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.

Google Maps Approach to Going Skiing
We were talking about skiing in places that I have not been to, like Tunis or Alger. I asked Google Maps about "Tunis ski" and it helpfully interpreted this as a request to drive from the Finnish skiing association to Tunis :-) Helpfully, it also displayed all the speed cameras on this 4000+ km journey ;-)
Full story

January 2024, Cima Bianca, Bormio, Italy
Skiing (None)

Albania skiing with goats and chicken
Topped off my 2023 by skiing in Albania. A bit early season... but friendly people, great restaurant, beautiful scenery. and lots of other skiers on the slopes with goatees and fresh eggs. Ski Pista Bigell, in Dardhe, near Korcë.
Full story
(TGR version)

December 2023, Ski Pista Bigell, Dardhe, Albania
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Mavrovo skiing North Macedonia
North Macedonia. I have to confess I did not much about it beforehand, almost anything. We had attempted to arrange a ski trip there once but did not find enough information or people to talk to. So let it be known to everyone: North Macedonia is a major ski destination, with massive mountains with well-organized large ski resorts and specialty services like cat skiing. Much recommended.
Full story
(TGR version)

December 2023, Mavrovo ski resort, Mavrovo, North Macedonia; Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland; Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt, Germany; Zagreb Airport, Zagreb, Croatia; Skopje International Airport, Skopje, North Macedonia
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Flying

Popova Shapka
Popova Shapka is one of the major ski resorts in North Macedonia. Perhaps THE major resort even. At the time I was there, however, in early season it had not yet opened. Wanted to see it though.
Full story

December 2023, Popova Shapka, Tetovo, North Macedonia
Skiing (None); Caving (None)

Grani slope opening day
In 2023, the Grani ski slope opened on 2nd of December. I walked to the hill, a nice experience in the cold morning weather. And I feel lucky for having a ski hill within walking distance, maybe a bit over a kilometer away. On the way back (unless the roads are sanded) it is also downhill, so I can ski big parts of it.
Full story

December 2023, Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Riihivuori, what a nice place to ski at!
Coming back from my visit at the bat cave headquarters, I was faced with a choice: drive straight home with my crappy car and minimize risk of breakdown? Or detour extra two hours via Jyväskylä and visit the a ski hill that I've never been on, Riihivuori? They had just opened... in the end I took the risk. And wow, was it worth it!
Full story

November 2023, Riihivuori, Jyväskylä, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Opening day + 1 at Vihti... at children's slope...
Wow, I missed the opening the day by one day, but no matter. The slopes at Vista are running at full speed! Or slope, rather. There's just the children's training slope. And full speed is not exactly Ludicrous Speed, it felt a bit like standing on a carpet and waiting for it to move. For sure it was worth to pay 39€ for the lift ticket to ski on this for an hour? Still, wonderful. Everyone seemed to be having a lot of good time. I did too! Kudos to Vihti, Hyvinkää, and Talma opening their slopes so early this year!
Full story

October 2023, Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Sunny, Extremely Icy
Birthday. I needed some skiing for that. And, the only real skiing on this side of the planet was in Hintertux, the friendly location for year-around skiing on the glaciers. Sadly, the glaciers are shrinking. Now on first of October their state in Hintertux was worse than last year in the worst of the summer in the end of August. That's not good. But, some ice left. A bit of snow also on top in some places, even some unskied snow! But wow, were the main slopes icy. Extremely icy, as the weather forecast indicated.
Full story
(TGR version)

October 2023, Hintertux, Zillertal, Austria
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Husby Ishall September Skiing
I had a much needed trip to see colleagues in Kista. Took the train and the boat and the bus this time... not too bad of a travel mode. Also, since the month is soon over I had to find a place to ski. Mini-skis and the snow pile by the Husby ice skating rink did the trick. Maybe three turns. At least. All obviously on different runs on this half a meter high mountain. September skiing is now done!
Full story
(TGR version)

September 2023, Husby Ishall, Husby, Stockholm, Sweden
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Hiking)

August turns Check
Mini skis. Lapland. Helicopter. Heli-mini-skiing? And big mistakes and miracle rescues. In any case, the turns for August have been completed. I have to ski every month because not doing so would break the long streak.
Full story
(TGR version)

August 2023, Kopmajoken sivurotko, Enontekiö, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Hiking)

Venice again, no skiing, just heat
Many years ago, I tried to find some skiing inVenice. No luck, could not score any snow from local skating rinks, so was unable to plaster the Calatrava Bridge with snow... sad... or maybe good. This year we went back there.
Full story

July 2023, Venice, Italy
Skiing (None); Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites)

Skiing in San Francisco... in a garage... on a treadmill
Wow. I did not plan for this. But when I learned that this was possible, I just had to go. One hour of my Sunday.... spent skiing in downtown San Francisco. In what looks like a garage. And a sloping treadmill. But, make no mistake. Contrary to my usual style, this is not a crackpot hobbyist scheme, but a commercial operation, the Adventurous Sports. And a place to spot and correct your technique, for the treadmill gives you no room to be sloppy with your form.
Full story

July 2023, Adventurous Sports, San Francisco, California, USA
Skiing (Indoor, Substance-Other)

July Desperation
This is a difficult month. Again. But, Leppävaara to the rescue! A constant stream of fresh snow is being delivered outside the ice skating rink. So why not make a ski hill on the nearby slope?
Full story

July 2023, Leppävaaran jäähalli, Espoo, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Hiking)

Happy 1st of May!
Traditional 1st of May celebration, on skis. This time on my local hill.
Full story

May 2023, Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Hiking)

Tale of three ski ... attempts
A tale of three ski … attempts. First, the nice one was in the evening with Dan and Tero in the Snova Shin Yokohama, an indoor facility with interesting “polymer snow” that is complete harmless to human but should be thoroughly washed before leaving 🙂
Full story

April 2023, Snova Shin-Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan; Sun Meadows Kiyosato Ski Area, Yamanashi, Japan; Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing (Snow, Indoor); Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, None); Skiing (Snow, Outdoor)

Sun Meadows Kiyosata ... no skiing for me
It was a great plan. Take trains to the Sun Meadows ski resort in Kiyosata, Nagano prefecture, Japan. And then come back at the end of the day, pick up my luggage from the hotel and head to the airport. In the words, I was on a deadline. And I was illiterate...
Full story

April 2023, Sun Meadows Kiyosato Ski Area, Yamanashi, Japan
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, None)

This is the 3th set of articles. The previous sets were set 1, and set 2. The next sets are 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, 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:

	Google Maps Approach to Going Skiing We were talking about skiing in places that I have not been to, like Tunis or Alger. I asked Google Maps about "Tunis ski" and it helpfully interpreted this as a request to drive from the Finnish skiing association to Tunis :-) Helpfully, it also displayed all the speed cameras on this 4000+ km journey ;-) Full story January 2024, Cima Bianca, Bormio, Italy Skiing (None)

	Albania skiing with goats and chicken Topped off my 2023 by skiing in Albania. A bit early season... but friendly people, great restaurant, beautiful scenery. and lots of other skiers on the slopes with goatees and fresh eggs. Ski Pista Bigell, in Dardhe, near Korcë. Full story (TGR version) December 2023, Ski Pista Bigell, Dardhe, Albania Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Mavrovo skiing North Macedonia North Macedonia. I have to confess I did not much about it beforehand, almost anything. We had attempted to arrange a ski trip there once but did not find enough information or people to talk to. So let it be known to everyone: North Macedonia is a major ski destination, with massive mountains with well-organized large ski resorts and specialty services like cat skiing. Much recommended. Full story (TGR version) December 2023, Mavrovo ski resort, Mavrovo, North Macedonia; Helsinki-Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland; Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt, Germany; Zagreb Airport, Zagreb, Croatia; Skopje International Airport, Skopje, North Macedonia Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Flying

	Popova Shapka Popova Shapka is one of the major ski resorts in North Macedonia. Perhaps THE major resort even. At the time I was there, however, in early season it had not yet opened. Wanted to see it though. Full story December 2023, Popova Shapka, Tetovo, North Macedonia Skiing (None); Caving (None)

	Grani slope opening day In 2023, the Grani ski slope opened on 2nd of December. I walked to the hill, a nice experience in the cold morning weather. And I feel lucky for having a ski hill within walking distance, maybe a bit over a kilometer away. On the way back (unless the roads are sanded) it is also downhill, so I can ski big parts of it. Full story December 2023, Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Riihivuori, what a nice place to ski at! Coming back from my visit at the bat cave headquarters, I was faced with a choice: drive straight home with my crappy car and minimize risk of breakdown? Or detour extra two hours via Jyväskylä and visit the a ski hill that I've never been on, Riihivuori? They had just opened... in the end I took the risk. And wow, was it worth it! Full story November 2023, Riihivuori, Jyväskylä, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Opening day + 1 at Vihti... at children's slope... Wow, I missed the opening the day by one day, but no matter. The slopes at Vista are running at full speed! Or slope, rather. There's just the children's training slope. And full speed is not exactly Ludicrous Speed, it felt a bit like standing on a carpet and waiting for it to move. For sure it was worth to pay 39€ for the lift ticket to ski on this for an hour? Still, wonderful. Everyone seemed to be having a lot of good time. I did too! Kudos to Vihti, Hyvinkää, and Talma opening their slopes so early this year! Full story October 2023, Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Sunny, Extremely Icy Birthday. I needed some skiing for that. And, the only real skiing on this side of the planet was in Hintertux, the friendly location for year-around skiing on the glaciers. Sadly, the glaciers are shrinking. Now on first of October their state in Hintertux was worse than last year in the worst of the summer in the end of August. That's not good. But, some ice left. A bit of snow also on top in some places, even some unskied snow! But wow, were the main slopes icy. Extremely icy, as the weather forecast indicated. Full story (TGR version) October 2023, Hintertux, Zillertal, Austria Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Husby Ishall September Skiing I had a much needed trip to see colleagues in Kista. Took the train and the boat and the bus this time... not too bad of a travel mode. Also, since the month is soon over I had to find a place to ski. Mini-skis and the snow pile by the Husby ice skating rink did the trick. Maybe three turns. At least. All obviously on different runs on this half a meter high mountain. September skiing is now done! Full story (TGR version) September 2023, Husby Ishall, Husby, Stockholm, Sweden Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Hiking)

	August turns Check Mini skis. Lapland. Helicopter. Heli-mini-skiing? And big mistakes and miracle rescues. In any case, the turns for August have been completed. I have to ski every month because not doing so would break the long streak. Full story (TGR version) August 2023, Kopmajoken sivurotko, Enontekiö, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Hiking)

	Venice again, no skiing, just heat Many years ago, I tried to find some skiing inVenice. No luck, could not score any snow from local skating rinks, so was unable to plaster the Calatrava Bridge with snow... sad... or maybe good. This year we went back there. Full story July 2023, Venice, Italy Skiing (None); Urban-Exploration (Historic-Sites)

	Skiing in San Francisco... in a garage... on a treadmill Wow. I did not plan for this. But when I learned that this was possible, I just had to go. One hour of my Sunday.... spent skiing in downtown San Francisco. In what looks like a garage. And a sloping treadmill. But, make no mistake. Contrary to my usual style, this is not a crackpot hobbyist scheme, but a commercial operation, the Adventurous Sports. And a place to spot and correct your technique, for the treadmill gives you no room to be sloppy with your form. Full story July 2023, Adventurous Sports, San Francisco, California, USA Skiing (Indoor, Substance-Other)

	July Desperation This is a difficult month. Again. But, Leppävaara to the rescue! A constant stream of fresh snow is being delivered outside the ice skating rink. So why not make a ski hill on the nearby slope? Full story July 2023, Leppävaaran jäähalli, Espoo, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Hiking)

	Happy 1st of May! Traditional 1st of May celebration, on skis. This time on my local hill. Full story May 2023, Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Hiking)

	Tale of three ski ... attempts A tale of three ski … attempts. First, the nice one was in the evening with Dan and Tero in the Snova Shin Yokohama, an indoor facility with interesting “polymer snow” that is complete harmless to human but should be thoroughly washed before leaving 🙂 Full story April 2023, Snova Shin-Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan; Sun Meadows Kiyosato Ski Area, Yamanashi, Japan; Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing (Snow, Indoor); Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, None); Skiing (Snow, Outdoor)

	Sun Meadows Kiyosata ... no skiing for me It was a great plan. Take trains to the Sun Meadows ski resort in Kiyosata, Nagano prefecture, Japan. And then come back at the end of the day, pick up my luggage from the hotel and head to the airport. In the words, I was on a deadline. And I was illiterate... Full story April 2023, Sun Meadows Kiyosato Ski Area, Yamanashi, Japan Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, None)