The Birkebeiner ski festival has been cancelled this year due to icy conditions and a lack of snow.
Typically attracting 2,000 participants from around the world, the 55 kilometre cross-country trek has been a winter constant for more than 30 years.
There are only three events like the Birkebeiner worldwide.
Nordahl Flakstad, president of the festival, said the poor ski conditions also reflected in the number of registrations, cut in half from last year’s number of participants.
“There either is no snow in some parts or bare spots or it’s too icy. It’s just too dangerous for skiers and it’s just not going to be a pleasurable experience,” said Flakstad.
“It always puts our numbers down because people don’t feel they have the opportunity to train.”
Edmonton’s mild winter is also affecting ski purchases. Bob Schilf, owner of Track N’ Trail, says sales are down at his store by 15 percent.
“We’ve definitely seen a decrease in people looking to buy equipment. They’re holding off, maybe using equipment they’ve had from years before.”
The Birkebeiner has been cancelled four times since 1985. It was last cancelled in 2008 due to extremely cold weather.
With files from Kim Smith
