Norway Archives - șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online /tag/norway/ Live Bravely Thu, 06 Feb 2025 01:16:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://cdn.outsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/favicon-194x194-1.png Norway Archives - șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online /tag/norway/ 32 32 8 Winter Yoga Escapes /outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/winter-yoga-retreats/ Sun, 24 Nov 2024 10:00:01 +0000 /?p=2689837 8 Winter Yoga Escapes

Stop running from the cold and revel in it instead

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8 Winter Yoga Escapes

Most winter yoga retreats chase the sun. But what if you decided to revel in the cold rather than evade it? There’s something profoundly therapeutic about snow-covered lakes and icy wildernesses, whether you want to venture into winter’s more introspective side or explore your more adventuresome side. The following getaways—whether domestic or international, rustic or glamorous—entice you to do exactly that.

8 Winter Yoga Retreats

  1. , Alaska
  2. , Norway
  3. , Canada
  4. , Utah
  5. , Wyoming
  6. , Chile
  7. , France
  8. , Colorado
skier going down a snowy mountain
(Photo: Brandon Cole | Tordillo Mountain Lodge)

Tordrillo Mountain Lodge

Tordrillo Mountains, Alaska

Nothing says winter adventure quite like taking advantage of a comprising one million acres of rugged Alaskan backcountry. Accessible only by sea plane, the off-the-grid destination co-founded by Olympic downhill skiing legend Tommy Moe features expert guides and pilots on deck.

Back at the , which is within sight of Denali, you can cold plunge in Judd Lake or linger in the lakeside hot tub beneath a starlit sky in between yoga classes where you stretch out your aches. Depending on your definition of wilderness luxe, you can opt for a private cabin or a lodge suite. Did we mention it’s only a 40-minute flight from Anchorage?

a kayaker in a bay with snowy mountains in the background
(Photo: InRetreat)

Norway Wellness Retreat

Manshausen, Norway

Imagine staying in a sea cabin set above wintry ocean waters with the Northern Lights dancing beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass walls. This bespoke Scandinavian adventure from Norwegian wellness brand and travel outfitter is the first in a series of wellness retreats that immerse travelers in the local culture. The debut retreat, which takes place in late February 2025 on the secluded Nordic island of Manshausen, delivers twice-a-day yoga practices led by . The rest of the time, you can opt to kayak through local fjords, hike to a Norse cave, stare into a fire, or linger over local, seasonal meals, depending on your preferred definition of (Norway’s answer to hygge).

a skier in a yellow jacket in the French Alps
(Photo: Banff Lake Louise Tourism/Reuben Krabb)

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Canada

Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Located in Banff National Park amid the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is designed in a style reminiscent of the grand European resorts. A seat on a ski lift is a 10-minute drive away (beginners are welcome) although there’s also ice skating, sleigh rides among snow-draped trees, guided forest meditations, sound baths, and yoga in studios with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the scene outside to tempt you. When it’s not covered by snow, the namesake lake is a startling turquoise hue due to mineral-rich runoff from Victoria Glacier. The Chateau offers bottle refill stations with purified water from the lake and engages in negative environmental impact practices as part of its lease with Parks Canada.

a lodge in a middle of a snowy valley
(Photo: Lodge At Blue Sky)

The Lodge at Blue Sky

Park City, Utah

Located just 35 minutes from the Salt Lake City Airport, the mountain resort comprises 3,500 acres of Utah’s stunning Wasatch Range. Named Travel + Leisure’s number-one destination in Utah, The Lodge at Blue Sky delivers rustic elegance, open spaces, and expansive views of snow-dusted mountains and serene valleys.

Outdoor adventures let you commune with nature any way you like, whether horseback riding, snowmobiling, skiing, winter fishing, nordic skiing, even taking yoga in a yurt mid-snowshoe outing. There’s also the property’s Edge Spa, an aptly named cliffside facility perched on a precipice overlooking Alexander Creek. Locally inspired treatments and utilizes bloom-to-bottle ingredients sourced directly from the resort’s grounds or wild-harvested nearby. Its extensive schedule includes indoor and outdoor yoga classes, guided meditation, breathwork classes, and sessions at the Edge Sanctuary, dedicated to energetic and vibrational healing sessions.

Woman in an infinity pool overlooking snow-covered mountains
(Photo: Amangani)

Amangani, Wyoming

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Framed by panoramic views of the Snake River Valley, Amangani captures the spirit of the Old Wyoming West with its sandstone architecture and untamed winter adventures, including an array of skiing and snowboarding options, fat tire biking, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and guided snowshoe wildlife expeditions. There’s also ice skating and sleigh riding to round out the options.

From a more restorative perspective, the resort’s Wellness Centre offers the anticipated amenities including includes four redwood-paneled treatment rooms and eucalyptus steam rooms as well as a heated outdoor pool with views of the surrounding mountains. It’s truly a choose-your-own-adventure approach to finding your peace.

a group of people in a snowy hot tub
(Photo: Valle Nevado)

Valle Nevado, Chile

Andes Mountains, near Santiago, Chile

Located in Chile’s Andes Mountains, Valle Nevado averages 230 inches of snow during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter and delivers world-class slopes. Located an hour and a half from Santiago, the resort delivers a spa, yoga and stretching classes both before and after hitting the slopes, and a heated outdoor pool with an enviable view.

There are three properties that comprise Valle Nevado: Hotel Valle Nevado boasts ski-in/ski-out access directly from the lobby, Hotel Puerta Del Sol offers family-friendly accommodations and entertainment, and Hotel Tres Puntas offers friend-friendly lodging where you can bunk with up to three of your friends.

a snowy city at night in the French alps
(Photo: Six Senses)

Six Senses Courchevel

Courchevel 1850, French Alps

Experience the single , with ample uncrowded expert runs and terrain that accommodates every skill level for skiers and snowboarders alike at Six Senses Courchevel.ÌęOff the mountain and its renowned powder, Six Senses helps you relax via the unexpected, including an to create sensory-minded elixirs, a Kneipp foot bath therapy, and an outdoor hot tub. You can also receive a personalized yoga and pranayama (breathwork) program tailored to your personal schedule. The property also draws on to help ensure guests experience proper sleep and has rigorous in place. Plus, it being France, you can trust that there will be no need to complain about the food.

Ìę

A log cabin covered in snow at Beyuls Retreats in Colorado
(Photo: Beyul)

Beyul Retreat

Meredith, Colorado

Tucked away on 23 acres of pristine wilderness, this backcountry lodge an hour from Aspen is a common destination for yoga retreats and invites guests to explore quiet, snowy landscapes through led excursions on snowshoe and cross-country ski and snowmobile. Recovery here can also include contrasts, such as alternating sessions of hot and cold therapy sessions, wood-fired saunas and invigorating cold plunges.

Beyond everyday yoga and physical rejuvenation, guests can engage in transformative cacao ceremonies, tap into creativity through art classes, and explore dream-focused workshops.With Wi-Fi-free cabins, the lodge offers a proper digital detox, giving guests a much-needed break from the demands of modern life.

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The 11 Best Road Trips in the World /adventure-travel/advice/best-road-trips-in-the-world/ Mon, 15 Apr 2024 11:00:02 +0000 /?p=2664690 The 11 Best Road Trips in the World

There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road on an epic adventure, especially on these incredible stretches of highway

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The 11 Best Road Trips in the World

I love a good road trip, especially in the mountains of Colorado, where I live. It’s when I do some of the best creative thinking, and it feels like the possibilities for exploration are endless. Should I hike a fourteener tomorrow? Cross the border into Utah to go mountain biking?

I scoured the globe to put together this list of the most stunning drives you could imagine, from the snowcapped peaks of Chilean Patagonia to the windswept west coast of Ireland. I’ve completed a handful, driven parts of many of them, and the rest are on my bucket list. I also chose these road trips for their proximity to adventure, and include essential details like the best hikes, beaches, and accommodations along the way. Buckle up.

The Dempster Highway to the Arctic Ocean, Canada

A herd of caribou make their way across a snow-covered Dempster Highway in Yukon, Canada.
The Dempster crosses through Porcupine caribou country. The herd numbers 200,000 strong.Ìę(Photo: Courtesy Government of Yukon)

Miles: 550
Road terrain: Mostly gravel
Best time to go: The Dempster Highway is open year-round, but traditional summer festivals in the Arctic towns and the aurora borealis viewing in winter are seasonal highlights.

Truly rugged and remote, this overland expedition traverses dramatic tundra landscapes, boreal forests, and mountain ranges en route to the Arctic Sea. Begin in the gold-rush outpost of Dawson City, Yukon, and load up on supplies—the unpaved gravel road is a known tire eater, so be sure you have a spare and a four-wheel drive car. From there the heads north through the historic Klondike region, crosses the Arctic Circle, and enters the Northwest Territories, where you’ll have panoramas of what’s known as the polar Serengeti, a wide-open wilderness teeming with caribou, moose, and grizzlies.

Dempster Highway Canada
It’s just you and vast empty spaces on this highway.Ìę(Photo: Getty/Richard Legner)

Along the way, you’ll pass through Indigenous communities such as Tsiigehtchic, reached by ferry in summer after the snow melts. If you’re traveling during August, you can watch canoe races and listen to traditional music during Tsiigehtchic’s Canoe Days celebration. By the time you arrive in Inuvik, Canada’s largest community north of the Arctic Circle, you’ll have logged 457 miles. Pitch your tent or park your teardrop at (from $28), perched on a bluff overlooking the Richardson Mountains and the nation’s largest river, the Mackenzie.

Pick up the final stretch of the trip in town, the Inuvik–Tuktoyaktuk Highway, an 86-mile gravel road that winds past the Pingo Canadian Landmark, a collection of pingo (mounds of earth-covered ice) more than 100 feet high, and ends in the Inuit shorefront hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk.

(Photo: Courtesy Gaia GPS)

Scenic Byway 12, Utah

Highway 12 Utah
Utah’s curvy Highway 12 is a classic Western road trip in some of the wildest terrain in the U.S. (Photo Getty/Doug Meek)

Miles: 122
Road terrain: Paved
Best time to go: Early spring and early fall

This expanse of highway connects Bryce Canyon to , traveling through Dixie National Forest and the northern part of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. The whole thing could be completed in three hours, but given its proximity to so many perfect playgrounds for hiking, paddling, biking, and fishing, I suggest a four-day road trip. Bookended by Panguitch to the west and Torrey to the east, this designated bisects multiple ecosystems,Ìę from sage flats to slickrock deserts, and sleepy rural communities like Boulder, where you should stop for a meal at . The photo opps are endless, but Powell Point Vista, between the towns of Henrieville and Escalante, affords some of the best views of the area’s distinct Wasatch Limestone formations. If I could overnight in one place along the way it’d be , which has a drive-in theater, a pool, and a food truck (from $99).

(Photo: Courtesy Gaia GPS)

The Romantic Road, Germany

Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle backed by the foothills of the Alps and, right, another castle, Hohenschwangau
The Romantic Road crosses Bavaria, which is filled with castles. King Ludwig spent his childhood in Hohenschwangau, right, before building and moving into the famous Neuschwanstein, left, in 1884. (Photo: Getty/Education Images)

Miles: 220
Road terrain: Paved
Best time to go: Spring or fall

Germany’s Romantische Strasse, or Romantic Road, could be the backdrop of a Grimm’s fairy tale, with its turreted and crenelated castles, red-roofed villages, and lake-dotted countryside in the Alpine foothills. This scenic byway across Bavaria connects the baroque town of WĂŒrzburg with the pastel-hued town of FĂŒssen. The former is home to the Unesco-designated WĂŒrzburg Residence, one of the nation’s most opulent palaces, while FĂŒssen is five minutes from what many consider the route’s highlight, King Ludwig’s , which was the inspiration for the palace in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. If you want to stretch your legs, you can tackle the hike to Mount Tegel, located behind the castle, or take the cable car up and explore the trail network at the top.

Along the way you’ll pass plenty of beer gardens—the riverfront in the hamlet of Landsberg am Lech is a must-stop—the vineyards of the Franconia wine region (pick up a bottle of dry, white Silvaner), and spend a few hours rejuvenating in the historic spa town of Bad Mergentheim; at the ($150), you can take advantage of the indoor pool, spa, and gardens.

The Explorers Way, Australia

The road runs red across the Red Centre of Australia, with an unforgiving vastness. A kangaroo sign warns oncoming drivers.
Australia’s Red Centre is marked by soil rich in iron oxide, which is striking but generally nutrient-poor. The color is so vibrant that astronauts can see it from space. (Photo: Getty/Nick Brundle Photography)

Miles: 1,864
Road terrain: Paved (and remember, Aussies drive on the left-hand side)
Best time to go: Australia’s fall, March through May

The ultimate outback odyssey, the is a road trip through Australia’s Red Centre. Much of the drive follows the Stuart Highway, named after 19th-century explorer John McDouall Stuart, the first European to successfully traverse the continent from south to north. Stuart’s expedition took nearly a year, but two weeks is ample time to complete the journey from Adelaide in South Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory.

I highly recommend detours to to stand in awe of the 2,831-foot-high monolith sacred to Aboriginals and to Litchfield National Park, teeming with waterfalls and wildlife like dingo and wallaby. Dedicate at least a day to explore the Aboriginal art galleries of Alice Springs, the Northern Territory’s second largest city and the approximate midway point of the route. When you reach the Top End, toast your trip with a bush negroni at Willing Distillery in Darwin or celebrate with a bush safari at (from $2,425, all-inclusive), just northwest of Kakadu National Park, home to more than .

Atlantic Road, Norway

A wave crashes up against the Atlantic Road on Norway's west coast.
If James Bond could navigate this road without incident (see video below), so can you, no matter the weather.Ìę(Photo: Getty/Wirestock)

Miles: 22
Road terrain: Narrow, paved
Best time to go: The coast is most dramatic in September and October

Norway has 18 designated national scenic routes, but the fact that the Atlantic Road was selected as the stage for the James Bond film No Time to Die is a testament to its wow-factor beauty. Officially known as , this drive links the village of KĂ„rvĂ„g on AverĂžy Island with the fishing village of Bud on the mainland via an archipelago connected by eight low-lying bridges. Few roads bring you so close to the ocean: roll down your window and you’ll likely be kissed by sea mist.

Essential detours include the coastal path at Vevang to see Jan Freuchen’s “,” a sculpture scattered across the rocks and heath-covered hills, and the glass-walled viewing platform at AskevĂ„gen, which affords spectacular mountain and ocean vistas. StrĂžmsholmen Seasport, located between the towns of Kristiansun and Molde, offers scuba diving, fishing excursions, and wildlife safaris on the water. It also has four waterfront cabins that sleep up to ten people (from $55).

The Ring Road, Iceland

The Ring Road approaching a massive glacier in Iceland
Grandeur and geology are two reasons to make your way around the Ring Road, where sites range from massive glaciers, like this one on HvannadalshnĂșkur, to waterfalls, incredible rock formations, and unique beaches. (Photo: Courtesy Jake Stern)

Miles: 820
Road terrain: Mostly paved, with some stretches of gravel
Best time to go: Late spring or early fall

Stretch after stretch of otherworldly landscapes unfold along this , also known as Route 1. It shows off vast lava fields, tumbling waterfalls, spouting glaciers, and bubbling geysers. You’ll want at least seven days to enjoy all the attractions and adventures along the way, and if you do the drive in May, June, or July, you can take advantage of nearly 24 hours of sun.

Most road-trippers start in the capital, ReykjavĂ­k, the city closest to KeflavĂ­k International Airport. You can tackle it counterclockwise or clockwise, but if you do the latter first, the scenery crescendos from pretty to jaw-droppingly gorgeous. If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss, it’s a detour to the northern Troll Peninsula, which loops around the headlands past the end of the SkagafjörĂ°ur fjord.

On the southeastern coast of Iceland, take time to explore JökulsĂĄrlĂłn, a glacial lagoon studded with icebergs, and nearby Diamond Beach, named for the brilliant chunks of ice that sparkle like gems against its black sands. The geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, just 20 minutes from the airport, are the perfect final stop. Or tack on an adventure—maybe kayak in a glacial lagoon or ride an ATV along the beach—with outfitter .

(Photo: Courtesy Gaia GPS)

Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Green grass and a winding Cliff Path mark Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher.
The 700-foot-high Cliffs of Moher are one of the literally biggest and most popular natural attractions of the Wild Atlantic Way, if not all of Ireland. They’re located a little more than an hour’s drive from Limerick, the closest major city.Ìę(Photo: Getty/Guvden Ozdimer)

Miles: 1,600
Road terrain: Narrow, winding, and paved (you’ll also driving on the left-hand side here)
Best time to go: summer to take advantage of longer day-light hours

One of the longest coastal routes in the world, the Wild Atlantic Way hugs the Emerald Isle’s rugged and spectacular west coast for miles, from its northern terminus on the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal to its southern terminus in the town of Kinsale in County Cork. The route is broken into 14 stages, and you’ll want to budget a minimum of five days to complete it.

There are loads of opportunities to stretch your legs on untouched swaths of beach near soaring sea cliffs. Those at Slieve League jut up 1,972 feet at their highest point; follow the Pilgrim’s Path from Teelin village 1.5 miles to the tops, and after pop into town for lunch. You’ll have plenty of options, but I highly recommend the award-winning pub (rooms are also available from $54). The iconic Cliffs of Moher, in the lunar-like Burren region, are one of the natural treasures of Ireland, with a five-mile (one-way) coastal walk that connects the charming villages of Liscannor and Doolin.

(Photo: Courtesy Gaia GPS)

On Achill Island, explore Keel Beach, a nearly two-mile stretch of golden sand. When I visited, the waves were pumping and I rented a board and a thick wetsuit from . If the water’s calm, you can rent a stand-up-paddleboard. If your final destination is County Cork, celebrate with a pint at , a pub in Ballydehob that’s been run by the same family for a century.

Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, Oregon

The sun shines over the Pacific on the coast of Ecola State Park, Oregon.
There are endless adventures on this road trip, like a stop at Ecola State Park, in northwest Oregon, which encompasses nine miles of coast. You can hike through old-growth forest or up to outlooks for views of the abandoned “Terrible Tilly” lighthouse or a chance sighting of a migrating gray whale. (Photo: Courtesy Chris Keyes)

Miles: 363
Road terrain: Paved
Best time to go: Late spring, early fall, or winter

Most people associate the Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH, with California, but the storied road spans from Canada to Mexico. Some of the best lengths, in my opinion, are in Oregon, where the road skirts virgin beaches, craggy mountains, and rocky coves, through a series of quirky seaside resorts and sleepy fishing villages. You could zip along all of it in 10 to 12 hours, but five days is the better plan, stopping at the many parks and public lands along the route. Ecola State Park (sea stacks, tidepooling, wildlife-watching) and Oregon Dunes Recreation Area (whose sweeping sandy expanses are said to have been the inspiration for ¶ÙłÜČÔ±đ’s planet Arrakis) are both top of my list.

About 30 miles northwest of the city of Bandon is Cape Arago; this short detour off the byway takes you through the South Slough National Estuarine Reserve, home to more than 150 kinds of birds and . In the town of Coos Bay, I like to overnight at the modern cabins at Bay Point Landing ($235). The next day, you can drive 24 miles east to the remote Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area and hike 1.4 miles to the top of Golden Falls for an eagle’s-eye view of the cascading waterfall and old-growth firs. Schedule your journey for spring and winter and bring your binocs—you can often spot the blows from migrating gray whales as they surface off the coast.

The Garden Route, South Africa

An aerial view of the South Africa’s Western Cape that takes in the Indian Ocean, Garden Route, and Outeniqua Mountains.
The Garden Route skirts the Indian Ocean for miles, but you can stop in towns like the aptly named Wilderness, just east of George—see the map below—for local activities like kloofingÌę(canyoneering) or head north the short distance into the Outeniqua Mountains for inland adventures. (Photo: Getty/Dominique de la Croix)

Miles: 124
Road terrain: Paved
Best time to go: June to December, when you can spot whales from shore

This ocean-hugging highway showcases the Western Cape’s outrageously beautiful beaches, lush forests, national forests, and abundant marine life. Just under two hours’ drive from Cape Town, the former fishing village of Hermanus Bay is the gateway for the Garden Route. I always stop here to take advantage of the excellent land-based whale-watching between June and December. Continue three and a half hours east on the N2 highway to the harbor town of Mossel Bay, the route’s official starting point. Spend some time trekking around before heading out on your drive; my favorite is the 2.5-mile out-and-back trail from Pinnacle Point to Oyster Bay.

, approximately midroute, is a great spot for birdwatching and kayaking and has accommodations that include campsites (from $20), cabins (from $50), and a bed-and-breakfast (from $90). A half-hour farther east is Plettenberg Bay, nicknamed the Saint Tropez of South Africa for its palatial beach homes. Just south is , a nice picnic spot where you can observe seal colonies. Spend a day exploring , which boasts a 50-mile-long shoreline and an interior with 500-year-old trees. Looking to burn off some energy after hours in the car? I suggest the Otter Trail. South Africa’s oldest hiking trail takes five days to complete and begins near the Garden Route’s eastern terminus at Storms River rest camp.

(Photo: Courtesy Gaia GPS)

Queenstown to Milford Sound, New Zealand

A van is parked in front of Milford Sound, New Zealand, and is passengers gaze over the waters and iconic Metre Peak.
A view worth stopping for: Milford Sound and iconic 5,511-foot Metre Peak, landmark destinations within Fiordland National Park. Strong currents and cold waters keep most travelers from swimming in the sound, and technical equipment is required to summit the peak, but you can kayak these waters and explore the landscape via the Milford Track. (Photo: Getty/Matthew Micah Wright)

Miles: 180
Road terrain: Paved, two-lane highway
Best time to go: New Zealand’s fall, March through May, is perfect for hiking

Described by Rudyard Kipling as the “eighth wonder of the world,” Milford Sound is big nature on steroids. The drive on the South Island from Queenstown along State Highway 6 (a.k.a. the Southern Scenic Highway) and then State Highway 94 (Milford Sound Highway) will get you thereÌę in just over four hours, but slow down to marvel at the waterfalls and alpine lakes framed by mountains. Te Anau is the halfway point of the drive and an ideal place to overnight, refuel, and stock up on food as there are no services farther en route to the sound. The lakeside town is also the gateway to the glacier-carved wilderness of and the jumping-off point for the Milford Track, arguably one of New Zealand’s most famous , so consider tacking on a few extra days.

The Carretera Austral, Chile

A wide, rock-filled river descends from snowcapped peaks in Chile's Aysén region.
The Carretera Austral cuts through the sparsely populated yet supremely scenic Aysén region, which rewards road-trippers with views of glaciers, fjords, and snowcapped peaks. (Photo: Courtesy Frits Meyst/Mallin Colorado Ecolodge)

Miles: 770
Road terrain: Rugged, pock-marked dirt, requiring four-wheel drive
Best time to go: Austral spring and summer, November to MarchÌę

Waterfalls tumbling from hanging glaciers. Forests of lengua trees and turquoise lagoons. Ancient marble caves and flamingo-filled lakes. The wild backdrop of Chile’s Southern Highway (Route 7) is an adventurer’s fantasy. Also known as the , this road cuts through remote, mountainous wilderness in northern Patagonia. Set aside at least two weeks so you can take time to visit Queulat National Park and Pumalín National Park, both located along the route.

Puerto Montt, a bustling town in the Chilean Lake District, is your starting point. It’s considered Chile’s seafood capital, so attempt to score a table at Pa Mar Adentro Restaurant and try the caldo curanto, a traditional seafood stew, before starting your journey south.

(Photo: Courtesy Gaia GPS)

Coyhaique, the capital of Chile’s AysĂ©n region, marks the route’s midway point. Take a day here to trek the trails of Reserva Nacional Coyhaique, home to two beautiful lakes, Los Sapos and Venus. Campsites are available in the Casa Bruja section of the reserve ($5), or continue a couple hours south toÌęGeneral Carrera Lake and hole up at the family-runÌę ($170). The owners serve terrific farm-to-table meals and partner with local guides who lead kayak trips to the Marble Caves and treks across Exploradores Glacier.

The charming wooden exterior and forest surrounds of the Mallin Colorado Ecolodge in the Aysén region of Chile
Mallin Colorado Ecolodge can accommodate up to 32 people in cabins and rooms. It offers traditionally prepared meals, as well as nearby hiking trails and options for boating, horseback riding, and park exploration. (Photo: Courtesy Frits Meyst/Mallin Colorado Ecolodge)

Rumbo Sur Hotel ($190), in the isolated terminus town of Villa O’Higgins, is a comfy final base surrounded by hiking trails and glaciers. A 4×4 is recommended, as most of the road is unpaved.

șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű travel columnist Jen Murphy hates driving but will happily sit shotgun on any road trip. Last fall she navigated on a weeklong mother-daughter road trip through southwest Colorado.

The author and her mother posing in front of Indigenous ruins at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Colorado
The author, left, and her mother on a recent road trip to Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, near the Four CornersÌę(Photo: Courtesy Jen Murphy)

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Watch This Year’s Northern Lights Here. They’ll Be the Most Dazzling in Decades. /adventure-travel/destinations/best-places-northern-lights-world/ Wed, 10 Jan 2024 11:45:55 +0000 /?p=2657128 Watch This Year’s Northern Lights Here. They’ll Be the Most Dazzling in Decades.

Our aurora-chasing author (who shot this photo) knows just where to head. Here are the destinations expected to put on the show of a lifetime this year.

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Watch This Year’s Northern Lights Here. They’ll Be the Most Dazzling in Decades.

Eight hours into an incredible show of jaw-dropping northern lights, the fatigue started to hit. What began as a calm evening—me and the resident sheepdogs of the admiring the last sunset of my solo trip through south Greenland—had morphed into an all-night aurora borealis bonanza that kept me on my feet, my eyes on the sky.

I raced around the property grounds working my two tripods, hoping to photograph every shifting iteration of the intensifying lights: violet, lime, and cobalt ribbons reflecting off the fjord waters, an explosion of green tie-dye above the adjacent farm, and an eerie red glow enveloping the mountains I’d just hiked. By the time I finally looked at my phone, it was 4:30 A.M.—I was exhausted, but it was worth it.

For years I’ve chased auroras around the world, from Norway to Michigan, and have 50-plus successful sky-swirl nights beneath my belt—including a string of seven kaleidoscopic nights of auroras in Greenland before my Ilungujuuk stay. Yet this particular night in September 2023 was different. The colorful pillars danced and pulsed, then flickered overhead like lightning, electrifying the heavens from dusk to dawn. It was the most surreal display I’ve ever seen.

But in 2024, experts predict the northern lights will get even wilder.

Get Ready for a Spike in Auroral Activity

The northern lights with a rainbow of hues above Greenland
Scientists predict that more auroral shows like these above Greenland are likely this year. (Photo: Stephanie Vermillion)

Auroras are generated when storms on the sun’s surface blast particle-packed winds through the solar system. Although earth’s magnetic field protects us from most solar winds, some particles sneak through, and as they slam into our atmosphere, they create the crayon box of colors I saw in Greenland. Each hue is caused by a different interaction with gases—green (the most common) from oxygen, blues and purples from nitrogen, and red (rarely seen) from less concentrated oxygen at higher altitudes. During strong displays, the lights can mix like paint, creating pink, yellow, and orange pillars.

Last year’s auroral colors were a mere preview of what’s to come. Over the next ten months, the intensity and frequency of solar storms are expected to peak—a period that happens roughly every 11 years known as solar maximum. According to the , between now and October, Solar Cycle 25 (which began in 2019 and will run until 2030) could produce the strongest and most dazzling aurora displays we’ve seen in decades.

That means there’s no time like the present to make your bucket-list aurora trip a reality. I’ve compiled some of the best and most geographically diverse spots to see brilliant displays of both the northern and southern lights, along with details on how to chase them, where to stay, and unique tours that take in the lights. All of these destinations lie within, or just outside, the auroral oval—a doughnut-shape ring above the geomagnetic north and south poles where more activity happens. Which is exactly what you want.

The Best Places to See the Northern Lights

South Greenland

Swirls of green northern lights above the waterfront town of Qaqortoq, Greenland
AnÌęethereal display of green northern lights tinged with yellow and pinkÌęabove Qaqortoq, GreenlandÌę(Photo: Stephanie Vermillion)

Located within the auroral oval, south Greenland sees little to no light pollution, and its saw-toothed peaks and iceberg-filled fjords make for incredible silhouettes against the glow. The best time to view the lights dancing here is from late August to April (though the spectacle technically still happens outside of those months, you won’t see them in the summer due to the midnight sun in Greenland, and the rest of the Arctic). Fly into Narsarsuaq Airport via Reykjavík, Iceland, or Copenhagen, Denmark, then head to the region’s largest town, Qaqortoq (population 3,000) for a guided chase with , run by two Inuit sisters. I recommend hiking the blaze-marked paths and gravel roads up into the mountains, home to among herds of sheep, before heading back to your base at a property, like Illunnguujuk (from $53), to enjoy the Lite Brite nightscapes.

Lofoten Islands, Norway

A stand-up paddleboarder plys water green with the reflection of an auroral sky
Stand-upÌępaddleboarding (with a thick wetsuit) in the sea surrounding Norway’sÌęLofoten Islands is a unique way to appreciate the auroras.Ìę(Photo: Olivier Morin/Getty)

The ice-carved fjords and jagged peaks of Norway’s Lofoten Islands are also smack-dab within the auroral oval. The archipelago is a popular summer destination for hiking, climbing, and fishing, but the spectacular auroras happen, thankfully, in the off-season months after the crowds have gone home. For a particularly unique Lofoten experience, go aurora-hunting via horseback on a sandy (or snow-dusted) beach with outfitter , sail beneath the spectacle with , or book a night in one of the historic fishing cottages (from $154) to watch the green lights sashay over the sea—something that the cottages boast is possible more than 180 days a year.

Northwest Territories, Canada

Weather permitting, you can watch the northern lights in the Northwest Territories up to 240 nights annually, according to this northern province’s tourism board. With tundra and spruce and birch forests, as well as Canada’s largest reindeer herd, this destination provides quite the backdrop. See the show by dogsled with , an Indigenous-run and family-owned business based in Yellowknife. Or head to nearby for an evening tour complete with cultural storytelling and a stay in a cozy lakeside tepee (hotel packages available from $527 for two nights). For even more of a treat, travel above the Arctic Circle to Inuvik for a , replete with reindeer-watching, snowmobiling, and aurora hunting ($4,395).

Iceland

Cool-hued northern lights shine down on the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Iceland
The Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, one of south Iceland’s major attractions, drops 200 feet. Seeing it under the northern lights makes the experience that much more stunning.Ìę(Photo: Stephanie Vermillion)

I tell many first-time aurora hunters to try Iceland. It’s easily reached, very navigable, daytime adventures abound, and, thanks to minimal light pollution, you can spot the streaks just about everywhere—I’ve seen them above waterfalls, beaches, and even over the capital city of ReykjavĂ­k. But my favorite Iceland aurora perch is a hot spring. You’ll find naturally heated pools (known as hot pots), all over the country. I like the (from $283), a collection of cabins with a central soaking pool on the Snaefellsnes peninsula, home to Kirkjufell, a small mountain shaped like a sorcerer’s hat that makes for aÌę. Aurora chasing at (from $110) in the untamed Westfjords is another one of my favorites. You can soak beneath the aurora swirls or enjoy the lights among its resident horses.

Fairbanks, Alaska

Two swirling green bands of aurora over Aurora Borealis Lodge in Fairbanks, Alaska
It’s electric! Snakes of vibrant yellow and green dance over the Aurora Borealis Lodge, north of Fairbanks, Alaska.Ìę(Photo: Courtesy Mok Kumagai/Aurora Borealis Lodge)

For U.S.-based aurora hunting, it’s tough to top the boreal forest surrounding Fairbanks, which promises impressive northern-lights odds. Explore Fairbanks says that anyone who hunts for the spectacle for at least three nights during the August-to-April aurora season has a 90 percent chance of success. The local offers a dinner and dogsled experience that takes in the nightly auroras, or drive two hours south to mush in Denali’s shadow with . For a snowshoe adventure beneath the lights, the Fairbanks outfitter offers tripsÌęalong six miles of trails north of town. And an hour east of Fairbanks, aurora hunting from the is a popular pick—you can soak from a geothermal pool while the colorful lights riot above (from $180).

Abisko National Park, Swedish Lapland

An auroral rainbow crosses the sky above a snow-covered hilly landscape in Sweden
Chase the rainbow: the aurora borealis seen from the Aurora Sky Station in Sweden’s Abisko National ParkÌę(Photo: Arctic-Images/Getty)

A unique weather phenomenon makes Abisko National Park one of the world’s top aurora-hunting locales. While the northern lights are active throughout the auroral oval most nights, weather—particularly cloud cover—determines if chasers will see them or not. That’s where Abisko’s “blue hole” comes into play: according to the , a stretch of sky above the park stays clear regardless of the surrounding conditions, something attributed to wind direction and altitude. You can make the most of this meteorological marvel at the park’s , a viewing center set at 3,000 feet elevation and accessed via a 1.2-mile-long chairlift. Come for the lights, but stay for the station’s , where glass ceilings let you enjoy a taste of Lapland without missing the night-sky entertainment. The best time for lights chasing in this area is mid-November to mid-March.

Northern Minnesota

A display of bright yellow, green and pink northern lights above the horizon of Lake Superior
A popping swath of northern lights above Lake Superior offers moments literal reflection.Ìę(Photo: Stephanie Vermillion)

While many of the best northern lights destinations sit within the auroral oval, you don’t have to travel to the ends of the earth—or even out of the contiguous U.S.—to see them. In fact, you can enjoy them from manyÌęnational parks. The auroral oval’s path tilts particularly in favor of Great Lakes escapes like northern Minnesota, but to see the aurora this far south, you’ll need a strong solar storm, minimal light pollution, and a clear view to the northern horizon (like a lake) because the distance will make the lights appear closer to the horizon. I suggest scouting from the lake-abundant Voyageurs National Park or the wilds of Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness—both were recognized by DarkSky International as outstanding dark-sky spaces. To keep tabs on aurora activity and get involved with locals in the know, join the Facebook group , whose members share updates on the northern lights regularly.

The Best Places to See the Southern Lights

Stewart Island, New Zealand

The silhouette of a person standing on a hilltop, arms outstretched and head tilted up, watching a sky green with auroras
Pale green is the most common aurora color, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Photo: Stephanie Vermillion)

The aurora borealis gets all the buzz, but the Southern Hemisphere’s aurora australis—better known as the southern lights—are worth chasing, too. For that, head to Stewart Island, which earned DarkSky International’s Dark Sky Sanctuary status in 2019. More than 85 percent of the island, located 16 miles south of the South Island and accessed via an hourlong ferry, is a national park, with 170 miles of hiking trails, including the Rakiura Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, making this one of the more adventurous ways to enjoy the lights. Like Minnesota, Stewart Island isn’t usually in the auroral oval, which means you’ll need a strong solar storm to see any activity here. Unlike Minnesota, you’ll have to look southward to spot them.

Tasmania, Australia

A couple in silhouette walk a beach; the waves are blue with bioluminescence and the horizon is yellow and pink with the southern lights
Bioluminescence combined with the southern lights—seen here in Tasmania, Australia—is a rare natural phenomenon. (Photo: James Stone/Chasing Light/Getty)

TasmaniaÌęis another hub for aurora australis hunters. Margaret Sonnemann, author of The Aurora Chaser’s Handbook, says this island state is better positioned for sightings than just about anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere outside of Antarctica (which is nearly unreachable for tourists during aurora season). Its rugged peaks, ancient rainforests, and sandy shores only add to the auroral awe. Since Tasmania, like Stewart Island, doesn’t experience the midnight sun, the aurora is visible year-round—pending the weather, of course. Popular sky-watching spots include Goat Bluff lookout and Carlton Beach, or book a stay at (from $93), a lakeside base for rainforest bushwalks by day and celestial gazing at night. You can also have an awesome experience at Taroona Beach, admiring two twilight marvels—auroras and bioluminescence—during the warm summer months.

Stephanie Vermillion, adventure travel journalist, in a field outside Reykjavik, Iceland
The author outside ReykjavĂ­k, IcelandÌę(Photo: Courtesy Jessica Cohen-Kiraly)

Journalist and photographer Stephanie Vermillion covers adventure travel and all things astrotourism, from eclipse chasing and meteor showers to her personal obsession: auroras. She hopes to check off another astro-bucket-list topper—seeing the southern lights—during a trip to New Zealand’s South Island this year.Ìę

Want more of șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű’s award-winning travel coverage? .

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These Are the Most Stunning Coastal Cabins in Norway /adventure-travel/destinations/europe/best-cabins-in-norway/ Fri, 25 Aug 2023 10:45:30 +0000 /?p=2642964 These Are the Most Stunning Coastal Cabins in Norway

At Manshausen, on Norway’s Arctic coast, adventurer Bþrge Ousland makes sure nature is part of every experience. Fish for fresh cod, fall asleep beneath the northern lights, and discover why hygge is key to happiness.

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These Are the Most Stunning Coastal Cabins in Norway

Ever come across an incredible hotelÌęthat stops you mid-scroll and makes you think, Wow, wouldn’t it be something to stay there?We do, too—all the time. Welcome to Friday Fantasy, where we highlight amazing hotels, lodges, cabins, tents, campsites, and other places perched in perfect outdoor settings. Read on forÌęthe intel you need to book an upcoming adventure here. Or at least dream about it.

Why We Love Manshausen

A pastel-colored sunset view over the waterfront and mountains. You can see a person relaxing with socks on, holding a glass of wine.
The evening view from the cabins is worth the trip. (Photo: Courtesy Alfonso Petrirena)

Bþrge Ousland was the first person to cross Antarctica solo and part of the first duo to reach the North Pole during the darkness of winter. Which means he’s spent a lot of time shivering in a tent, envisioning a cozier place to sleep. In 2010 the legendary explorer turned his dreams into a reality, buying a nearly above the Arctic Circle in the Norwegian Sea’s Grþtþya Strait and setting to work creating , a chic, modern, sustainable adventure oasis.

A haven for anglersÌęsince the 1600s, Manshausen Island had one salvageable building, a farmhouse from the 1800s that Ousland renovated into the main lodge. He then built seven austere glass-sided cubes cantilevered over the water. In June he finished two more “towers”—two-story structures, each withÌęa glass-roofed bedroom that provides jaw-dropping views to the sea, 392-foot Skotstindan mountain to the east, andÌęthe heavens, often lit with the aurora borealis.

A man on a boat holding up an enormous cod—at least three feet long
Norwegian Arctic cod is known around the world and prized for its taste and texture. This one, reeled in off Manshausen, is quite the catch. (Photo: Courtesy Ingeborg Ousland)

Ousland’s ultimate goal is to make Manshausen 100 percent carbon-neutral. It’s tough to charge solar panels in winter when there are only a few hours of daylight, but he plans to supplement the sun’s energy withÌęa windmill that delivers powerÌęback to the grid. His small staff also maintains a garden, fishes for cod and halibut, raises sheep to cut the grass (there areÌęcurrently 11 lambs on island), and barters with locals for what the property can’t produce.

Considering that Manshausen (a name derived from mannshaue, or “man’s head,” after a rock resembling a human head that was quarried there) was the dream of a world-renowned explorer, it’s no surprise that the place offers all manner of rugged day trips (for an extra fee), from expedition-style hiking to sea kayaking, led by experienced staff guides. But Ousland mostly built Manshausen as a place for visitors toÌęenjoy the scenery. “Many people just need to fill up their batteries, relax, and connect with nature,” he says.

șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Intel

Two climbers navigate the precipice of the Nordskot Traverse, with an expansive vista of a gray sea and verdant valley below.
The Nordskot Traverse (Photo: Courtesy Adrien Giret)

You, too, can fish. The lodge provides gear and shares beta on where cod, pollack, and halibut are biting. I would opt for a short ride on one of Manshausen’s private power boats to the mainland to attempt the , a technical climb of 1,998-foot Sþrskottinden peak, followed by a 15-foot rappel to a nearly mile-long traverse of an exposed ridge that ranges in width from 15 to 45 feet. The views to the surrounding mountainous Arctic islands are uninterrupted. I’d also love to paddle a sea kayak with a guide to their secret coves for a swim. And this being Scandinavia, I’d spend quality time in the stoked and ready wood-fired sauna to steam away my aches at the end of each day.

Choice Accommodations

The interior of the second floor of the new towers, with a bed for two, two black chairs, and a glass ceiling. The view looks out at the sea and distant mountains.
The second-floor bedroom of one of the new towers (Photo: Courtesy BĂžrge Ousland)

Book one of the two new and identical solar-powered twin towers, named after Norway’s two greatest polar explorers, Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. Built on a pier, the towersÌęappear to be floating on water. In each, the primary bedroom on the second floor is covered by a full glass roof, perfect for viewing the midnight sun during the summer and the stars and northern lights in the fall, winter, and spring. Downstairs is a twinÌębed, a full bath, and a sitting room with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall facing the sea. The cozy feeling of hygge here is one of the draws. Or opt for the single-story glass cabins, whose views are also incredible:

Eat and Drink

A circular wooden platter with crudités of grilled beef heart atop crackers of yellow peas, with a glass of red wine to the left
Grilled beef heart with horseradish atop yellow-pea crackers (Photo: Courtesy Amanda Erming)

Hyperlocal cuisine is on full display at the , housed in the main lodge, where a simple yet sophisticated menu includes sea urchins, sandwort, pine shoots, wood sorrel, fish, moose, and elk, most of which is grown, foraged, caught, or harvested on or within close proximity of the island. I’ve been told that the head chef, Ondrej Taldik,Ìęhas more range with a beet than perhaps anyone on the planet, serving them fried, baked, rehydrated, crisped, pickled, and fermented.

When to Go

 

Ousland prefers spring, when the light returns, the weather is calm, and the fishing for halibut is fantastic. But I might prefer fall, with its cooler days and cold nights. The aurora borealis is best viewed September through March, but the resort is closed November to January.

How to Get There

There are direct flights to Oslo from New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Once there, you’ll hop a 90-minute flight north to the town of Bodþ, on Norwegian or SAS airlines. Head to the ferry terminal (a 15-minute walk or short taxi ride from the airport) and board ; the passage takes 1 hour 20 minutes and leaves daily at 6 P.M. year-round, and twice daily in the summer months. The lodge will pick you up by shuttle boat at Nordskot if they know when you’re arriving.

Don’t Miss

A view of the strong current of Saltstraumen, the most powerful tidal stream in the world, with a bench in the foreground and mountains in the background
Saltstraumen, outside Bodþ, is full of whirlpools created by a turning tide as it flows in and out of the fjords. (Photo: Getty Images/larigan–Patricia Hamilton)

If you have time to spend in Bodþ before heading toward Manshausen, visit, the most powerful tidal stream in the world. A 33-mile drive north of Nordskot will get you to , one of Europe’s largest coastal fortifications from World War II. It guarded the entrance to Vestfjorden, a 96-mile-long fjord to Narvik, an important route used to ship iron ore from Sweden to Germany. The , 75 miles north of the island in the municipality of Hamarþy, is a museum dedicated to the life and work of the Nobel Prize–winning author.

Details

The two new solar-powered towers (with black siding) and a sea cabin (with white siding) look out on turquoise waters.
The two new solar-powered towers, with black siding, and a sea cabin, with white sidingÌę(Photo: Courtesy Adrien Giret)

To Book:

Price:ÌęGlass sea cabins are 5,600 Norwegian kroner ($523 as of press time) per night for two people, including breakfast. The new towers are 8,900 kroner ($830) per night for two people, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Address: Mannshausen 3
8283 Leinesfjord, Norway

The author, wearing sunglasses and a visor, with a view of Kitchen Mesa, New Mexico in the background
The author in northern New Mexico (Photo: Courtesy Granville Greene)

Stephanie Pearson’s maternal and paternal great-grandparents emigrated from Sweden, but she loves Norway almost as much, especially the cool air, cool people, healthy living, and long coffee breaks. She’s been there twice, most recently to dog-mush above the Arctic Circle from TromsĂž back to JukkasjĂ€rvi, Sweden.Ìę

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5 Adventurous TV Show Locations You Can Visit /adventure-travel/destinations/visit-tv-show-locations/ Thu, 29 Jun 2023 11:00:29 +0000 /?p=2637090 5 Adventurous TV Show Locations You Can Visit

The beautiful scenery in popular TV series like ‘Yellowstone’ and ‘The White Lotus’ has sparked a tourism trend. Here are our five favorite locations to travel to and fun adventures nearby.

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5 Adventurous TV Show Locations You Can Visit

Consider the opening scene of Yellowstone’s pilot episode, which depicts a bloody car crash, but in the background of all that chaos is an expansive ranch glowing with the soft yellow leaves of autumn in Montana. I wanted the camera to pan wide and expose more of that beauty.

With most TV shows today, location plays a large part in the storyline. Sure, The White Lotus is complex and groundbreaking, and the Game of Thrones’ prequel, House of the Dragon, is epic, but their locations are equally enticing, from the glistening waters of the Mediterranean in season two of White Lotus to the moody beaches near King’s Landing, shot in Croatia, in Game of Thrones.

Yellowstone spends the next several seasons delivering on that initial tantalizing sample, offering sweeping views of cattle grazing in broad pastures, characters fishing in idyllic streams, and massive log ranches framed by snowcapped peaks.

The scenery in these series is an equal star in the show. The hit Yellowstone is filmed at the Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, Montana (Photo: Shane Libel)

Such scenery has sparked a tourism trend, as superfans seek out the beautiful and adventurous locales on their screens. A February produced by American Express noted that 64 percent of the 3,000 people interviewed in an online survey were inspired to travel to a destination after seeing it on TV or in a movie.

This movement isn’t entirely new. Remember the brilliant series Breaking Bad, which ran from 2008 to 2013? It launched national awareness of Albuquerque, New Mexico, gave rise to tours and merchandise, and was embraced by the city’s visitors bureau, which still offers information. Croatia, the primary filming location for the fictional city of Westeros in Game of Thrones, reported a $200 million bump in tourism during the show’s five-year run, according to the country’s tourism bureau. And both of the hotels featured in the first two seasons of The White Lotus enjoyed a boost in bookings after each aired—in fact, web interest in the Four Seasons Resort Maui jumped 425 percent after the first season, according to the property.

white lotus cast
The White Lotus team, recipients of the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series award at the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on February 26 (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty)

About ten years ago, busloads of hikers on Hunger Games tours descended on the trailheads of DuPont State Forest and Pisgah National Forest, in my home state of North Carolina, where waterfalls and caves were shot to serve as the setting for the resourceful archer Katniss. At the peak of the movie’s popularity, Joe Moerschbaecher, owner of Pura Vida șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍűs, led tours to sites in the film and even offered a survival-skills package, teaching participants tasks like shelter-building and fire-starting before having them compete against each other in the wilderness.

arctic lodge
This could be your (way more comfortable) version of Alone. (Photo: Courtesy Arctic Lodge)

“These shows and movies give people a chance to escape, and being able to visit the place on the screen gives fans a chance to connect with those characters or that story even more,” Moerschbaecher says. “It’s a model we’ve seen for a long time. That’s what Disney World is based on, right? Everyone can go and live the dream.”

Want to plan a visit to the dream? We’ve mapped out how to see the most dramatic locations for five irresistible TV shows.

Yellowstone: Montana

dutton ranch
The entrance to Chief Joseph Ranch, the setting for Yellowstone, in Darby, Montana. (Photo: Quentin Hall)

This hourlong soap opera on Paramount+ follows the Duttons, led by the patriarch, John (played by Kevin Costner), as they try to hang onto their family ranch. Violence and drama ensue, but there’s nothing more dramatic than the location, which Costner has called a “postcard for Montana.” The show, now in its fifth season, has been filmed in multiple locations in Montana and Utah, but the Bitterroot Valley, south of Missoula and flanked by the Bitterroot and Sapphire Ranges, is the true star.

See It for Yourself: The Dutton’s Yellowstone Ranch is an actual working cattle ranch in the valley called Chief Joseph Ranch. Since Yellowstone premiered in 2018, the ranch’s owners have allowed fans to rent cabins featured in the show and given tours of the property. Sadly, the family is taking a break from visitors in 2023, so you’ll have to get your dude-ranch experience nearby. We suggest the , also in the Bitterroot Valley, with views of Trapper Peak and access to the Bitterroot River (from $1,800 a night, all-inclusive). You can ride horses or take part in a cattle drive. Or sign up for a guided float and casting adventure down the Bitterroot with the outfitter (from $480).

The White Lotus: Sicily, Italy

Taormina, Sicily
The serpentine streets of Taormina, overlooking the Ionian Sea, Sicily, Italy (Photo: Danny Lehman/Getty)

This HBO series follows wealthy guests as they travel to luxury White Lotus–branded resorts and wrestle with issues of class, privilege, and desire. Each season has been set at a Four Seasons property—the first in Maui, the second in Taormina, Sicily. Rumor has it that the next season will be set in Thailand, but where exactly hasn’t been revealed yet.

See It for Yourself: Why not bounce around the island of Sicily as the characters in season two did, by foot, boat, and Vespa. Book a room at the in the coastal community of Taormina (from $2,620). The stunning property, formerly a convent, is perched on the edge of a cliff, boasting views of the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano. A few companies offer comprehensive White Lotus tours, including the LGBTQ+-centric , with a nine-day exploration that takes in featured locations like the towns of Noto and Palermo ($7,550, including two nights at the Four Seasons). Or be your own guide. Rent a Vespa and cruise the serpentine streets of Taormina, just like the distressed Tanya in her better moments. Definitely make a detour to , which features prominently throughout the second season.

House of the Dragon: England, Portugal

Take a day tour of Monsanto, Portugal, where houses are built around giant boulders, as filmed in House of the Dragon. (Photo: Courtesy Civitatis Tours)

±á”ț°żâ€™s House of the Dragon is the prequel series to Game of Thrones, taking place more than a century earlier but covering similar territory: medieval characters fighting over power and, ultimately, the throne. The original GOT was filmed in Ireland, Croatia, and Iceland, and House of the Dragon follows the same pattern, bouncing around walled stone towns and wild lands in Spain, Portugal, and England.

See It for Yourself: There’s not much opportunity to mimic the lifestyle you see on House of the Dragon because, you know, swords and dragons aren’t really part of our day-to-day, but there are a number of set locations that you can—and should—visit. Try an inexpensive of Monsanto, Portugal, a city whose houses are built around massive boulders; this setting is home to the fictional House Targaryen’s ancestral home.

Cornwall
Holywell Beach, Holywell Bay, in Cornwall, England, is host to many a key scene in House of the Dragon. (Photo: Westend61/Getty)

In Cornwall, England, the dramatic coast factors into a number of scenes throughout the first season. Check out , a sandy strip of coast marked by crags and caves that serves as the backdrop for a crucial scene involving Rhaenyra Targaryen and Prince Daemon. The surfing here is pretty good, too. For more adventure, head into Derbyshire to , and hike the area you might recognize as the Vale of Arryn, a rugged expanse of peaks ruled by the show’s House Arryn.

Alone: Saskatchewan

arctic lodge
The Arctic Lodge is set in the big country of Alone. (Photo: Courtesy Arctic Lodge)

While the other shows on this list offer up fictional characters and storylines, the drama on History Channel’s Alone is very real. This reality show pits ten contestants against each other in a game of survival in extreme locales; whoever can stay alive by themselves the longest wins $500,000. Over the past nine seasons, the contestants have been dropped off everywhere from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to northern Mongolia and Patagonia. Season ten premiered on June 8 and has contestants attempting to survive on the shores of Reindeer Lake in Saskatchewan.

Reindeer Lake
The colorful waterscape of Reindeer Lake, a fishing treasury (Photo: Courtesy Arctic Lodge)

See It for Yourself: The 2,568-acre Reindeer Lake straddles the border of Saskatchewan and Manitoba and is surrounded by a lush boreal forest. It’s known for its world-class pike fishing and robust black bear population (with more than 40,000 of them in the area). The exact Alone filming locations haven’t been disclosed, but viewers saw the contestants get dropped off by seaplane at a lakeside lodge and camp out in canvas tents for a week before starting the competition.

woman with big fish
So here’s how you’ll survive, (sort of) in the terrain traveled by your pals in Alone. (Photo: Courtesy Arctic Lodge)

Book a cabin at the and you’ll be navigating the same terrain as your favorite contestant but without the suffering (four-day packages start at $5,395, all-inclusive). Cabins at the lodge are hand-built, with woodstoves and hot showers. Instead of trying to trap wild game for dinner, you’ll be fed generously by a chef. Spend your days fishing Reindeer Lake with a guide (cost included in your stay), who will put you on pike, walleye, or lake trout, and prepare a fresh shore lunch with your catch.

Succession: Norway

The landscape the fabled Roys travel: up the Trollstigen (“the troll ladder”), Norway (Photo: Courtesy Juvet)

OK, Succession has officially ended, but our enthusiasm for the show endures. We were emotionally invested in watching members of the Roy family vie for power within the Waystar RoyCo empire. Most of the show was filmed in New York City, but because we’re talking about mega millionaires, the show featured plenty of jet-setting to remote British castles, Iceland, Croatia, and Italy. Oh to be a media mogul.

See It for Yourself: As wonderful as it would be to follow the family’s travels and hit every hot spot, we don’t all have an inheritance to burn. So focus on Norway, where the Roys experience some of the country’s most iconic and luxurious highlights. Reserve a room in coastal Valldal at the , whose all-glass exterior walls expose a wilderness of mossy boulders, hardwoods, and rushing rivers (from $436 a night, including breakfast and dinner).

cabin in norway
The Juvet landscape hotel, Norway (Photo: Courtesy Juvet)

The Juvet will also put you close to Trollstigen (“the troll ladder”), a crazy-beautiful mountain road that climbs almost 3,000 feet via 11 hairpin switchbacks, passing waterfalls and rocky outcroppings. While the Roys traverse this road in a car, it would be more fun on two wheels; this is a classic road-bike climb (or you might ride it on an now) but one that comes with risk, as you’re sharing the road with motorists enjoying the scenery.

Looking out over Andalsnes (while discussing your empire) from Mount Nesaksla in the Western Fjords region, Norway (Photo: Craig Pershouse/Getty)

Another must-see site from Succession is the 22-mile Atlantic Road, dubbed the world’s most beautiful drive, as it connects Averoy Island with mainland Norway via a series of bridges and islets. Grab a drink at , a restaurant atop Nesaksla, the mountain where negotiations for the media empire take place. You can either take the Romsdalen gondola to the summit (like the Roys) or hike two hours to the top.

And then come back down to earth.

Graham Averill is șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű magazine’s National Parks columnist. He watches way more TV than he probably should, so it’s nice to justify it for work. Traveling to the locations of his favorite shows sounds nice, but if it’s at all possible, he’d rather just hang out in the van from The A-Team.

graham averill
The author, Graham, Averill (Photo: Liz Averill)

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The 13 Best Hut-to-Hut Hikes in the World /adventure-travel/destinations/best-hut-to-hut-hikes/ Tue, 27 Jun 2023 10:40:04 +0000 /?p=2636857 The 13 Best Hut-to-Hut Hikes in the World

From Chamonix to New Zealand, this expert hiker reveals the most beautiful hut-to-hut hikes on the planet

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The 13 Best Hut-to-Hut Hikes in the World

The merits of hut-to-hut hiking are many: it’s one of the most accessible ways to tackle a multiday outdoor adventure, offers the benefits of backcountry camping—crowd-free sunrise vistas, deep wilderness immersion, and long, glorious days on the trail—and promises the creature comforts of home, notably running water, toilet facilities and a warm, dry place to sleep.

While the U.S. has several well-known and well-regarded hut systems, I’ve hiked a handful of the world’s most famous hut-to-hut trails and can tell you that some trekking systems abroad are worth traveling for. Here are the most stunning, with accommodations that range from rustic guesthouses run by locals to high-altitude refugios to backcountry bunkhouses set amid scenery that will soothe your soul. One thing’s for certain—every one of these 13 trips is a bucket-list-worthy escape.

Laugavegur Trail, Iceland

The author and friend hiking the Laugavegur Trail
The author, left, and friend hiking the Laugavegur Trail (Photo: Courtesy Emily Pennington)

Length: 33.6 miles
Terminus: °ŐłóĂł°ùČőłŸĂ¶°ù°ì
Best time to go: July to August
Days to complete: 5 to 6

Starting with the splotchy rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar, as colorful as an artist’s paint palette, Iceland’s fabled doesn’t slouch on the scenery for the entire route southward. The trail, only open mid-June through September—and even then you’ll encounter snowfields—traverses volcanic moonscape slopes freckled with obsidian and plunges into deep green valleys filled with mirror-clear tarns. Because its otherworldly landscapes and jaw-dropping beauty attract the masses, the five (from $80) tend to book up to six months in advance, though hikers may elect to bring their own tent and camp near each hut for free. Want to trek with a guide or explore farther off the beaten path? arranges a Hidden Trails itinerary each summer that tacks on several obscure lakes and waterfalls to this famous hike (from $3,475).

Overland Track, Tasmania

Tasmania's Waterfall Valley Hut
Closing in on the Waterfall Valley Hut, which has an adjacent grassy area that can be used for camping (Photo: Courtesy Emily Pennington)

Length: 40.4 miles
Termini: Ronny Creek (north) and Narcissus Hut at Lake St. Clair (south)
Best time to go: December to March
Days to complete: 6 to 7

Though it’s punctuated by a state-of-the-art hut system (think: mud rooms, clean kitchen spaces, and composting toilets), Tasmania’s is rugged, rooty, and rocky, even by American standards. Still, we wouldn’t let a little rain and mud stand in the way of this recommendation; the trade-off are expansive button-grass plains descending into ancient eucalyptus forests, possible encounters with adorable wallabies and wombats, sapphire alpine lakes, and the chance to set off on a class-three scramble up 5,305-foot Mount Ossa, the highest in this Australian island state. Most hikers depart from Ronny Creek and stay in a handful of huts en route to Lake St. Clair and the ferry to the St. Clair Visitor Center, though if you’re up for another 11 miles of tramping, by all means. Plan to pay a total of about $190 for . Looking for a splurge? Check out Tasmanian Walking Company’s six-day (from $2,803), which boasts privately owned huts with fireplaces, local wine, and freshly prepared meals.

Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Bridge crossings, prayer flags, and incredible Himalayan peaks are some of the sights along the Annapurna Circuit (Photo: Courtesy Emily Pennington)

Length: 143 miles
Termini: Besisahar (east) to Pokhara (west)
Best time to go: March to April or October to November
Days to complete: Up to 21

The is a breathtakingly high altitude romp around the Annapurna massif, passing through some of the Himalayas’ most soul-stirring scenery as it climbs from lush forests filled with delicate butterflies and past rushing cascades to Thorung La Pass, a lung-crunching 17,769 feet above sea level. Travelers can expect to see myriad important Buddhist cultural markers, too: fluttering prayer flags, centuries-old temples, and intricate prayer wheels. Accommodations are simple and affordable: teahouses with Western-friendly menus and private-room options—just don’t expect a heater. And small villages are now connected via a dirt road that spans most of the route, so making the trek is not the remote experience it once was (and you can hop on adjacent trails to avoid the road altogether). As of April 2023, Nepal implemented a new rule stating that all trekkers must hire a licensed guide or porter to explore the country’s wilderness trails. Experienced tour companies like and offer excellent guided trips, full of history and heart (inquire for prices).

Mount Meru Trek, Tanzania

Mount Meru shrouded in clouds
Mount Meru, a dormant volcano, shrouded in clouds (Photo: Getty Images/Stockbyte)

Length: 43.5 miles
Terminus: Momella Gate
Best time to go: December to February or July to October
Days to complete: 3 to 4

If you don’t have time for a full expedition up Kilimanjaro (19,340 feet), or you’re seeking an epic acclimatization hike before the big journey, Mount Meru (14,968 feet) is a fantastic option. Situated in Arusha National Park, in northern Tanzania, this brief trek boasts abundant wildlife sightings on day one (giraffes, zebras, and, if you’re lucky, elephants) before a steep ascent that affords phenomenal views of the collapsed crater and ash cone. From the summit, hikers can even enjoy panoramic vistas eastward to Kilimanjaro, often hovering above the clouds like an ethereal being. As for accommodations, expect rustic, dorm-style cabins with indoor mess halls and separate lodging for your porters. Due to the amount of wildlife, an armed ranger is required to hike with groups on the first day of this trek, so a guided trip is a must. and are both highly regarded (inquire for prices).

Kumano Kodo, Japan

A typical traditional guesthouse along the Kumado Kodo’s Nakahechi Route (Photo: Courtesy )

Length: 43.5 miles
Termini: Tanabe (west) and Katsuura (east)
Best time to go: March to May or October to November
Days to complete: 5

The , located south of Osaka on Japan’s Kii peninsula, is a centuries-old pilgrimage route and one of only two paths of its kind to earn Unesco World Heritage status (the other is the Santiago de Compostela in Spain and France). Technically, the Kumano Kodo is not a singular route but a network of footpaths that crisscross the deeply wooded region, passing ancient Shinto shrines and temples, edging past misty waterfalls (including the tallest in the country), and wending through tiny villages. The (a.k.a. the Imperial Route) is the most popular way to explore. Skip the guided tours on this one—the Kumano Travel website is incredibly thorough and helpful with bookings—and instead plan to overnight in traditional ryokans, or inns, as you go.

Nahuel Huapi National Park Traverse, Argentina

Argentina's Refugio Frey sit against craggy mountains and on the shores of an alpine lake
Refugio Frey is the only reservable hut on Argentina’s Nahuel Huapi National Park Traverse. (Photo: Courtesy Mattia Molinari)

Length: 25 miles
Termini: Villa Catedral (south) to Arroyo Lopez (north)
Best time to go: December to March
Days to complete: 4 to 5

Soaring, toothy peaks that seem to grasp at the sky, glittering azure lakes, rushing waterfalls, and refugios that resemble hobbit houses
 there’s a lot to love about this trek across Argentina’s first national park. Utilize the robust public transportation from the gateway city of San Carlos de Bariloche, and nab a night at —the only reservable hut of the four—in advance. Alternatively, you can hire a respected company like for a guided adrenaline-fueled adventure along steep, rocky ridgelines, with opportunities to rock-scramble and take in the striking views of enormous Lake Nahuel Huapi (from $1,310). Before jetting off, spend a few days luxuriating in Bariloche, surprisingly European and often touted as the Switzerland of South America.

Jotunheimen National Park Historic Route, Norway

Length: 35.4 miles
Termini: Gjendesheim (east) to Eidsbugarden (west)
Best time to go: July to early September
Days to complete: 4

For a hearty dose of towering peaks, deep-cut valleys, and crystal-clear lakes, look no further than through , often referred to as Land of the Giants. Thirty-five miles might not seem like much at first, but this trail is no walk in the park—you’ll be following in the footsteps of Norway’s mountaineering history, sometimes gaining over 3,600 feet in a day as you clamber over craggy terrain (chains are present to aid with grip on the most harrowing sections), making your way between two remote lakes once essential to accessing the region: Gjende and Bygdin. You can book the DNT huts—the video below, of Fondsbu, is just one run by the —in advance and traverse the “fairylands” of Svartdalen solo, or sign on with for a similarly supported route that’ll quench your hiker hunger with delectable included meals (from $4,800).

Tongariro Northern Circuit, New Zealand

The 28-bunk Waihohonu Hut is set at an elevation of 3,773 feet and has a resident warden on-site from May through mid-October. (Photo: Courtesy New Zealand Department of Conservation)

Length: 22.4 miles
Terminus: Whakapapa Village, North Island
Best time to go: November to April
Days to complete: 3 to 4

Unlike the Tongariro Crossing (a day hike which traverses the same eponymous national park), the allows travelers to get up close and personal with the nation’s most notorious volcanic peaks, sans the crowds. The loop circumnavigates the snowcapped, charcoal-hued cone of Mount Ngauruhoe, skirting hissing steam vents, ancient lava flows, and brilliant emerald lakes. Considered one of New Zealand’s Ten Great Walks, this hike is for geology and Lord of the Rings buffs who’d love nothing more than tackling a such a boulder-strewn landscape en route to Mordor. You can opt to through the well-appointed huts (which include bunk beds with mattresses, indoor heating, kitchens, and non-flush toilets), or book a locally led trip like three-day jaunt (from $891).

The Walker’s Haute Route, France and Switzerland

A snowcapped Matterhorn with the twinkling lights of Zermatt, Switzerland
The eastern terminus of Zermatt, with the Matterhorn in the distance (Photo: Getty Images/KDP)

Length: 108 to 141 miles (depending on the route)
Termini: Chamonix, France (west) and Zermatt, Switzerland (east)
Best time to go: Mid-July to mid-September
Days to complete: 10 to 14

Sure, this one winds up on virtually every best-of hiking list on the planet, but if you take a second to Google a few snapshots of the gobsmacking glacially carved valleys, fields full of crocus and blue bugle, and steep summits that jut skyward like granitic witches’ hats, you’ll quickly see why. The (not to be confused with the similarly named ) passes below the summits of ten of the twelve highest peaks in the Alps. You’ll alternate between staying in well-appointed mountain huts and quaint European villages, indulging in fresh pastries and local cheeses between leg-burning ascents. Huts book up well in advance (and require a for booking), or just let an experienced company like or do all the hard work and logistics, while you focus on the scenery (from $6,195 and $3,616, respectively).

Sunshine Coast Trail, Canada

The Tin Hat Hut is set on a bluff overlooking the mountains and lakes.
Set near the top of 3,914-foot Tin Hat Mountain, the Tin Hat Hut is fully insulted and can sleep up to ten people. (Photo: Getty Images/ed_b316)

Length: 111.8 miles
Termini: Sarah Point on Desolation Sound (north) to Saltery Bay (south)
Best time to go: June to September
Days to complete: 9 to 10

Often lauded as our northern neighbor’s best, least commercialized, and longest hut-to-hut trek, the meanders across the British Columbia seashore, terminating some 90 miles north of Vancouver. The journey is a bucket-list adventure for forest bathers and ocean lovers alike, with wonderful opportunities to spot wolves, deer, raccoons, grizzlies, and elk, not to mention pick plentiful blackberries and salmonberries in late summer. Fourteen (with another slated to open next year) are set along the route, and the provides loads of how-to info it you’d prefer to go it alone. Another possibility is a guided partial trek with (from $1,340).

The O Circuit, Chile

A guanaco crosses the road not far from Laguna Amara
Guanacos not far from Laguna Amara (Photo: Getty Images/Christian Peters)

Length: 85 miles
Terminus: Torres del Paine National Park’s Laguna Amarga Entrance
Best time to go: November to March
Days to complete: 11

As one of the premier treks in South America, southern Chile’s O Circuit is a show-stopping option for mountain-loving backpackers who want to put in the big miles when the U.S. is knee-deep in winter. Longer (and more secluded) than its more famous cousin to the south, the , the O Circuit includes the aforementioned route, plus dozens of off-the-beaten-path miles skirting the northern expanse of Torres del Paine National Park. Purchase your online in advance, then plan to get to your refugio (see the sites managed by and ) or camping spot as early as possible, as this trip is incredibly popular. Wildland Trekking offers , if that’s your preference ($5,900).

Triglav National Park Traverse, Slovenia Mountain Trail, Slovenia

Mount Triglav is the highest peak in both Slovenia and the Julian Alps.

Length: 27 miles
Termini: Vrsic Pass (north)Ìęto Lake Bohinj (south)
Best time to go: June to September
Days to complete: 4

It seems like the Julian Alps have been on the tip of every travel writer’s tongue ever since the Juliana Trail made its debut back in 2020. But if you’d rather not blow all your vacation time hiking the full 168 miles through this scenic landscape, through Triglav National Park will give you a taste of the best stuff. Book hut reservations for , , and in advance, then get ready to traipse across craggy ridgelines, limestone escarpments, and peacock-green tarns. If arranging the trek yourself sounds like too much of a headache (and the language barrier can be intimidating), offers a similar itinerary, with an optional add-on to summit 9,396-foot Mount Triglav, the highest in Slovenia ($430).

Sneffels Traverse, Colorado

Yellows blend with green and orange in early autumn over Colorado's Last Dollar Pass
The views of San Juan Mountains from the hut atop Last Dollar Pass are worth the hike to 11,000 feet.Ìę(Photo: Getty Images/CampPhoto)

Length: 29.4 miles
Termini: Telluride (south) and Ouray (northeast)
Best time to go: July to September
Days to complete: 5

The U.S. is home to several well-regarded hut systems, but one stands out above the rest: the . Run by the in the (you guessed it) glorious San Juan Mountains of western Colorado, this route begins at 10,676-foot Last Dollar Pass, above the iconic ski town of Telluride, and meanders between four diminutive, eight-person bunk-style cabins on its way to the gold-rush town of Ouray. Due to its popularity, hikers ($275, including return-shuttle service) through the hut system between June 1 and October 15. Expect eye-catching meadows of purple lupine, serrated sky-high peaks, and verdant forests of aspen and pine along the way.

Emily Pennington has now trekked on every continent, including hundreds of nights spent on the trail in the United States. For big adventures, she recommends bringing a Kula Cloth and a clip-on carabiner mug.

The author hiking near the Braga Monastery of Nepal
The author hiking near the Braga Monastery of Nepal (Photo: Courtesy Emily Pennington)

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Why I Plan to Parent Like a Norwegian /culture/active-families/norway-parenting/ Sat, 25 Mar 2023 13:21:43 +0000 /?p=2617879 Why I Plan to Parent Like a Norwegian

Want to raise kids who love the outdoors and aren’t afraid of a challenge? Try a little friluftsliv.

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Why I Plan to Parent Like a Norwegian

Long before the birth of my daughter, Sophie, last spring, I was disillusioned with the American way of parenting. Many of my objections led back to a single overarching theme: we no longer cultivate in our children a healthy relationship with outdoor play.

The problem is familiar: recent studies show that unstructured time outside—referred to as free play, in the words of child development experts—improves mental and physical well-being, yet kids can’t peel themselves away from their tablets and smartphones and Xboxes for more than a few minutes at a stretch. When outdoor activities are present at all, the emphasis is narrowly focused on sport specialization and competitive achievement. Where I live, near Aspen, Colorado, I see kids monitored so closely by parents that any semblance of self-direction or self-reliance is lost. That’s not how I want to raise Sophie. I want her to do her own thing, try a number of activities, and build up the kinds of skills that will enable her to find joy in the outdoors.

In the weeks leading up to her birth, I researched countries that take a different approach to parenting. I came across a 2020 study published in The Lancet, England’s most prominent peer-reviewed medical journal, that identified various mental and physical metrics among children—everything from happiness and life satisfaction to nutrition and health—and ranked countries accordingly. The United States came in 39th. At the top of the list: Norway.

The report raised an obvious question: Why are Norwegian parents doing so much better than Americans are?

As I discovered, access to the outdoors and an appreciation for free play are essential.

My research was helped along by a happy coincidence. Earlier last year, I met a Norwegian-American family named the Lockers who’d recently moved to Aspen. A few months before Sophie was born, I sat down with John and Camilla Locker to get their perspective on Norwegian-style outdoor-centric parenting. John is from New York City; Camilla was born and raised in Oslo. During the pandemic, the family moved to Norway and sent their three-and-a-half-year-old son to a forest school—a preschool that primarily happens outdoors.

“He came home the first day with a whittling knife,” John said. “I was shocked. But they taught him how to use it safely, and soon he was bringing us spoons, bowls, and other things he’d whittled.”

At forest schools, even inclement weather occasions outdoor fun, the Lockers told me. “On rainy days,” Camilla recalled, “they put a big tarp on a hill, covered it in soap, and let the kids slide down.” The children took naps outside in the dead of winter.

“That’s because we wear wool,” said Norwegian Anine Husebye Haug. Haug, 22, was staying with the Lockers for the winter, and she offered anecdotes from her own upbringing. She was shocked by the poor outerwear choices she saw in Colorado. “Americans wear the wrong clothes—synthetics!—so when they’re skiing, they must come in for hot chocolate every two runs. We never come in.” Turns out those heavy woolen sweaters are more than a fashion statement.

Such experiences—attending a forest school, sleeping outdoors in winter—are part of Norwegians’ national identity, which in part is rooted in wilderness capability and resilience. Axel Rosenberg, a lecturer at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences in Oslo, told me that this trait is captured by the word friluftsliv. (Don’t bother trying to pronounce it.) The term dates back to the late 19th century and was popularized by Roald Amundsen, who in 1911 became the first explorer to reach the South Pole.

“Literally translated, it means ‘open-air life,’ ” Rosenberg said. “It’s how we think about nature, how we relate to nature, and how we integrate nature into our daily lives.”

The term is credited to Henrik Ibsen, who used it in the 1859 poem “On the Heights,” about a farmer’s yearlong trek through the wilderness. Later, around the turn of the 20th century, Norwegians sought to set themselves apart from Denmark—the two countries existed under a unified government until 1814—and friluftsliv helped cement a distinctively Norwegian identity. Amundsen, along with explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Paul Knutsen, built on the tradition with their grueling polar expeditions.

“They credited friluftsliv for opening their world,” Rosenberg said. “The ability to deal with Mother Nature became a benchmark.”

Yet Norwegians weren’t quite as outdoor savvy as they thought. On Easter Sunday in 1967, a group of 15 Norwegians died from exposure while trekking through the mountains, a tragedy that generated headlines across the country. According to Rosenberg, the incident prompted a shift in Norway’s outdoor philosophy, with emphasis placed on skills that keep people safe. The country created the Fjellvettreglene, or , a set of backcountry protocols. Schools began exposing students to nature and emphasizing life lessons that could only be absorbed outdoors.

The author and his partner, Tess, with their daughter, Sophie, at Colorado’s Maroon Bells, leaning into Norwegian parenting styles
The author and his partner, Tess, with their daughter, Sophie, at Colorado’s Maroon Bells (Photo: Courtesy Gordy Megroz)

Norway’s education system embraces trial and error, Rosenberg told me. Kids learn by doing, instead of just being lectured about safety. “By starting at a young age, you find out that nature isn’t dangerous if you stay within your limits,” he said.

When I visited the Lockers, the family emphasized how seriously Norwegian parents take the directive to let kids fail. “There’s no nanny culture, no babysitter culture,” Camilla said. “In Norway, kids roam, and they come home filthy and happy.”

According to this philosophy, children participate in outdoor activities from a young age. Not long after learning to walk, they’re skating around town on plastic skis. They commute to school by bicycle or, in winter, on cross-country skis. Cycling is so important that, at ten years old, kids take a test to ensure they’re competent riding next to cars on the road.

As their skill set grows, Norwegian children not only build an appreciation for the outdoors, they also improve their coordination, endurance, and ability to problem-solve. “Free play—from climbing trees to building forts in the woods—is crucial,” said Kristin Vindhol Evensen, an associate professor at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. “The interplay between children and the local environment, which could be playgrounds in an urban environment, or the forest, or mountains in a more rural area, is what creates resilience.”

My assumption was that all the early-age competence would lead to ultracompetitive youth leagues. But Norwegians value play and skills acquisition above competition. In 1987, the country ratified the Children’s Rights in Sport, formal legislation that establishes guidelines for youth sports. Among its main directives is that the primary purpose of sports is to gain skills, make friends, and have fun; there’s nothing about winning. In fact, the guidelines explicitly ban rankings, keeping score, and timed competition before the age of 11. Another mandate: no child is allowed to participate in a championship event until the age of 13.

The guidelines emphasize enjoyment and self-improvement. Haug told me that a favorite kids’ game is to run or ski a one-to-five-kilometer course, then repeat. The goal isn’t to beat your previous time; it’s to lock into the same pace and come as close as you can to repeating it. Having grown up in the world of ski racing, I had to laugh.

“Everything is a game—you’re sort of tricked into learning,” Haug told me. “From a very young age, you’ll put on cross-country skis and play games while wearing them, like tag or capture the flag.” Coaches give pointers, but only to help kids develop. At this stage, winning isn’t the objective.

It’s difficult to argue with the Norwegian formula. Not only does it turn out adults who are physically fit and seemingly well-adjusted, it also produces some of the best athletes in the world. Norway dominated the past two Winter Olympics. In Beijing in 2022, Norway fielded 84 athletes and won 16 gold medals, the most ever by a single nation at a Winter Games. In contrast, the U.S. sent 224 athletes, won eight golds, and totaled 11 fewer medals than Norway. It was an amazing performance by a country with just five million people.


Norway’s sporting prowess is also growing away from the snow. In 2022, Casper Ruud became the first tennis player in the nation’s history to reach the top ten, finishing the year at number three. Triathlete Kristian Blummenfelt is an Olympic gold medalist and Ironman world-record holder; his compatriot Gustav Iden won the Hawaii Ironman in October. Anders Mol and Christian Sþrum are the best beach volleyball team on the planet. Jakob Ingebrigtsen is considered one of the world’s best middle-distance runners. And hurdler Karsten Warholm won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

“Being able to play and learn and not worry about competition until you’re older is a big part of why Norwegian athletes are so successful,” said Felix McGrath, a former member of the U.S. Alpine Ski Team. McGrath saw Norway’s system up close: he worked as a ski coach there for 20 years. His wife, Selma Lie, was a member of the national cross-country ski team, and the two raised their four kids in Oslo. McGrath’s son Atle skis for the Norwegian national alpine team and won two World Cup races this past season.

The Norwegian approach has a definite advantage over the competition-crazed American one, McGrath told me. De-emphasizing results in preadolescent kids allows children whose bodies are still developing to thrive. “In the U.S., those kids are beaten, and it’s demoralizing. They end up quitting before they get bigger and stronger and are ready to break through. In Norway, by the time they’re being timed or keeping score, they’ve reached an age where their bodies and minds have matured enough to compete.”

McGrath wondered if Atle would have risen through the ranks in the U.S. system, where kids are identified as talented (or not) very early on, often before they hit puberty.

My conversations with the Lockers, Rosenberg, McGrath, and others were enlightening, but I had my doubts that raising Sophie the Norwegian way was even possible in the States. Our culture doesn’t lend itself to free play and outdoor trial and error. Americans are far more litigious—hence all the helicopter parenting. If Sophie were to fall and break something, my health insurance may make patching her back up challenging and unaffordable.

Still, I believe there are ways I can apply the Norwegian method. Backyard trampolines abound in Norwegian towns and suburbs, and I’m already plotting how to get permission from my homeowners’ association to install one on a patch of community green-space. I’m also rehearsing ways to persuade Sophie to commute by bicycle. I don’t want her to get hurt, of course, but I’m resolved to encourage her to push her boundaries.

“The interplay between children and the local environment, which could be playgrounds in an urban environment or the forest or mountains in a more rural area, is what creates resilience,” said the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences’ Kristin Vindhol Evensen.

Adopting the Norwegian attitude with respect to youth sports will be harder. It’ll be nearly impossible to tell my daughter when she turns 11 that she can’t play in a soccer game because “Dad has a better plan,” even though there are a few examples of this model working in the U.S. Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena, famously took his daughters off the tournament circuit when they were ten to help them ease into the game. Ted Ligety, the legendary ski racer who won two Olympic gold medals, recently wrote on Instagram about how much he benefited from recreational skiing with friends after training days. Ligety and his buddies abandoned their competition skis for shaped ones and had fun pushing one another on the same slopes the rest of us ski.

“Without play and experimentation, I would have stayed an OK ski racer and maybe eventually an OK college skier,” he wrote. “But I played and experimented, and it made all the difference.”

The best advice I received was to keep outdoor activities light and fun. Rosenberg told me about another Norwegian tradition called Sþndagstur, or “Sunday outing.”

“Norwegians take the family out for the entire day to ski, build a bonfire, and roast hot dogs,” he said. Done, done, and done.

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You Can Hang Out with Huskies at This CafĂ© in the World’s Northernmost Town /adventure-travel/destinations/europe/cafe-huskies-svalbard/ Mon, 19 Dec 2022 11:00:05 +0000 /?p=2613671 You Can Hang Out with Huskies at This CafĂ© in the World’s Northernmost Town

CafĂ© Huskies in Svalbard sells coffee, baked goods, and local art—all while local dogs roam the shop

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You Can Hang Out with Huskies at This CafĂ© in the World’s Northernmost Town

runs like any other coffee shop: patrons come in, order chai lattes and slices of poppyseed cake, then sit down to read a book, chat with a friend, or type away on their laptops. But on any given day at this cozy space in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, the northernmost town in the world, there are also a couple friendly dogs lounging around.

The dog cafe opened in April on the remote, Norwegian-governed archipelago surrounded by the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. Four Norwegian transplants who all worked together at a Longyearbyen hotel—Martin Fiala, Nicola Bunyan, Iris Dahle Bjþrkmann, and Kristina Labunskaite—opened the business to create a homey environment for locals and visitors, who come with the hope of seeing polar bears and the northern lights.

A rotating crew of local dogs—petsÌęthat belong to staffers, friends, friends of friends, former colleagues, and other residents—“work” several shifts a week. Their entire job is to bring joy to patrons and create a living room vibe at the cafe. After their human parents drop them off, the pups hang out, alternating between several dog beds, couches, and the floor. They’re also in hot demand for Instagram photos.

Like many good ideas, Café Huskies started as a joke over beers. A few years ago, Fiala read about cat cafes opening up around the world. But cats are to prevent the spread of disease and protect local wildlife, so he made an off-hand comment about adapting the concept to dogs. Longyearbyen is home to many dog-sledding companies that lead tours across the Arctic tundra, and travelers seem to really love the huskies on those trips, so the concept felt on-brand.

“I said, ‘Gee, someone should open a husky cafe. That would be really popular,’” says Fiala. “It’s kind of a ridiculous idea. But then I thought about it and decided that it would definitely work.”

(Photo: Café Huskies)

At the same time, Bunyan and Labunskaite were also considering opening a boutique to sell the creations of local artists, such as photography prints, knitted items, illustrations, and knick-knacks made from reindeer antlers. When a centrally-located retail space came up for rent, the friends took it as a sign to combine their visions and make them a reality. BjĂžrkmann, who is from mainland Norway and could help with all the startup paperwork written in Norwegian, also joined in.

They quickly spruced up the space, ordered equipment, and began recruiting dogs to spend time at the cafe.

“We don’t have all these dogs ourselves, so we had to figure something out,” says Fiala. “Basically, we’ve asked friends or colleagues who have dogs if they’d like to bring them in as a kind of dog socializing spot and that’s worked OK so far.”

With a few four-legged volunteers, they began pairing various pets together to see who got along and who didn’t. From those interactions, they’ve crafted a special dog schedule that ensures there’s always one or, ideally, two chummy dogs relaxing at the cafe at any given time. (Because the cafe dogs all have different personalities and tendencies, general customers are not allowed to bring their pets on the premises.)

Whenever he’s scheduled to work, Clooney—a long, lanky, white and gray husky—serves as the official greeter, calmly accepting pats and rubs as customers walk through the front door. There are also DJ and Eminem, two elderly retired sled dogs known for sleeping on the job, as well as Jersey, a sweet female with piercing blue eyes. Tequila, a cheery, all-white five-year-old just had her first litter of puppies. And Stuka, Jeti, Fox, Brun, Gandhi, Thando, Nemi, and R2-D2 also pick up shifts from time to time.

(Photo: Sarah Kuta)

It’s a loose arrangement just for fun in which no money exchanges hands: the pups get plenty of treats, lots of affection and stimulation, and regular walks during each shift. Their humans, meanwhile, get to pick up tired, happy dogs at the end of the day, as well as free coffee and food whenever they come in. Customers can enjoy a few hours of dog-induced contentment.

“We created this really nice, cozy vibe because that’s what we like—we wanted to make this type of place for ourselves and share it with everyone,” says Bunyan. “We want people to feel at home.”

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The 6 Best Places in the World to See the Northern Lights /adventure-travel/destinations/best-places-northern-lights/ Fri, 15 Apr 2022 10:00:48 +0000 /?p=2573530 The 6 Best Places in the World to See the Northern Lights

The best way to catch aurora borealis in all its lit-up beauty: go to the darkest places on earth, at just the right time, and hope for the best

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The 6 Best Places in the World to See the Northern Lights

Catching the northern lights, or aurora borealis, used to be a chance occasion, a rare fluke for those lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. But nowadays, scientists have figured out more accurate ways to predict when and where the northern lights will appear.

“Scientists around the world are still working to understand the aurora,” says Dr. Kathryn McWilliams, director of the SuperDARN Canada National Research Facility and a professor of physics and engineering physics at Canada’s University of Saskatchewan. “There are many types of instruments, on the ground and in space, that monitor auroral conditions, and there are many scientific and government websites with maps of the auroral oval, which is the region with the highest probability of seeing the aurora.”

The University of Alaska Fairbanks has an that estimates conditions weeks ahead of time. You can also check out the , where scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration monitor and track the likelihood of the aurora happening. And, of course, there’s an app: shows a map of the best locations in the world for viewing the lights now or weeks from now.

Generally speaking, the best time of year to see the northern lights is from late August to mid-April, because those are the darkest months of the year, but you can certainly catch the aurora in midsummer if you time it right. The best sightings will occur during the darkest hours of the night, between 10 P.M. and 2 A.M.

Picking a geographic location close to the North Pole will help boost your chances of seeing the northern lights—northern-latitude places like Iceland, Canada, Alaska, Norway, Finland, and Sweden are often sure bets. But you’ll also need to make sure you’re far from any light pollution and have a clear night sky without clouds, storms, or a too-bright full moon. We’ve picked some of our favorite spots in the Northern Hemisphere for catching the lights.

Where to Go to Watch the Northern Lights

Tent camping under the northern lights
(Photo: Steve Burns/Getty)

1. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

This 218,000-acre national park is one of the most remote northern spots in the lower 48. The designated it an official dark sky park in 2020, meaning there’s minimal light pollution way out here. Pitch a tent at one of the park’s more isolated campgrounds—there are 15 hike-in or boat-in backcountry campsites—for the . If you’d rather have a bed to sleep in, stay at the 31-room (from $169) in the town of Ranier, ten minutes from the park’s entrance, which has a rooftop sauna and hot tub for night sky-gazing, free yoga, and whiskey tasting at the in-house distillery.


the Lyngen Lodge in Norway
(Photo: Courtesy Lyngen Lodge)

2. Djupvik, Norway

Backcountry skiers visit Norway’s Lyngen Alps in winter for the legendary ski touring. While there, they might be treated to a brilliant showing of the northern lights. Stay at the eight-room boutique (from $234) and you’ll have guided backcountry skiing by day and northern lights photography classes by night. To get here, you’ll fly into Tromsþ, a popular northern lights destination, then drive 2.5 hours into the Lyngen Alps, where the lodge sits on the edge of a fjord.


Aurora borealis, Northern Lights at Chena Resort, near Fairbanks, Alaska
(Photo: Cultura Exclusive/Stuart Westmorland/Getty)

3. Fairbanks, Alaska

From August to April, you can see the northern lights in Fairbanks on most clear nights. The city even has its own for the latest status from six prime viewing locations around the area. Sign up for an aurora tour if you want a guided perspective: offers tours by ground or air. Sleep in a geodesic igloo with a clear roof or a tiny cube with floor-to-ceiling windows at , 25 miles outside of Fairbanks, where two-night packages (from $980) include dogsledding and snowmobiling.


4. Whitehorse, Canada

Twenty minutes outside the Yukon city of Whitehorse, recently added three new glass chalets, with prime nighttime viewing of the northern lights and three-night packages (from $1,190). Or catch the lights from a hot tub: the new in Whitehorse is slated to open this year with four outdoor soaking pools. Want even more of an adventure? Fly into Old Crow, the northernmost community in the Yukon, and take a tour with , an Indigenous-led guided operation that leads night tours and dogsled excursions.


5. Levi, Finland

If Santa Claus lives anywhere, it might be Levi, a charming village fit for elves 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle in the heart of Finnish Lapland. In winter, Levi is home to one of the biggest ski resorts in Finland, but many people also come here for the northern lights. Sleep in one of 24 glass-roofed igloos at (from $274), where even the on-site restaurant has entirely glass walls and ceiling.


6. Hella, Iceland

Here’s a hotel amenity we can get behind: at the 51-room (from $428) in southern Iceland, if you select the aurora wake-up service, the hotel will buzz your in-room phone whenever the lights appear at night, ensuring you won’t miss the spectacle. Once you’re awake, you can watch the night sky from three geothermally heated hot tubs or the hotel’s own rooftop observatory. This hotel is located between the towns of Hella and Hvolsvöllur, about an hour’s drive into the countryside from Iceland’s capital city of ReykjavĂ­k.

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The Lyngen Alps in Norway Are a Sight to Behold—and a Site to Ski /video/lyngen-alps-norway-backcountry-skiing-safety/ Fri, 11 Feb 2022 13:00:39 +0000 /?post_type=video&p=2559868 The Lyngen Alps in Norway Are a Sight to Behold—and a Site to Ski

The Lyngen peninsula in northern Norway is home to 124 peaks, each over 3,200 feet tall. Professional skiers Nikolai Schirmer, Merrick Johnston, and Asbjþrn Eggebþ Néss traveled there back in 2018—and learned a valuable safety lesson in the process.

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The Lyngen Alps in Norway Are a Sight to Behold—and a Site to Ski

The Lyngen peninsula in northern Norway is home to 124 peaks, each over 3,200 feet tall. The Lyngen Alps offer incredible backcountry skiing—and even the occasional chance to ski from a summit to the sea below. In 2018, Norrþna ambassadors and professional skiers , , and took to Lyngen’s slopes to test out gear in the company’s home country. Welcome to Lyngen shows the footage from their expedition.

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