Tragedy has struck the global skiing community after the passing of former Norwegian Olympic skier Audun Grønvold.
The 49-year-old passed away on July 16, 2025, after being struck by lightning during a family cabin trip.
His passing, confirmed by the Norwegian Ski Federation, brings an abrupt end to the life of a pioneering athlete known for both alpine skiing and ski cross, according to media reports.Former Norwegian Olympic skier Audun Grønvold loses life after being struck by lightning
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According to the federation, Grønvold was struck by lightning on July 12 while vacationing at a remote cabin in rural Norway.
He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital and given emergency care.
Though he initially survived the impact, his condition deteriorated, and he succumbed to the severity of his injuries a few days later.
Norway’s state broadcaster NHK reports that Grønvold is survived by his wife and three children.
Grønvold started his career as an alpine skier but transitioned to ski cross as the sport was emerging
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Born on February 28, 1976, in Hamar, Norway, Grønvold began his competitive skiing career in the alpine discipline.
As a member of Norway’s national alpine team from the mid‑1990s through 2004, he blossomed on the World Cup circuit. In the early 2000s, Grønvold pivoted from alpine skiing to the emerging discipline of ski cross—a high-paced, obstacle-strewn genre of freestyle skiing. In 2007, he cemented his place in the sport by capturing the overall Ski Cross World Cup title.
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When the sport debuted at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, he earned a bronze medal, becoming one of the first Olympic medalists in the sport.
At the peak of his athletic career, Grønvold retired from competitive skiing. At the time, he told NHK that his body had given him clues that it was time to stop.
“Grønvold struggled with both his knee, elbow and neck injuries towards the end of his career,” NHK reported.
“I retire with a heavy heart, but it is a sensible choice,” Grønvold told NRK at the time.
Grønvold remained active after retiring as a coach, mentor and hockey player
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Despite retiring from professional skiing, Grønvold continued his athletics career as a coach and mentor.
NHK reports that Grønvold served as a national ski cross coach for Norway’s team.
His expertise also made him a respected television commentator, where he shared valuable insights with viewers.
And he played hockey.
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According to NHK, Kjetil André Aamodt, another former Norwegian Olympic skier, said Grønvold “was the driving force behind the hockey team we played for, the Lambertseter Flyers.”
Aamodt said Grøvold “was very fond of sports and very active. And he was one of the fastest and most agile athletes measured in tests at the Olympiatoppen.”
When asked about his favorite memory of Grønvold, Aamodt described a recent funny moment when his friend showed up to hockey practice wearing goalie gear.
“He wasn’t really supposed to be there, and he wasn’t really a goalie, but suddenly he showed up in full goalie gear just to give us a laugh,” Aamodt recalled.
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