Kings and Queens on Snow

From saga kings to modern monarchs, skiing has always been royal ground in Norway. Heimskringla tells how Olav Tryggvason and Harald Hardråde mastered the skis, and even King Øistein and his brother Sigurd once settled disputes on snowy slopes.

Centuries later, Crown Prince Olav (later King Olav V) embraced the sport with daring ski jumps at Holmenkollen, winning admiration for both skill and courage. His father, King Haakon VII, skied alongside the people, even during the war years when snowy hills became symbols of freedom and unity.

By the 1950s, royal participation at Holmenkollen had become a cherished tradition, reminding Norwegians that skiing is more than sport – it is heritage, pride, and identity. As one saying goes: “You can’t be a Norwegian king unless you ski.”

When you ski with SkiTromsø, you’re not only discovering the Arctic wilderness – you’re sharing in a royal tradition that has shaped Norway’s history and spirit for over a millennium.

(Source: Skienes verden – Jacob Vaage (1979), Nasjonalbiblioteket)