William Bostadløkken’s Journey: A Heartbreaking Turn in the Life of a Rising Freestyle Ski Star
In early December, the dreams of a promising young athlete were abruptly shattered. Norwegian freestyle skier William Bostadløkken, just 20 years old, experienced a life-altering accident while training in the United States, leaving him paralyzed.
In a poignant Instagram post, Bostadløkken bravely opened up about the devastating circumstances surrounding his injury. While attempting a jump, he lost control and crashed violently, landing head and back first.
“This is a heartbreaking article for me,” he began, presenting a rare glimpse into his emotional turmoil. The fall resulted in multiple serious injuries, including broken ribs, and necessitated immediate surgery in Denver, Colorado.
Doctors reported that the procedure had gone well, but the repercussions were grim; Bostadløkken would be paralyzed from the damaged area of his spine—specifically, the fifth and sixth thoracic vertebrae—downwards.
Following his surgery, Bostadløkken was flown back to Norway. Now, he is focused on resilience, taking life one day at a time while expressing gratitude for the tremendous support he has received from family, friends, and fans alike.
“I dream of being able to ski again one day,” he shared. “Skiing is truly my greatest passion—it’s the purpose of my life. I will do everything I can to experience that incredible feeling of skiing down the slopes again. It certainly won’t be easy; this will be the hardest challenge I have ever faced. I’m not even sure it’s possible, but I refuse to give up. I will always fight.”
Once a key member of Norway’s development team, Bostadløkken is regarded as one of the country’s most talented freestyle skiers. As he navigates this unforeseen chapter, the skiing community and beyond will undoubtedly rally around him, inspired by his unwavering spirit.