring athletes from the region to reach the national teams.

The bankruptcy is attributed to financial struggles compounded by climate change and glacial melting, which have directly affected the operations of summer ski centers. Despite the grim news, Neteland believes there are potential solutions. He is even contemplating reviving his grandfather's legacy who founded the first ski lift on Folgefonna.

"I invite others with ideas and willingness to help save Folgefonna," he stated, underscoring the importance of this ski center to many athletes and enthusiasts.

The ski community now faces an uncertain future, as discussions continue on how to maintain training availability and ensure that Norwegian skiers can remain competitive internationally moving forward.