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World Snowboarding Championships

Editor — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:57:21 +0000

The World Snowboarding Championships forms part of the TTR World Snowboard Tour. Held every four years, this is a freestyle competition with slopestyle and halfpipe. the 2012 championship will also feature a thrilling monster quarterpipe event.

Date: 12 to 19 February 2012
Location: Oslo
Country: Norway

Holmenkollen Ski Museum in Norway

Editor — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:34:45 +0000

Holmenkollen Ski Museum was established in 1923, making it the oldest ski museum in the world. It is situated at the base of Norway‘s famous Holmenkollen ski jump in Oslo. Tours of both the museum and the Jump Tower are on offer, providing insight into the ancient history of skiing, as well as modern-day skiing. In fact, the Holmenkollen Ski Museum covers the history of skiing back some 4,000 years to the Stone Age.

The latest addition to the exhibitions at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum is the “Is it possible?!” display. Located in the new building of the museum, this feature has been designed to challenge people’s perceptions and open them up to the possibilities. It demonstrates how anything is possible for those with disabilities, how difficulties can be overcome. Visitors to the museum are given the opportunity to experience firsthand what it is like to move on a Sitski, as well as what it feels like to shoot when blind.

The museum’s polar exhibitions deal with the expeditions of Børge Ousland, Fridtjob Nansen and Roald Amundsen, with much of the equipment on display having been donated by polar explorers. Two of Fridtjof Nansen’s expeditions are followed. Firstly there is his trip across Greenland in 1888. Nansen is noted for his experimental nature, testing different types of ski gear during the journey. He published “The First Crossing of Greenland” in 1890, leaving a model for explorers who followed him. The next expedition of Nansen’s covered at the Ski Museum is the “First Fram Expedition” to the North Pole in 1893 to 1896. On display is the clothing worn by Fridtjof Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen, along with other artifacts from their attempt to reach the North Pole.

Roald Amundsen’s South Pole expedition is also looked at. This was in fact a race between Amudsen’s group and a British expedition with Captain Rober Falcon Scott. They won the race, arriving at the pole on 14 December 1911, followed by the British on 18 January 1912.

An interesting display is related to Børge Ousland, who in fact borrows pack his equipment when headed on further polar adventures. There are film clips of his solo North Pole trip in 2001 as well as other items on display. Further exhibitions at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum show how skis were used in prehistoric times, as well as the development of skis through the ages. Intricately decorated skis are found in the Old Norwegian Village Skis display. There is a Wall of Fame that is constantly updated, models of the Holmenkollen ski jump and films of famous moments in skiing history.

Holmenkollen Ski Museum is well worth a visit for the whole family. Visiting hours are 10 am to 4 pm in October to April; 10 am to 5 pm from May to September; and 9 am to 8pm in the months of June, July and August.

Europe

Editor — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:17:10 +0000

Europe offers a diversity of cultures, scenery and activities that makes the continent a very popular holiday destination. For snow skiing enthusiasts, Europe certainly offers a world of possibilities just waiting to be explored. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, winter sports feature prominently in the lives of the locals, producing world class athletes that often dominate competitive winter sports. Visitors to the ski resorts found in these beautiful countries can expect world-class facilities, along with picture postcard scenery.

Italy, Spain and France may be more readily associated with sun-drenched orchards and lazy days on the beach, than with snow skiing. But those who have experienced the vibrant atmosphere and sheer fun quality of a snow skiing holiday at any of the many ski resorts located in Italy, France and Spain know that these European countries have much to offer in the way of superb snow and excellent facilities. If you have not yet done so, why not plan your next snow skiing vacation at one of Europe’s spectacular resorts.

Resorts by Location:

Granlibakken

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Granlibakken Ski Resort, located just above Lake Tahoe, is an intimate resort with excellent accommodation. The Granlibakken Resort Conference Center is renowned for hosting many events. Opened in 1947 by Kjell “Rusty” Rustad of Norway, the name Granlibakken means “hill sheltered by fir trees”. Providing a ski season extending from December through April, Granlibakken Ski Resort attracts vast numbers of tourists and local skiers.

Beautifully encapsulated by trees, Granlibakken Ski Resort overlooks the lovely Lake Tahoe, creating an amazing panoramic view and peaceful setting. With some 10 acres of skiing area and a vertical drop of 300 ft, Granlibakken Resort is ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers, as well as snowboarders. Simply step out of your lodging and enjoy a day of skiing. The rental shop will provide you with all the equipment you need to take advantage of the stunning white slopes, while the Skiing School makes learning fun on a quiet hillsode. A rope tow will carry you to the top of the slope from where you can glide down to the bottom, and you can take a break at the warming hut or snack bar in between runs. Cross-country skiing as well as snowshoeing are also popular at Granlibakken. The Snowplay Area provides children with endless hours of fun.

Granlibakken Resort is a year-round destination. In summer the cold weather gives way to an abundance of activities such as nature trails, tennis (5 tennis courts), tanning beside the pool, hot tub, sauna, hiking and team building activities. Those lodging at the Granlibakken Resort Conference Center can take advantage of the following nearby activities: mountain biking, fishing, rafting, kayaking, horse-riding, motor boating and trekking.

Granlibakken Resort at Tahoe is an amazing destination, ideal for all those important events, honeymoons, family vacations and more. Don’t miss this unforgettable vacation experience.

Norway

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

A winter vacation in Norway is perfect for skiers who enjoy cross country or Nordic skiing. Plenty of snow, English speaking attendants and a warm welcome await you when you go on a ski vacation to any of Norway’s resorts. Wide slopes and excellent lift capacity means there is no time lost waiting in queues. This gives you extra skiing time on the slopes and excellent ski instructors assure you of a stress-free learning experience.

A vacation in Norway is not complete without a visit to any of the fjords that encompass the coast. The ski resorts are usually within easy reach of the coast and large cities like Oslo for a bit of shopping and culture. One can easily take day trips and make the most of the vacation to Norway. It is one of the most scenic countries in the world and the forests, mountains and waters form an unforgettable landscape. Majestic fjords, frozen lakes and gently rounded mountains are components of a fairy tale scene.

Children are most welcome at all the vacation resorts in Norway as skiing is truly a family sport for all ages and all levels of skill. In fact, many resorts provide accompanying children with free lift passes, and often free helmets too. Children have their own areas for frolic and skiing on slopes as well as designated English speaking ski instructors. Most ski resorts provide day care centers for very small children.

Ardent cross country skiers can avail themselves of packages which are designed to take the group from one resort to another, sometimes passing through other resorts on the way. The trip is designed to take several days. Night halts are organized at hotels and resorts en route, and you can go skiing for one day or more depending on your skill and interest. What a wonderful way to see this magical country in the snow!

In addition to superb skiing there is plenty of time for other fun activities like dog sledding, tobogganing and ice fishing. Facilities at Norwegian resorts are excellent and you can hire any equipment that you may need in order to make the vacation to Norway a memorable one.

Norway Resorts:

Hemsedal

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Hemsedal ski resort is one of Scandinavia’s largest ski destinations in the heart of the Norwegian mountain wilds. Nestled in the Hallingdal Valley, between Bergen and Oslo, the rugged peaks surrounding the village have earned it the name, ‘Scandinavian Alps’. Hemsedal was the venue for UIAA Ice World Cup in 2006, and its consistent snow and excellently groomed slopes has made it a popular winter destination. Its breathtaking scenery and host of activities add to its attractions. It is also close to many of Norway’s major attractions, including the legendary Sognefjord. The relaxed atmosphere, ambience steeped in tradition and history, and its mountain charm makes Hemsedal the perfect place to unwind. The village has a typical Norwegian flavor unlike many generic ski resorts. Walk through streets lined by century-old log buildings and enjoy local cuisine.

Hemsedal is a ski resort of international standards with wide, well-groomed pistes suitable for all levels of skiers, a large terrain/snowboard park and designated areas for children and beginners. Hemsedal offers a diverse terrain with everything from impressive downhills, to challenging off-piste. Its 130kms of cross-country trails traverse valleys and forests and you can virtually ski out of your room onto the valley trails.

Breathe in the crisp fresh mountain air as you take a green piste or advanced run all the way from the summit of the highest mountain to its base. The 34 pistes together cover approximately 36kms and are of all levels of difficulty, with the longest run being six kilometers. The various slopes are connected by a system of 17 lifts and night skiing is available on several slopes. The snowboard terrain park at Hemsedal is one of Europe’s best. Big jumps, fun boxes, half pipe, two quarter pipes and rails await thrill-seekers. There is also a separate park for beginners to develop their skills in this exciting sport.

Hemsedal offers a vast range of other activities, including paragliding, ice-climbing, tobogganing and snowshoe hikes. Horse-sleigh rides and dog-sledding are an effortless way to enjoy the magical, snow-blanketed scenery, or you can go snowmobiling, kite-skiing and play paintball. There are two activity centers offering a sports bar, bowling, simulated golf, billiards, darts and indoor swimming. Nightlife at Hemsedal is provided by several restaurants, bars and a discotheque. The winter season runs from November to May.

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Lillehammer

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

The Olympic Winter Games in 1994 put the Lillehammer region on the international tourist map, although in fact, Lillehammer is the oldest winter sports destination in Norway. Located at the northern end of Norway’s largest lake, Lake Mjosa, Lillehammer is a happy blend of venerable traditions and modern-day attractions. Museums, galleries, Olympic facilities, unique restaurants and excellent shopping are just a few of Lillehammer’s attractions. Lillehammer Ski Resort refers to the city and four separate skiing regions near each other. This charming resort gives you the chance to ski in a different area every day, using Lillehammer as a base. Each region is distinct, with its own special charm and unique landscape, offering everything from family-friendly slopes to Olympic downhill courses. Hajfell, the main ski area is just north of the town and offers skiing for all abilities and as well as plenty of activities off the slopes.

Lillehammer is a vacation destination for families and its good snow record assures a long ski season, from November till the end of April. The Lillehammer Ski Resort’s Pass allows you to ski at any and all the slopes at the four destinations. There are hardly any queues for the 35 lifts in the Lillehammer region that service 78 pistes and 1,500km of cross country trails.

Beginners and intermediate skiers have plenty of options and the resort has a good ski school too. With 30 km of skiing in this area, and with the longest run of 4.5 km, Lillehammer has something for everyone. From wide tree lined pistes to the challenge of the Olympic downhill run and opportunities for telemark, cross country and night skiing, Lillehammer has it all. There is also a separate snowboard park with big jumps and half pipes.

The main street in Lillehammer is a pedestrian plaza, lined with shops, lively bars and restaurants, including Norway’s largest nightclub. In addition to skiing you can enjoy the Olympic bobsleigh, tobogganing, ice skating, dog sledding and ice hockey matches. There is also a leisure centre with swimming pool and a cinema, so take your pick – and enjoy!

Norefjell

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Norefjell ski resort is the highest peak in an area with hilly terrain. Just an hour and twenty minutes from Oslo, the capital of Norway, Norefjell is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks and boasts panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. It is just fifteen minutes away from the scenic Lake Kroderen. Norefjell was the venue for the downhill events during the 1952 Olympics and is well established as an alpine skiing resort. Norefjell is a good all-round ski resort with a variety of terrain suitable for all levels of expertise, well prepared cross-country trails, and exhilarating off-piste routes. Norefjell has a relaxed, laid back atmosphere and for a small resort of its size, offers plenty to do. The people are friendly and there is plenty of accommodation to suit every need, from alpine-style accommodation on the slopes to lake view lodging, and apartments.

Norefjell offers twenty-three ski slopes spread over 24km to suit all levels of skiing expertise. Of these, four are green pistes, nine are blue, seven are red pistes, and three are black slopes. The slopes are accessed by eleven lifts and there are rarely any lift lines at this scenic vacation ski resort. The longest downhill run is a very pleasant six kilometers, a surprisingly decent length considering the small size of the resort.

The cross-country tracks here are superb, something for which Norefjell is particularly well-known. There are 120km of well-marked and prepared cross-country trails as well as an unlimited number of off-piste trails covering mountains and woodlands. The vacation resort also features a large snowboarding area, with a big jump and a 60-meter pipe. In the event of heavy snowfall, early risers can enjoy an exhilarating time on the unprepared “powder” on the slopes.

The main focus at Norefjell is skiing, but the ski resort also offers a wide range of other exciting activities, including mono-skiing, sleigh rides, indoor swimming, sauna, snowshoe hikes and rides with dog teams. Après-ski entertainment at Norefjell mainly focuses on a handful of restaurants, cafes, bars and discos.

Voss

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

Voss is one of the most scenic ski resorts in Norway, resting on the edge of a lake, surrounded by magnificent snow-covered mountains. In addition to skiing, you can go sightseeing from here as it is located between two of Norway’s most renowned fjords, the Sogne and Hardanger. This typical Norwegian village still has old smoking houses and traditional cuisine, but the ski resort has every modern amenity and plenty to see and do. Its forty kilometers of runs is spread over eleven pistes and accessed by ten lifts. Most of the runs are intermediate, with some for advanced skiers and experts. Despite the limited slopes for advanced skiers, the downhill tracks take you through some breathtaking terrain.

The longest of the downhill slopes is six kilometers in length, and Mount Hangur provides 63kms of scenic cross-country trails. This variety of skiing, secluded slopes and friendly atmosphere has made it one of Norway’s most popular ski destinations.

Voss has nurtured more Winter Olympic participants than any other place in the world. The training at the ski a schools is excellent and Voss offers superb nursery slopes as well as demanding terrain for the most experienced. Voss offers excellent facilities for powder-snow sports. Snow machines are in place to make sure that skiers enjoy perfect skiing conditions throughout the winter season, which usually stretches from December to April.

In addition to the ski slopes, Voss offers a huge variety of other activities, including bowling, hiking trails, squash, tandem paragliding, sleigh rides, ice-fishing and ice-skating. Non skiers can make the most of the heated pools, a sauna, a fitness centre, a cinema and a folk museum. Snowboarders have plenty to look forward to at Voss and snowboarding here has a variety of challenges such as Big Jump, Half Pipe and Boarder-cross. As one would expect from any topnotch international ski resort, Voss has a children’s play area with a separate children’s lift. The skiing school is situated at the topmost station of Hangursbanen and offer instruction in alpine, telemark and snowboarding disciplines.

Après-ski at Voss is centered round its many restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars. Voss provides lodging to suit all tastes and budgets, ranging from top-class hotels to camping cabins, pensions, mountain lodges and apartments.

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Storlien

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:00 +0000

The Swedish Royal family’s winter chalet is in Storlien village, a charming little ski resort. A welcome change from some of the bigger, more commercial and glitzy ski resorts found across Europe, Storlien offers a genuine traditional ambience and friendly atmosphere. This small Swedish village is located just three km from the border with Norway. Most of the buildings are attractive, traditional wooden chalets and bigger timber-framed buildings that serve as both residences and shops. The accommodation here is also mostly in traditional timber framed houses though some modern hotels do exist. Its pristine landscape and breathtaking views make it a wonderful ski vacation destination for the family.

Storlien offers twenty ski slopes of varying degrees of difficulty (four green, two blue, eight red and three black runs), and has a longest slope of 1.5km. A system of eight lifts, five T-bars and three platters connects the resort’s runs. In addition to the downhill pistes, Storlien offers 32km of groomed cross-country trails, and numerous off-piste routes. Snowboarders will also find plenty to thrill them and the resort has an excellent ski school for both skiers and snowboarders.

Non-ski activities at Storlien include snowshoeing, snowmobiling, mountaineering, dog-sledding, ice-fishing, reindeer sleigh rides, indoor swimming and saunas. Après-ski is mostly centered on the events at the town’s main hotel, where there are live orchestra performances and a range of entertainment programs. Storlien also has several restaurants, cafes, bars and discos that provide additional après-ski amusement.

Include sightseeing in Norway as part of your winter vacation and appreciate the scenic beauty and excellent day trips it offers. Trondheim is a short train journey away, and boasts plenty of recreational and cultural events. Nature lovers will also appreciate the Trondheim fjord, the Nidelva River and densely forested hills, all within easy reach. The ski season at Storlien runs from late November to early May and the rates vary throughout the season. Storlien is most easily accessed by taking a plane flight to Trondheim and a train to the village.