Discussions about the future of the Holmenkollen five-miler are heating up, with ski historian Thor Gotaas advocating for the event to continue. He reminisces about the days when long-distance skiers participated in several five-milers during a single season, some of which took more than three hours to complete. According to Gotaas, the current trend of elite skiers training obsessively and completing races in under two hours marks a stark contrast to the sport's slower-paced history, highlighting a fundamental change in the attitude toward endurance races.

The Holmenkollen five-miler recently made its return, with both men and women competing simultaneously, reigniting discussions about maintaining its status as a popular public festival. However, the decision by the ski federation to drop the traditional folk festival aspect in 2025 has raised alarms among fans and historians alike. This move could significantly diminish the event's traditional charm, as Gotaas believes the community aspect of the race is crucial for its continuation and popularity, especially among younger audiences.

Next season's race schedule is uncertain, especially with the Ski World Championships in Falun concluding with its own five-miler just a week prior. Concerns about participation levels have prompted the International Ski Federation (FIS) to state that they wish to avoid scheduling two five-milers in consecutive weeks. This change puts more pressure on the organizers to ensure the event remains engaging and well-attended, and raises questions about the future of such traditional skiing events in the face of a highly competitive sporting schedule.