Cross Country Skiing

Prior to coming to Norway, I was excited to live in an area near mountains.  I have always lived in flat prairie land, and the biggest mountains that I had ever seen were while driving through Montana.  For me this is strange.  When I was younger, I had always enjoyed snowboarding and had always wanted to go to the mountains.  So prior to coming to Norway, I was really excited to go snowboarding.

The one thing I knew about Norwegians before coming, was I knew they loved their skiing.  This could be ski-jumping, cross country, and even downhill.  As soon as I entered Norway, I knew that this was true. I was sitting in the Oslo Airport waiting for my connecting flight to Harstad, when I decided to go to a little sports restaurant to eat.  Their was a biathlon on (Cross country skiing, then shooting targets amongst the skiing).  The restaurant erupted, when the Norwegian Athlete won the race.  It was such an exciting experience, as I am only really used to this if Hockey, or Curling are involved back in Canada.  I now realized how much skiing meant to them.

The school rents ski's for students to use, so I figured I should try this cross country skiing deal out. I was a little hesitant, as my dad had just went cross country skiing, and had got injured.  My co-worker at the school I am doing my field practicum at (who I must say is amazing) took me out cross country skiing for the first time on Thursday. She helped me get suited up with the necessities for skiing, and we were off. She helped me get the basics down, and knows the trails very well, so we wouldn't get lost.  What a great experience! For my first time, I only fell twice, and they were graceful falls (at least I thought so).  We went approximately 5 km's just enough to keep me wanting more.  I was definitely exhausted though.  For one thing, I had no idea that it would require more movement then just in your legs.  My arms were actually much sorer the next day.  She was much better than me, and even takes her dog with her while skiing.  Here are some pictures from my first time cross country skiing. 

The Pro Waxing her ski's prior to going

Me in Action

No, the dog is not dead, just taking a nice break

After my first experience, I was sure that I wanted to go again.  I had made plans with my supervisor at the school for the weekend.  Friday after work, I came home and my flatmate, as well as German friend where just about to go cross country skiing, and asked if I wanted to join.  We went for a nice little walk to the ski trails, and I could even notice much improvement from my first time.  It was getting easier to go down hills(much trickier for me then going up).  We went for another 5km ride, and I felt the same way after as I had the first time.  I wanted to go some more.  My body was sore, as this is a very good workout, so I knew that in order to be ready for the next day this would be enough.

My supervisor called me, and said that we were going to go to a different park for skiing.  This one had better snow and better trails.  I thought hey what a great idea.  The park we went to seemed to be bigger, and the trails were very well groomed.    Once we got there, they waxed their ski's (they had a whole container dedicated to ski waxing stuff).  Then we were off.  Right of the start, their son went on his own way because he skate ski'd, and was incredibly fast.  That means he probably went at least 2-3x faster then we did.It was my supervisor, her husband, and her son. It was very impressive to see how fast he could go.This trail was much busier and was really nice.  The view was fantastic, and I enjoyed every minute of it.  The rumour in Norway, is that kids were born with ski's.  On our way up, I learnt that this was true.  Their was a kid with her parents, who I am guessing was 2-3 on one of her first ski trips.  She was trucking along, and her parents said that this was one of her first big days.  I was impressed, no wonder they are all in great shape.  We then kept going, and they asked me if I wanted to go on this trail that most people from Harstad don't even make it to.  Of course I said yes.  Well on the way up it was mainly up hill.  After reaching the top I was exhausted, and thankful that the rest of the trip would be down hill.  I was a slower than they normally go, but being great tour guides they kept with me, and told me all about the scenery and skiing in Norway.  It was a great trip, and I even got to sign a book saying I had made it to this point. At this point, we were 400 m above sea level, and there were very few trees.  I can definitely see how people can get snow blinded now.  The trip down was great, as I said earlier it was all down hill.  The trip was 13 km, and took about 2.5 hrs to complete.  I am guessing it took no longer than 30 mins to get down haha.  After finishing, I was exhausted but felt great about what I had just accomplished.  Even one of my supervisors old co-workers commended me on completing that trip, and I felt great. I also never fell once!  I am extremely excited to go again, and even have purchased ski's. This way I don't have to wait to rent ski's from the school, and hope that they have my size(originally, I had size 47 boots, but luckily I was able to borrow a friends that were my size) This way I can go skiing whenever I want, and have better ski's to use. To my parents, they are not that expensive here:).

Before the excursion, ready to roll!

After the excursion, about to pass out of exhaustion(but very excited about the journey)

We Made it to the top!

My Amazing Tour Guides

The view from the top

Future Norwegian Champion