Kvitfjell
| Kvitfjell | |
|---|---|
| Location | Ringebu, Oppland, Norway |
| Nearest major city | Lillehammer: 55 km (34 mi) |
| Coordinates | 61°27′N 10°07′E / 61.45°N 10.12°E |
| Vertical | 854 m (2,802 ft) |
| Top elevation | 1,039 m (3,409 ft) |
| Base elevation | 185 m (607 ft) |
| Trails | 23 pistes, 24 km (15 mi) - 5 nursery - (green) - 9 beginner - (blue) - 6 intermediate - (red) - 3 advanced - (black) |
| Longest run | 3.5 km (2.2 mi) |
| Lift system | 9 total - 3 chairlifts - 2 T-bars - 3 telescopic lifts - 1 belt lift |
| Lift capacity | 11,300 / hr |
| Terrain parks | 1 |
| Snowfall | low |
| Snowmaking | 80% of pistes[1] |
| Night skiing | Tue, Thu (Dec), & Fri until 8 pm, 2.6 km (1.6 mi) |
| Website | Kvitfjell.no |
Kvitfjell (Norwegian: White mountain) is a ski resort in the municipality of Ringebu, Norway. Developed for the 1994 Winter Olympics, it is one of the most modern resorts in the world, with snowmaking on 80% of the alpine pistes. Based near the river Gudbrandsdalslågen, the resort offers 23 pistes: 5 green (nursery), 9 blue (beginner), 6 red (intermediate), and 3 black (advanced).[2] Kvitfjell is also home to a terrain park and 120 km (75 mi.) of cross-country pistes, with access to 480 km (300 mi) extra in Skei and Gålå.
1994 Winter Olympics
Kvitfjell is probably best known for hosting the alpine speed events (downhill and super G) at the 1994 Winter Olympics in nearby Lillehammer.[3] Tommy Moe, an American of Norwegian descent, edged out home favorite Kjetil André Aamodt of Norway by 0.04 seconds in the downhill,[4][5] then was edged out by Markus Wasmeier of Germany by 0.09 seconds in the Super G.
Katja Seizinger of Germany won the women's downhill with Picabo Street of the U.S. a distant second; Diann Roffe of the U.S. took gold in the Super G. The technical alpine events (giant slalom and slalom) were held at Hafjell.
World Cup
Kvitfjell is a regular stop on the World Cup circuit, hosting men's speed events in early March. The downhill course begins just below the summit and is slightly over 3 km (1.9 mi) in length.[6] Designed by Bernhard Russi for the 1994 Olympics, the challenging Olympiabakken course is well regarded; after the Olympics, men's World Cup races have been held here every year since,[7][8] and are scheduled for Kvitfjell for March 2013.
References
- ^ Kvitfjell.no - facts - accessed 2010-02-22
- ^ www.kvitfjell.no brochure
- ^ 1994 Winter Olympics official report. Volume 3. pp. 47-50.
- ^ "Americans just say Moe". Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. February 14, 1994. p. C1.
- ^ Johnson, William Oscar (February 21, 1994). "The Son Finally Rises". Sports Illustrated. p. 20.
- ^ "Kvitfjell: World Cup downhill results" (PDF). FIS. March 3, 2012.
- ^ FIS-ski.com - Kvitfjell - podiums
- ^ FIS-ski.com - Lillehammer - podiums
