Kate Takes On Norway: Holmenkollen

Today, I made the voyage up to Holmenkollen! The weather forcast was for sun, and I wanted to make the most of it. I had read that the admission to the Ski Museum also paid for a ride to the top of the infamous ski jump.

If you are interested in skiing, Norway is the place to be. The history of the sport dates back too far to remember, and the cultural support and involvement defines the nation. From the native people in the north to the King, skiing is part of Norwegian blood.

Replica of a ski-making shop

Speaking of Norwegian history, what the heck is Birkebeiner?

Birkebeiner was the name of a rebel party in Norway started in the late 1100's. "Birkebeiner" means "Birch legs." Some say that the party was so poor that their shoes were made from birch. Others claim that the name originated from the birch leggings they used as gaiters to protect from the snow.

The picture below depicts two Birkebeiners and the King's infant son in 1206. The event went down in history, painting the Birkebeiners as brave and honorable people. The young heir eventually ascended to the throne.

"There was a civil war in Norway at the time, and the best skiers amond the Birkebeiners, Torstein Skeivla and Skjervald Skrukka, carried the heir to the throne to safety from Lilehammer across the mountains to Osterdalen, and on to Trondheim."

Now, the Birkebeiner is best known as an annual ski marathon covering 54 km from Rena to Lillehammer. Participants must carry a backpack weighing at least 3.5 kg, simulating the weight of the royal baby.

Soldiers on skis were common in Norway's past. Before the country entered into the union with Sweden, many armed ski soldiers were posted on the border. They had the advantage since they were much more mobile than the Swedes on horses.

Sketches of a Norwegian soldier's ski drills.

My mom taught me the same thing! You can ski anything as long as you know how to "STEP TURN and TRAVERSE!"

Part of the museum was dedicated to the clothes and equipment of the sport, and how gear has evolved.

King Haakon's ski boots and knitted ski mittens

Rudimentary bindings

I think my parents may have this jacket! It's in a museum, guys.

Baskets of these poles are made out of wood, bone, and antler

Things have changed a bit, huh?

An interesting tidbit about wax, courtesy of the Holmenkollen Ski Museum:

"Tar, resin, pitch, or tallow was often applied at low heat. Sometimes the base was even greased with leaf fat, butter, cheese, or herrings. Parafin or stearine was used as a glide wax. Every skier concocted his own 'secret' mixture."

"In 1902, Th. Hansen started to mass produce a tar wax called Record. Strange ingredents such as bicyle inner tubes, vinyl records and various wax products were mixed together in a big cauldron to produce this original ski wax."

Well, it isn't Cera F, but it worked for them!

The wax bench through the decades

I am here confirm the beliefs of JH nordies: Yes, blue extra is the world's best selling ski wax. I heard it from the source!

The ski jump is an integral part of Holmenkollen and has helped make this quiet hamlet famous. Norwegians started the sport of ski jumping in the early 1800's, dominated early on, and continue to hold (and break) records and win competitions, even as the sport grows in popularity.

A replica of the ski jump from centuries past

After a long wait in line (I'm getting used to long "queues," it's a European custom apparently) I headed up to the top! Taking the elevator up made me think of how nervous I would be if I had to jump the thing, not just look off the top of it.