Who would have thought you could ski in Denmark? When we think about skiing we go further north, to countries like Sweden, Norway, Finland, or Iceland, but Denmark has its own small and “hygge” ski scene despite its flat terrain.
Denmark is one of the twenty-seven sovereign states that make up the European Union. It is located in northern Europe. It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries and also the smallest in size. Officially, the Kingdom of Denmark is a community made up of three autonomous parts, Denmark itself and its two overseas territories or dependent territories, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Its capital and most populated city is Copenhagen, which is located on the island of Zeeland.
Jutland is a peninsula in northwestern Europe, comprising the larger mainland of Denmark and the northernmost part of Germany. Its geography is flat, similar to the rest of Denmark, with relatively steep hills in the east and a barely noticeable ridge running through the center. Open land, heathland, plains, and peat bogs characterize Western Jutland, while Eastern Jutland is more fertile, with lakes and lush forests.
Denmark’s climate is mild and pleasant all year round, with strong winds during autumn and winter. Denmark has the four seasons of the year marked, like the rest of Europe. The summers are hot and cool and the winters are cold and windy, the temperature can reach -8 °C, and the presence of snow is not frequent, but the winters of 2009 and 2010 have been extreme, with abundant snow. Precipitation is sufficient throughout the year. Jutland’s climate is shaped by its northern location and the Gulf Stream. Moderate to strong westerly winds usually blow along the coasts of Jutland.
Denmark is a country with some really interesting facts. It consistently ranks among the happiest nations in the world, proudly displays the oldest national flag in continuous use, and embraces the concept of “Hygge” to describe that warm, welcoming feeling of togetherness. Interestingly, Denmark’s landscape is completely devoid of mountains and no matter where you are in the country, you will never be more than 52 kilometers from the ocean!
Lately, the ski scene in Denmark has become best known for the Copenhill ski area, located on the roof of an energy plant (that’s also a very interesting fact!).
Copenhill – Amager Bakke
Amager Bakke, also referred to as Amager Slope or Copenhill, stands as a remarkable waste-to-energy combined heat and power facility in Amager, Copenhagen, Denmark. Positioned prominently, it offers a breathtaking view of the city center.
Its recreational features, including a dry ski slope, hiking trail, and climbing wall, debuted in December 2018. Estimates suggest an annual attendance ranging from 42,000 to 57,000 visitors. Copenhill earned the prestigious title of World Building of the Year 2021 at the 14th annual World Architecture Festival.
Within Copenhill, visitors can enjoy a slalom course, a freestyle park, and a designated children’s area. The lift system comprises four lifts, with the bottom three being magic carpet lifts and the top one, leading to the steep section, a platter lift. Ski rental services are available, or guests can use their equipment. The ski slopes boast a surface made of Neveplast, a specialized plastic material that replicates the friction and feel of skiing on snow.
But Denmark is not just Copenhill, although this is the ski resort best known for its location and the originality of the idea of putting a ski slope on the roof of a power plant.
The other Danish ski areas currently in operation (during the winter months and if snowfall helps) are located at a similar latitude but in different parts of the country: west, center, and far east (Island of Bornholm).
Bornholms Skivenner
Bornholm, a Danish island in the Baltic Sea, sits to the east of mainland Denmark, south of Sweden, northeast of Germany, and north of Poland. Close to Østerlars village in the island’s northeast, there’s a hill boasting Bornholms Skivenner ski area, where skiing enthusiasts can enjoy the snow when it blankets the island.
Situated at 115 meters high over sea level, the ski area offers a breathtaking view of the Baltic Sea. It features two forest tracks: one with a consistent blue slope and another, more challenging red slope with a steep black section. Additionally, there’s a gentle hill tailored for beginners to hone their skills. In terms of lifts, the area proudly houses Denmark’s first lift, imported directly from an Austrian ski resort. And to ensure top-notch conditions for both alpine and cross-country ski enthusiasts, this small area has a snow grooming machine, ensuring the slopes remain in excellent shape.
Hedelands Ski Center
The Hedeland ski area, Denmark’s largest ski area, is situated in Hedeland, a 15 square kilometer recreational area between the towns of Hedehusene, Tune, and Vindinge, approximately 20 kilometers west of Copenhagen, this undulating landscape evolved from extensive gravel mining, subsequently revitalized through environmental restoration efforts that date back to the late 1970s.
Built-in the mid-1980s, the ski area has three lifts: two on the left and a children’s chairlift on the right, with a capacity for 1,800 people per hour. The hill itself reaches a height of 45 meters and extends for 282 meters. Adjacent to the slope lies a snow park, while sledding is prohibited on the track but permitted in the area to the right of the children’s ski lift. The ski slope is illuminated during dusk, with four snow cannons strategically positioned to cover the artificial snow slope at the ski area. This ski area also offers a rental inventory of over 300 pairs of skis, 400 pairs of boots, and approximately 100 helmets. Visitors also can avail themselves of food and beverages in the clubhouse for comfort and sustenance, enjoying their packed meals in the dining area. Hedelands Ski Center is managed by the Roskilde Skiklub.
Hoch Hylkedal
Kolding, situated at the northern end of the Kolding Fjord in the southern region of Denmark, is a vital center of transport, trade, and manufacturing, especially prosperous in shipbuilding. Ranked as the eighth largest city in Denmark, it is home to a multitude of industrial companies.
The Kolding Skiklub, a local ski club, has a small ski area known as Hoch Hylkedal. The area has four slopes between 150 and 250 meters long, each equipped with a rope tow for the ascent.
In technical skiing terms, the slopes maintain an average slope of approximately 20%, aligning with European standards for a clearer red slope. In addition, there is a green track for beginners, ideal for those initiated into this sport. When night falls, the area is brightly lit for extended night skiing sessions.
So if you are going on a trip to Denmark, we highly recommend the experience of skiing in this almost flat country, if the snow conditions allow it, and if not throughout the year in the innovative area of Copenhill. Beyond the low elevations, Denmark shows us that we not only depend on the high mountains to have a good time skiing.
Useful links and sources:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/
https://www.visitdenmark.com/
https://www.copenhill.dk/en
https://bornholmsskivenner.dk/
https://bornholm.info/
https://www.roskildeskiklub.dk/
https://www.koldingskiklub.dk/
https://www.oplevkolding.dk/
Follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/globalskier/
World and personalized maps: https://www.andesmapas.com/
