Birkebeiner race - for the tough guys (and ladies)

Today is the day of Birkebeiner race - a 54km long cross-country ski race (Nordic style) from Rena to Lillehammer. Start point is at altitude of 280m a then skiers must climb 630m before they cross the finish line at altitude of 480m. Most of the race leads through mountains and woods, but most participants probably don't enjoy so much the surrounding nature as they are "dying" struggling with the terrain, weather and snow conditions and they own weakness. Yeah, this race is for the tough guys.

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 (c) wikipedia

The run has been held since 1932, and commemorates a trip made by the Birkebeiner loyalists (birkebeiner can be translated to "birch-feet") to save the heir to the Norwegian throne, Håkon Håkonsson, in 1206. All participants carry a backpack weighing at least 3.5 kg, symbolizing the weight of the then one-year old heir.

This year over 16 000 tough men and women will test themselves in this ski marathon. Impressive, I must admit. But popularity of this race doesn't end here, because there is also a summer edition: a half-marathon of 21km mostly downhill with finish in Lillehammer  and a 94km cross-country bike race with start in Rena and finish in Lillehammer.

(c) www.birkebeiner.no

Ice Age or what?

Taking advantage of extended Winter and the great snow conditions, which doesn't seem to be willing to give way for Spring, I spent some time skiing in Geilo ski resort.

 As you can see slopes in Geilo (and other Norwegian ski resorts) aren't  very steep, of alpine type, but nevertheless offer great skiing experience on various levels of difficulty, from easy to expert level. I had a great time there many times!

Geilo seen from a ski slope.

Geilo lies more or less halfway between Oslo and Bergen and is easy accessible by car or train. It's popular (but of course not the only) place for Norwegians to spend their time on alpine skis or even more often on cross-country skis. Ski touring is a national sport in Norway.

This is what I saw through (nor very clean unfortunately) train window.

Hardangervidda plateau seen from a train

Along the railway, some distance to the West from Geilo, lies even smaller village of Finse, which is the highest located train station on Bergensbanen (that is the 100-years old railway between Bergen and Oslo), reaching 1222m of altitude. This remote village, where only train can get you,  lies on one of the highest mountain plateaus in Europe, having for a neighbour Hardangerjøkulen glacier and being a paradise for snow-kiters and ski-touring enthusiasts.

Hey, it's winter time!

I can't believe my eyes. In the most wet and rainy city on the West Coast of Norway, the snow didn't melt at all after almost 2 months of  lying on the streets and mountains surrounding Bergen! "The oldest Norwegians" don't remember such a phenomenon! (Similar weather was much more common in 70's and 80's).

Since December it was only a couple of days with temperature slightly above zero Celsius. It has been snowing many times. The rest of Norway looks the same, covered with white powder. Natives are more than happy to go skiing on regular basis, it is after all their national sport.

Well, shame on you, global warming (false) prophets! ;)

Mt. Urliken seen from Bergen centrum.

December 13 - Santa Lucia Day

December 13 in Norway (and especially in Sweden) is known for celebration of Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy). In a traditional ceremony a girl, elected to portray Lucia and wearing a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head, walks at the head of a procession of women, each holding a candle.

Oslo - The Capital

Oslo, previously known as Christiania, is the capital of Norway. It is the biggest city in Norway, with almost 600 000 people (some say even 800 000, which is a huge number, knowing that Norway has ca. 4.5 -5 mln citizens) living in the city and almost the same number living in the metropolitan area. Oslo is a multicultural, busy city with a rich night-life and multitude of parks and green areas. One of the best known parks is Vigelandsparken with its over 200 sculptures created by Gustav Vigeland. Here, that is in the Royal Palace, is where the King Harald V lives.
The most recognizable building in Oslo is its City Hall where the Nobel prize for peace is given each year.

City Hall in Oslo