"Skinning"

This invention amazes me! Just a thin fabric under the ski, and you can walk uphill without slipping at all.











Do I look like a happy ski-bum or what ?

Vallahornet 0218

I took the day off on Friday. I was getting tired of work, so I decided I wanted to go skiing instead :)











Beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. In the back, Saudehornet (1303m.)











I was on my own, so I had to hold the camera while taking the picture (!) Result...not too good.














Unique wind-measurement device?

What`s not to like

I live in a beautiful area of Norway with great opportunities to go hiking in the mountains, both in the summer and in the winter.
I want to share some of my experiences (when I have remembered to take my camera)

View towards Ørsta. You can see the Ørstafjord and the tallest peak around my hometown Ørsta, Saudehornet (1303m.)












The long ridge in the back is Nivane with Saudehornet to the right. Further to the right is Vassdalstinden.











The tallest peak in this picture is Kolåstinden, a very popular destination for off-piste skiing. There is a small glacier there, so you can go skiing at least until June. In the horizon, you can see towards Ålesund (the biggest city in the region with around 50.000 people).












This is the fantastic view to the east. You can see a tiny glimpse of the Hjørundfjord that runs to Geiranger, a popular tourist-destination (on UNESCO`s World Heritage List).











If you study the area in front of where I`m standing, you can easily see how the snow has been building up. When I came home I was told that some areas where I had been walking, I was standing on nothing but snow (with a vertical drop of hundreds of meter underneath me). I am going back up there later this year to see how it REALLY looks there.
The mountain in the back, Blåtinden, is the neighbouring mountain to Veirahaldet, and is also very popular for opp-piste skiing, but has a steeper drop, avalanches and you need to be quite skilled to go there (I don`t see myself going there in the near future) !












A nice view to the South. Bjørdalen to the right, also with excellent terrain to go skiing, both cross-country and off-piste.












In this picture you can see the ski-lift, and the track I followed up to the summit of Veirahaldet. To the right you can see lake Vatnevatnet, where my dads family-farm was until the mid 50`s and my surname comes from (Vatne).












Here`s another picture with Vatnevatnet, further in the back you can see the Voldafjord. The mountain to the right is Melshornet, between the two neighbouring cities Ørsta and Volda.

So proud

Woke up this morning...decided to go skiing, hoping to reach Veirahaldet (1207 m.).












Despite some issues with the new ski-bindings I did it without too much hassle, and felt very proud of myself :)
The weather was awesome and the sun was shining (hence the weird eyes)..

Melshornet on Boxing Day

I had originally planned on starting early, but I kinda overslept :) It was a cold day, -16 or so, but still it was a nice trip.









































I got home just in time to go to grandma`s surprise Boxing Day dinner-party with lots of family. It was fun too (no pics I`m afraid) !

Christmas Eve 2010 - at my parents house

My mom likes decorations









































What`s cooking? It smells DELICIOUS :)



























My plate (first serving that is (!))












My favorite dessert...cream-porridge with raspberry sauce












My dear family

Christmas Eve 2010 - beautiful and cold outside

View of the Ørsta-fjord











yes..it is that cold here! Temperature has been dropping to -16 so I have not been skiing so far this holiday....

A cozy picture from downtown Ørsta














View of the mountains from my parents driveway