Skiing
Skiing is a hugely popular sport in Norway, and it is the Norwegians’ favorite pastime activity in the winters as long as there is snow. The professional skiers in Norway have been very successful in international competitions such as the Olympics. Their winning just adds to the sport’s popularity in Norway.
Skiing is a sport which has been exercised in Norway for ages, and some claim that it the sport originated there. There are several types of skiing: Nordic (cross-country, biathlon), Alpine (downhill, slalom), ski jump, freestyle, and combination.
Cross country skiing
Cross-country skiing was the first type of skiing, and it started as
a way of transportation in the Viking age, when men would attach wooden
sticks to their feet to avoid falling through the snow at winter times.
Cross-country skiing is a very popular family activity in the winter and used to be the first type of skiing the children learned. However, alpine skiing has caught up with cross country and is just as popular, if not more.
Every year there are held cross country competitions. Some of the competitions
are for professionals only, but others are just for children and some are
for entire families. In the “Skarverennet”, an annual 10 km long race,
both professionals and amateurs participate. The race has more than a 1,000
participants each year. Most of the participants are in it for the fun
and the good exercise.
Professional cross country skiers like Bjørn Dæhlie and
Vegard Ulvang give the Norwegian national pride a boost every time they
do well in a race. For many young aspiring skiers these skiers are their
biggest heroes.
Telemark skiing
“Telemark” describes a type of skiing which came from the county Telemark
in southern Norway. It is a variety of downhill skiing, fast and with elegant
turns, and demands high precision and balance of the skier. Telemark skiing
is done without poles. Telemark skiing is not (yet) a competitive sport,
though some local competitions are held occasionally. The technique and
the style have gained popularity in recent years and many courses are held
each year. Telemark skiers often wear traditional gear to give the sport
an “old” feel.
Sondre Nordheim from Morgedal in Telemark has been given credit as the creator of modern skiing.
Photo: Private
A stereotype: Norwegians are said to be born with skis on their feet.Not quite right, but as a sport and as a family activity, skiing is very important and kids start skiing when they are very young (see photo below).
Young skier
Related topics
Easter in Norway