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.