<< The white desert

There’s not quite a feeling as going skiing in the evenings in winter. And I know this comment is not entirely in the sympathy of many people around me including my boss.

And to a certain point I guess they do have a point. What can you possibly find in the dark, in the middle of a forest, in -16Co? 

What can be so enticing about freezing life threatening temperatures in conditions obviously not meant for people?

The answer is actually quite simple: Peace.

It’s rather complicated to put it out in words. I think Beate Grimrud’s words in God Jul, Hvor er du? say it better: a white dessert.

It’s a bit of a religious experience. Endlessly snow dunes under the light of the stars with mountain silhouettes on the background. Not really there, not entirely here. 

An experience fully clearing your mind, air so pure that it hurts your lungs and the constant movement, interrupted only by the sound of the skis on the snow, the wind among the trees or even maybe the falling snow melting on your face.

I remember vividly the first time I took this trip on my own. We were fairly deep into the winter and the track around the place I live was already covered in snow. Now, there’s a part of it that goes through the forest. There’s hardly any type of light there and it’s (quite honestly) a bit scary; yet exciting, especially if you have never done anything like that before. 

As I went into the forest the headlamp on my head seemed to reduce its capacity, and for a moment I thought it might have to do with the batteries (which is an important inconvenience in this type of situation) but suddenly, I came to a clear in the forest and… there it was:

The most beautiful and peaceful scene I have ever seen! Just the ski track under the moonlight and the lights coming from my town right up front!

I have to say I love skiing, and I love sharing a good trip with friends just for the sake of having a conversation. But going out alone at night has a different feeling though. In the darkness, in the middle of the white desert... 

I’m still having a conversation, a very deep one with myself… and god.

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