Naja checkt einfach mal Ihre Webpage aus was die 2 so von den Vorbereitungen treffen… Ich halte euch hier auch mal auf dem laufenden – klingt sehr spannend! Ach ja die 2 heissen Andi + Mike

Switzerland
Period: January to end May.

There are great opportunities in the Valais where heliskiing is allowed on some 15 summits. In the Bern area there are some 10 mountains where heliskiing is also permitted.

Our addresses:
Valais:

• www.heliservice.ch
• www.air-zermatt.ch

For the Bern area:

• www.airglaciers.ch

Italy
Period: January to end May.

Helicopter activity is concentrated in the Val d’Aoste, next to Mont Blanc, where there are two different sectors; that of Val Grisenche and la Thuile, and that of Mont-Rose (4633 m) with Gressoney. The first is ideal for intermediate riders who are looking for great riding on shorter open runs and in the forest, without having to push themselves too much. Mont-Rose, on the other hand, offers big mountain riding in every sense with the biggest vertical drop runs for heliski in Europe. This will provide quite some workout: steeps, couloirs, glaciers at 3000 m…

Our addresses:

• www.chamonix-aventure.com/fr/ski_monte_rosa.html
• www.guides-des-cimes.com/hiver/heliski.htm
• www.tupilak.com/fr/heliski.htm
• www.guide-cham.com
• www.heliskivalgrisenche.it

Sweden
The heliskiing season begins around the 20th March and runs through until the end of June. The biggest base is in the resort of Björkliden where helicopters will provide access to some 10 summits (between 700 and 1000 m of vertical descent). The ultimate has to be riding the midnight sun.

Our address:

• www.norrlandsflyg.se
  Norrlandsflyg, AB
  Hangar Vassaraträsk
  Box 24
  982 21 Gällivare
  Telefon: +46 970 140 65

Turkey
Period: February and March.

There is a Swiss based company offering heli-skiing in Turkey. The base is situated at the extreme north-east of the country, at the limit of the Caucasus mountains, where a vast range of summits rise up to 3000m. The area is incredible yet relatively unknown. The snow can be superb and the view all the way to the Black Sea is amazing. The proximity of this sea tends to create stable snowpack conditions and therefore the riding is generally safer than many other places.

Our address:

• www.turkeyheliski.com

Russia
Period: January to end May.

The top spots are the Caucasus region between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea and the Kamtchatka penninsula to the far east of Russia.

Caucasus: there are two distinct areas with Krasnaïa Poliana being one of these, whose valleys and runs between the birch trees offer riding for all levels through to pro. It is an area frequently used for snowsport catalogue photoshoots. The other is Elbrouz, a high mountain area rising to 5633 m. Here, there are actually lifts that will take the rider to almost 4000 m, so there is actually less necessity to take a helicopter.

Our address:

• www.yak-yeti.com

Kamtchatka: from May until approx 20th June.
Here you can spend your day riding the slopes of volcanoes that border the Pacific Ocean, then unwind in hot springs afterwards… It’s a really wild place and offers vertical drops of up to 2000m.

Our address:

• www.yak-yeti.com

India

Kashmir
Period: January to end April.

The province of Kashmir with drop-off points at altitudes of up to 4500 m and vertical runs of between 1000 and 2000 m. Himachal Pradesh is the second of the 2 highest heli zones.
Our address:

• www.himalaya-heliski.com
  (the operation of Sylvain Saudan, pioneer of extreme skiing).

In Himachal Pradesh
There are operations based at Manali, offering drop-off points of over 5000 m in altitude and up to 2000 m vertical descents.

Nepal

Period: from February to mid-April.
Top amongst the names of legend in the Himalayas are of course Annapurna and Everest. For 5 years now it has been possible, thanks to heli-ski operations, to ski the highest peaks in the World and there’s also the possibility of giving your name to one of the many « first descents » that are waiting to be ridden!

Our addresses:

• www.himalayanheliskiguides.com
• www.heliskinepal.com

North America

USA Period: from December to end April.

In almost every ski resort throughout The Rockies (spread across no less than 5 states!), you’ll find a heli-ski operation. Even if the vertical drops available are not the biggest, there is a very wide choice of terrain for all levels of rider and the snow lives up to its reputation of, amongst others, « Fluffy Utah Powder ».

Our address:

• www.heliskiwasatch.com

Canada
Period: from February to end May.

The Rockies run up the west side of Canada, finally petering out to the north. Alberta and British Columbia are the 2 states for heli-skiing, with wild territory, forests and immense glaciers. There’s plenty of choice of mountains and drop-off points (Adamants, Bugaboos, Cariboos, Galena, Kootenay, Mc Bride, Revelstoke…) and exceptional snow conditions can be enjoyed.

Our addresses:

• www.cmhski.com
• www.wiegele.com
• www.selkirk-tangiers.com

Alaska
Period: from February to end May.

The ‘crème de la crème’ of heli-skiing. Situated to the north-west of Canada, this American territory has thousands of very steep but not particularly high mountains and the fresh snow adheres well to their slopes. However, you do need to watch out for quick changes in snow conditons (eg slush) as the weather here is very changeable. You might even spend a whole week here without ever seeing the sun…

Our addresses:

• www.valdezhelicamps.com
• www.alaska.net/~heliski/

South America

Period: from mid-June to mid-September.

The extensive chain of mountains that runs along the 3500 km of South America, between Chili and Argentina, offers limitless possibilities for freeriding. There are numerous heli-ski operations to be found throughout them. www.andesweb.com groups together all of the resorts of the Andes, and is a site full of relevant information.

New Zealand

Period: from July to September.

A reference in heli-skiing, New Zealand has a long history in the field. New Zealand comprises two islands, each having their own distinct mountain ranges. On North Island is the Ruahine Range with its volcanoes (still active…) and on South Island there is the famous Mount Cook. It‘s on South Island that heli-skiing takes place from both Queenstown and Wanaka. Vertical drop here is under 1000 m and it has to be said that light fluffy powder is not the norm. Intermediate riders tend to stick to the east flanks.
Our addresses:

• www.heliski.co.nz
• www.flynz.co.nz

Die Stadtväter Seefelds sind ein nicht zu beneidendes Grüppchen Lokalpolitiker, da sie Jahr für Jahr zwischen absolutem Chaos und vollen Gemeindekassen abwägen müssen. Nach jahrelangem Hinundher zwischen der Stadt Seefeld und Air&Style Organisation wurde jedoch kurz vor dem diesjährigen Event beschlossen das Air&Style nächstes Jahr in München zu veranstalten, was bei vielen Locals und Snowboardern auf Unverständnis stieß und blanke Zerstörungswut hervorrief. Jede Nacht wurden Flaschen geworfen, Scheiben zerschlagen und Prügeleien gestartet, sodass sich die Entscheidungsträger Seefelds in ihrer
Entscheidung nur noch mehr bestätigt fühlten.

funnyhills erlaubt sich hier nun auch Position zu beziehen. Wir verstehen die Entscheidung Seefelds diese Chaos abgeben zu wollen, auch wenn es jedes Jahr auch mit vollen Hotelzimmern und vollen Kassen verbunden war, denn dieses Chaos, welches von den sogenannten Snowboardenthusiasten angerichtet wurde entbehrte jeden Maßstabes und war und ist verständlicherweise von einem solchen Skiort auf Dauer nicht mehr zu tragen. Andererseits verstehen wir (selbst als Münchner) die Entscheidung nicht einen solchen Event in einem Leichtathletikstation stattfinden zu lassen. Das Münchner Olympiastation hat soviel zu tun mit Wintersport wie Schweinebraten mit Weight Watchers. Eine Veranstaltung solchen Ausmaßes und solcher Tradition gehört in die Berge und vor allem in eine Arena, die den Ridern, den Musikern und den Zuschauern gerecht wird und das richtige Ambiente bietet. Hinter dieser Meinung stehe nicht nur ich mit meinem Namen, sondern die komplette funnyhills Redaktion. Wer gerne hierzu seine Meinung kund tun möchte, kann uns gerne eine Email an info@funnyhils.com schicken .

Nun zum interessanten Teil des Air&Style 2004. Der Contest war wirklich ein würdiger Abschied für Seefeld. Die Rider gingen bis zum Äußersten und überzeugten auf einer perfekt präparierten Anlage mit Tricks und Style vom Feinsten. Es ist wohl müßig zu erzählen wer diesen Wettbewerb mal wieder
dominiert hat. Shaun White, eine junger 19jähriger Ami aus Gummi, der wie eine Katze immer wieder perfekt auf seinen Beinen landet. Er führte das Feld von Anfang an an und konnte im Superfinale der 6 besten Rider immer noch einen draufsetzen, wenn ihm seine Verfolger näherkamen. Er gewann am Ende mit einem beeindruckenden Vorsprung vor Nicolas Müller (Schweiz) und Jussi Oksanen (Finnland).

Im Rahmenprogramm des diesjährigen Air&Style waren wieder mörder Musikacts wie Beatsteaks, Fanta 4, Gentleman und Millencolin. Zudem waren auch extremverrückte MotoX Fahrer am Start, welche bei klirrender Kälte ihre Maschinen durch den Seefelder Nachthimmel jagten. Alles in allem ein sehr gelungener Abschied von Seefeld und Österreich, jedoch immer mit dem faden Beigeschmack des Unverständnisses
mancher Zuseher, warum dieser Event jetzt nach Deutschland geht und die damit verbundene Wut und
Aggressionsbereitschaft.

Neben dem Event an sich hat funnyhills in Seefeld neue Freunde gefunden und möchte sich hiermit ganz herzlich bei Familie Prettner und deren herzlicher Gastfreundschaft bedanken. Wenn einer von euch jemals nach Seefeld zum Boarden, Skifahren oder Wandern gehen möchte, hier noch ein absoluter Geheimtipp. Schaut einfach beim
Landhaus Almidyll vorbei und genießt das Ambiente und die Gastfreundschaft.

Herzlichen Dank nochmals Familie Prettner vom kompletten funnyhills Team (Tobi, Andi, Daniel, Andi)

I moved to New Jersey in December of 2003, right about the time they received their first significant snowfall. With only 65-80 inches (1.65-2.00 meters) of annual snowfall, the Creek definitely relies heavily on snowmaking to push their season. And with a moderate 1200 foot vertical (360 meter) some might wonder, “Does anything happen in Jersey?” Well my friends, if you tuned in to see the Grand Prix of Snowboarding this past season you’d see the finals held on the newly cut 500 foot long, 18 foot Super-Pipe with television grade lighting in none other than the north of Dirty Jersey.

Smack in the center of the hill above the main lodge, the pipe is definitely located to be spectator friendly and to be placed on a pedestal if you will. But while the Super-Pipe is the cou de gras of the season, the park crew and Jib Lab are also churning things up farther on the mountain. Every year the Jib Lab pushes the limits of the riders with obstacles seen by pros at the top mountains; double down kinks, c-boxes, step-up rails, and rainbows. And the park crew does a good job of cutting up the mix with well-placed tables step-downs and hips. But I won’t lead you on, Mountain Creek is definitely jibber driven.Owning over 52 different railslides, the Creek comes to bat with some creative designs and use of those on the hill. Not confident on the steel yet? Take a spin through the EZ slide courses with wider, lower rails built to help riders gain confidence. Then you can step it up.As mentioned the snowfall leaves something to be desired, which also limits freeriding and inhibits pushing the freestyle when it’s ice biscuit landings.

But take what you can get as a saying goes out here, Only the Strong Survive. I suggest beating the crowds and busted up grooming by riding midweek before 2:00. The pipe is fresh and the corduroy still holding before it gets sun baked. With close proximity to NYC, it can get crowded on Holidays and weekends, but roll with the punches and play the game. Trust me if you’re rollin’ through New Jersey and stop by Mountain Creek on a good morning, you won’t go home disappointed. I still wouldn’t make it a destination trip, but if you’re passing trough, stop by and I’ll take a run with you . . . I’ll be the one getting broke off on the up-box.

For more details check out:
www.mountaincreek.com

Thanks to Chad Bareither who wrotes taht article for funnyhills.com

Open up any issue of a progressive snowboarding or skiing magazine and you’re sure to see pictures of Mammoth Mountain. The ubiquitous Mammoth Mountain media should not mislead the average rider, this place truly has it all and strives to make a lasting impression.

I happened to venture to Mammoth with my twin brother Chad, also a 12 year veteran riding laminated wood, and his girlfriend Rachel. We all headed there to visit friends, relax and snowboard. Of course snowboarding came first of which we managed to do for five straight days. Three at Mammoth, one a June, and one sessioning a backyard rail park.

Mammoth is, well, mammoth! The mountain is actually part of the caldera wall of the giant Mono Lakes Volcano. Yes that’s right, the Mammoth area is volcanically active, which makes the thrill of crusing down the slopes slightly more daring. Standing atop the 11,000 ft summit, the Sierra Nevada Range stretches as far as the eye can see with endless backcountry possibilities. The backcountry was not the focus of the trip my brother and I went there to session the mountain, mainly the park with our good friend and guide for the week “Action” Rodd Moon. Three hombres from the flatland of Midwest America sessioned Mammoth and June respectfully as any So-Cal punk. By the end of the first day Chad and I had ridden all of Mammoth’s parks; that consisting of the family fun park with a full 6 foot half-pipe, the south park, containing a park run, boardercross, and sole dedicated rail trail and Unbound, the main park with 18 foot super-pipe among other obstacles.

Unbound should be seen by a first time visitor from the quad that wisks riders straight up to the top of the park for an easy drop-in. The park is sculpted to resemble a rider’s wet-dream. The park contains kickers, hips, rails, boxes, two half-pipes and a monstrous wall-ride. We managed a session through Unbound daily, but spent most of the time fighting gravity on the jumps in the south park.

Mammoth had by far the granliest parks I’d ever ridden, that was until I rode June Mountain. If you’ve ever wondered what a 80-foot long table with a 15-foot high kicker looks like, ride June Mountain. Rocking two of the smoothest parks ever, June also contains perhaps the best half-pipe in the US. The most inviting aspect of June was the lack of crowds compared to Mammoth. I don’t remember ever waiting at the top of a jump for someone to clear the landing, the only waiting that was done was rest in between endless cycles of the park or after hiking the pipe.

A week in Southern California would not be complete without a trip to the bar, and we were just so fortunate to have a night out on St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re a guy looking for girls, don’t set you’re hopes too high on the Mammoth night life; however, if you’re a girl looking for guys, you’ll have an infinite number of pretentious dudes earnestly wanting to divulge into their excessive dopeness on the mountain. Basically Mammoth will not disappoint in any way as long as the visitor is looking for a good time.

For the next trip planned through the US, either make Mammoth an option, or scratch the other possibilities and just head there. Whatever it is a rider is searching for, Mammoth and June Mountain are sure to cater to their needs and desires. Just make sure to ride the gondola to the summit and enjoy the view and the ride down, for both are truly spectacular.

Låktatjåkka – - Abisko, April 2004

Låktatjåkka train station: fixing the last details on our 20 kg backpacks, tightening our shoes, finding the suitable high of our telescopic poles, the team was finally ready for some up-hills skiing. The sun is shinning, the sky is absolutely blue, the temperature is just below zero and the fresh snow is just perfect for a rondonnée tour. Slowly, we make our way on some 20 % steep slopes, having some breaks every 45 minutes, and enjoying the magnificent view over the Swedish Laponia that our eyes were discovering progressively.

After 4 hours of intense efforts, we finally reached our first stop at the Låktatjåkka refuge, Sweden highest station at 1228 metres over sea (Bjorkliden Info). We enjoyed a marvellous meal of reindeer meat with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam as a main course, and the very well known pancakes from Låktatjåkka with cloud berry jam as a desert, I think nobody can avoid this! 1 hour eating, 1 hour power napping in the sun and it was the final downhill part to the refuge of Kårsavagge on the other side of the mountain. You really have to be careful on the way down; stability is not so accurate with heavy backpacks. Fortunately the slopes are gentle at the beginning, but the end is really steep, and avalanches may occur. We were then forced to take off our skis, and walk down the slope on the grassy part. 5 km more and we reached our refuge for the night. A 25 m2 room shared by 6 people, lightened by a couple of candles, 3 bunk beds at each corner of the room, a large and long wooden table in the middle where everybody can seat, a very little spice where guests can cook, wet shoes and socks hanging over the wood stove on the fourth corner made a unique atmosphere in this cosy wooden house. Just the perfect place to enjoy a good meal of pasta and bacon followed by some shots of Jägermeister as a digestive, and as a reward of a tiring day, we admired a fantastic northern light dancing in the sky.

After a good night of sleep, a heavy breakfast with a porridge bowl, fruits and coffee, we were back on our skis for the final and slightly downhill part, down to Abisko which took us around 5 hours. This last skiing tour let us admire the gate of Laponia from the north side. A recommended tour, summer or winter!

How to get there:

By train:

Narvik-Kiruna-Boden-Luleå

See: Connex

By car:

Follow the E10 unill Abisko, then possibility to take the train to Låktatjåkka

By plane:

Plane to Luleå or Kiruna

See SAS

or Flynordic

Where to stay:

Camp Abisko

Tourist station

Das Simmental ist eine Sackgasse, die in Lenk (www.lenk.ch) endet. Das riesige Wildstrubelmassiv schließ das Tal ab und steht eindrucksvoll hinter dem Dorf. Lenk ist ein kleines, noch sehr ursprüngliches Dorf (ca. 2000 Einwohner). Die meisten Einheimischen leben im Sommer von der Landwirtschaft und der Holzverarbeitung für die vielen Holzchalets, die es in dieser Region zu bauen gibt. Im Winter wird ein Großteil der Lenker zu Skilehrern und Gastronomen. Die Offenheit und Freundlichkeit der Dörfler beeindruckt. Vorsichtig versuchen sie ihr Dorf der Zeit anzupassen, so gibt es seit ein paar Jahren ein modernes Programmkino, ein großes Schwimmbad mit Bergkulisse vor den Fenstern, das “Tipi”, ein kleines Apero-Zelt (Hochdeutsch: Aprés-Ski-Treff-Zelt), etc. Die Mischung von Alt und Neu ist geglückt und wer nicht den großen Trubel sucht, wird sich hier wohlfühlen.

Die Skigebiete Adelboden und Betelberg gelten als die südlichsten Wintersportgebiete der Nordalpen und haben häufig das sonnigere Wetter der Südalpen, aber den vielen Schnee der Nordalpen.

Es gibt zwei Skigebiete:

Betelberg: Ein kleines Skigebiet mit vor allem leichten bis mittel schweren Pisten. Optimal für Familien und Leute, die gezielt etwas üben wollen. Es gibt am Haslerlift auch eine Halfpipe und einen Boardercross.
Wenn es viel Schnee hat, kann man einige sehr schöne Varianten fahren. Alternativ zur Hauptabfahrt in die Lenk lassen sich viele Tiefschneerouten unter der Gondel und an der Wallegg finden.
Besonders eindrucksvoll ist wohl die Tour vom Leiterli nach Lauenen, einem pitoresken Dorf im Tal von Gstaad. Zurück muss man dann mit Bus und Bahn. (Die Route habe ich selbst allerdings nur im Sommer mit dem Bike gemacht).

Metsch-Adelboden:Ein großes Skigebiet, dass alles bietet, was das Sportlerherz begehrt. Die Anlagen sind teils modern, teils Originale aus den Gründungszeiten des Skigebiets. Und das beschreibt vielleicht auch schon ein bissal die Atmosphäre, denn auch die Wintersportler sind kunterbunt gemischt. Manch Skifahrer scheint auch noch ein Überbleibsel aus den Gründungsjahren zu sein, manch Snowboarder ist extrem jung und cool. Mit all den “Normalos” zwischendrin gibt es eine ganz gute Mischung. Für die Snowboarder wurde übrigens eigens ein Funpark mit eigenen Lift errichtet.

Eine andere Besonderheit ist wohl die Hüttendichte. Vergleichbares kenne ich nur am Brauneck in Lenggries/Obb. Die Almen werden hier im Sommer noch von Sennern betrieben, ein unrentables Geschäft, das mehr den Traditionen entspringt wie marktwirtschaftlichen Ideen. Um den Betrieb auch für die nächsten Jahre zu sichern, ist nun im Winter in beinahe jeder Almhütte eine Jausenstation errichtet worden. Von Würstel über chinesische Nudelsuppe bis zu selbstgemachten Merenge gibt es alles, jedoch immer auf einer anderen Hütte. Einheimische haben daher meist ein ausgeklügeltes Pausensystem.

Und dann gibt es natürlich einige unglaublich schöne Varianten. Die schönste ist vielleicht die “Bumerang”. Ausgangspunkt ist der Ausstieg vom Sessellift “Chummi”. An dem Schild: “Der weisse Tote wartet auf dich” geht es vorbei und zur Kante müssen wir ein paar Meter aufsteigen. Oben gewinnt man den ersten Eindruck von der Abfahrt. Unterhalb des Ammertenhorns führt eine lange Schneise, mit einigen wunderschönen, weiten Hängen bis zum Bachbett der Simme. Die Landschaft ist atemberaubend und zugleich herrscht hier eine Ruhe, wie man sie vielleicht nur in den Bergen erlebt. An der Simme entlang, teilweise auf dem Wanderweg geht es dann hinab bis zum Gasthaus “Simmenfälle”, von dort fährt ein Skibus im halb- bzw. einstündigen Pendelverkehr.

Danke an bixi.at – bike & ski adventures

Sunday 29th of February: my partners and I arrived at Sälen at around 6am in order to have a good starting place and enjoy a well prepared track before too many people have skied on it. At that time of the year it is usually very cold, the temperature reached -20°C at the start. To keep warm, we tried to jump, and do some gympa motion (the Swedish variant of aerobics), it was still very dark. A few minutes before the start, we bound our skis, strapped our poles to the most accurate position, and greeted each other good luck. 7:00, a new experience starts. 6,000 people intensively trained all year long started an amazing adventure. During the first meters, I was just thinking of skiing by the slower skiers that were in front of me, mistake! Better to take it easy. The first kilometer started with a very long, narrow and steep slope, everybody skied on each other’s skis, and it was tricky to pass by the others. In this mass of people, I could find any kind of skiers; some very fit 18 year old kids, some 75 year old grandpas who skied their 45th Vasaloppet, or a handicapped skier on sledges pushed on this steep part by a 2 m long Viking. Once this first stage accomplished, the track became wider, and I could definitely ski at my own rhythm. As the sun rose up, I could discover a magnificent landscape. We skied through the forest, on some icy lakes, passing by some wooden refuges. The first 20 km were the coldest of the race, the sun was not yet up, and we skied in some valleys where it is usually colder. I got known afterwards that we had some -30°C. I was not that surprised as I saw some skiers whose cheeks had frozen, and had to stop, and ask some people on the side to warm them up. Fortunately I did not have this problem, since my face was well protected. I brought with me a one-time use camera, and I did not miss to take a picture of myself before taking off my hat at the third check point, Mångsbodarna, when it became much warmer. The check points were always very welcomed: Blueberry soups, sport drinks and cakes gave me incredible energy kicks. But the more the kilometers went, the more I felt like suffering… after 50 km, I just switched my brain to off, and pushed and pushed on my poles like a machine, it seemed to me that it took ages…70km done, and an unexpected pain on my left elbow occurred, I was then forced to use one arm for some kilometers, and tried to ski behind somebody to save energy. Finally the 9th and last check point, Eldris, before Mora where I ate and drank everything needed, and then put on the Turbo until the finishing line. Pain or not, it would be over soon. 9 km at 13.91 km/h, it went fast for me. And soon I could see the Church of Mora, where the finishing line was, some more curves, the last adrenaline kick when passing by the crowd for the last 200m, and I accomplished my second Öppet Spår in 6h and 34 minutes. Exhausted, starving, thirsty, but happy and proud of myself to have accomplished this race one more time and improved my time by 20 minutes. Never again! No, I think I’d better train harder for next year…

Facts about Vasaloppet
The Vasaloppet (which means the race of Vasa in Swedish) is the most famous cross country race in the world; it is 90 km long, classical style, starts from Sälen and ends at Mora in Dalarna, in the middle of Sweden. This event takes place every year the first Sunday of March, and attracts 16,000 people from all over the world. An alternative to the Vasaloppet, which is exactly as long, and much more relaxing, is the Öppet Spår (which means the opened track in Swedish), which takes place a week before, Sunday and Monday, and usually attracts 8,000 people. The start is free between 7am and 8am. During this week, many other events are organized, for example, the Tjejvasa (30km for ladys only), the Skatevasa (40km skating), the Staffet (90km relay)…

History:

1520: Sweden was in a union with Denmark. Discontent with the Danish regime was great, not least from Gustav Eriksson Vasa, whose opposition to Kristian II had resulted in his being taken hostage and imprisoned in Denmark. But the 24-year old freedom fighter and nobleman from Uppsala managed to escape, and began a long and dangerous march north and urged farmers and villagers to revolt against the Danish authorities, but to no avail.
After a month fleeing, Gustav stood outside the church in Mora and addressed the assembled crowd. Only weeks before, his father and his brother together with some 80 other magnates had been beheaded in what came to be known as “Stockholm’s bloodbath”. Gustav asked how long the people could accept such atrocities and urged them to take up arms. But their reaction was not what the future king expected. The Danes were in close pursuit and, before he could get the answer he wanted, Gustav was forced to take to his skis and continue his flight North West towards Norway.
A few days later news of King Christian’s brutal ravages throughout Sweden reached Mora, the people regretting then that they had not immediately supported Gustav. Mora’s two best skiers, Lars and Engelbrekt, sent in hot pursuit of the fugitive Gustav Vasa, caught up with him in Sälen, and this was history’s first Vasalopp! Gustav was persuaded to return with them to Mora to lead the fight against northern Europe’s most powerful nation. On the 6th of June 1523, Gustav Eriksson Vasa was elected king of a free Sweden. Now he is a symbol for the world’s biggest ski competition – Vasaloppet!

Sunday 19th of March 1922: first Vasaloppet won by Ernst Alm, from Norsjö IF in 7 hours 32 minutes and 49 seconds, five minutes before Oskar Lindberg, from the same club. 119 skiers came to the start.

Related link: www.vasaloppet.se

Tromsø (April 2002)

Norway, 300 km north of the artic circle, the city of Tromsø amazed us and will stay in our memories for the rest of our lives. When we arrived in the neighbourhood of the city, we were amazed by all the fjords around us, very abrupt mountains on our right, the sea on our left, and the road and some houses in between. The landscape is so hostile and the weather conditions are so hard all year long, with dark winters and cold summers, that it was unbelievable for us that such a city could exist. But there is nothing else but a beautiful city in a wonderful landscape.

We first had a walk in the inner city: clean streets, attractive shops, and helpful people. With 60 000 inhabitants, Tromsø is very active, and 8 000 students help a lot for the life of the city. The activities do not miss: Artic Cathedral, polar museum, northern light planetarium, cinemas, cafes and restaurants at every corner, and skiing areas, the most important. A cross-country track is going through the city, from north to south. And some downhill slopes offer very good skiing conditions. At the top of the lift, we did not hesitate a second to walk 20 more minutes to the summit where we could admire a magnificent view over Tromsø and its fjords. The Tromsø district offers as well great possibilities for various off-piste skiing tours. An unforgettable experience!

More facts about Tromsø: Destination Tromsø