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.

Cannon Mountain
In the last ten days, my new skis have flown 35 000 kilometres. Yet, they have never touched snow. The airlines keep losing the bag, so the skis travel a day or two behind me.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

February 2014, Cannon Mountain, New Hampshire, USA
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Mountain High
No wonder there is a discount: no snow anywhere and there is cactus next to the rental place. But I think I can find snow. And I need the rental skis, because airlines keep losing my skibag.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

February 2014, Mountain High, California, USA
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

First Week
How does Chamonix powder compare to Los Angeles sand dunes? What protective gear do you need in Chamonix town centre at New Year? Can you ski in New York's central park?
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

January 2014, Chamonix ski areas, Chamonix, France; Verbier ski areas, Verbier, Switzerland; Sand Dune Park, Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, California, USA; Central Park, New York, New York, USA; Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Skiing (Outdoor, Sand)

Avalanche
"Avalanche!" Just a second later the avalanche hits us, moving at the speed of a high-speed train. I scream and try to fight, but it does not seem to have any effect.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

January 2014, Chamonix ski areas, Chamonix, France
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Banff
Only twelve ski areas had opened in North America in early November, but travel to eleven of them would take too long. No choice, really: I had to go to Banff.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

January 2014, Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta, Canada; Nakiska, Banff, Alberta, Canada; Banff, Alberta, Canada
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Skiing Accident
Accident. On my way to skiing, just 5 miles from the slopes. Accident, Maryland is a sleepy town in western Maryland. And an infinite source of sign comedy: "Welcome to Accident". "Accident Fire Department". "150 Years in Accident". You can't make this stuff up.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

December 2013, Accident, Maryland, USA
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Independence Day
Dec 6th. Independence. Freedom. Important stuff. Well, freedom is still a bit difficult for us skiers, there not being enough snow yet for freeskiing in Southern Finland.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

December 2013, Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Dark Xmas
We call this the "musta joulu" or dark Christmas in Finland. No snow. But there is rain, darkness, and depression. No matter, I have found a steep, muddy hill in Kauniainen
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

December 2013, Kauniala, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Mud)

Volcano Camping
The summit ridge lights up, seemingly rising to the sky. The sunrise is about to start. I forget the cold night and the two vertical kilometers of climbing to get here. It is a magical moment to be at the top. I had not realised it would be possible to see the entire island of Bali in one view, as if I was in space.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

November 2013, Gunung Agung, Bali, Indonesia
Climbing (Mountain); Skiing (Outdoor, Rock, Sand, Ash)

Sarcophilus Satanicus
Sarcophilus Satanicus. Satanic meat lover. Better know as the Tasmanian Devil. We did all we could to ski with the devil, like we did with the kangaroo, but alas, it was not to be. Turns out the devil is in trouble. The numbers of this previously common animal are down at least 80% and maybe as much as 99% from 1990s, due to a mysterious infectious cancer.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

November 2013, Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, Tasmania, Australia; Ben Lomond, Tasmania, Australia; Mt. Mawson, Tasmania, Australia
Travel; Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Climbing (Mountain)

Kangaroo Run
Turn right. Jump left. Turn left. Jump right. I'm speeding down on the backside of Tasmania's second highest mountain, Legges Tor, and a kangaroo is jumping on the snow in front of me. She must be equally surprised by the largest snow fall in the decade as we were.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

October 2013, Ben Lomond, Tasmania, Australia; Perisher, New South Wales, Australia; Thredbo, New South Wales, Australia; Mount Kosciouszko, New South Wales, Australia
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Mt. Buller
An hour and a half. Australia is a big country, and we were on our way from the big ski areas of New South Wales to the airport in Melbourne. We only had an hour and a half to explore skiing in Victoria. I'm glad we made the stop though.
Full story

October 2013, Mt. Buller, Victoria, Australia
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Athens
The noise does NOT come from grandma moving on crutches, as a passerby suggested. My skis and poles are just noisy on the concrete. I realize that it is an impropable material to ski on, but it is what I have. The view to the brightly lit Parthenon temple and the Acropolis in front of me make up for the lack of powder snow. Skiing in Athens!
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)

October 2013, Mt. Lycabettus, Athens, Greece
Skiing (Outdoor, Asphalt)

Uruguay
The emergency snow pack is still at -66 degrees. GPS says that I am at the right spot. I have miniskis on my feet. Everything is ready for the first descent of Uruguay's highest mountain. But first I need to bring on the winter.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
(Svenskt version)

October 2013, Cerro Catedral, Uruguay
Skiing (Outdoor, Imported-Snow)

Tourist in Beijing
A few free hours appeared in my schedule, so I wanted to become a tourist. And do all the usual things tourists do here in Beijing. Like going to the sauna or skiing.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
(Svenskt version)

September 2013, Qiaobo, Beijing, China
Skiing (Indoor, Snow); Sauna (Normal)

Count
A friend asked what countries I have skied in. Since I have not counted in a while, it is time for a status report.
Full story

August 2013, House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

This is the 16th 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, set 11, set 12, set 13, set 14, and set 15. The next sets are 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:

	Cannon Mountain In the last ten days, my new skis have flown 35 000 kilometres. Yet, they have never touched snow. The airlines keep losing the bag, so the skis travel a day or two behind me. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) February 2014, Cannon Mountain, New Hampshire, USA Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Mountain High No wonder there is a discount: no snow anywhere and there is cactus next to the rental place. But I think I can find snow. And I need the rental skis, because airlines keep losing my skibag. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) February 2014, Mountain High, California, USA Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	First Week How does Chamonix powder compare to Los Angeles sand dunes? What protective gear do you need in Chamonix town centre at New Year? Can you ski in New York's central park? Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) January 2014, Chamonix ski areas, Chamonix, France; Verbier ski areas, Verbier, Switzerland; Sand Dune Park, Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, California, USA; Central Park, New York, New York, USA; Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Skiing (Outdoor, Sand)

	Avalanche "Avalanche!" Just a second later the avalanche hits us, moving at the speed of a high-speed train. I scream and try to fight, but it does not seem to have any effect. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) January 2014, Chamonix ski areas, Chamonix, France Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Banff Only twelve ski areas had opened in North America in early November, but travel to eleven of them would take too long. No choice, really: I had to go to Banff. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) January 2014, Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta, Canada; Nakiska, Banff, Alberta, Canada; Banff, Alberta, Canada Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Skiing Accident Accident. On my way to skiing, just 5 miles from the slopes. Accident, Maryland is a sleepy town in western Maryland. And an infinite source of sign comedy: "Welcome to Accident". "Accident Fire Department". "150 Years in Accident". You can't make this stuff up. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) December 2013, Accident, Maryland, USA Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Independence Day Dec 6th. Independence. Freedom. Important stuff. Well, freedom is still a bit difficult for us skiers, there not being enough snow yet for freeskiing in Southern Finland. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) December 2013, Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Dark Xmas We call this the "musta joulu" or dark Christmas in Finland. No snow. But there is rain, darkness, and depression. No matter, I have found a steep, muddy hill in Kauniainen Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) December 2013, Kauniala, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Mud)

	Volcano Camping The summit ridge lights up, seemingly rising to the sky. The sunrise is about to start. I forget the cold night and the two vertical kilometers of climbing to get here. It is a magical moment to be at the top. I had not realised it would be possible to see the entire island of Bali in one view, as if I was in space. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) November 2013, Gunung Agung, Bali, Indonesia Climbing (Mountain); Skiing (Outdoor, Rock, Sand, Ash)

	Sarcophilus Satanicus Sarcophilus Satanicus. Satanic meat lover. Better know as the Tasmanian Devil. We did all we could to ski with the devil, like we did with the kangaroo, but alas, it was not to be. Turns out the devil is in trouble. The numbers of this previously common animal are down at least 80% and maybe as much as 99% from 1990s, due to a mysterious infectious cancer. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) November 2013, Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, Tasmania, Australia; Ben Lomond, Tasmania, Australia; Mt. Mawson, Tasmania, Australia Travel; Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Climbing (Mountain)

	Kangaroo Run Turn right. Jump left. Turn left. Jump right. I'm speeding down on the backside of Tasmania's second highest mountain, Legges Tor, and a kangaroo is jumping on the snow in front of me. She must be equally surprised by the largest snow fall in the decade as we were. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) October 2013, Ben Lomond, Tasmania, Australia; Perisher, New South Wales, Australia; Thredbo, New South Wales, Australia; Mount Kosciouszko, New South Wales, Australia Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Mt. Buller An hour and a half. Australia is a big country, and we were on our way from the big ski areas of New South Wales to the airport in Melbourne. We only had an hour and a half to explore skiing in Victoria. I'm glad we made the stop though. Full story October 2013, Mt. Buller, Victoria, Australia Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Athens The noise does NOT come from grandma moving on crutches, as a passerby suggested. My skis and poles are just noisy on the concrete. I realize that it is an impropable material to ski on, but it is what I have. The view to the brightly lit Parthenon temple and the Acropolis in front of me make up for the lack of powder snow. Skiing in Athens! Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) October 2013, Mt. Lycabettus, Athens, Greece Skiing (Outdoor, Asphalt)

	Uruguay The emergency snow pack is still at -66 degrees. GPS says that I am at the right spot. I have miniskis on my feet. Everything is ready for the first descent of Uruguay's highest mountain. But first I need to bring on the winter. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) (Svenskt version) October 2013, Cerro Catedral, Uruguay Skiing (Outdoor, Imported-Snow)

	Tourist in Beijing A few free hours appeared in my schedule, so I wanted to become a tourist. And do all the usual things tourists do here in Beijing. Like going to the sauna or skiing. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) (Svenskt version) September 2013, Qiaobo, Beijing, China Skiing (Indoor, Snow); Sauna (Normal)

	Count A friend asked what countries I have skied in. Since I have not counted in a while, it is time for a status report. Full story August 2013, House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)