Johannes Høsflot Klæbo is back in Livigno in northern Italy and ready for early snow as part of his season warm-up for the third time in two years. 

“I feel extremely well in Livigno. This is my third time here and the first time this season. But last year, I was here twice on two different altitude training camps,” says Klæbo to Fondo Italia. 

It is no coincidence that the 25-year-old is planning one of his high-altitude training camps this autumn at the well-known winter sports destination. 

Klæbo explains that predictable training conditions, including early snow, are one of the many factors that make him choose to spend his altitude camps there. He plans to stay in Livigno for a total of four weeks. Now he is looking forward to the opening of the early snow tracks in Livigno today, October 28. 

Klæbo is one of many international World Cup skiers who have the last surge for their winter season at the altitude paradise called ‘Little Tibet.’ New this year is that the Italian Ski Federation has given the facility in Livigno the status of an Olympic training center. 

Could Miss The Start Of The Season

In contrast to the rest of the men’s national teams, Klæbo has planned an extensive altitude regime for the 2022/23 World Cup season. This year’s stay at altitude is part of Klæbo’s targeted plan for the 2026 Olympics, where systematic altitude training over several years is a central element. 

But even if Klæbo is using the altitude camp in Livigno as part of his season build-up to the 2022/23 season, he is not sure whether he will make it to the season opener itself.

His injury in July has turned out to be significantly more severe than first expected. Last week, Klæbo admitted that he fears missing the start of the season. 

Worried About The Future Of Cross-Country Skiing

Klæbo is also worried about the future of cross-country skiing. 

He is concerned that cross-country skiing must offer an attractive product with formats and forms of competition that appeal to those who want to invest in the sport, spectators, and TV audiences, as well as sponsors and contributors. In that context, Klæbo has cheered for the new concept of the FIS Games, a prestigious event for all the FIS branches which will be held every four years from 2024 onwards. 

But Klæbo also points out that climate change and the tendency towards increasingly warmer winters are becoming more significant challenges. 

“Cross-country skiing is in a challenging time, and the lack of snow in many places will be a major challenge in the future,” he says, and continues: 

“I will do everything I can to pay attention to this sport. Traveling a long and visiting many places, you can see how many people love cross-country skiing. We must continue to have the right thoughts.”