Cross-country skiing industry faces sharp sales decline

The cross-country skiing industry is facing a significant downturn, with sales plummeting both in Norway and globally. Rottefella, a traditional manufacturer of ski bindings, reported its first loss in eight years, with revenue dropping from 92 million to 65 million NOK and a deficit of 15 million NOK in 2025.

Similarly, ski manufacturer Madshus is facing its fourth consecutive year of deficits. Industry experts attribute the decline to fewer skiing days, a saturated market for skin skis, and an increase in the sale of used equipment. Global sales volumes have dropped from approximately one million pairs in 2023/2024 to around 550,000. In Norway, sales have more than halved since the peak in 2017/2018.