Ending and starting the year on skis

When the going gets tough, the tough go skiing. At least in Norway, where Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre have been among the latest to talk about the importance of a ski trip to clear their minds, get some exercise and control stress. A new study (external link) conducted by state statistics bureau SSB shows that fully 56 percent of Norwegians with university degrees have gone on lengthy ski trips during the past 12 months. Skiing also ranks high as a preferred way of spending free time during the winter, especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays. With that in mind, we offer this photo of Stoltenberg skiing with some other Norwegians near the South Pole during last month’s polar celebrations, with wishes for a godt nyttår (Happy New Year)!
PHOTO: Statsministerens kontor