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.

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
Alternate link

January 2014, Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta, Canada; Nakiska, Banff, Alberta, Canada; Banff, Alberta, Canada
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
Alternate link

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

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
Alternate link

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
Alternate link

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

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
Alternate link

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
Alternate link

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

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
Alternate link
(Svenskt version)

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

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
Alternate link

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
Alternate link

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
Alternate link

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

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
Alternate link
(Svenskt version)

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

Ullahau
Marcus Larsson may have saved Gotland from becoming the Sahara of the Baltic Sea. But he also greatly reduced the sand dune skiing opportunities in Ullahau. But I am going ahead anyway, will I find some skiing?
Full story
Alternate link

August 2013, Ullahau, Gotland, Sweden
Skiing (Outdoor, Sand)

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
Alternate link

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

Sheep Skiing
The girl at the sheep farm gate is from Qatar. Most tourists here seemed to be from Middle East, so I ask her why she had come to Austria: "Because it is so cool, and the weather is nice." We are standing in cold rain, but I guess she prefers a change to the weather at home. But come to think of it, I too prefer cold and rainy.
Full story
Alternate link

July 2013, Kaprun, Austria
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Sauna (Normal); Swimming (Indoor, Water, Waterbody-Pool)

Bad Snow Year in Africa
Grass. Sun. Lonely wilderness. 4x4 transport. You would expect to find those in Africa. And I did. But I also found mountains, a ski area, olympic athletes, and snow. And the highest bar in South Africa. I'm in Tiffindell, South Africa's only ski area that re-opened this year, after being closed for a couple of years.
Full story
Alternate link

July 2013, Tiffindel, South Africa
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Climbing (Mountain); Afterski

Skiing on the Equator
Headache. Nausea. I have them, but high winds and icy rain are the main culprits for the failure to reach the glacier. No one in the refuge dares to venture higher. The estimated 80 km/h winds would be dangerous on that initial steep rock climb. Particularly with skis on the backpack acting as sails.
Full story
Alternate link
(Svenskt version)

June 2013, Cayembe, Ecuador
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Climbing (Mountain)

This is the 18th 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, set 15, set 16, and set 17. The next sets are set 19, set 20, set 21, set 22, set 23, and set 24.

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:

	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 Alternate link January 2014, Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta, Canada; Nakiska, Banff, Alberta, Canada; Banff, Alberta, Canada 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 Alternate link December 2013, Kauniala, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Mud)

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

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

	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 Alternate link (Svenskt version) October 2013, Cerro Catedral, Uruguay Skiing (Outdoor, Imported-Snow)

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

	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 Alternate link (Svenskt version) September 2013, Qiaobo, Beijing, China Skiing (Indoor, Snow); Sauna (Normal)

	Ullahau Marcus Larsson may have saved Gotland from becoming the Sahara of the Baltic Sea. But he also greatly reduced the sand dune skiing opportunities in Ullahau. But I am going ahead anyway, will I find some skiing? Full story Alternate link August 2013, Ullahau, Gotland, Sweden Skiing (Outdoor, Sand)

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

	Sheep Skiing The girl at the sheep farm gate is from Qatar. Most tourists here seemed to be from Middle East, so I ask her why she had come to Austria: "Because it is so cool, and the weather is nice." We are standing in cold rain, but I guess she prefers a change to the weather at home. But come to think of it, I too prefer cold and rainy. Full story Alternate link July 2013, Kaprun, Austria Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Sauna (Normal); Swimming (Indoor, Water, Waterbody-Pool)

	Bad Snow Year in Africa Grass. Sun. Lonely wilderness. 4x4 transport. You would expect to find those in Africa. And I did. But I also found mountains, a ski area, olympic athletes, and snow. And the highest bar in South Africa. I'm in Tiffindell, South Africa's only ski area that re-opened this year, after being closed for a couple of years. Full story Alternate link July 2013, Tiffindel, South Africa Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Climbing (Mountain); Afterski

	Skiing on the Equator Headache. Nausea. I have them, but high winds and icy rain are the main culprits for the failure to reach the glacier. No one in the refuge dares to venture higher. The estimated 80 km/h winds would be dangerous on that initial steep rock climb. Particularly with skis on the backpack acting as sails. Full story Alternate link (Svenskt version) June 2013, Cayembe, Ecuador Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Climbing (Mountain)