Skiing – A Royal Sport

Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen once wrote:

“Skiing is a royal sport in Norway.”

And indeed, skiing has long stood as a noble activity above most other athletic endeavors. It has transcended social classes and age groups, evolving into a central part of our national culture and, quite literally, into the lives of kings.

Royal Footsteps in the Snow

The Norwegian sagas tell of how King Olav Tryggvason was said to ski better than anyone else. King Harald Hardråde (1030) even counted skiing among his knightly skills. And in the 12th century, King Øistein’s saga mentions how he and his brother Sigurd competed on skis to settle disagreements.

But skiing wasn't only a pastime of ancient kings. In more recent times, royal enthusiasm helped elevate skiing’s status as a serious national sport.

The Crown Prince Who Could Fly

When Crown Prince Olav (later King Olav V) was introduced to skiing, he quickly embraced it. His early ski gear included boots made of furs and leather straps, and his first skis were fitted at the Royal Palace. Soon, he was competing in ski jumps, some of them quite daring.

As a youth, he raced at Holmenkollen and other legendary venues. Despite setbacks (like equipment failure mid-air), he demonstrated not only courage but also the resilience and sportsmanship that would later define his reign.

He took 4th place in the prestigious Landsrennet competition in 1923 and impressed so much that his sportsmanship was praised publicly by King Haakon.

When Kings Joined the People on the Slopes

King Haakon VII himself took part in skiing events, including tobogganing at Holmenkollen. He urged the royal family to join the people on snowy hills, even during Norway’s darkest years under occupation. During World War II, Holmenkollen's slopes remained symbols of resistance and freedom, sometimes used for illegal races in the forest. In 1946, over 100,000 Norwegians returned to Holmenkollen in a powerful gesture of unity and national pride.

From Symbol to Ceremony

In 1956, King Haakon was awarded the Holmenkollen Medal, Norway’s highest skiing honor. Crown Prince Olav followed in his tracks, engaging deeply in competitions and youth skiing programs. At races, he observed technique, noted times, and even humorously wagered to "eat his cap" if a skier kept their pace.

The monarchy's deep engagement in skiing culminated in annual appearances at Holmenkollen, where thousands would cheer on the royal family just as they did the athletes.

Legacy and Inspiration

From saga kings to modern monarchs, skiing has run like a thread through Norwegian leadership. Their participation elevated skiing not only as a sport but as a unifying force in our national identity.

As the final line from a Holmenkollen speech reminds us:

“You can’t be a Norwegian king unless you ski.”