Family activities in the snow
There are many fun activities to do in the snow: Making snowmen, snowcastles and digging fancy snow-caves. Or what about a snowball-fight? Or "King of the castle"? A traditional game from Norway is called "Krøsstrøll" ("Cross troll") You make a maze in the snow of the shape of a circle, with a cross in the middle of it. Then you play tag, and you are only allowed to move within the maze. It is a lot of fun, and a good work-out too! The Easter ski race is another game many Norwegian families indulge in, where humour and play always win.
Norway – the cradle of skiing
"Ski" is an old Norwegian word, which originally meant a split piece of wood. With a couple of planks strapped to their feet, the Norwegians have used skis as far back as 4,000 years ago. Up until 100 years ago, skis were in fact the only practical means of transport during the winter. A well known story in Norway is that of the Birkebeiners (Birchlegs) who in 1206 saved the two-year old prince, Håkon Håkonsson, from his pursuers by carrying the young prince over the mountains from Lillehammer to safety in the valley of Rena – a distance of 58 kilometres – on ski. The journey is now commemorated every year through the Birkebeiner ski race.
The father of modern skiing
Modern skiing had its origins in the county of Telemark in the 1870s. The head of the county, Sondre Norheim, ended the 4000 years of tradition by using stiff ski bindings, thus enabled skiers to swing and jump without the risk of the skis falling off. He also designed the Telemark ski. This ski is the origin of all modern ski sports: downhill, freestyle, snowboarding and jumping, - and even cross-country.
The Norwegian Royal Family has also helped make skiing Norway's national sport. In his youth King Olav V (1903-1991) was an active winter sportsman, and he even won a prize in the Holmenkollen ski jump competition.
Norwegian polar explorers helped make skiing known abroad
"Skiing is the most Norwegian of all sports, and a glorious sport it is: if any merits being called sports of sports, this is surely the one," wrote Fridtjof Nansen after crossing the Greenland interior on skis in 1880. Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole in 1911, the first man ever. He did so on skis.
At the turn of the nineteenth century, Otto Sverdrup travelled by boat to the Canadian North. During his stay in Canada from 1898 to 1902, he and his crew travelled more than 17,000 km on skis, mapping an area of 260,000 square kilometres.
The Norwegian-Canadian ski pioneers
During the nineteenth century, Norwegian emigrants brought their skiing skills with them and introduced the sport to many parts of North America. One of them, Herman Smith-Johannsen, came to Canada in 1901, when he was 26 years old. In his youth he skied with Nansen and Amundsen. Later he came to be known as "Jackrabbit," introducing the joy of skiing to Canada. He organised and established several ski clubs before he died at the age of 112. Today many ski clubs run Jackrabbit programs for young skiers, which is part of his legacy.
The Ottawa Ski Club was started in 1910 by another Norwegian-Canadian: Sigurd Løkkeberg – the 1906 Canadian ski jump champion.
Skiing – the people's sport
Popular interest in skiing really took root around 100 years ago. A growing interest in skiing led to the founding of many ski clubs. Modern ski equipment and the construction of ski trails, alpine skiing facilities and ski jumps helped to turn skiing into a pastime to keep the whole nation fit. Today skiing is Norway's number one winter sport and we proudly boast some of the world's best cross-country skiers of both sexes. However, skiing is still first and foremost a recreational activity, enjoyed by people of all ages. For children it may be the most important winter activity. They learn to develop their skills through fun and play at the many ski schools throughout Norway. Ski races are often arranged each year for families and recreational skiers in Norway. Such competition tends to focus more on enjoyment of the great outdoors than on competition against the clock for prizes.
Easter in the mountains
The Easter break – often extended to one week or 10 days – is the peak season of recreational skiing in Norway. Norwegians leave their homes in the valleys and the cities and go up to the many cottages (see picture of a typical Norwegian cottage) in the mountains to enjoy skiing – and sunny days outdoors. Family and friends get together, and enjoy the often perfect snow conditions for skiing, combined with warm sun, perfect for enjoying the sun in the lee of the cottage. "Å gå på tur" is a fixed expression for Norwegians, meaning "to get outside in nature for a while," normally involving hiking or skiing. When Norwegians go skiing, their backpacks would typically contain certain necessities, like:
- Chocolate (preferably Freia Kvikk Lunsj)
- Oranges
- Menthol candy/energy boosters
- A thermos with hot chocolate
- Sunscreen & sunglasses
The highlight of the trip is to find a cozy sitting place in the snow, make a bonfire and eat all the goodies while enjoying the sun... Feel like joining yet? God tur!