Peter Lange
We found snow on a Norwegian glacier! Ski Racing Media has recently received photos showing evidence of healthy snow levels on a Norwegian training glacier. We have pictures showing Folgefonna in great shape. Teams from central Europe that had their training canceled in Italy, France, and Switzerland are flocking to Norway. The lifting of Covid travel restrictions to Norway, New Zealand, and South America couldn’t have come at a better time for ski racing.
The Norwegian men’s tech team finished their first summer skiing in Flogefonna and the men’s speed team trained in Juvass. The even better news? People in Flogefonna speculate that they could have enough snow to make it through October.
While it is encouraging to hear that South America and New Zealand can provide good training conditions and Mount Hood is having a banner season, it is great to know there are other options. If it is difficult to reach those destinations the Norwegian glacier has training.
Norwegian Leif Haugen comments on glacier camp
Olympic Norwegian Skier Leif Haugen remarked after Norwegian’s week of training at Folgefonna that it was definitely worth the trip. He said, “You will always have weather if you are on the West Coast for a week. You will experience both clear and rainy conditions. However, we know how to handle it. We put on rain pants and jackets and we stay completely dry.”
When Ski Racing Media asked about the skiing conditions, Haugen replied “When it is wet, the salt works well and skiing is good. Using salt on Norwegian glaciers is important and makes good training possible.”
The Norwegian team takes a big break after the Spring to mentally refresh before they start their concentrated prep period of ski training. The tech team used their week on the Norwegian glacier as an opportunity to get back on the snow before leaving for New Zealand on August 22nd.
In New Zealand, they will be utilizing the common ski area rotation of Roundhill, Coronet Peak, and Ohau. Upon returning to Europe on September 19th, the central European glaciers should be in good condition for training. If this is true, they will begin their annual trips to Switzerland to continue preparations for the season.
In addition, our sources are saying that if the weather is favorable, Zermatt will reopen for training soon. Ski Racing Media has confirmed that their speed event training venue is ready for racers. And even more exciting, we received word that Zermatt plans on starting the preparation of the World Cup downhill course soon.
Nonetheless, these fantastic photos show that being a World Cup skier isn’t all work, there is some play involved! Paddleboarding in the fjord or hanging out in deck chairs seems like a great way to spend time not on the slope.
