Voss in Norway comes alive for Ekstremsportveko

Every year a small village in Norway called Voss becomes a hot destination for extreme sports enthusiasts from all over the world. Ekstremsportveko means “Extreme Sports Week” and this seven-day festival is one of the most exciting extreme sports events on the planet.

What Happens at the Festival?

This year marks the 20th Anniversary of Ekstremsportveko. During this week-long event visitors from many different countries come to remote and beautiful Voss to compete in amateur and pro tournaments in a range of extreme sports including paragliding, white water kayaking, base jumping and mountain skiing. There are also competitions in rafting, climbing, hang gliding and even sky-diving.

It’s free to watch the various sporting activities, so this is a great opportunity to see some truly impressive athletes in a gorgeous setting.

facebooktwitterpinterest Mountain Biking at Ekstremsportveko. Photo by Katrin Moe

If you are not an athlete and don’t plan on competing in the events, you can sign up for the “Try It” programs and give these extreme sports a try. They have created a safe environment for you to try things so that you don’t have to have any experience. The program is very popular, so make sure that you book the sports you want to try as early as possible. Or, you can just hang out and enjoy the atmosphere and the excellent free concerts and live performances.

The pleasure of visiting the village of Voss is also a reason to attend the festival. It is known as the “Adventure Capital of Norway” and it is surrounded by magnificent glaciers, mountains, fjords and lakes. Be sure to visit the stunning Bordalsgjelet Gorge and go on the hike to the Tvindefossen Waterfall.

A Mix of Sports and Culture

The festival isn’t just about sports – it also blends together music and culture in an exciting way. As well as the extreme sports events, it also features a blend of Norwegian and international DJs and bands performing in the festival tent. Some of the best DJs from throughout Europe come to this event.

facebooktwitterpinterest Speedriding at Lønahorgi. Photo by Vivi Sponland

There are several special musical events throughout the festival, including the Bula Beanie Boogie Party, the Movie Night and parties in the Lounge. Nightly concerts bring the small town to life and partiers dance until the early hours of the morning – enjoying the long days of the Norwegian summer.

Tips for Attending

Are you planning to head to Norway to take part in this exciting festival? Here are some tips:

– Check out the website to get tickets or sign up to compete in events.
-There is a free bus service that goes to many of the sporting arenas. If you have a car you are encouraged to carpool, as parking is limited at many of the sporting arenas.
– Go to the events and watch them live, rather than watching the recap video in the tent. Nothing compares to watching these impressive sports first-hand.
– Consider volunteering at the event, which will give you free access to the concerts and parties. There are many volunteer opportunities available for jobs such as bar staff, wait staff and sales.
– According to the Norwegian laws, the age limit for the concerts in the Festival Tent is 18.
– The festival uses a “Cashless” system where you load up a card with money and then use it to purchase food, drink and merchandise. This reduces robberies and cuts down on the queuing time. You can click here to read about how it works.

For more information and tickets head to Ekstremsportveko.com

Feature image: Skydiving by Steffen Kirschner