Industry News
The iconic Folgefonna Glacier Ski Resort in Norway will not reopen before June 10, the resort’s new operators announced Thursday, citing delays in the permitting process required to restart lift operations. The update, shared via social media on May 15, comes as the resort works to relaunch under new ownership after declaring bankruptcy in fall 2024. “We are doing everything in our power to bring skiing back to Folgefonna as soon as possible,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, the process of obtaining the permit to operate the ski lift is still ongoing and requires additional time.”
In addition, the newly formed Fonna Sport AS announced today, May 16, that due to disagreements about the future management of the resort between some of the new owners, the organization has decided to part ways with some parties. “We now see that we disagree on the path forward, and have therefore chosen to part ways,” the new mountain operating company shared on its social media channels. “Fonna Sport AS, where ski districts from Hordaland and Agder/Rogaland are majority owners, will continue working toward realizing activities on Folgefonna, focusing on the future.”
Despite the setback, the team behind the newly formed Fonna Sport AS remains optimistic about a summer season. Backed by regional ski associations and members of Norway’s winter sports community, the organization is working closely with a bankruptcy trustee to acquire the resort’s lift systems and equipment and resume operations.
- Related: Folgefonna Glacier Ski Resort in Norway Saved After Bankruptcy, Set to Reopen for Summer 2025
Located on the Folgefonna glacier in western Norway, the resort—known locally as simply “Fonna”—has long been a staple on the summer training calendar for many professional athletes. With reliable snow during the summer months and sweeping views of the surrounding fjords, it serves as a vital training ground for alpine skiers and snowboarders. National teams, youth clubs, and international visitors have historically flocked to its glacier slopes for off-season preparation. The resort is only open during summer as the access road through the Folgefonna National Park is buried in deep snow during the winter months.
Fonna Glacier Ski Resort is about a half-hour drive from the village of Jondal, which lies a bit more than two hours by car from Bergen Airport. The route from the Hardangerfjord climbs dramatically into Folgefonna National Park, winding past valleys, waterfalls, and glacier-fed lakes before arriving at the alpine base—an approach that’s nearly as striking as the skiing itself.
The resort’s future was thrown into doubt after its previous operator, Visit Fonna AS, filed for bankruptcy. In response, local advocates formed Fonna Sport AS in partnership with the Hordaland Ski Association and Agder & Rogaland Ski Association. Their mission, they say, is not just to keep the resort running, but to ensure it remains a resource for youth development, adaptive skiing, and the broader winter sports community. “Our mission remains unchanged: to promote sport at all levels, especially for children and athletes with disabilities,” the group wrote on Thursday.
Folgefonna is one of only six summer-only ski resorts in the world where skiing is only possibly when the snow on the access roads can be cleared. While modest in size by international standards, its timing and glacier terrain make it a linchpin for seasonal training and technique work, particularly as climate change continues to impact snow reliability across the continent.
If the permit process concludes favorably in the coming weeks, the resort expects lifts could begin spinning in mid-June. For training inquiries, contact Thomas@visitfonna.no. General questions can be directed to Bjørnar Neteand at +47 934 36 593.
