Trondheim - Norway - page 368

Moments

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Warm-Weather
Ski-Jumping in Trondheim

An offbeat adventure that might appeal to those with a high-adrena-
line thirst for danger involves the brave athletes who stay well
rehearsed in ski-jump techniques throughout the summer. The
Granåsen Ski Jump in Trondheim (about 8km/5 miles south of the cen-
ter), along with the slightly older and Olympic-famous ski jump in Lille-
hammer, are the only ski jumps in the world that prepare for summer
by lining their downhill slopes with high-impact, very slippery plastic.
The result is a bizarre, even surreal sport—warm-weather ski-jump-
ing—that's televised throughout Norway, drawing fans from around
the region. The schedule for these events is highly fluid (after all,
they're rehearsals, not competitions), and events seem to crop up at
erratic moments that sometimes (but not always) correspond to the
arrival of cruise ships near the town's harbor. If you want to attend
such an event, ask the tourist office for information on when the next
rehearsals will be conducted. Entrance is free.

including one for kids, plus nine runs in all. The area boasts 4km (2 1 ⁄ 2 miles) of
the largest illuminated slopes in Norway. Ski buses run to the area. For more
information, call & 72-83-02-00.
SWIMMING Pirbadet & the 3-T Fitness Center, Havnegate 12 ( & 73-83-
18-00 ), lies in one of the most exciting buildings in Trondheim. Perched beside
the sea and the town's commercial piers and separated from the rest of the city
by the sprawling bulk of the railway station, this futuristic-looking, mostly glass
free-form structure houses one of the best-equipped gyms in Norway (the 3-T
Fitness center) and Pirbadet, a collection of pools, water slides, Jacuzzis, and
wave-making machines that's among the most up-to-date of any indoor pool in
the world. It's municipally funded, and clients tend to be office workers early in
the morning, swim students at midday, and recreational swimmers later in the
day. On weekends several thousand recreational swimmers cram into its sun-
filtered interior. Entrance to the Pirbadet pool complex costs between 95NOK
($13) and 115NOK ($16) for adults, depending on what time of day they
arrive; and entrance to the 3-T fitness center is 150NOK ($21).
TENNIS Trondheim has several courts, both indoor and outdoor. For reser-
vations at a court close to your hotel, call Trondhjems Tennisklubb (mobile) at
& 93-63-55-01.

6 Shopping
Annes Keramik Founded in 1797, this outlet is your best bet for ceram-
ics based on 2-centuries-old Trøndelag-styled designs, mainly in green, yellow,
and blue. A number of intriguing household wares are also sold at this small
store. Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:30am to 5pm, Thursday 9:30am
to 8pm, and Saturday 10am to 3pm. Kongesgt 27. & 73-52-53-82.
Arne Ronning This is the finest outlet for Norwegian knitwear, outfitting the
whole family in sweaters and cardigans that can last for a generation or so. It also