A pre Afterski

As the Afterski party looms ever closer, myself and a brave Norwegian named Lars set off into the wilds of Sognsvann to ski what it’s all about.

I was armed only with my camera and a flask of whisky, while Lars had his ski gear and a bag of beer and Jager. We got off the metro, snow fresh on the icy path and the little lake roads alive with the sliding strokes of the locals. This was an exercise for me to understand a bit more about the whole idea of ‘afterski’ in Norway, so we picked a direction and set off. With all the ease of a practised veteran, Lars steamed onwards, sporting his mandatory tight leggings and satisfied smile. It was a very beautiful trail we had set out on, quiet and as yet undisturbed by our drunken mischief. I jogged along beside, looking one-part tourist with a camera and one-part Australian drinking before lunch.

Adventure Time

The hill seemed to grow endlessly and I was pretty keen to change it up a bit so I suggested we turn right, into the trees and down the long embankment we’d so tirelessly ascended. It may have been the whisky talking, but it looked doable. Besides, they’re cross-country skis right? We cut into the forest and Lars quickly discovered the only way he could stop was to throw himself on the ground, often tumbling through branches and trees before coming to rest on his face. We made slow progress but quickly decided it was time for a booze pause. I had neglected breakfast and if truth be told, was still a little drunk from the day before, so my sips of whisky had me a tad dizzy.

But I discovered that it is important to be cold and in pain at some point during the ski outing because it makes the idea of being inside, warm, and full of drinks later seem even better. Lars and I talked and enjoyed the peace of feeling completely lost but happy.

A Shortcut to Neuf

Soon though, our frozen butts and blue fingers were a good sign we had been still too long and we needed to get somewhere warm. So we slid and fell and finally emerged back onto a road, following it towards civilisation. I think a few families wondered why there was an alcoholic chasing after Lars but were too polite to get involved. Another brief metro ride down again and we were at Chateau Neuf, with more beer in hand and a well-deserved hot meal.

And the fun was only getting started – we unashamedly slammed back our drinks and started playing pool in the foyer. I can’t think of many ways to have made the experience any better, but maybe 6 DJ’s and hundreds other people to share the fun with would be a good start.

AVLYST: Vi må desverre se oss nødt til å avlyse afterskiarrangementet. Likevel oppfordrer vi alle skilystne studenter til å ta seg en tur i skibakkene nå før snøen forsvinner, men på eget initiativ. Oppsatt buss er også avlyst. BokCaféen holder som vanlig åpent på lørdag og kvelden kan uansett tilbringes der.

CANCELLED: We unfortunately have to cancel the apre-ski event. We still encourage those ski-enthusiast students to take a trip to the slopes before the snow disappears, on your own initiative. The scheduled bus is also cancelled. Remember that BokCaféen will still be open and is a lovely place to unwind.