Still on skis

Just a spring weather and trail condition update: +11 Celsius, sunny, light breeze. Most of the trails are fading and the snow is getting very slushy, but some of the trails like Indre Uksan round is still in a reasonable state. Probably the best time to go out early morning both for classic and skating too. I tested the trails this afternoon towards Uksan and it was nice, it gave me a good strength exercise ;)

End of the winter season

Good morning everyone. We have to announce the official end of our winter season 2008/09. This last week was just amazing and all our disabled friends were more than happy to enjoy their annual winter parade here at Venabu Fjellhotell. They have been looking forward to this event for a whole year and I am sure we are all satisfied with the wonderful result. Mainly sunny week and lots of interesting programs such as pulka-race, ski race, snow carting, singing, grill party outside and many more activities framed this special occasion.
In a few days we officially close for a month and reopen in June starting our summer season. I hope we see some of you here soon and thanks for enjoying our blog, please check it out often we might have some news for you during our "down time".
There is still enough snow to ski, so don`t be shy coming up.

Wet tracks

Venabu is one of few places where are freshly cut tracks now.
But the conditions are wet, and some of the tracks are full of water. You can even risk ski through ponds on your way.

Like I did today, as we were out with the toboggans, I managed to steer my cart so I was on the edge of the ice, with a result that the next cart after me went straight through the pond and the two in the cart had a nice wet cold bath. And of course a lot of laughs afterwards.

It is +6 now, so the clothes are drying quite quickly. Still nice sunny and the snow is dissapearing. The mountains are more and more zebra-like now.

Disabled week

Silje and her snowchicken


The last week of this season has started.
And as usual there are lots of activities, for all and everybody. There is possible to ski, ski cart, toboggan after a Snowmobile, like you see on the pictures above or just sit outside in the sun.

And there are nobody who are disappointed this week.

Tomorrow there is dog sledging.

"Sun"day

Good morning! Back in winter, 6AM: -8 Celsius. Seems like the weather is working on the forecast :) Yesterday a few of us went out to simulate the race and stimulate our body and mind with a good workout. It did it, fast pace and enjoyable run around Indre Uksan and on Trolloypa. After the first half we had no more klister (ice klister) on so we mainly "double poled" the rest of the distance.
More marking stick collecting in the next days. (Dorfallet, Grahogbu, Fremre Uksan areas)

Time to unmark the trails.

As we have to mark the trails in beginning of December, there is also a time for taking the bamboo sticks down.

Today, as Robert went to Måsåplassen, I unmarked all the trails close to Kyrkjegardsfjell, Jønnhalt and Forbundsfjell. So the trails south of the road will now slowly but surely disappear by themselves.

There were some people from our neighbor, KIWI Lundes, who unmarked the Trabelifjell area and close to Lundes.

Tomorrow we will start doing the same with the trails in the mountains. Veslefjell, up to Gråhøgdbu and eventually up to Eldåbu.

Right now we have cold nights and warm days, so the snow is crusty. And that is perfect conditions to unmark.

Our last guided tour to Masaplasen

Another great tour on the hills and along the Trolloypa. Unfortunately the Troll Ski Marathon was cancelled, so all the competitors do not have the opportunity to have a last go on the Trolloypa this winter. As you all know the startline is very close to Venabu Fjellhotell and the first 25km of the race moves from here to Oksendalen. This was the trip we did today with some extra loops up on the surrounding peaks. The trail condition was just ok with some interesting water obstacles close to 20km. I can imagine the conditions closer to the end of the course. I hope that next year we will enjoy the Troll Ski Marathon again. Other than that our day was just fantastic. I look forward to some training this weekend. Good and fast trails on Venabygdfjellet: Trolloypa has been cut to Remma and also Trabeliafjellet and Indre Uksan loops are ready for testing.

Day off in Kvitfjell

Robert and I have normally used our wednesdays in the downhill arena of Kvitfjell. Robert training Telemark style and me improving my downhill style. Here is Robert trying to do some Telemark tricks.

But as we all know, if you don't do it all the time then you end up on the ground.
Robert in front of the new appartment building, "Krystallen" (the Crystal).

Troll Ski Marathon is cancelled!

We are really sorry, but the Troll Marathon has been cancelled by the officials this afternoon. Please contact the race organizers if you need more information. Seems like the hotel will not be busy tomorrow night.
Weather update: 1PM: +4 Celsius, overcast, light rain showers all morning, expecting sunny hours later on and colder night. Trails have not been cut for a few days now, but still good enough for skiing. (wax: ice klister base and aqua klister on top.)

April`s mix

Back on the screen with my April`s picture collection. This is Robert again, thanks to Karl Thomas you have managed to follow all the important things happening around us. Spring is here bringing some challenging conditions, but luckily enough the snow is still holding well. Despite the fact we use klister on our skis we still just as happy as in January - having longer,warm and sunny days around the hills of Venabygdfjellet makes our lives very enjoyable.

Troll Marathon is here soon, seems like we might have some icy condition to start with and some slush later on. Wax tip: Ice klister base and vario klister on top. We will see...