HBS writer and friend of ours Jarkko Henttonen is one of the organisers behind the event, as well the local skier/snowboarder/guide Aadne Olsrud.

A bit more info from the events site:

Tamok Reel Ride is a gathering for action sports enthusiast that takes place in Tamok mountains and village of Øverbygd in Troms from 3rd till 5th December 2010. The festival is open for all interested in skiing, snowboarding, climbing, B.A.S.E jumping or other such action sports and especially movies showcasing these sports. The festival has two elements: hiking and riding in the Tamok mountains during the daytime and movies in the Øverbygd cinema, not forgetting aprés-ski in the local Café Brenneriet.

More info on the event site: http://www.reelride.no/index.html

If you wonder what is Tamokdalen and where it is, here is some more data from their own site:

Tamok is a mountainous area in the municipality of Balsfjord in Troms in northern Norway. The highest peak is close to 1600 m, in all there is 5 1500 m peaks and several dozen 1000+ m tops. Tamok valley, which splits the area in roughly two halfs, has it´s floor roughly 200-250 m above sea level. Because of it´s height the valley and mountains above it are quite snow secure, and usually it´s possible to ride from October to June.

Tamok valley has a road through it, and it is the best place to reach the Tamok mountains. The northern end of the Tamok road (road number 87) joins highway E6/E8 10 kilometers east of Nordkjosbotn, and 10 kilometres south from Oteren if you come from north..

Øverbygd is a small village in the Målselv valley, just south of Tamok, in the municipality of Målselv. Road 87 leads to Øverbygd both from north and west.

So, if you happen to be around go check it out! And I guess in this case “around” might as well mean the whole Scandinavia (or even broader area) – it is well worth the over 1000 km drive…(or you can take a flight to Tromsø city anyway).

If you want to know how the skiing is there, check this clip from Norwegian Missing Link productions. The clip includes Fred Syversen’s massive ski crash we wrote about in May, and lots of nice mountain faces and chutes around Tamokdalen.

Fred Syversen goes big again and crashes hard

The man who did the accidental world record on cliff dropping two season ago, Fred Syversen, has the ability to  make some buzz. Fred  has the reputation to  go all or nothing every time he skis.

Check out this epic cartwheel crash in the video clip  below. This happened during a Missing Link film shoot in northern Norwegian location called Tamokdalen. The line in question and the fall is shown from 1:45 to the very end of the clip.

I though I would break every bone in my body, Fred Syversen admits

Norwegian magazine vg.no tells us a few details in their article about the accident:

The accident happened on friday the 7th of May while skiing a line Fred himself called “hairy”  - a narrow and steep chute including a “three stager” cliff drop. Before the first mandatory air the helicopter filming above sprayed so much snow around that Fred couldn’t see anything. “This is a line where falling is absolutely out of question. Therefore, the helicopter coming so near should never happen! It was a total whiteout. So, I fell anyway and now I am very lucky to have no further damage”, explains Syversen when watching the video of the fall first time.

Again, Fred survived with relatively few injuries – bruised shoulder and hand combined with some scratches on his face.

Fred says that the high speed might have saved him from more serious injuries. At speed the momentum goes more forward than just hard down. However, Fred still admits that he was afraid of breaking every bone in his body (Note: And we believe that!). In the end of the fall, entering the “runout” zone, Fred also had some good luck when avoiding the sharp rocks lurking in both sides of his path.

Fred Syversen looks forward for a quick recovery – another freeride competition in June?

After all Fred doesn’t blame the helicopter pilot for the accident. Everyone who was on the filming team has spoken out about what happened.

“What is happening (in the video) is that I try to stop desperately because of not seeing anything in the snow cloud. Eventually I realize that I just can’t stop and choose to take the downhill option…”

After landing the first drop Fred started a dramatic series  of  cartwheels for several hundred meters until he finally stopped. First Fred was afraid of dislocating his shoulder but a check in hospital excluded this. Fred is still out of skiing for a while to heal the shoulder and hand. But he looks forward to be back in a freeride camp in Stryn, Norway held on the 10th of June.

We hope fast recovery for Fred and wish all the luck in the future too. Seems like being a professional freerider requires quite a lot of it – and a built of a tank in addition!

Ski photo by Aadne Olsrud, other photos are screenshots from the video. Ps. I just chatted with Aadne. He was on the accident site and picked up Fred on his snowmobile after the fall and drove him to the heli. I’ll try to talk with him soon and ask some more questions!

Aadne Olsrund is our mate living in Tamokdalen, Norway. Although early January is pretty quiet up there, a fellow skier told Aadne about the remains of a huge avalanche. Aadne decided to take a look, and what he found was maybe not the biggest avalanche on Earth but very big and literately massive.

This “avalanche from hell” was a wide giant of about 700-800 meters  that slid over one kilometer pushing the snow down into a valley. According to Aadne, the thickest part of the slab was well over 3,5 meters. The slope is only about 20-25 degrees steep, but in lower section the grade becomes 30-40 degrees.

Avalanches are classified by their morphological characteristics, and are rated by either their destructive potential or the mass of the downward flowing snow. Some of the morphological characteristics used to classify avalanches include the type of snow involved, the nature of the failure, the sliding surface, the propagation mechanism of the failure, the trigger of the avalanche, the slope angle, direction, and elevation. Avalanche size, mass, and destructive potential are rated on a logarithmic scale, typically made up of 4 to 7 categories, with the precise definition of the categories depending on the observation system or forecast region.

I guess in the European avalanche size table this avalanche is considered “large” (biggest one on scale 1-4). Any arguments?

In avalanches the snow pack is composed of deposition layers of snow that are accumulated over time. The deposition layers are stratified parallel to the ground surface on which the snow falls. Each deposition layer indicates a distinct meteorological condition during which the snow was accumulated. Once deposited a snow layer will continue to evolve and develop under the influence of the meteorological conditions that prevail after deposition.

For an avalanche to occur, it is necessary that a snow pack have a weak layer (or instability) below a slab of cohesive snow. “I wasn’t able to recognize layers in snow cubes, but they I can say they were huge and hard as concrete“, says Aadne.

Avalanches are always caused by an external stress on the snow pack, they are not random or spontaneous events. Natural triggers of avalanches include additional precipitation, radiative and convective heating, rock fall, ice fall, and other sudden impacts; however, even a snow pack held at a constant temperature, pressure, and humidity will evolve over time and develop stresses, often from the down slope creep of the snow pack.

Human triggers of avalanches include skiers, snowmobiles, and controlled explosive work. The triggering stress load can be either localized to the failure point, or remote. Localized triggers of avalanches are typified by point releases from solar heated rocks. Remotely triggered avalanches occur when a tensile stress wave is transmitted through the slab to the start zone, once the stress wave reaches the start zone a fracture initiates and propagates the failure.

These pictures from Aadne are truly impressive. Personally I have never seen anything similar out there and I hope I never get the chance to either. I mean I would rather stay away from such avalanches. I just wonder if Aadne was worried about a second avalanche when standing in front of that giant snow wall..

Have you witnessed anything similar? If yes, please share your experience by leaving a comment. If you have photos and you would like to share them with our readers, please send them to info@fiercermedia.com.

If you are new to backcountry skiing you might be interested in checking our ultimate backcountry ski gear list.

Here are few examples of huge avalanches.

This is what a huge avalanche can do. This occurred in Argentiere, France back in 99. I woke up 6 am in Chamonix and went photographing when I saw helicopters flying. In an hour I started receiving phone calls and heard about the disaster. It was a sad day for many.

I asked Dave to describe their contest.

“Basically it’s a competition to win a short break for two at Lyngen Lodge. Winners will enjoy a two day Norwegian experience, including a boat trip to see whales and sea-eagles, skiing and “snow-shoeing” under the Northern Lights.  In the evenings the lodge is the perfect place to relax, with fine dining, superb guest rooms, and an outdoor hot-tub overlooking the fjord.  Return flights to Tromso are included with Norwegian airline, as are transfers from the airport”, said Dave.

I have skied and traveled in Norway and I know our neighboring country is absolutely beautiful. So, join the contest now,because if you win you won’t be disappointed.

“It’s free to enter and the winners will be selected at random in December, and the holiday will be taken in February 2010 (alternative dates may be offered). I have attached a couple of photos of Lyngen“, Dave continues.

Not a bad contest at all! This fantasic prize – worth over £2000 – includes return flights to Tromsø with Norwegian, airport transfers in Norway, and three nights full board accommodation at Lyngen Lodge.

Few days ago here in Homeboy headquarters we wondering “whazzup with our buddy Fred?” and decided to ask him. Here’s a quick update from Fred Syversen, the Norwegian Viking.

Homeboy: What up, Fred? How is life treating you?

Fred: I am preparing for winter, it’s already on here in Norway. Couple of ski stations opening this weekend. Otherwise I have been busy with SteepZone, our company. Next week I am going to a skishow in London in order to promote my new skisponsor Whitedot Freeride, and later I will travel to the factory to produce a pro model. This is the same factory that produces Burton snowboards. Otherwise looking for some sponsors for this winter.

Homeboy: What kind of plans have you got for the upcoming ski season?

Fred: Well, it depends a little on the snow conditions.. Most probably I will start the season here in Norway and then I will be on my way to Chamonix. I have also planned a roadtrip in Canada in end of January, and that will include visiting a number of ski resorts. I am really looking forward to that trip.

Fred: There will also be some filming in Norway in the end of February and probably March. I will also film with Perfect Moment / Nuit de la Glisse, I’ll go on a cinema film tour with them in the beginning of this season.

Homeboy: What were the highlights of last season?

Fred: Last winter was very good in Europe, and I had a good season. I had some really good filming with Perfect Moment / Nuit de la Glisse and some good pics done, so it was a blast, even though I would have liked to have some more filming done. I’ll see to that this winter!

Homeboy: Couple of years ago you broke the world record on cliff dropping. Did anything change in your life after that huge 117 meter fall?

Fred: It’s been going off ever since, it’s pretty crazy. Now I hope more people can get to know my skiing

Homeboy: Who do you think will win Freeride World Tour this year?

Fred: I am not so much into comps, much more interested in filming. Filming is forever, nobody remembers who won a comp last year. Is it 2 or 3 world tours now, I lost track. Honestly, I have no idea who is up for a win this winter, it’s a bunch of good skiers out there. But I wish everybody a good winter

Thanks Fred for this quick update! We hope you have a great season. See you in Chamonix!

Marko’s list made me ponder where I would like to ultimately use that set-up. Where would I go if I could choose any destination and do some ski touring? Let’s exclude lift/heli-assisted stuff for the time being…

These days I am more of a resort/”slackcountry” skier.  My wife and I have two small children. This means family trips, and  my wife likes to ski too on the holidays. So, my backcountry/ski touring days are pretty limited at the moment. However, some years ago I skied quite a lot more: I guess I have some 500 days under my belt spent skiing and snowboarding  in the Alps/Slovakian Tatras/Northern Finland or Norway during the years 1996-2004.  Marko and I met in Chamonix – the European backcountry skiing/mountaineering “Mecca”, and I probably have had some of my very best days there and have made all sorts of great ski/snowboarding friends. However, if someone were to ask what the most beautiful place where I have ever skied is, the answer is pretty clear: The Lyngen Alps in Northern Norway. And Lyngen is all about man-powered ascents – Norway has strict rules of no helis, no big lifts, no sleds on Lyngen Peninsula unless you are a local reindeer farmer, etc., which in my opinion is pretty cool – that policy keeps most the crowds away for sure!

The yearly Lyngen ski trip has became almost obligatory for some Finnish freeriders and ski tourers. After all, the place is located only about 60 km from the Finnish border. I haven’t paid much attention to articles on Lyngen skiing in recent years (a defensive reaction, knowing that those trips are pretty unaccessible for me at the moment) but last Saturday I happened to see a  TV clip that definately got my attention. You can watch the clip on this site – it is in Finnish but wait a while and there is an interview of Graham Austick, the owner of the Lyngen Lodge, in English.

Lyngen Lodge offers something different

Lyngen Lodge is a touring skiing/outdoor sports center located in Djupvik i Lyngen on the shore line of the eastern side of the Lyngen Fjord approximately 2.5 hours east of the city of Tromsø along route E6. The lodge offers all modern luxuries and acts a a base camp for client’s adventures.

The real deal is the boat reserved for client ski trips. The motor boat, the Spirit of Lyngen, will provide transportation to the ski locations, making several lines possible that aren’t accessible on any other vehicle (see more here). How cool is that?

Skiing in Lyngen Peninsula, Northern Norway

To quote Lyngen Lodge’s site:

“With over 60 summits over 1000m flanking the Lyngen Fjord’s shores, skiers are provided with an incredible choice of terrain. Lyngen Lodge is located 500km inside the Arctic Circle and due to the high Northern latitude the sun’s glancing rays have less effect on the snow. By mid February the polar nights have been already replaced with 7 hours of sunshine by mid May it’s the midnight sun.

Avergage summit heights are around 1000m to 1200m but on the high glaciers of the main Lyngen Peninsula there are summits over 1400m with Jiehkkevarri being the highest at 1834m above sea level.”

Well, I have to admit that at this age and in this life situation a ski touring trip with all the modern comforts of Lyngen Lodge and the luxurious boat transfer to the start of the lines sounds pretty damn tempting. Maybe in a few years when the kids are a little older and maybe, just maybe, if the economical situation allows…heh. Tents and camping in the mountains are cool but you must remember that in Norway it can be pure rain at times and the weather will change every fifteen minutes or so. Call me a lazy old fart but at least I can defend myself with the fact that you still have to walk uphill with your own legs…

So, to summarize: Lyngen Lodge sounds like a dream ski touring trip to me!

All pictures by Antti Zetterberg, used with permission

Probably the best ski resort of Nordic countries is Stryn in Norway. While many other ski resorts close for the summer due to lack of snow, in Stryn they usually get meters of snow in early June. Numbers of people travel to Stryn to ski the backcountries or hit the freestyle parks.

Stryn is located 500 kilometers to North-West from Oslo, the capitol of Norway. Stryn village is located 40 kilometers away from the ski resort and it offers all needed services. Those travelling from Stockholm Sweden have about 900 kilometer distance from the capitol of Sweden.

Stryn is definitely a wonderful ski resort with over two kilometers high peaks. The lowest lift station is located in 1060 vertical meters and the highest station in 1580 meters. By this skiers get 520 vertical meters. Only two lifts are open, but it is enough to serve summer skiers.

Many professional skiers go training in Stryn, and that’s why the parks and halfpipes are kept open every day. If you go skiing at Stryn on summer time, you can stay in the cottage village nearby the sea where climate is warmer than in the mountain. There are other activities also available, such as paddling, beach volley and fishing. Nearby lakes have for example salmon and trouts.

What is really special in Stryn on summer time is that you can go surfing at midnight. As you might know, the Sun does not set on midsummer in northern countries. After a good day of skiing you can have a small break and then continue surfing the whole night. It takes two hours of driving to Hoddevik, the surf spot of Stryn.

Cold Facts of Stryn

• Lowest lift station at 1060 meters
• Highest lift station at 1580 meters
• Inhabitants 6800
• Number of lifts 2
• Slopes open 10am to 4 pm
• Halfpipe yes
• Freestyle park yes
• Ski pass price for adults for 5 days 1090 NOK ($216)
• Ski rental for 6 days 750 NOK ($149)

More about Stryn Summer Ski.

Second place was taken by American Ted Ligety with time 2.18,19 and the third one was Finnish Kalle Palander with time 2.18,26. Kalle performed almost perfect skiing with a couple of mistakes in the beginning of the track, but it was not enough to win Ligety. I was a bit surprised with Palander’s third place because as Kalle says, training season has been difficult.

American Bode Miller was 17th. after the first round but finally climbed to the fifth place. It will be interesting to see if Miller is going to stay among the top skiers.