Every year, thousands of skiers participate in Birkebeinerrennet. A lot is at stake, but at least they don't have to deal with a civil war in the tracks. 800 years ago, two men of the Birkebeiner group followed the same route to get the newborn future king Haakon Haakonssøn to safety during a turbulent and dangerous time in Norway.
21/02/2008 :: Ski enthusiasts have come long distances since 1932 to participate in the 54 kilometre long Birkebeinerrennet. And it's a historical path they're following.
The trip over the mountains from Lillehammer to Østerdalen 800 years ago was dominated by terrible weather conditions for the brave Birkebeiner men. A civil war was raging throughout Norway, with chiefs and kings fighting over power and influence. The Birkebeiner group's newborn royalty, Haakon Haakonssøn was in great danger and with the enemy, the Balgers, in close pursuit, two Birkebeiners took a dangerous journey to bring the young child to safety with his chief, King Inge.
Haakonssøn grew up to be a strong leader and was responsible for ending the destructive civil war. Under his leadership, Norway experienced its most prosperous years in the Middle Ages, and thus the historical ski trip had a great influence on Norwegian history.
It's not just the Birkebeiner ski competition that illustrates the Norwegian passion for skiing this March. World Cup competitions in Oslo, Lillehammer and Drammen, children's ski day in Holmenkollen and the snowboard competition Artic Challenge are only some of the events that have drawn people of all ages out to the snow-filled Norwegian slopes. Even 800 years after the Birkebeiner skis saved Haakon Haakonssøn, there exists no doubt that Norwegians know how to appreciate a good ski trip.
(Based on information from www.birkebeiner.no, the race's official website)
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs