Oslo Norway: Skiing at Oslo Vinterpark

It was New Year’s Day, and I didn’t have a plan for the day. Caroline was coming on the 2nd and I had already spent the 31st lounging around the hostel and exploring the small town of Oslo. I didn’t want to do all the big attractions in the city without Caroline, so I was trying to find something different to do.

I thought, why not ski? I boarded a train in the city and rode it all the way to the second to last stop. As the train snaked higher up the mountain, I looked out the window as the buildings got smaller and smaller. It was beautiful seeing the snow-capped houses and lakes frozen over. I had a general idea of where I was going from Google Maps, but I also spotted a couple in another train car with two snowboards. I figured they were my back-up plan if I got lost.

I got off at the Voksenkollen station, there was a shiny red bus waiting on the corner that read: Oslo Vinterpark on the top.

The timing was perfect. The free shuttle zipped directly to the lodge and helped avoid a 15-minute uphill climb. In my head, I pictured the ski lodge to have a giant fireplace, bear skin rugs and leather couches to lounge on while sipping hot chocolate.

This was not the case. The Vinterpark Lodge was really no-nonsense. You had your equipment rental, cashiers and stairs that led downstairs to the bathrooms and lockers. Sadly, no bear skin rug.

I planned to go cross-country skiing because I wanted to take in more of the views and Oslo had 1,600 miles worth of trails! However, when I got up to the kiosk, they swayed me against it because the snow was too icy. I went with their recommendation to do downhill. As I was putting on my boots, it was only then that I started to do the math for when the last time I went downhill skiing.

In my head, I just assumed it was a couple years, three maybe four. I was quite off. The final count came to 8 years ago, before I had my two knee surgeries. Because of this, I decided to do a few runs down the bunny hill to build up my confidence before taking on the big slopes. (Note my skiing buddies: mother and small toddler.)

Once I graduated myself from the bunny hill, I was off to the races. I had skied down a few times and was having a blast! The view from the top of the mountain was so beautiful. I lined up for the ski lift and found myself next to three other people. It was a woman, a man and a really pretty blonde girl my age. Once on the chair, they started chatting and I immediately heard their American accents. I was so excited because I hadn’t met any other Americans in Oslo yet. We started chatting, wishing each other a Happy New year -- I just assumed they were a family.

Me: Are you guys here on vacation?

No, we’re actually here for work. Our work makes us travel around a lot.

Me: Oh, what do you do for work?

Well, we’re actually on the US Ski Team. We’re coaches and this is Mickaela Shiffrin. We’re here for the world cup event this afternoon.

Me: *mouth drop*

I was sitting on a ski lift with Mickaela Shiffrin, who I didn’t know this at the time, is an Olympic two-time gold medalist and world champion. While I wasn’t familiar with her accolades, I knew enough to know that if you’re on the US Ski team you are 1. Really good and 2. Probably famous. So, I did what I thought was normal…I freaked out.

Omg what! Omg. That’s so cool! Wow. So are you warming up right now?

Yeah, all the big skiers are here right now warming up. Haven’t you noticed?

I immediately look to the right and see skiers flying down the slalom perfectly. To the left I see a group of three men wearing bright red jackets that say FRANCE on them.

I was so busy earlier focusing on bending my knees on my turns, to really notice anyone else that wasn’t in my immediate vicinity.

Mikaela: You should definitely come to the event this afternoon. It’s at the Holmenkollen!

Me: OMG totally! I don’t have any other plans today. I’ll definitely come cheer you on!

(I really didn’t have any plans for that evening and after all, this was an OLYMPIAN telling me to go watch her ski. Of course, I had to go!)

We were nearing the ground and I wished them good luck in the events later. As we lifted the bar, I awkwardly fumbled off the chair. I watched as the three of them skied off in perfect unison and I read the back of their jackets: “US Ski Team.” I skied down the slopes a dozen more times, this time watching the skiers that had their country’s flags on their backs, ski down with ease.

I kept true to my word with Mikaela and her coaches, because I knew they totally wanted me to be there. It was 4:00 when I arrived at the Holmenkollen, which was hosting the Ski World Cup. The Holmenkollen is a giant slope that you can see from hundreds of yards away. Once I got off the train station, I turned around and saw the giant ski ramp. I bought a ticket at the entrance and followed the sounds of cheering. The event was quite the spectacle.

There were dozens of booths that were selling Norwegian merchandise and tents that were handing out free coffee and hot chocolate. It was freezing cold out as the sun had already set around 3:15 PM. I snuggled up next to one of the fire pits, with my hot chocolate trying to stay warm.

I watched Mikaela race three times and cheered as she qualified for the quarter finals! I looked around the big stadium trying to find an American flag but sadly didn’t see one single other American.

I stayed till just after 6:30, which was about the time my toes and fingers broke off. Even though I was freezing and was still in the same pair of socks from skiing, I couldn’t help but smile. Today was truly a fun spontaneous once in a lifetime day. As I rode the train back towards the city, I thought “What are the chances?” It was seemingly impossible that I would be in Oslo Norway on New Year’s Day, going down-hill skiing and be seated on the ski-lift with the US Ski Team. I watched as the city lights got closer and buildings and got bigger and bigger -- I thought about all that was possible this year!

Happy New Year everyone!