It’s soon that time of the year again, so we’ve rounded up the experts to produce The Scandinavian Ski Directory.
From gear to resorts, we found up the stuff that will be big in the mountains this year.
The place to stay
Scandic Lillehammer Hotel, on the hill behind Lillehammer town, just a stone’s throw from the ski jumps where Norwegian ski jumpers harvested medals during the Winter Olympics in 1994, has 303 guest rooms of which 3 are junior suites and 1 is the Champagne suite. It’s THE place to stay for wonderful ski experiences in Norwegian winter wonderland.
Festival of Light
St. Lucia Day, a festival of light in the long, dark Scandinavian winter takes place on December 13. It is one of the most famous of all Swedish celebrations:
Traditionally the oldest girl in a family rises early on St. Lucia Day. Dressed in a white gown with a red sash around her waist and a wreath of candles on her head – these days electric crowns are often used, especially for small children – she goes from room to room singing carols and bearing her tray of lussekatter (saffron buns), gingerbread cookies, coffee, and glögg (hot spiced mulled wine).
Although St. Lucy’s Day is not an official holiday in Sweden, it is a popular occasion in Sweden. At many universities, students hold big formal dinner parties since this is the last chance to celebrate together before most students go home to their families for Christmas.
Vasaloppet
One of the world’s greatest skiing competitions, Vasaloppet takes place in Mora, in the Dalarna region of Sweden every March. The Vasaloppet is a 90 km (56-mile) cross-country skiing race, and the most popular sporting event in Sweden.
It is held to commemorate King Gustav Vasa’s flight from the enemies in the 16th century. Each year the race includes the present Swedish king, Carl XVI Gustav.
Photography
The long hot days of summer are a distant memory and the ski season is soon here. if you’ve been skiing in the last couple of years you can’t have missed the numerous helmet-mounted GoPros. It seems that just about every skier has one.
Skiing is one of the primary subjects that GoPro has in mind for its cameras and you can use any model. The GoPro Fusion, GoPro Max GoPro Session, GoPro Hero5 Session, GoPro Hero5 Black, GoPro Hero6 Black, GoPro Hero7 Black, Silver and White, and GoPro Hero8 Black are waterproof so they are ideal for videoing skiing without a housing.
The bag
The idea of the bags with its really terrible name the Douchebags are intended to be your do-everything and go-everywhere workhorse bag. The name, to my knowledge, means a basic jerk, a person that does shitty, insensitive, and hurtful things without caring. However, the bags have become an improvement to the existing bulky, heavy and awkward gear bags.
The Resorts
The Daily Scandinavian team has explored the best ski resorts in Norway. Norwegians’ passion for snow sports makes the country a superb winter holiday destination, for beginners as well as seasoned ski enthusiasts. Here’s our One Stop Guide to Skiing in Norway.
The foodie resort
Twining’s Best Breakfast awarded Norway’s best breakfast. Hafjell Hotell became county winner in Oppland in 2017 and 2018 as the hotel with the best hotel breakfast. Hafjell is also one of Norway’s most popular skiing resort. Read more about the best hotel breakfasts in Norway.
Protection
Sweet Protection helmets is a brand created by industrial designer Ståle Norman Møller and snowboard legend Terje Håkonsen. Today, Sweet Protection from Norway is an internationally recognized brand.
The tour operator
Ski touring in Norway is not just for expert skiers, but it does demand being in good physical shape and that you have a reasonable level of skiing skill.
Going freeride skiing alone, without a guide, also demands knowledge about the risk of avalanche, first-aid and navigation. If you are exploring an area for the first time, we strongly recommend that you ask a local guide to come with you. There are numerous certified guides in the area. A guide can also tailor the trip according to your wishes and skills. Norwegian company Fjord Norway offers brilliant information and assistance.
Outerwear
Helly Hansen gear is worn and trusted by professional athletes skiing down mountains as well as professional sailors on oceans, , and workers getting the job done at worksites all around the world.
All the way back in 1877, a sea captain called Helly Juell Hansen, and his wife Margrethe launched a business. They made waterproof oilskin jackets, trousers, sou’westers, and tarpaulins made from coarse linen soaked in linseed oil, a great innovation at the time.
Norwegian ski holidays
When it comes to superb snow quality, perfect groomed runs and very reliable snow you can’t beat Norway, it’s a beginner and intermediates paradise, with resorts like Geilo and Hemsedal having some great runs for the more advanced skier too. Looking for Norwegian ski holidays? You’ve come to the right place!
The Norwegian Ski Directory, compiled by the Daily Scandinavian team