Norway Sports Travel Tips by FletteMette

Theme: Beach Activities

The season for ice swimming might last longer in Norway than what you're used to, and Norway might not be your typical beach destination - but this country does have a veeeery long coastline, and an endless number of large and tiny beaches. Even though we're far north, the sea temperatures can be quite comfortable in the summer months - and certainly suitable for a swim. (if you're not *too* much of a chicken...:o)

In southern Norway, sea temperatures in late summer (August) are typically somewhere between 14 - 22°C - sea temperatures in northern Norway are usually some degrees cooler. The water usually starts to warm up during May, and the water temperatures typically stay somewhat warmish until early September.

We're not all that fussy about what people wear at the beach, and nobody will lift an eyebrow if you decide to go topless. (But keep your bikini bottoms on though, unless you've found one of the few nudist beaches in Norway.. ;o)


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Theme: Skiing/Snowboarding

Norway is known as the cradle of skiing - a rock carving depicting a skier, found on the island of Rødøy in the north of Norway, shows that skis were used here as far back as 4000 years ago. "Ski" is actually a Norwegian word, meaning "a split piece of wood" - and (many) Norwegians (not me!!;o) claim they were born with skis on... ;o)

For several thousand years, skis were the only practical means of transportation during the snowy Scandinavian winter - but around 130 years ago Sondre Norheim from the region of Telemark was among those taking an interest in skiing as a sport, he's known as the "father of modern skiing".

Cross-country skiing is the national sport of Norway, and still a quite popular family activity - especially during the Easter holidays loads of Norwegians (not me!!!) head for the mountains for strenous cross-country skiing, their backpacks filled with oranges, chocolate (preferably Freia Kvikk-Lunsj) and hot cocoa, to be enjoyed sitting in the snow somewhere in the wilderness. (Why the oranges & Kvikk-Lunsj? No idea, really - traditions, I suppose...:o)

Go cross-country skiing in the extensive networks of ski tracks or in large areas of untouched nature - if you're looking for a little more action, go telemark skiing or snowboarding in the mountains or in one of the many Norwegian ski resorts. If you just can't get enough snow & feel like skiing even in summer, (as if the winters aren't long enough...!!) head for one of the centres for summertime skiing and go skiing on a glacier.

Where to go skiing wearing your bikini:
Galdhøpiggen Sommerskisenter
Stryn Sommerskisenter
Folgefonna Sommerskisenter


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Theme: Other

In most parts of Norway there is no shortage of ice during winter - and ice skating is a quite popular activity. Ice skating was originally a means of transportation for the Scandinavians, who have been using skates for over 1000 years - but by the 18th century ice skating was also considered a sport and recreational activity.

Both indoor and outdoor rinks as well as frozen lakes and rivers are used for skating. When skating on lakes and rivers, always make completely sure the ice is safe - ask locals, or check with the local authorities, which in many places will measure the thickness of the ice to make sure skating is safe. If there are signposts by the lake saying "Isen er ikke trygg", or "Utrygg is" ("The ice is not safe") you should stay on land...;o)

Speed skating is a quite popular spectator sport in Norway, and all large speed skating events are broadcasted on national TV. Ice hockey is not so big here - we leave the hockey to the Swedes...;o) Some of our national "heroes on ice" include figure skater Sonja Henie, who won three Olympic gold medals (1928, -32 and -36) and 10 consecutive world championships. Johann Olav Koss is another of our favourite skaters - he won three speed skating gold medals in the 1994 Olympics, which took place in Lillehammer, eastern Norway. (New world records in all three races)

Gear can be rented at most ice rinks, and you will find skates for sale in all sports equipment stores.


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