Norway is usually associated with snow and cold weather in the winter months, but it doesn't mean that Norwegians stay at home when the World Cup comes to town. The World Cup ski event offers a festival at Holmenkollen. People visit during the dat or sleep in tents out in the woods all weekend to take part in the experience. When I was there on Saturday the forest was full of people in sporty clothes and Norwegian flags. Organizers were lucky with the weather this year, as last year, and the sun drew even more people away from the TV and out to see "50 km men", live.
It is wonderful to experience the unity and commitment among the public when the skiers rush past, at a total of six times. If you want to experience Norwegians at their best, but don't have the opportunity to visit Norway on the national day (17th of May), the World Cup in Holmenkollen is a good number two.
You can either buy tickets to enter the actual arena (Holmenkollen), or go out in the woods from Frognerseter and stand along the ski piste. I prefer the latter. Just remember to be out in good time. The subway (line 1, Frognerseteren) takes about 30 minutes from Oslo Central Station and is packed full of people. When I took the subway back home on Saturday we were actually standing in a km long queue. And had to wait before we got room in one of the many subway wagons standing ready to accommodate the crowd, something very unusual in Norway. This is one of my favorite events in Oslo, and I think only May 17th is better. Join me next year!
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