Thousands of skiers could finally hit the trails in the hills around Oslo and many other Norwegian cities over the weekend, after cold temperatures and fresh snow allowed ski associations and public officials to groom trails. The cold weather was due to last at least through this week.
The parking lot at one of the Oslo area’s most popular trailheads, Sollihøgda, was full by late morning on Saturday and by mid-morning on Sunday. Demand was so strong that nearby fields were quickly plowed to provide more parking space.
With temperatures around minus-5C and an estimated 10 centimeters of fresh snow during the night, Sunday skiers could enjoy excellent conditions rarely seen this early in the season. For many, it was the first run of the season, and smiles were broad among young and old alike.
The cold weather also enabled local alpine centers to augment the fresh snow with artificial snow, and business was brisk on downhill runs at Tryvann Vinterpark in Nordmarka and Kirkerudbakken in Bærum. Leaden, rather gloomy skies and intermittent snowfall didn’t keep skiers away.
Ski associations are mostly grooming forest roads for now, because the snow isn’t deep enough to cover plants and rocks on trails that run through forest terrain. At Sollihøgda, just west of Bærum on the highway to Hønefoss, trail groomers concentrated their efforts on the forest road towards Djupedalen, which also is lit for evening skiing. (To get to this trailhead from Oslo, take the E16 highway west from Sandvika, through the tunnels, and turn right on Tores Plass vei. If you pass the café at Sollihøgda, you’ve driven too far.)
Other trails ready for skiers can be found in Sørkedalen (from Elveli over Heikampveien), in Maridalen (from Movatn towards Tomte and Holmetjern) and around Tryvann towards Nordmarkskapellet. Further north, some trails were prepared at Ringkollen and from Stryken.
(For other tips, see our Oslo Skiing Guide.)
Views and News from Norway/Nina Berglund
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