Norway — Things seemed to be trending in the right direction for Fonna Glacier Ski Resort, which is one of the ski areas in Norway that exists on a glacier. After entering bankruptcy last year, a new ownership group stepped in to save the ski resort and announced that it would operate this summer.
However, since that announcement, things have deteriorated. Last week, the opening date for the glacier was moved back. Now, it appears the plan may have fallen apart entirely, with the founders of the group being removed from the group. The disagreement was reportedly over the two wanting to open up this month, with the others thinking that they were going too quickly. The founders became frustrated with the continued postponements that the other members were pushing for. The two founders who were removed are scrambling to find a new group to help reopen the mountain for this summer. The employees from the other group have also formed a new company, so we’ll see if anything comes from that. For now, the ski season at Fonna appears to be at risk of not happening.
The official press release from the founders of Fonna Sport AS is below.
Founders of Fonna Sport AS Removed Despite Secured Startup Capital and Operational Plan
In December 2024, Olivia Wenk and Thomas Burda from Germany started the initiative to establish Fonna Sport AS together with Bjørnar Neteland — a non-profit company under formation — with the aim of reviving ski operations at the Folgefonna Glacier. Now, just as preparations were nearing completion, the two founding members have been asked to step away from the organization.
Through strong collaboration with local businesses and accommodation providers, Olivia and Thomas secured up to 1.7 million NOK in startup capital. These funds were allocated to ensure the purchase of equipment from the bankrupt Visitfonna AS, the structural securing of the ski lift, and the planned relaunch of operations.
“I was in ongoing dialogue with athletes and coaches and had developed a clear concept for restarting activities,” says Thomas. “This concept was shared with the municipality and all cooperating partners. Unless a last-minute agreement can be reached, bookings — now amounting to several million NOK — will have to be cancelled. That would mean a loss of vital training opportunities for children, youth racers, and para-athletes. It breaks my heart to share this news just as we were preparing to bring skiing back to life at Folgefonna.”
Over the last six months, the founders mobilized an experienced and international network of engineers — including experts from one of Tyrol’s leading glacier resorts, with which Visitfonna AS maintained a long-standing nine-year partnership — to assess and ensure the technical safety of the lift. Their work was hands-on and fueled by personal commitment, contributing significant labor hours, private financial resources, and specialist expertise to get the lift operational under demanding conditions.
Olivia, elected board member and Financial Controller, spent months developing a sustainable financial plan and working cash flow model for Fonna Sport AS. Through structured partnerships and confirmed bookings, the projected revenues had already reached a substantial level, securing financial viability for the 2025 season.
She also worked in close partnership with the International Ski Federation (FIS) to create a development project aimed at improving athlete safety and reducing the cost barriers for alpine speed training. The concept was designed to benefit both able-bodied and para-athletes with subsidized infrastructure and enhanced accessibility.
“It has always been my mission to support the sport, promote youth development, and empower para-athletes by creating safer and more financially accessible training opportunities,” Olivia explains. “That’s why I’m especially proud of the sustainable training concept developed together with the FIS Development Department. It’s incredibly disappointing that this may no longer be realized.”
Should a swift and constructive solution still be found, both founders remain open to seeing the original vision for Fonna realized. Without such a resolution, however, the path forward is uncertain.
“We are deeply saddened,” they state, “as this moment was meant to mark the return of something meaningful — not just for the sport, but for the children, the athletes, and the entire community around Folgefonna.”
Olivia and Thomas also express their heartfelt thanks to the many local supporters, businesses, and private individuals who stood behind the project over the past months. Their encouragement and belief have been a driving force throughout this journey.
While the circumstances are undeniably difficult, the doors are not closed. We haven’t stopped fighting — and we are still here, on site, fully committed. Our belief in this location, in the power of sport, and in the people who have supported us is unshaken. There remains a last, strong hope that skiing can return to Folgefonna in 2025 — for children, athletes, para-athletes, and the wider mountain-loving community. If there is a way forward, we are ready to take it.
Image Credits: Fonna Glacier Ski Resort
