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.

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
Alternate link

January 2023, Koziniec Ski Stacja Narciarska, Nadwodnia, Czarna Góra, Poland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

December snow at Vihti
While my car was broken again (long story...) I got a ride from a friend to visit Vihti ski center again. I started my Finnish ski season here in November, but it seems that I'm skiing here again in December. No complaints, it is a great place to ski in. And the snowmageddon in southern Finland has laid plenty of nice powdery stuff on the hill.
Full story
Alternate link

December 2022, Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

London skiing. On a side of a building.
One thing you do not expect when strolling in London is a huge mural on the side of a building, depicting skiing and ski lifts. Well done, South Kensington!
Full story
Alternate link

November 2022, Reece Mews Ski Mural, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
Skiing (None, Media)

Season is on again! Only six months break in Vihti and Hyvinkää
I opened my official Finnish ski season on 16th of November in Vihti. Vihti actually opened already on the 14th and Hyvinkää had already had sessions from October 24th. The last seasons ended on May 10th in Vihti and May 9th in Hyvinkää, so only 5.5 - 6 months summer break! Well done!
Full story
Alternate link

November 2022, Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

October turns at the x-country ski hall
The city of Helsinki maintains a previously commercial Kivikko indoor ski hall. It has been scheduled for closing, however, due to rising energy costs and small number of users. Hopefully that decision can be turned! But. It is an *x-country* ski hall, how can one enjoy it for downhill skiing? To begin with, I was wondering if I'd be allowed in with my ski boots and alpine skis. But no one batted an eyelid... and I put them in touring mode, which made progress on the track nice. And then .. there is about a 4-5 meter slope along the track... I switched to "skating" mode and side of the track... voilà!
Full story
Alternate link

October 2022, Kivikon hiihtohalli, Helsinki, Finland
Skiing (Indoor)

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
Alternate link

September 2022, House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Snow Centre Again
I was coming from North America, and had a long layover in Heathrow. (There's always a layover in Heathrow, isn't there?) What to do? Drive to Hernel Hempstead and its Snow Centre, of course!
Full story
Alternate link

August 2022, Hernel Hempstead, London, United Kingdom
Skiing (Indoor)

Snowdog finds snow, Planetskier skies it
Snowdog found snow! And I skied it, of course :-)
Full story
Alternate link

July 2022, Kauniaisten jäähalli, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Hiking

Ski, sail, sauna, and swim
A fun day, starting with emergency skiing 🎿 the quickly disappearing snow on my local hill at 6am, continued with sailing ⛵️to Suomenlinna on Markus’ boat - thanks! From then on the company picnic day was just starting 🙂 Lot more fun followed, e.g., a sauna 🧖‍♂️ and swim 🏊‍♂️ in the Suomenlinna boat harbor.
Full story
Alternate link

June 2022, Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland; Suomenlinnan vierasvenesatama, Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland; Cafe Bar Valimo, Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Sailing; Sauna (Normal); Swimming (Water, Outdoor, Waterbody-Sea)

May melt at Hyvinkää's Switzerland
It is May, but Hyvinkää's "Switzerland" ski resort is still going. Signs of melt are there, however... but a lot of fun in the sunshine!
Full story
Alternate link

May 2022, Hyvinkään Sveitsin hiihtokeskus, Hyvinkää, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

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
Alternate link

April 2022, Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Car

Skinning Mt. Titlis
Titlis is a 3238 m high mountain above the Engelberg ski resort in Switzerland. Engelberg is a great place for skiing early or later in the winter, like now we were skiing here in April.
Full story
Alternate link

April 2022, Engelberg, Switzerland; Titlis, Engelberg, Switzerland; Engelberg, Switzerland
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Climbing (Mountain); Caving (None, Rock)

Make the trip to the airport count
Conference is over, time to head to the airport. How about an early wakeup, and trying to make the trip count as something interesting? I headed to the hotel sauna, then hit slopes in Semmering (one hour away), climbed and lidar-scanned a couple of caves, and still had time to check the apres ski in St. Corona ski resort :-) There was none.
Full story
Alternate link

March 2022, Hilton Vienna Park, Vienna, Austria; Semmering, Austria; St. Corona, Austria; Semmeringhalbhöhle, Semmering, Austria; Schrägaufzughöhle, Semmering, Austria
Sauna (Normal); Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Caving (Rock, Basic, Surveying, Rock-Limestone); Climbing (Mountain)

Cyprus Smuggling White Powdery Stuff over the Border
More countries. I am standing at the parking lot of Mt. Olympus in Cyprus, having just skied it. There's plenty of snow in the snowbanks by my car. North Cyprus is an hour and half's drive away. Sadly, there are no high mountains or ski resorts in North Cyprus. But could I pack snow in the trunk of my car, take it across the border, and ski somewhere? Let's try!
Full story
Alternate link

February 2022, Field, Özhan, Northern Cyprus
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Hiking)

Wurmberg Busy Skihill in Harz
I've never heard of this place. But, it is a cozy national park, relaxing, forest, some caves around... and it is also a 971 meter high mountain, the highest in Lower Saxony. So obviously there's a ski resort with lifts. Including a gondola! The views are nice, the weather like sunny, and to my luck there was also some fresh snow on the sides of the ski slopes. Can't complain.
Full story
Alternate link

February 2022, Wurmberg, Harz, Germany
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

Skiing Mt. Troodos in Cyprus
In February 2022, I felt like I wanted to ski in a new country, a destination that had been in my mind for a long time. I booked Lufthansa flights to get there, and wow, was it worth it! The biggest snow dump in a decade had just arrived on Mt. Troodos even though they don't get snow at all on some years. I skied forest powder all day long... and the atmosphere was relaxed and happy. Very happy that I got here. A wonderful mountain!
Full story
Alternate link

February 2022, Mount Olympus, Troodos Mountains, Cyprus
Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

This is the 6th set of articles. The previous sets were set 1, set 2, set 3, set 4, and set 5. The next sets are 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, set 22, set 23, set 24, and set 25.

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:

	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 Alternate link January 2023, Koziniec Ski Stacja Narciarska, Nadwodnia, Czarna Góra, Poland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	December snow at Vihti While my car was broken again (long story...) I got a ride from a friend to visit Vihti ski center again. I started my Finnish ski season here in November, but it seems that I'm skiing here again in December. No complaints, it is a great place to ski in. And the snowmageddon in southern Finland has laid plenty of nice powdery stuff on the hill. Full story Alternate link December 2022, Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	London skiing. On a side of a building. One thing you do not expect when strolling in London is a huge mural on the side of a building, depicting skiing and ski lifts. Well done, South Kensington! Full story Alternate link November 2022, Reece Mews Ski Mural, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom Skiing (None, Media)

	Season is on again! Only six months break in Vihti and Hyvinkää I opened my official Finnish ski season on 16th of November in Vihti. Vihti actually opened already on the 14th and Hyvinkää had already had sessions from October 24th. The last seasons ended on May 10th in Vihti and May 9th in Hyvinkää, so only 5.5 - 6 months summer break! Well done! Full story Alternate link November 2022, Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	October turns at the x-country ski hall The city of Helsinki maintains a previously commercial Kivikko indoor ski hall. It has been scheduled for closing, however, due to rising energy costs and small number of users. Hopefully that decision can be turned! But. It is an x-country ski hall, how can one enjoy it for downhill skiing? To begin with, I was wondering if I'd be allowed in with my ski boots and alpine skis. But no one batted an eyelid... and I put them in touring mode, which made progress on the track nice. And then .. there is about a 4-5 meter slope along the track... I switched to "skating" mode and side of the track... voilà! Full story Alternate link October 2022, Kivikon hiihtohalli, Helsinki, Finland Skiing (Indoor)

	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 Alternate link September 2022, House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Snow Centre Again I was coming from North America, and had a long layover in Heathrow. (There's always a layover in Heathrow, isn't there?) What to do? Drive to Hernel Hempstead and its Snow Centre, of course! Full story Alternate link August 2022, Hernel Hempstead, London, United Kingdom Skiing (Indoor)

	Snowdog finds snow, Planetskier skies it Snowdog found snow! And I skied it, of course :-) Full story Alternate link July 2022, Kauniaisten jäähalli, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Hiking

	Ski, sail, sauna, and swim A fun day, starting with emergency skiing 🎿 the quickly disappearing snow on my local hill at 6am, continued with sailing ⛵️to Suomenlinna on Markus’ boat - thanks! From then on the company picnic day was just starting 🙂 Lot more fun followed, e.g., a sauna 🧖‍♂️ and swim 🏊‍♂️ in the Suomenlinna boat harbor. Full story Alternate link June 2022, Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland; Suomenlinnan vierasvenesatama, Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland; Cafe Bar Valimo, Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Sailing; Sauna (Normal); Swimming (Water, Outdoor, Waterbody-Sea)

	May melt at Hyvinkää's Switzerland It is May, but Hyvinkää's "Switzerland" ski resort is still going. Signs of melt are there, however... but a lot of fun in the sunshine! Full story Alternate link May 2022, Hyvinkään Sveitsin hiihtokeskus, Hyvinkää, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	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 Alternate link April 2022, Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Car

	Skinning Mt. Titlis Titlis is a 3238 m high mountain above the Engelberg ski resort in Switzerland. Engelberg is a great place for skiing early or later in the winter, like now we were skiing here in April. Full story Alternate link April 2022, Engelberg, Switzerland; Titlis, Engelberg, Switzerland; Engelberg, Switzerland Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Climbing (Mountain); Caving (None, Rock)

	Make the trip to the airport count Conference is over, time to head to the airport. How about an early wakeup, and trying to make the trip count as something interesting? I headed to the hotel sauna, then hit slopes in Semmering (one hour away), climbed and lidar-scanned a couple of caves, and still had time to check the apres ski in St. Corona ski resort :-) There was none. Full story Alternate link March 2022, Hilton Vienna Park, Vienna, Austria; Semmering, Austria; St. Corona, Austria; Semmeringhalbhöhle, Semmering, Austria; Schrägaufzughöhle, Semmering, Austria Sauna (Normal); Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts); Caving (Rock, Basic, Surveying, Rock-Limestone); Climbing (Mountain)

	Cyprus Smuggling White Powdery Stuff over the Border More countries. I am standing at the parking lot of Mt. Olympus in Cyprus, having just skied it. There's plenty of snow in the snowbanks by my car. North Cyprus is an hour and half's drive away. Sadly, there are no high mountains or ski resorts in North Cyprus. But could I pack snow in the trunk of my car, take it across the border, and ski somewhere? Let's try! Full story Alternate link February 2022, Field, Özhan, Northern Cyprus Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Hiking)

	Wurmberg Busy Skihill in Harz I've never heard of this place. But, it is a cozy national park, relaxing, forest, some caves around... and it is also a 971 meter high mountain, the highest in Lower Saxony. So obviously there's a ski resort with lifts. Including a gondola! The views are nice, the weather like sunny, and to my luck there was also some fresh snow on the sides of the ski slopes. Can't complain. Full story Alternate link February 2022, Wurmberg, Harz, Germany Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)

	Skiing Mt. Troodos in Cyprus In February 2022, I felt like I wanted to ski in a new country, a destination that had been in my mind for a long time. I booked Lufthansa flights to get there, and wow, was it worth it! The biggest snow dump in a decade had just arrived on Mt. Troodos even though they don't get snow at all on some years. I skied forest powder all day long... and the atmosphere was relaxed and happy. Very happy that I got here. A wonderful mountain! Full story Alternate link February 2022, Mount Olympus, Troodos Mountains, Cyprus Skiing (Outdoor, Snow, Lifts)