Hafjell to remain open for 2014
We're pleased to report that the owners of Hafjell Bike Park have decided to keep the park open for another year and have thrown down the gauntlet to mountain bikers around the world to use the park more to ensure its future past the 2014 season.
![The sun has dipped on Hafjell after a great start to the week. It s feeling Autumnal and snow may even be on the way in the next few days.]()
With businesses around the world feeling the pinch of the economic downturn, it's not surprising that companies like Alpinco are looking at where they can make savings to ensure survival. Unlike the winter season, operating a summer season facility is more often than not going to be speculative in the short term, and it's reasonable that Alpinco have set the challenge to riders to use the park more so that it becomes a profitable, and therefore worthwhile investment.
Hafjell has managed to deliver one of the best bike parks in Europe and is without a shadow of a doubt, the best bike park in Norway. With the rumours of its closure all over Facebook and Twitter, the interest in saving the Park has rallied the global mountain biking community who have been vocal in expressing their love for the park and their disappointment at the news that it might be closed for good this year.
According to the press release by Alpinco, winter season users of the park will not be subsidising the running costs for the summer season. This is truly going to be a test to see whether a mountain bike park as respected and loved around the world as Hafjell can return a profit or at least a balanced book.
With the UCI Downhill World Championships arriving in September, the park is scheduled to open on 14th June (weekends only), and then daily from 5th July to 3rd August, returning to weekends only until 7th September. The Park will have extended opening hours during the UCI World Championships in September.
![photo]()
With businesses around the world feeling the pinch of the economic downturn, it's not surprising that companies like Alpinco are looking at where they can make savings to ensure survival. Unlike the winter season, operating a summer season facility is more often than not going to be speculative in the short term, and it's reasonable that Alpinco have set the challenge to riders to use the park more so that it becomes a profitable, and therefore worthwhile investment.
Hafjell has managed to deliver one of the best bike parks in Europe and is without a shadow of a doubt, the best bike park in Norway. With the rumours of its closure all over Facebook and Twitter, the interest in saving the Park has rallied the global mountain biking community who have been vocal in expressing their love for the park and their disappointment at the news that it might be closed for good this year.
 | "Visitor numbers have unfortunately not been responding to the costs. The visitor number must increase for the cost of the operation to be covered. The number of guests will ultimately determine the project's future" - Thorvald Sverdrup, Chairman of Alpinco. |
According to the press release by Alpinco, winter season users of the park will not be subsidising the running costs for the summer season. This is truly going to be a test to see whether a mountain bike park as respected and loved around the world as Hafjell can return a profit or at least a balanced book.
| "Hafjell challenges the bike scene - use the facility more - it is the only way to ensure the future of it. A notable increase in guests during the summer 2014 is necessary to form a foundation for continued operation in 2015" - Odd Stensrud, General Manager, Hafjell Alpincenter. |
With the UCI Downhill World Championships arriving in September, the park is scheduled to open on 14th June (weekends only), and then daily from 5th July to 3rd August, returning to weekends only until 7th September. The Park will have extended opening hours during the UCI World Championships in September.
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It's up to us bikers. Sticking your name on a Facebook page isn't going to pay the bills. It may have granted the park a reprieve for 2014 but that's it.
If you want to keep great bike parks get your buddies fill a car and go have an adventure!
IT'S A CONSPIRACY!..... maybe
Ok, Norway's expensive, but if you have a tent you can stay for free. In the bike park, right next to the uplift, with free internet, free bbq, free showers, free bike wash and free toilet facilities. That's a lot cheaper than a hotel. Anywhere!
DFDS Seaways freight ferry shipping route
Brevik - Immingham
On this route there are two sailings per week in both directions.
The cargo mix on this route includes trailers, lorries – with/without drivers, containers, machinery, trucks and cars. In particular great experiences in handling new cars.
From Immingham (on Central England’s east coast) there is immediate access to M62 heading to main big industrial cities in England and Scotland and from Brevik located on the entry to Oslo Fjord – there is immediate access to major Norwegian industries with easy access to the motorway to Kristiansand and Oslo.
Schedules
Brevik - Immingham v.v.
Departure
from Brevik Arrival
at Immingham Departure
from Immingham Arrival
at Brevik
Monday 18:00 Wednesday 22:00 Sunday 05:00 Monday 08:00
Friday 03:00 Saturday 04:00 Wednesday 05:00 Thursday 22:00
Note:
DFDS Seaways reserves the right to make changes in the above schedule.
Local times are used for all departures and arrivals
Closing time is prior to sailing time
Passengers on freight vessels
Enquiries for passenger transport on this route should be direct to Brevik (Tel: +47 2212 2091 Monday - Friday between 10:00-11:00 / email paxbookings.got@dfds.com) or Immingham (Tel: +44 1469 55 26 98 / Email: imm-norbookings@dfds.com ).
Driver
Facilities on board
Our freight vessels offer a comfortable, relaxing means of transportation without the discos, bars and live entertainment. Accommodation in shared double cabin usually with shower and toilet. All cabins are en suite and breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at set times with cold food, tea and coffee facilities available in the canteen/TV lounge.
Hazardous cargo
You guys needs to get order in your priorities.....
If you bring your own food, you won't notice any higher prices.
Hafjell isn't that far off for us in the southern parts of Sweden. But people travel twice the distance to Åre and Sälen(!). Mad.
Comparing a totally different skiresort in Norway (Hemsedal) to Hafjell is also weird. We are discussing the prices in Hafjell and the cost for cottage rental is not expensive! Maybe if you travel alone, but not if you share a big eight-bed one with your friends it will actually be very good. Normally I'm paying approx. 1600 DKK (~ 200 eur) friday to sunday for that. Split on 6 to 8 people the money is no excuse.
The standard is also so much better than the rest of europe since thay have sauna, washing machine, dish washer and free wi-fi.
@AlexGustavsson Det är lugnt. Men jag blir lite irriterad att du anklagar just Hafjell för att vara megadyrt. Det är det verkligen inte.
Enligt din profil är du också från Göteborg, och då har vi 50 mil till Hafjell och 90 till Åre. Liftkorten är billigare i Hafjell, och fyller du en hytta så vill jag påstå att det också är billigare.
Mat kan du handla i Nordby eller Uddevalla (eller hemma)
Åker du flera helger + VM så kan du ju även köpa säsongspass! Bara ett litet tips
All those people saying they would go better follow through.
Only winter season prices at the moment though (expensive), but normally the best around.
You could also sleep in a caravan, motorhome or in tent. Lockers and showers are for free in the area (wifi too).
i found it rather odd that the vast majority (not me) were putting the track down before the first dhwc round was held there, where as now they are all in awe and waxing lyirical about the place
do we need to be spoon fed everything?
I was staying at that "hotel" last year during the world cup. The owner is nice, the bikes are locked away in the night and you can make your own food in their kitchen. On top of that you have to ride your bike less than 150 meters before standing at the bottom of the lift and they also offer free wifi. Great place and fair prices.
Everybody should go to Hafjell and help save one of the best bikeparks in Europe!
Got a really good price on a cabin but they said the ski shed isn't big enough for 8+ bikes
Whistler bike park to close down due to lack of rider numbers, WBP marketing rep John Smith commented "We need all riders all over the world to ride here every day and eat every meal here and all buy seasons passes, even if you don't actually intend on coming this season. If you don't we'll close down"