In honor of Earth Day, we are taking a look at the sustainability of skiing and ski travel. Like little canaries, Nordic skiers see and feel the impacts of climate change on our sport. What is our impact? How might we ski more sustainably?
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Winter continues in Seefeld, Austria. This week marks 5 months of daily grooming since the trails opened last November. Huge thanks to the grooming team for providing impressive consistency in such an uncertain year. The combination of an extensive snowmaking system and excellent snow conditions have made for a great base that has lasted to (and through!) April 15.
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From the “Wait, that’s a sport?!” desk, we bring you … Figln.
That’s right, folks: Firn Gleiten. Firn describes snow as it transforms from early morning crust (harsch) into wet, sugary afternoon Firn, warmed by the sun. Gleiten is the German word for “gliding.”
The sport of Firn Gleiten, or Figln, evolved in Tyrol from spring hikers putting very short skis in their backpacks, then strapping the skis onto hiking boots in order to glide back down the mountain on the firn snow.
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Sunny spring days and cold, clear nights. Assuming there’s still snow on the ground, this is the perfect season for crust cruising. Pack your skate skis and arrive at the trail shortly before sunrise. If the groomer made it out last night, you may find some icy corduroy on the trail. Today though, you’re heading away from the groomed trails to explore the snow-covered landscape.
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Planica is a place you want to learn to pronounce. You’ll be hearing it a lot in the lead-up to the 2023 Nordic World Championships in Planica, Slovenia. Planica isn’t a village. Technically, it’s the name of a valley in the northwestern corner of Slovenia, less than 10km from the 3-country border with Italy and Austria. For all intents and purposes, Planica is a Nordic ski venue. Specifically, a ski jumping venue, best known as host of the final ski flying World Cup of the year, the last weekend in March. That’s this weekend.
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The Holmenkollen Ski Stadium in Norway was quiet last weekend, with no final World Cup of the season. No fans camped out for days to cheer on racers. No ski jumpers flying over Oslo. Still, like the rest of the ski world, they are already preparing for events to return next winter.
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How does a kid get hooked on skiing? I was 7 years old the first time I saw the Engadin Ski Marathon in St Moritz, Switzerland. With a mom who worked for Northwest Airlines and a dad who grew up in northern Wisconsin, travel and skiing have long been part of my life. I remember the trains and sledding a lot more than the skiing on that trip. Still, that experience had an impact. In hindsight, there are many threads that string together life experiences. For me, the Engadin is one of them.
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In a winter where hotels are closed and international travel is verboten, almost everyone on the trail in Seefeld is local from Tyrol. Lumi Experiences trip leader Raphi got out for a playful afternoon to inspire local kids to try Nordic skiing. There is much more to the sport than racing and Raphi shares some insights into his passion for cross country skiing, along with a few tricks. Enjoy!
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Greetings ski fans! While the virtual Birkie is underway this week, it is also the start to another big event: the Nordic World Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany. That’s right, folks. The World Championships. World Cups happen practically every weekend, but World Champs are only once every two years. Like the Olympics, the competitions are stretched out over two weeks.
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With snow blanketing most of North America right now, I hope you're outside enjoying winter!! If you need just a little extra inspiration, this short video should help you get out the door.
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It was one of the last gondolas down to the valley from the Seiser Alm plateau. The doors were about to close when someone jumped in to join me at the last minute.
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The Val di Fiemme valley in Italy. This place is legendary for Nordic skiers. It’s home to the Marcialonga Worldloppet Marathon, has hosted multiple Nordic World Championships and will be the Nordic venue for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Many may recognize the Alpe Cermis alpine ski area as the Tour de Ski climb where Jessie Diggins just became the first American to win the Tour de Ski.
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