2_1_ScanMag_80_Sep-Oct_2015_Q9_Scan Magazine 1 15/09/2015 19:38 Page 76
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norway’s Autumn and Winter Highlights
Enough winter for everyone, inside and out Karola Wenzel
There is something surprisingly satisfying about blushed cheeks after spending a day out in the crisp and frosty air. That winter feeling is easier to fall in love with than you think, especially when there is a four-course meal waiting for you once you get inside. By Stine Wannebo | Photos: Hindsæter Mountain Hotel
In the midst of Norway’s snow-covered mountains lays Hindsæter Mountain Hotel. The same traditional timber buildings have been there since 1898, although they have received a few updates since then. Owners Karola Wenzel and André Sundero aim to welcome guests the same way they always have done. “It was our joint appreciation of nature, the serenity and the winters that drew us in,” Wenzel says. In the stunning Jotunheimen National Park, there is enough winter for everyone and there are many ways to take on the white element, from snowshoes to alpine skies. But the most treasured attraction has nothing to do with snow. During the summer months, the river Sjoa is the ideal place for rafting, but come winter the action grinds to a halt. Instead, Sjoa turns into a magic kingdom made of ice in all colours, shapes
and sizes. Exploration of this frozen world is called ice canyoning, and is something of a forte at Hindsæter. “It’s spectacular but also very safe,” says Wenzel. “If you can walk on your own two feet, you are fit enough to join us on an ice safari in Sjoa.” With nature literally on its doorstep, Hindsæter is used to the frequent visits by both reindeer and moose. While one has become their home-cooked specialty, the other is usually watched from afar. Reindeer is one of the region’s traditional delicacies and, just like the rest of its locally-sourced food, something Hindsæter Mountain Hotel takes care only to serve the very best of. For more information, please visit: hindseter.no
The Norwegian mountains have a lot more to offer than just snow. From food to indoor activities, Hindsæter Mountain Hotel provides activities both inside and outside.
A food chamber out of the ordinary Ever fancied getting up close with a big salmon? At Norwegian Aquaculture Centre you can do just that, while getting to understand how crucial the aquaculture industry is to the Norwegian way of life in addition to being a global source for sustainable food. By Helene Toftner | Photos: Norsk Havrukssenter
The centre is a working fish farm, so while it is a place for visitors to take part in activities such as posing for the camera with a big fish, following their lives under the sea through the extensive cameras and eventually getting a freshly caught taster, it is also a big source of food production. “It is an activity centre for everyone, from the very eager fisherman to the tourist who just wants to better understand the Norwegian coastal culture,” explains managing director Arnfinn Torgnes. The centre is beautifully located just outside the small town of Brønnøysund in northern Norway. Ideally situated right by the ocean, these fisheries remain important for this community as well as those all along the Norwegian coast. The buzz word ‘sustainability’ lies at the heart of the centre, from the way the staff treat the fish to the impact on national economy and as
76 | Issue 80 | September 2015
a global food source. “The aquaculture industries have always been vital to the national economy and welfare,” says Torgnes, “and we have a responsibility to contribute with food globally in a sustainable way.”
For more information and to book in advance, which is recommended, please visit: www.havbrukssenter.no