Skiing the Planet

"Mongolia is kind of close, right?" Story about an attempt to ski everywhere in the world where there's snow. And in some places where there isn't. On and off-piste skiing on all continents, skiing into craters of live volcanoes, climbing, photography, and travel.

The blog about skiing around the world. The most recent blog articles can be found in Blogspot. This page lists all the skiing-related articles from this blog series.

Japan!
Finally, the long awaited trip to Japan is starting. Janne and I are sitting on the Finnair plane at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport, and ready to fly to Tokyo, and then continue on to Sapporo, and finally Niseko. There are two bus trips along the way, but hopefully we'll get there without problems.
Full story

March 2017, Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland; Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Travel; Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Backpacks Are DEATH
"It is not about your experience with backpacks, it is about PEOPLE DYING". The ski patrol's inexplicable rule prohibits me to take my backpack to the ski hill in New York.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

February 2017, Thunder Ridge, New York, USA
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Der Après-ski Zug
This is a brilliant idea. The Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn doesn't just take you to the ski slopes, it also serves beer and after-ski music on the way there. Even on the 9:30am train.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

February 2017, Nätschen, Andermatt, Switzerland; Oberalppass, Switzerland; Sedrun, Switzerland; Disentis, Switzerland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Afterski

Sotkamo Dress Code
"Can you take my skis to the clothes check?" "Why not, we also take baseball bats." Dressed in a black suit, I'm on my way to a bar, to Zach's birthday party in Sotkamo. With boots and skis... my hotel is at the top of the hill.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

February 2017, Vuokatti, Finland; Sotkamo, Finland; Paljakka, Finland; Vimpelinvaara, Kajaani, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Kinderskilift
We took an airplane. A train. And hiked. For this? A kid slope half the size of my home slope in Grani. But it turns out we got to ski a route down liike no other: down the railroad tracks. And collect seven more ski areas.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

February 2017, Obergoms, Switzerland; Realp, Switzerland; Gemsstock, Andermatt, Switzerland; Nätschen, Andermatt, Switzerland; Oberalppass, Switzerland; Sedrun, Switzerland; Disentis, Switzerland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

A Test
The sky is dark, but I can see lights behind. Suddenly a small object flies through the air. A small man. I think.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

January 2017, Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Equipment

Bulgarian Powder
What's it going to be, Tero? Shall we fly tomorrow morning for a day trip to Kazakhstan? Or for day and half in Bulgaria? We opted for the latter, because that Tero disliked the ten hour wait at a Moscow airport.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

January 2017, Vitosha, Sofia, Bulgaria; Borovets, Bulgaria
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Vihti by Night
I was contemplating going hiking when Jarmo sent me a message; he was going skiing to Vihti. I decided to join, and I'm glad I did. The late afternoon and evening lights and colours on the hill are great.
Full story

January 2017, Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

World Eskimo Forum (WEF) in Davos
The world's leading eskimos meet every winter in Davos to collaborate in shaping global, regional, and industry igloos. Well not really, but to my surprise the skiing in this village mostly known for the political and business elite is quite decent.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

December 2016, Parsenn, Davos, Switzerland; Jacobshorn, Davos, Switzerland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Toblerone-lift
At first I thought it was just an oversize advertisement. Then the ski lift took me inside it. I kept wondering what they would do to the lift, it the ski area suddenly switched to advertising M&Ms. Or worse yet, how about insurance or toilet seats?
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

December 2016, Lenzerheide, Switzerland; Arosa, Switzerland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Lustkurven
The sign in Malbun caught my attention: "lustkurven", lust for curves. I think they meant the skiing.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

December 2016, Malbun, Liechtenstein
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Yongpyong. Not Pyongyang.
Fortune favours the unprepared, as long as you pick the destination in the right Korea. I didn't know where I was going, or even if there'd be snow, but suddenly I was at the 2018 winter olympics village. Country #53.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

November 2016, Yongpyong, South Korea
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Grass)

Playdoci
I wish I was a gardener, watering plants is so relaxing. Or a ski patroller, spraying the snow on the slopes. I also wish that I'd have a wall socket in my home for "snow" in addition to "power", "Internet", and "vacuuming".
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

November 2016, Bucheon, South Korea
Skiing (Indoor, Snow)

Burger Place with a Half-pipe
It is darn cold outside. Storm. Better go inside to the Hesburger, because they have an indoor half-pipe. The world's only burger place with one! Also, as far as I know, the only full-size half-pipe indoors in the world! Or is that only half-size, ha!
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

November 2016, Vuokatti, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Breithorn, 4164m
Third time's a charm! I finally managed to ski down from Breithorn. Two failed attempts... and what a wonderful third one, with a high speed ski run down. So much fun to pass the climbers on a long trek, me going at 80 km/h while screaming from the top of my lungs as I passed them :-)
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

August 2016, Breithorn, Zermatt, Switzerland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Climbing (Mountain)

South... but not so south
I wanted go far this summer, ski the untried countries. But it was not to be, because work. And because Peru was cancelled.
Full story
(TGR version)
(Suomenkielinen versio)

August 2016, Hintertux, Zillertal, Austria
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Hiking; Travel; Sauna (Normal)

This is the 12th set of articles. The previous sets were set 1, set 2, set 3, set 4, set 5, set 6, set 7, set 8, set 9, set 10, and set 11. The next sets are set 13, set 14, set 15, set 16, set 17, set 18, set 19, set 20, set 21, and set 22.

See also the Planetskier blog articles about caving, urban exploration, climbing, cycling, flying, swimming, and saunas. There is also a full list of all articles regardless of topic, a list of services "approved by the Planetskier, and a world map of all skiing related destinations from the blog series:

	Japan! Finally, the long awaited trip to Japan is starting. Janne and I are sitting on the Finnair plane at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport, and ready to fly to Tokyo, and then continue on to Sapporo, and finally Niseko. There are two bus trips along the way, but hopefully we'll get there without problems. Full story March 2017, Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland; Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan Travel; Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Backpacks Are DEATH "It is not about your experience with backpacks, it is about PEOPLE DYING". The ski patrol's inexplicable rule prohibits me to take my backpack to the ski hill in New York. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) February 2017, Thunder Ridge, New York, USA Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Der Après-ski Zug This is a brilliant idea. The Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn doesn't just take you to the ski slopes, it also serves beer and after-ski music on the way there. Even on the 9:30am train. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) February 2017, Nätschen, Andermatt, Switzerland; Oberalppass, Switzerland; Sedrun, Switzerland; Disentis, Switzerland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Afterski

	Sotkamo Dress Code "Can you take my skis to the clothes check?" "Why not, we also take baseball bats." Dressed in a black suit, I'm on my way to a bar, to Zach's birthday party in Sotkamo. With boots and skis... my hotel is at the top of the hill. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) February 2017, Vuokatti, Finland; Sotkamo, Finland; Paljakka, Finland; Vimpelinvaara, Kajaani, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Kinderskilift We took an airplane. A train. And hiked. For this? A kid slope half the size of my home slope in Grani. But it turns out we got to ski a route down liike no other: down the railroad tracks. And collect seven more ski areas. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) February 2017, Obergoms, Switzerland; Realp, Switzerland; Gemsstock, Andermatt, Switzerland; Nätschen, Andermatt, Switzerland; Oberalppass, Switzerland; Sedrun, Switzerland; Disentis, Switzerland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	A Test The sky is dark, but I can see lights behind. Suddenly a small object flies through the air. A small man. I think. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) January 2017, Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Equipment

	Bulgarian Powder What's it going to be, Tero? Shall we fly tomorrow morning for a day trip to Kazakhstan? Or for day and half in Bulgaria? We opted for the latter, because that Tero disliked the ten hour wait at a Moscow airport. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) January 2017, Vitosha, Sofia, Bulgaria; Borovets, Bulgaria Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Vihti by Night I was contemplating going hiking when Jarmo sent me a message; he was going skiing to Vihti. I decided to join, and I'm glad I did. The late afternoon and evening lights and colours on the hill are great. Full story January 2017, Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	World Eskimo Forum (WEF) in Davos The world's leading eskimos meet every winter in Davos to collaborate in shaping global, regional, and industry igloos. Well not really, but to my surprise the skiing in this village mostly known for the political and business elite is quite decent. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) December 2016, Parsenn, Davos, Switzerland; Jacobshorn, Davos, Switzerland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Toblerone-lift At first I thought it was just an oversize advertisement. Then the ski lift took me inside it. I kept wondering what they would do to the lift, it the ski area suddenly switched to advertising M&Ms. Or worse yet, how about insurance or toilet seats? Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) December 2016, Lenzerheide, Switzerland; Arosa, Switzerland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Lustkurven The sign in Malbun caught my attention: "lustkurven", lust for curves. I think they meant the skiing. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) December 2016, Malbun, Liechtenstein Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Yongpyong. Not Pyongyang. Fortune favours the unprepared, as long as you pick the destination in the right Korea. I didn't know where I was going, or even if there'd be snow, but suddenly I was at the 2018 winter olympics village. Country #53. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) November 2016, Yongpyong, South Korea Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Grass)

	Playdoci I wish I was a gardener, watering plants is so relaxing. Or a ski patroller, spraying the snow on the slopes. I also wish that I'd have a wall socket in my home for "snow" in addition to "power", "Internet", and "vacuuming". Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) November 2016, Bucheon, South Korea Skiing (Indoor, Snow)

	Burger Place with a Half-pipe It is darn cold outside. Storm. Better go inside to the Hesburger, because they have an indoor half-pipe. The world's only burger place with one! Also, as far as I know, the only full-size half-pipe indoors in the world! Or is that only half-size, ha! Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) November 2016, Vuokatti, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Breithorn, 4164m Third time's a charm! I finally managed to ski down from Breithorn. Two failed attempts... and what a wonderful third one, with a high speed ski run down. So much fun to pass the climbers on a long trek, me going at 80 km/h while screaming from the top of my lungs as I passed them :-) Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) August 2016, Breithorn, Zermatt, Switzerland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Climbing (Mountain)

	South... but not so south I wanted go far this summer, ski the untried countries. But it was not to be, because work. And because Peru was cancelled. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) August 2016, Hintertux, Zillertal, Austria Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Hiking; Travel; Sauna (Normal)