HAFJELL, Norway — Skiers adn snowboarders hitting the slopes of Hafjell, Norway this week for “Cutting Thursday” faced less-than-ideal conditions, prompting concerns about the impact of climate change on winter sports. With temperatures hovering around 11 degrees Celsius (52 degrees Fahrenheit) and persistent rain, the sun was notably absent, leaving a large puddle of brown water to greet tourists at the Gaiastova base.
Despite the weather, spirits remained high among many visitors, including rapper Jo almaas Marstein, 22, of the popular group “Underground,” who is scheduled to perform for party-tuned skiers later tonight. Marstein,on his first visit to the ski resort,remarked on the unseasonal conditions.
“I just came here, but it feels great, it feels national romantic,” Marstein told Dagbladet. “I don’t know if we have the climate crisis to thank for those things here,” he added, gesturing towards the puddle.
Not everyone was deterred by the weather. Friends Shiyaram Siyasubraniam, 27, and Youssef Azouagh, 27, were also there to enjoy themselves.”It could have been a little better. I was here last year and then the sun was shining, but now fog and a lot of rain have been reported,” Azouagh said, adding that he had a bottle of Jägermeister in his jacket pocket.
Siyasubraniam, though, was undeterred. “The weather doesn’t stop me, and he doesn’t stop either,” he said, gesturing toward his friend.
Azouagh added, “I think I need to get some more alcohol, and then we get a little…” Siyasubraniam quickly interjected, “You can’t say it on live TV.”
Azouagh countered that he knows the alcohol law well, and reprimands his buddy track: “You can’t advertise alcohol, but it is allowed to talk about alcohol! he says and laughs.”
Siyasubraniam clarified, “I’m not drinking.”
Elias, accompanied by friends Leo and Julian, shared a more optimistic outlook, revealing he had just spent 92 kroner (approximately $8.50 USD) on three meat sausages. “Tomorrow it will be good,” Elias exclaimed. “It will be ‘Shred,’ this will be good!”
When asked about their plans for the remainder of Easter, the group enthusiastically responded, “‘Shredde’ II park. ‘Shredde’ mass. Do lots of cool tricks.”
Margrethe, 14, expressed her disappointment with the lack of snow. “It’s a little sad that there is not so much snow then, I think it is indeed very sad,” she said. “Otherwise,
