"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 here:
This web site list some selected blog entries below. There is also a full list and services "approved by the Planetskier". The Planetskier has skied in 64 countries (54 outdoors on snow, 7 of the remaining indoors on snow, and 3 on some other material). The world map below shows these places:
See also the Planetskier blog articles about caving, urban exploration, climbing, cycling, flying, swimming, and saunas.
 | 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 | |
 | 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 | |
 | 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 | |
 | 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 Skiing | |
 | 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 | |
 | 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) | |
 | More Yokohama Forever Snow I've been here before. But now I was again in Yokohama for conference, and also had some friends eager to go skiing. After our meetings were over in Friday evening, Dan, Tero, and me got into a taxi and headed to Snova Shin Yokohama. Full story March 2023 Snova Shin-Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan Skiing (Indoor,Snow) | |
 | March Swinghill Madness My March was super busy at work, and I was also away for extended part of the month. I had to put in my March skiing in early. A Saturday with decent weather seemed like what I should do. I opted for going to Swinghill in Nuuksio, a small but nice hill. The visit turned out to be really nice. The restaurant was booked for some private event, so no snacks for me. But there was a fire in the fire pit outside, which I loved. Full story March 2023 Swinghill, Espoo, Finland Skiing | |
 | Skiing the Mount Parnassus Early morning by the olive trees. Too early, but I have a long drive, 3-4 hours from my hotel to Mount Parnassus, a premier ski resort in Greece. It is perhaps the resort that is known, if anyone has heard of any. A quite magnificent ski resort, I think. Slightly lover than the other one that I visited, Kalavrita, but with more slopes, lifts, and because Mount Parnassus stands alone (prominence: 1,590 m) it feels a much bigger mountain. There is a vast area of snow up there, and only tiny fraction of it is in the ski resort. This would be a wonderful place to do so ski touring! Full story (TGR version) February 2023 Parnassos Ski Centre, Polidrosos, Greece Skiing | |
 | Kalavrita: Highest vertical ski resort in Greece Greece: I have always pictured it as a land of sunshine, warm beaches, and white sand. I clearly had no idea. It is those things, too, particularly in the summer. But in the winter it is surprisingly cold, has a lot of mountainous areas, and yes, IT HAS SNOW AND SKI RESORTS! I tried two of them in February 2023... Full story (TGR version) February 2023 Kalavrita Ski Resort, Kalavrita, Greece Skiing | |
 | Jasná Nízke Tatry - Chopok Our second day of skiing in Slovakia was on Jasná Nízke Tatry, also called Chopok. Chopok is the name of the 2024 meter peak by the highest lift station, few meters lower at 2004 meters. I did climb to the peak as well, going up was easy but coming down was treacherous as it was quite icy. And speaking of ice ... I think either my skis were a bit off sharpness, or the slopes were extremely ice. Actually maybe both. It was difficult to control speed on the steep black runs from the top. Full story (TGR version) January 2023 Jasná Nízke Tatry - Chopok ski area, Demänovská Dolina*, Slovakia; Chopok, Horná Lehota**, Slovakia Skiing*; Climbing** (Mountain) | |
 | Tatranska Lomnica Foggy day. At the top, at least. No matter. Let's ski. Full story (TGR version) January 2023 Tatranska Lomnica, Vysoké Tatry, Slovakia Skiing | |
 | Rain, darkness, and wind: GREAT Zakopane ski experience! Their official name is Koziniec-Ski Sp. z o.o. Czarna Góra - Stacja Narciarska, but I have no idea what any of that means. But they appeared with their lights and ski lifts on from the wet darkness of miserable drive through rain and sleet as we were nearing Zakopane on our return trip from Slovakia. And I needed to ski properly in Poland. In 2011 I was on a through trip and managed to hike up a closed ski hill. Nice, but now I when had an opportunity to ski on an actual open and lit ski slope, I needed to take it! Full story January 2023 Koziniec Ski Stacja Narciarska, Nadwodnia, Czarna Góra, Poland Skiing | |
 | LEGO snow cat Want. Full story January 2023 House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing (None,Equipment) | |
 | Taking the chairlift to September runs I try to ski every month and September is always a difficult one. Today’s run was short, but with full service. Full story (TGR version) September 2022 House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing | |
 | Snowdog finds snow, Planetskier skies it Snowdog found snow! And I skied it, of course :-) Full story (TGR version) July 2022 Kauniaisten jäähalli, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing; Hiking | |
 | Last drive? Only three days of legal driving left. The Volvo goes to a last-ditch cheap attempt to fix it, but, the odds are not great. Took the car for a spin today, along with the 'Genuine Accessories' aka the Volvo 740 skis. Just like the car, however, the skis are aging, one binding's plastic parts disintegrated. No prob, one ski is enough. Full story (TGR version) April 2022 Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing; Car | |
 | Birthday trip, full of fun! How much fun can you pack into one birthday trip? I started with a drink ... non-alcoholic, of course. And then things starting going faster after that: a sauna at the Oberstegen, continued with skiing on the Hintertux Glacier, went for a SUP paddling tour in an ice cave river under that glacier, and ended up climbing to the Grafenloch and Rossstall caves, and doing a 3D model of them. Not bad, and that was just the first day! Maybe for my next birthday I'll try to come with an active program. Full story (TGR version) September 2021 Hintertux, Austria*; Hintertuxer Gletscher Eispalast, Hintertux, Austria**; Grafenloch, Oberaudorf, Germany***; Rossstall, Oberaudorf, Germany***; Gasthof Oberstegen, Stockach, Söll, Austria*****; Gasthof Oberstegen, Stockach, Söll, Austria****** Skiing*; Caving** (Basic,Boating,Surveying,Ice); Caving*** (Basic,Rock,Rock-Limestone,Surveying); Hiking****; Sauna (Normal,Infrared)*****; Travel****** | |
 | July skiing done at the last moment This month's skiing - check. Falling & road rash - check. Edges didn't work so well on rock. Full story (TGR version) July 2021 House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing | |
 | June and the Grani hill is still going strong It is June 6th, and Grani ski hill *still* has snow! Thanks go to the ski hill maintenance team who made and piled a lot of snow during the season. Full story (TGR version) June 2021 Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing | |
 | Not broken It isn't broken. It just needs more duct tape. Full story (TGR version) October 2020 Ruka, Kuusamo, Finland Skiing | |
 | Birthday skitrip This month's skiing was a bit of a challenge. Travel is difficult, unlike in August. Many of things that one could do were already done. Full story (TGR version) September 2020 Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing (Outdoor,Grass,Snow) | |
 | Turns All Year Well, it is a turn. And I was desperate. Full story (TGR version) July 2020 Kauniaisten jäähalli, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing | |
 | A different Ylläs 24 I decided to do my own Ylläs 24 event, to replace the one cancelled in April. It is already June, not a lot of snow remains. But some, and what a wonderful sunshine for the entire 24 hours - midnight sun was shining, as Ylläs is far above the arctic circle. Full story (TGR version) June 2020 Ylläs, Finland Skiing | |
 | A tour of three closed ski areas Wow. Three closed ski areas on one day. 500 kilometers of driving, though, on this avoid-contact-with-others trip. Full story (TGR version) May 2020 Himos, Jämsä, Finland; Kasurila, Siilinjärvi, Finland; Tahko, Finland Skiing | |
 | Summer has been CANCELLED I was sure that the season is over. Then... it started snowing. Full story (TGR version) May 2020 Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing | |
 | Last snow in Grani Now THIS is really the last snow. Two meter long snow patch left... it will be gone by tomorrow. Skied the slope, nevertheless :-) Full story (TGR version) May 2020 Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing (Snow,Grass) | |
 | Patchy skiing in Vihti Tero and I went to Vihti to see if we could still ski it. Vihti is the best, much snow left! A few parts not covered in snow, but one can ski through them! Full story (TGR version) May 2020 Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland Skiing (Snow,Grass) | |
 | Finally, the final run (?) Now THAT may have been the last run of the season. Full story (TGR version) April 2020 Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing | |
 | One more time? One more skiing run? Why not. Also, I have not been to Swinghill in Nuuksio yet this winter. So Tero and I decided to go see if we could ski it. While staying far enough apart to not infect each other :-) Full story (TGR version) April 2020 Swinghill, Espoo, Finland Skiing | |
 | It's a snow day! We can stay home! ... Oh... wait It's a snow day! We can stay home! ... Oh... wait Full story April 2020 Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing | |
 | Snowing in Vihti It still wasn't the last run of the season! Vihti rules! Full story (TGR version) April 2020 Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland Skiing | |
 | Social ski-distancing I wanted to go skiing with my friend Jarmo. But, the dangers of infecting others... Fortunately, we found a solution: skiing at the same time on two separate slopes. Full story (TGR version) April 2020 Peuramaa, Kirkkonummi, Finland Skiing | |
 | Another day, another conference call, another ski run Another day, another conference call, another ski run Full story (TGR version) April 2020 Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing | |
 | Quarantine skiing The last run of the season, under an increasingly tight lockdown. No police barricades were bypassed when making this video, though. And no people approached closer than the 100 meter social distancing limit. Full story (TGR version) March 2020 Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing | |
 | Minefield skiing in Israel Back in the pre-Covid world, I had order cheap Black Friday for a quick stop in Israel, to collect yet another country for skiing. Yes, you can ski in Israel, at Mount Hermon on the border towards Syria and Lebanon. The trip turned out to be apocalyptic both because of the virus and impending world shutdown, but also because of skiing on an area that was just recently a war zone, and near the borders. Got told by the solders multiple times to not continue further. Full story (TGR version) February 2020 Mount Hermon, Israel Skiing | |
 | It really was the last trip... It really was the last trip... for a while. Full story March 2020 House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland Travel | |
 | Ski mask fashion 2020? Is this the ski mask fashion 2020? Full story (TGR version) February 2020 Mount Hermon, Israel Skiing | |
 | Forest Powder in Kopaonik, Serbia Kopaonik is the premier ski resort in Serbia. And I got the premier weather arriving there, in heavy snowfall. Full story (TGR version) December 2019 Kopaonik Ski Area, Kopaonik, Serbia Skiing | |
 | Singapore Skiing. Finally. I've been trying to do this for almost six years. Obviously, it is not easy to find skiing in Singapore. I've been forbidden to ski when there was snow, arrived right after a skiing place had bankrupted, found alternative skiing on off-limits sand, and hidden in despair in caves and abandoned bunkers. But Sport Quest to the rescue! Today I finally managed to ski in Singapore with the help of Sport Quest's indoor facilities at the Snow City. Snow, ice, cold, and on skis. Wonderful! Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) November 2019 Snow City, Singapore, Singapore Skiing (Indoor) | |
 | Rescue team I was worrying about the fate of the locked-up snow, when all of a sudden, some guy in black clothing and black miniskis jumped over the fence and liberated the snow. Amazing! Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) May 2019 Leppävaaran jäähalli, Espoo, Finland Skiing | |
 | So close, yet so far I saw snow today! Outside the Leppävaara skating rink... behind bars. What did that snow do, and why is it locked up, and we're not allowed to play? Full story (TGR version) April 2019 Leppävaaran jäähalli, Espoo, Finland Skiing | |
 | El cheapo ski weekend An el cheapo weekend activity: at Ylläs up North but since we're doing the 24 hour race, u don't need a hotel. 2 hours in, 22 to go. A lot of fun, old friends and, well, basically going fast & non-stop Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) April 2019 Ylläs, Finland Skiing | |
 | Lidingö mountain range: Ekholmsnäsbacken Another week, more work for me in Stockholm. But, I also got to visit another ski hill. My friend John also joined to try out Ekholmsnäsbacken in the small community in the Lidingö island. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) March 2019 Ekholmsnäsbacken, Lidingö, Sweden Skiing | |
 | Tokyo commute. With skis. I only have an evening, not enough to take a Shinkansen to the real mountains. But I do have time to visit yet another Tokyo indoor ski place. This time, the Snova Mizonokuchi! It was fun to ride through downtown Tokyo with my skis and boots, through the train system. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) January 2019 Snova Mizonokuchi, Kawasaki, Tokyo, Japan Skiing (Indoor) | |
 | No car, no skilift, no problem No car, no skilift, no problem! My car is broken, but fortunately, since I live in the world's happiest town, I can walk to the ski hill, ski down to the bus stop, take the public transport to the public swimming pool, and lock my skis in the bike rack. And return by train. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) December 2018 Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland; Keski-Espoon Uimahalli, Espoo, Finland Skiing; Sauna; Swimming (Indoor) | |
 | Slow start to the season: Hahnenkamm The season's first run on the Streif, the famous downhill run from the Hahnenkamm. Why first? Because it was partly on grass... Full story (TGR version) November 2018 Hahnenkamm, Kitzbühel, Austria Skiing | |
 | Opening day at Siberia... I mean Peuramaa Local slopes are open! Peuramaa opened on Nov 30th, Serena on Nov 27th, Vihti Nov 23th, and I don't know about Grani or Swinghill but both are running their snow guns so hopefully soon! Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) November 2018 Peuramaa, Kirkkonummi, Finland Skiing | |
 | Largest indoor ski hall... somewhere between North Korea and Siberia I'm stuck at a meeting in northern China, somewhere between North Korea and Siberia. Abandoned concrete housing projects fill the rainy horizon in this city that no one seems to have heard of. But this does not mean that the locals cannot have nice things. Or me. World's largest indoor ski hall, for instance? Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) September 2018 Wanda Ski Park, Harbin, China Skiing (Indoor) | |
 | Black Snow. Again. I was again at Hintertux for summer skiing, at the low point of the yearly snow cycle. The glaciers were dark... black even. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) August 2018 Hintertux, Austria Skiing | |
 | Skiing San Marino... on the rocks countries_skied++; San Marino! Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) July 2018 Cesta, Monte Titano, San Marino, San Marino Skiing; Climbing | |
 | Canadian Heatwave Snow I had a great Sunday, starting with work work work, with some progress I think, then went skiing, and finally returned to have a nice sauna and a swim at the hotel. And afterwards met some fun new Argentinians from my meeting at a late reception. Full story (TGR version) July 2018 Mont Saint-Sauveur Versant Avila, Quebec, Canada Skiing | |
 | Kazakhstan Pioneer Camp Skiing Back in the Soviet times, pioneer camps were known to be a place for kids to have summer camps, as well as a forum for pushing socialism ideals. But can you find powder at a winter pioneer camp? Apparently you can, as long as you are ready to ride the death trap lifts. And pay your lift rides with vodka. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) February 2018 Elik-Sai Pioneer Camp, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Almatau Pioneer Camp, Almaty, Kazakhstan Skiing | |
 | Holy Vappu! Reject spring. Ski in Pyhä! Party glasses on and champagne in backpack! Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) April 2018 Pyhä, Finland Skiing | |
 | Ski software update Will software update be enough or should I stop at the repair shop? Full story May 2018 Pyhä, Finland Skiing; Equipment | |
 | LA Caving Cave of Munits is a wonderful cave and a sacred site on Simi Hills in San Fernando Valley, half an hour from Los Angeles downtown. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) March 2018 Cave of Munits, Los Angeles, California, USA; Bronson Caves, Los Angeles, California, USA Caving (Rock,Man-made); Urban-exploration (Tunnels,Quarries) | |
 | Skiing in Romania The winter is running out, and even the HR department though that I had too little vacation. So I decided to take some last-minute cheap flights to Romania to ski in my #57th country. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) March 2018 Sinaia, Romania Skiing; Urban-exploration (Ruins) | |
 | Croatia! Europe... the continent of many countries. So many that it is difficult to ski all of them... but on Christmas break I was able to visit Croatia, and finally ski its nice ski areas. What a wonderful experience to ski on mountains towering above the Adriatic Sea, sunshine, powder... Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) December 2017 Sljeme ski area, Zagreb, Croatia; Platak ski area, Soboli, Croatia Skiing | |
 | A Kilometer Inside This is an exceptional opportunity that only opens once a year. Janne and I are crawling in the cave, guided by friendly cavers from the Swedish Speleological Association. We get to see amazing things, from stalactites to "Inre Sjön", a small lake (or rather, a pool) a kilometer into the cave. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) June 2017 Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden; Kanalen, Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden; Bryet, Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden; Galgbergsgrottan, Visby, Gotland, Sweden Caving | |
 | Biking to the ski hill, in boots This morning I woke up and asked myself what would be the most stupid thing I could do today. Can you bike to a ski hill, on your ski boots? Turns out the answer is yes. Although maybe not advisable... Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) May 2017 Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing; Biking | |
 | Dead Cat Margarine Dead cats were blended into margarine and fed to humans. We're going to a secret, abandoned tunnel to meet the ghosts of the cats. But it won't be easy to get there. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) April 2017 Undisclosed Finnish location, Finland Urban exploration (Tunnels); Caving (Man-made) | |
 | Skiing with a drone A few weeks ago I got a present from my IETF friends: a Mavic Pro drone. Thank you! We've already played a lot with it, me, Olli, Janne, and many of our friends, with everyone having loads of fun with the device! Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) April 2017 Peuramaa, Kirkkonummi, Finland; Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland; Sahara, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing; Equipment; Flying | |
 | The Korkberget Files I want to take you to a special place. Janne and I have spent there over 20 days by now. And every day of exploration rewards us with more finds. It is nearby. An old friend. But did we know all of its secrets before? I certainly didn't. Caves in Finland are small. What if I told you about a complex system of caves, with hundreds of meters of tunnels and fifty entrances, including one that you can drive a boat in? Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) December 2016 Korkberget, Kirkkonummi, Finland Caving | |
 | 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) | |
 | 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; Climbing | |
 | Srsly, Smearing Caves with Vaseline???!! We had a disturbing visit to a cave today. Somebody had not only blocked access to this cave, but also smeared vaseline all over the cave, spread broken glass, and so on. Sigh. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) August 2016 Mätikän luola, Masku, Finland Caving | |
 | Anti-Gravity Lift Towers The Swiss are clever innovators. The latest example of this that I saw were the lift towers in Saas Fee. Floating in mid-air, not standing on ground like regular towers. Anti-gravity in action! Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) August 2016 Saas Fee, Switzerland Skiing; Caving (Ice) | |
 | Bruxelles Ski de Plastique Brussels has run out. They do not have enough for themselves, let alone for Greece. The Eurocrisis is getting worse. We're out of snow. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) April 2016 Yeti Ski, Brussels, Belgium Skiing (Outdoor,Plastic) | |
 | Paraguay on Miniskis Have skis, can carry snow, will ski anything. First descent of Paraguay's highest mountain, Cerro Tres Kandu. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) April 2016 Cerro Tres Kandu, Paraguay Climbing; Skiing | |
 | Broken Ribs I had an accident on a horse, skiing an ancient volcano in Africa. As people do. Broken ribs and a horseshoe-shaped bruise on my side. But I did manage to ski the remaining ski areas in Morocco. And ski down with the broken ribs. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) March 2016 Michlifen, Ifrane, Morocco; Jbel Habri, Ifrane, Morocco Skiing; Climbing; Riding | |
 | Cave Skiing I like caves and skiing, of course, but it is rare that the two mix. But in Cervinia there's small cave that you can ski through. If you dare. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) February 2016 Cervinia, Italy Skiing; Caving | |
 | Skiing Africa... by Mule Avalanche pack, check. Skis, check. Mule, check. I am sitting on a mule, on my way to the ski slopes in Oukaïmeden in the Atlas mountains of Morocco. Full story (TGR version) (Suomenkielinen versio) February 2015 Oukaïmeden, Morocco Skiing; Climbing | |
 | 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 (Suomenkielinen versio) July 2013 Tiffindel, South Africa | |
 | Mythbusting Midsummer. Getting desperate with no snow around. But no matter. I will turn to doing something I have wanted to do for a while: testing skiing on dry ice. There's a claim in the Internet that dry ice isn't slippery. I want to know if that is true. So in Mythbusters style I have built a small test slope. I plan to put some dry ice on it and see if it I can ski it. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) June 2013 Tampere and Kauniainen, Finland | |
 | 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 (Suomenkielinen versio) (Svenskt artikeln) June 2013 Cayembe, Ecuador | |
 | June Snow Report June 2nd. Sunny, temperature 25 degrees Celsius. I should be able to find some skiing, right? But the Grani slope seems all too green. Perhaps I should try skiing in Sahara? But I find only sand. But then my luck turned... Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) June 2013 Kauniainen, Finland | |
 | Bird Poo "It is bird poo". I'm looking at the ski area webcam and there is a spot of white on the green. My friend does not believe I'm seeing snow, and she is a local here in Virginia. But I think it is worth a shot, particularly since I have nothing to do on Saturday morning, having completed the week's meetings and heading back to Europe in the evening. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) May 2013 Wintergreen, Virginia, USA | |
 | Inverted Heliski Gotta love the French. Masters of bureaucratic directives. Or circumventing them. Take heliski, for instance. Heliski is illegal in France. But here we are, spending a day with skis and helicopters. For only 60€, to boot. It turns out that it is illegal to use a helicopter to take us to a mountain. But there is nothing that prevents using one take us from a mountain. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) February 2013 Alpe d'Huez, France | |
 | Skiing in Aland It is mid April and the sun is shining. Is there still some snow left somewhere? There is, at Aland! The Aland islands between Sweden and Finland are known for their sunny summers and flat landscape. I took a boat there to investigate if there'd be any skiing. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) April 2013 Germundo Alpin, Aland, Finland | |
 | Denmark Sunshine, snow, skislope, grill, loud Schlager music... Clearly, I must be in ... Denmark. This is a yet another one of my quick Sunday trips, this time to collect my 35th country. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) March 2013 Hedeland Skibakken, Copenhagen, Denmark | |
 | Riders of the Lost
Ash Sunshine. Waves. Jungle. +35C. Weekend alone on a tropical island, with nothing else to do than to listen to the wind and sea. And walk on black sand, or tease the two-meter lizards away from my tent. Wait. Black sand? Giant lizards? What kind of story is this? Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) March 2013 Krakatau, Indonesia | |
 | Vuokatti This sunday's random ski trip almost went to Denmark or Hungary. But we ended up going to Vuokatti instead. I knew where I wanted to go, as soon as ski area closures, flight availability, wife's non-negotiable requirements, and teenager's changing opinions became clear :-) Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) February 2013 Vuokatti, Finland | |
 | Church Visit Christmas is a good time to visit a church. I was dressed up and late from a dinner on Christmas eve. But not so late that I wouldn't have time for some quiet meditation. And a quick ski run. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) December 2012 Helsinki, Finland | |
 | Peuramaa vs. Chamonix This is the burning question everyone has. Should you spend your ski vacation in Peuramaa or Chamonix? The Planetskier is here to answer this difficult question once and for all. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) December 2012 Chamonix, France | |
 | Seasons in Kauniainen My local hill may soon be opening, as they predicted over a foot of snow today. It has not yet arrived, but lets hope it will. Anyone want to join for a pre-season ski run this evening? Bring your old skis... could be grassy or even rocky. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) November 2012 Kauniainen, Finland | |
 | A Night in the Cockpit of a 747 We lost all the instruments. The engines are not responding. I shout mayday to the radio, but the radio is silent. I curse my decision to ever enter the cockpit of this rusty 747-200. This night is going to end badly. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so I decide that it is time to exit the cockpit, run down the stairs, and ... order a drink from the steward. Full story October 2012 Arlanda, Sweden |
A night in the cockpit of a 747 from The Planetskier on Vimeo. |
 | Carrying Skis to 17,000 ft I don't know where to start. Skiing at 17,000 ft? Ice climbing? A night in a tent at 5 kilometers? No acclimatization? The close call with tragedy? Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) May 2012 Cordillera Real, Bolivia |
Skiing at 17,000 ft in Bolivia from The Planetskier on Vimeo. |
 | Zoetermeer Amsterdam. Such a nice place to go skiing. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) September 2012 Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
Amsterdam, what a nice place to go skiing! from The Planetskier on Vimeo. |
 | Ski Trip to London I'm on a ski trip to London. To the site of the 2012 winter Olympics. To the shades of the Tower of London, the highest peak in the country. To the powder fields of Paddington and the couloirs off the Big Ben... Dream on. But I am on a ski trip to London. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) September 2012 London, UK | |
 | Volcan Copahue So close, yet so far. I wanted so much to ski down from Volcán Copahue (2953 meters), but despite trying very hard it was not going to happen. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) August 2012 Caviahue, Argentina | |
 | Plastic Ice This ski area is so hot that it melts your skis. Water would help, and also make the skiing faster. But their sprinkler system is being replaced, and this also happens to be the only day on our vacation when it does not rain. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) July 2012 Edinburgh, UK | |
 | Midnight Sun at Riksgransen Many of my friends are regulars at Riksgränsen. But I had never been to this place that calls itself "Sweden's most legendary ski area". The legends are true. It is an amazing place. For starters, we were there in midsummer, skiing at midnight. In bright sunshine! The ski area is far above the arctic circle, and for about two months in the summer the sun does not set. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) June 2012 Riksgränsen, Sweden | |
 | Venice. Fail. It is the first time this has happened to me, honestly. I am embarrassed. I failed to find skiing on a trip. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) June 2012 Venice, Italy | |
 | Ice Climbing in Espoo. In June. It is Sunday, +10 degrees, raining heavily, and it is the middle of summer in southern Finland. What should I do? Go ice climbing in Espoo, obviously. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) June 2012 Mankkaa, Finland | |
 | Two Feet High We went to Matinkylä, southern Espoo today. One of the largest shopping malls in Finland, Iso Omena ("Big Apple") is located in Matinkylä. But they are also known as the site of M2, a mountain with icy slopes even in the middle of the summer. The steep slopes of M2 rise a whopping two feet above the surrounding landscape, scaring skiers and mountaineers alike. Indeed, very few climbers have climbed it. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) June 2012 Matinkyla, Finland | |
 | Bolivia Is Kind of Close I have finished my meeting in Washington DC and more work awaits me next week in California. But first things first. There's a weekend in between, and what better way to spend the weekend than to fly 16,000 kilometers to Bolivia? Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) May 2012 Cordillera Real, Bolivia | |
 | Hero or Bonehead? While the opinions were split among the spectators that came to talk to me afterwards ("are you the guy who skied that?"), I think the answer is definitely "bonehead". This was just too dangerous. I need to go back to skiing safer slopes. Full story April 2012 Kaprun, Austria | |
 | Spring in Chamonix Chamonix is arguably one of the best ski destinations in the world. If not the best. But can you ski in there in early April, when the rest of France sports sunshine and temperatures nearing +20 degrees? Full story April 2012 Chamonix, France | |
 | Velo avec des Skis Bike to train station with skis on your back, take the TGV, go skiing. That's what I did in Paris. Full story (Suomenkielinen versio) March 2012 Amneville, France | |
 | Six Pictures Everyone has probably seen the Facebook meme on six pictures for what your friends think you do, what you think you, and what you really do. I wanted to make one for skiing. Full story March 2012 Val Thorens, France and Vallnord, Andorra | |
 | Two More Countries I'm heading out today for a two day trip to collect Spain and Andorra. But many countries left. It still feels like the planet has an unending supply of unexplored ski destinations. Full story February 2012 La Molina, Spain and Vallnord, Andorra | |
 | Peuramaa II I've written about Peuramaa and its playground before. But I noticed something new. What strikes me about these visits is the darkness. Full story February 2012 Peuramaa, Kirkkonummi, Finland | |
 | Moominworld Cliffs If I have to spend eight days per year in Moominland, it is clear that I need to come up with something interesting to do there. How about skiing down the President's Cliff? Fifteen meters of near vertical rock. Too bad I forgot my ice axes, because the return was even tricker. Full story February 2012 Moominworld, Naantali, Finland | |
 | Out of Bounds in Les Arcs I was more worried about falling on that vertical wall than the police catching me, but both were real concerns. And then I caused an avalanche. This is a story about my four day trip to Les Arcs, France. Full story February 2012 Les Arcs, France | |
 | Russian Ski Stars I climbed a mountain, and found a ski movie actress from Russia on the top! Full story January 2012 Courchevel, France | |
 | Magnifique Apres-Ski! The best after-ski in the world? Could be. Who would have thought we'd find this in France? Full story January 2012 Val Thorens, France | |
 | Fortress Islands Saturday evening's exercise. Full story January 2012 Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland | |
 | Slope Infinity Skiing in Hong Kong? An infinitely long ski slope? Skis that melt? Ski challenges indoors? Full story November 2011 Slope Infinity, Hong Kong, Hong Kong | |
 | Skiing the Highest Pass in South
Africa Falling in the no-fall zone and other interesting stories. Summary of my 156 000 kilometer ski year. Full story August 2011 Sani Pass, South Africa | |
 | Africa. Snow. AK-47s. I'm glad to be back home in Finland. It was so damn cold in Africa! Full story August 2011 Afriski, Lesotho | |
![](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rB3PEoQl7XE/ThlZyf62-zI/AAAAAAAAAMw/mwlyiKdby8c/s320/blog17_bull.jpg"") | Horseback Skiing in the Himalayas No problem. I had never ridden a horse before, so practicing riding on steep, rocky paths at 3 to 4 kms while carrying ski gear and taking photos sounded like a fun thing to do. Full story June 2011 Rohtang Pass, Himachal Pradesh, India |
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 | Priorities Landed in Delhi for some customer meetings. But first things first, Himalaya is kind of close. Sharing a taxi with my skis for the next 600 kilometers. Lets see if I'll find snow. Full story June 2011 Delhi, India | |
 | Dog Finds Slovenia's Last Snow Dogs that climb. Dragging skis to top of mountains on our backs. Skiing Slovenia's last traces of snow. Meeting with the guy who skied down from the seven summits. Full story May 2011 Češka Koča hut, Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Slovenia | |
 | Skiing Kauniainen at 3AM May, 2011. Its 3AM and I'm about to ski on the local hill in Kauniainen. Full story May 2011 Kauniainen, Finland | |