Swedish cross-country star Frida Karlsson has taken a significant step in her preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, joining a growing group of elite skiers investing heavily in advanced training equipment.

Karlsson, 25, recently became World Champion in the 50km race at the World Championships in Trondheim. Now, she’s aiming for Olympic glory — and has made a million-kronor investment in a high-end treadmill specifically designed for roller skiing, including skate technique.

Mounted on the wall in front of the treadmill is a golden plaque that reads: “Milano-Cortina 2026” — a daily reminder of her ultimate goal.

Read More: How do you optimize training on a roller ski treadmill?

Following a growing trend among champions

Karlsson isn’t the first to adopt this approach. Norwegian superstar Johannes Høsflot Klæbo purchased his roller ski treadmill in the summer of 2023. Swedish biathlon star Sebastian Samuelsson has had one for several years, and so has the now-retired legend Johannes Thingnes Bø.

Former cross-country great Petter Northug believes the move could elevate Karlsson’s performance even further.

“There’s a reason why Klæbo and Thingnes Bø have one of these right inside their front door,” said Northug to TV2, and added:

“Now we just have to see if she gets better – and I absolutely believe she will. It could be quite scary to see her at the Olympics.”

Also Read: Does a recreational skier benefit from treadmill tests?

A serious investment

High-end roller ski treadmills that support both double-poling and classic skiing are already common among professional skiers. They typically cost several hundred thousand kronor and are often used by both long-distance specialists and national team athletes chasing World Championship and Olympic medals.

However, treadmills wide enough to accommodate skate skiing are significantly more expensive — often costing up to ten times as much — and are rarely found in private homes. It’s not just about the space they require but also the financial investment.

The price for such skate-capable treadmills typically starts in the range of several million Swedish kronor.

See Frida Karlsson’s treadmill setup on Instagram

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