Stockholm

Stockholm
– Winter Sports City
The history of Hammarbybacken
Back in 1919 a ski jump was constructed where Hammarbybacken’s
slalom slope is now. The ski jump was owned and run by Djurgården’s
sports association (DIF). In 1955, the City of Stockholm took over
ownership.
Skiing in Sweden for a long time involved mostly ski-jumping and
cross-country skiing. Alpine (or downhill) skiing was something that
was mainly practised in the Alps. In the mid-1960s Hammarbybacken
acquired a ski lift, and many people headed there and to other slopes
around the city to try their hand at downhill skiing.
Photo: Nisse Schmidt.
Downhill skiing in Sweden really took off from the mid-1970s,
thanks to Ingemar Stenmark’s fantastic successes. Discussions also
began as to whether the city should use all waste material from urban
redevelopment to enlarge Hammarbybacken.
By the end of the 1980s, the now 87-metre-high “mountain” with
three ski runs could be put into operation. In 2006, the company
Skistar took over the facility. The hill was now a year-round destination, offering mountain biking, among other activities.
The world cup in parallel slalom is a historic event for the whole of
Stockholm. The world’s top snowboarders compete with views over
the entire city.
Ski jumping was very popular for a long time in Sweden and also in
the capital Stockholm. This picture is from the Swedish Ski Games
in 1955, where thousands of spectators got to see a classic-style jump.
Lack of snow was a problem at times even in those days, and in 1955
Photo: Gerdt Richter.
snow was transported by train to Hammarbybacken, whereas today it
has effective snow cannons to cover all the ski runs. The ski jumping
record at Hammarbybacken is 63 metres, and this record is likely to
stand for a very long time.
Everyone on Snow
– the right for all children to enjoy a love of snow. www.allapasno.nu
Bild: Linnea Bäckström
Photo: iStock.
Major events in Stockholm
The Stockholm region has staged numerous international sports
events over the years. In addition to the 1912 Olympic Games and
the equestrian events of the 1956 Olympics, World Champion-ships in
several sports have been organised in the Stockholm Region. These
include the 1958 Football World Cup, the 1992 European Football Championship and eight Ice Hockey World Championships. Ericsson Globe,
the world’s biggest spherical building, was inaugurated in 1989, and in
May 2016 it will play host to the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.
City for winter
sport enthusiasts
Stockholm has much to offer its
residents and visitors in the form of
winter sports. It has a slalom slope
in the heart of the city, ten ice rinks,
outdoor rinks and a large speed
skating rink. If conditions are right,
skating outdoors can be enjoyed on
the many lakes and even out in the
Baltic archipelago. An 80-kilometre
long-distance skating race also
takes place from the university city
of Uppsala in the north in to Stockholm. Ski trails are also available,
both centrally in the city and in
nature reserves and outdoor recreation areas. In residential areas,
children can enjoy themselves at
smaller skating rinks with natural
ice and go sledging on local slopes.
Really good winters, the season can
extend from December until well
into March.
The Olympic Stadium
– a versatile venue
The main Stockholm Stadium was built
for the 1912 Olympic Games and has
been the scene of many major events,
mainly in sports. DN Galan, held at the
Stadium annually since the l960’s, is
a leading event on the international
athletics calendar, and from 2010
included in the IAAF Diamond League.
The Stadium is also used for top-division
football (soccer) and other activities.
The Stadium was
inaugurated in 1912. u
Tryck: Edita Bobergs. Art.nr.: 12902 Idrottsförvaltningen 2016-02.
Photo: Svenska Skidförbundet.
visitstockholm.com