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From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.

Author: Lumi Experiences

Reserve Your Spot Soon: These 2027 Lumi Trips Still Have Space

Mid-August is a time to reflect on the summer and start looking forward to the upcoming changing of the seasons. The long, sunny days have brought me many adventures this year, particularly to lakeside destinations like Achensee just up the valley from Innsbruck. A quick dip in the lake is an excellent way to cool down after a bike ride, hike or even rollerski, in the mountains with friends on a hot day. Soon, though, the temperatures will begin dropping and our favorite trails start preparing for the coming winter.

If you’ve been dreaming of exploring Europe’s top cross-country ski trails this winter, there is still space on several Lumi trips to the Alps and Scandinavia. Whether you’d like to check a Worldloppet event (or two!) off your list or simply sight-ski in a new country at your own pace, Lumi’s expert, local trip leaders will help make you get the most out of your ski time in Europe. Check out Lumi’s 2027 winter calendar below and start making your plans today.

Ski in Seefeld & Seiser Alm

Explore the trails on Seiser Alm, one of Italy’s premier Nordic skiing destinations (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

This Winter Seefeld, Austria and Seiser Alm, Italy are renowned for their approachable, yet scenic skiing during the winter months. Start your journey on the nearly-flat trails of Leutasch outside of Seefeld, where picture-perfect mountains rise above the valley below. Trailside huts serving traditional Austrian fare, including the classic Aperol Spritz, dot the trails so you’re never far from a snack break or full meal. Continue your trip on Seiser Alm, where the higher elevations place you above the clouds and nearly at eye-level with the craggy Dolomite spires that ring this high-altitude plateau. Both locations have reliable snow-making capabilities that enable them to open the trails by November before natural snow takes over in December and beyond. The March trip is already sold out, but we still have space on both January trips to Seefeld & Seiser Alm trips. Reach out soon! Our January 20 departure only has one room remaining.

Earn Two Worldloppet Stamps Towards Your Masters Medal

Ski through Finland’s dense forests at the Finlandia-Hiihto (Photo: Finlandia-Hiihto)

If you’re craving the thrill of participating in a major ski marathon, look no further than Lumi’s Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf and Finlandia & Tartu trips. Both trips feature Worldloppet events on back-to-back weekends, putting you that much closer to reaching your Worldloppet Master medal. Your expert, local trip leaders assist with all race logistics, including ski waxing for each event so you can simply focus on enjoying the skiing and surroundings on your big event day. We only have a few spots left on both trips, so if you’d like to participate in two Worldloppet events on one trip we recommend reaching out soon.

The Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf trip features skiing in Italy, Austria and Germany over 11 days, allowing you to experience some of the best skiing and dining in each region. New for 2027 is the chance to participate in the 32 km Marcialonga “Just for Fun” event, the perfect distance for those who aren’t able to ski the full 70 km classic event. After skiing the beautiful trails in and around Seefeld, Austria, continue your Worldloppet pursuit at the König Ludwig Lauf in Germany on their newly refreshed, snow-secure course.

Whether you ski the full 70 km course or the new 32 km “Just For Fun” event, crossing the Marcialonga finish line is an exciting accomplishment (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

Later in the winter you’ll have the opportunity to ski the Finlandia-Hiihto and Tartu Ski Marathon on Lumi’s Finland & Estonia trip. Both events feature moderate terrain and a relaxed atmosphere in part due to their smaller size – especially compared to Worldloppet events like the Birken, Engadin and Vasaloppet, all of which regularly reach over 10,000 participants. In addition to enjoying both nations’ Olympic museums, cuisine and trails, guests have the opportunity to sauna every day in Finland in a variety of traditional Finnish saunas.

Join skiers from around the world in a group stretch before skiing the Finlandia-Hiihto Worldloppet (Photo: Finlandia-Hiihto)

Sight-Ski Your Way Across Norway or Slovenia & Italy

Not interested in participating in a ski marathon? Join a sight-skiing trip in Norway or Slovenia & Italy next winter. Lumi’s sight-skiing trips skip the races so you can focus on enjoying the scenery, cuisine and culture that make each destination unique.

Ski the Holmenkollen trails above Oslo before trekking north to Norway’s Sjusjøen trails (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

We have two Norway Sight-Skiing trips scheduled for mid-February next winter, each of which begins in Oslo on the Nordmarka trails before shifting north to the Olympic city of Lillehammer and the seemingly endless trails of Sjusjøen. Enjoy Oslo’s harbor from two unique angles: first from the top of the iconic Holmenkollen Ski Jump high above the city, then from the water on a floating sauna – before an optional cold plunge into the icy waters. Our February 14 departure is almost full, with just two more rooms available for up to 4 guests

Lumi’s Slovenia & Italy Sight-Skiing trip in early-March is the perfect trip for those looking to explore a quieter corner of the Alps. Your accommodations for the week-long trip are just a few minutes walk along rustic village paths to the trails, which lead directly to the famous Planica Nordic Center, site of the 2023 FIS World Championships. Ski to one of our favorite trailside huts in the Julian Alps before taking a gondola ride to a mountaintop village nearly a kilometer in elevation above the valley below. Wrap up your trip with a visit to Lake Bled, one of Slovenia’s most cherished natural wonders.

Discover the quieter trails of the Julian Alps in Slovenia and Italy (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

End Your Season Under the Auroras in Iceland

Part Worldloppet trip, part sight-seeing adventure: Lumi’s Iceland Fossavatn trip in mid-April has a little bit of everything. Start your trip off in Reykjavik before trekking northwards along Iceland’s rugged interior, with stops at volcanic craters, scenic waterfalls and geothermal springs. Upon reaching the country’s Westfjords region, you’ll find a beautiful trail network just above sea level, with stunning views of the fjord in the glacially-carved valley overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. After participating in the last Worldloppet event of the season, celebrate with your fellow skiers from around the world at the Fossavatn’s famous cake party, with dozens of delicious cakes to choose from – not to mention freshly-caught seafood served at restaurants throughout Ísafjörður. With almost no light pollution to speak of, this trip has the highest chance of seeing the northern lights of any Lumi trip.

Visit Iceland next April for the chance to see the northern lights (Photo: Annika Landis)

Space is limited on many of these trips, so if you are interested in traveling to Europe with Lumi for your next ski vacation, reach out soon to secure your spot. Message reservations@lumiexperiences.com for a detailed trip itinerary or to sign up. We look forward to hearing from you!

See you on the trail,

Garrott Kuzzy
garrott@lumiexperiences.com
Founder & Olympian, Lumi Experiences

About Lumi Experiences

As the world’s premier cross-country ski travel company, Lumi Experiences offers boutique trips that introduce travelers to winter cultures where Nordic skiing is a part of everyday life — from Sweden to Slovenia. It’s a ski vacation like no other.

Media contact: Nathan Miller – Marketing & Guest Communications Manager – nathan@lumiexperiences.com

September 21, 2026
Courtney Dauwalter Visits Seefeld & Seiser Alm With Lumi

Among the world’s top ultra-marathon runners is Courtney Dauwalter. Her accolades read as a list of the world’s most challenging trail running events, followed by “win” in pretty much every one of them. Known in the running world simply as “Courtney,” she is an incredibly talented athlete, but more importantly, Courtney is an incredibly thoughtful and inspiring person.

In high school, Courtney and I were teammates on the cross-country ski team and both of us stood on top of the podium at the 2002 Minnesota State High School Ski Championships (if anyone has any photos in their archives, please let me know – this was long before digital cameras and smartphones were ubiquitous). After skiing in college for the University of Denver, Courtney spent several years teaching, before a passion for trail running eventually pulled her away from teaching and into a trail running career. We stay in touch and try to meet up when it works out.

Courtney Dauwalter explores the Seiser Alm trails with Garrott Kuzzy from Lumi Experiences (Photo: Moritz Klee)

Last fall, Courtney reached out to share that she was invited to run as a torchbearer in Italy in January 2026 and perhaps even do a little skiing afterwards: “Hey Garrott! Kev and I were just looking at the Lumi website and saw the Seefeld & Seiser Alm trip. We’d love to ski it this winter!” Fast forward a few months and we were catching up over a hot chocolate in a hut in Leutasch, Austria, getting ready to go sledding down one of my favorite trails before skiing our way back to their hotel in Seefeld. We had a blast skiing in Seefeld, Austria and Seiser Alm, Italy, where we got fresh corduroy tracks after a big snowfall and sampled cheese at one of my favorite farms in the Dolomites. It wasn’t until we were there that Courtney realized she’d been to the region before on a long trail run and pointed to the mountain she traversed during a summer trail running event a few years ago.

The iconic Schlern formation rises above Seiser Alm’s trails in Italy (Photo: Moritz Klee)

A Legend on Foot

Enjoying an evening ski on Seiser Alm (Photo: Moritz Klee)

Widely recognized as one of the world’s top trail ultrarunners, Courtney’s trademark baggy shorts, easygoing attitude and mental resilience have made her a fan favorite and an inspiration for a generation of athletes of all ages who are bucking the definition of what makes a traditional trail runner. She has shattered records worldwide and amassed repeated victories at ultrarunning’s premier events, highlighted by an unprecedented sweep of the “Triple Crown” in 2023, winning the Western States 100, UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) and Hardrock 100 all in a single calendar year.

Salut! to a day on Seiser Alm’s trails in Italy with Lumi Experiences (Photo: Moritz Klee)

Courtney continues to set the bar high this season, winning the women’s Ultra Trail Chianti Castles 120K in Tuscany this past March and placing 10th overall. In May, she tackled the grueling Cocodona 250, redeeming her previous year’s DNF by pushing through the Arizona heat to take 2nd among women and 6th overall. She followed that in July by capturing her fourth straight women’s title at the Hardrock 100, crossing the line 5th overall in 26:03:10 to set the fastest female clockwise time in the race’s history. Was it her week of skiing in Seefeld & Seiser Alm this winter that made the difference? Well, probably not, but skiing is definitely great cross-training for trail running.

Still Stellar on Skis

Snow-capped peaks make for an incredible backdrop for skiing at Seefeld, Austria and Seiser Alm, Italy (Photo: Moritz Klee)

Courtney still excels at skiing, a testament to the importance of cross training and staying fit no matter the season – not to mention the years of working on her stride early in her athletic career. Her husband Kevin is relatively new to cross country skiing, but still loved the alternative to running, exploring the trails and perfecting his ski skills.

Alpine sledding with Courtney Dauwalter and Lumi Experiences (Photo: Moritz Klee)

One of the highlights of our week together was rodeling, aka alpine sledding. We had a memorable ride down the hill through forests blanketed with snow before our ski back to Seefeld. There are plenty of ski trails and activity options suitable for everyone in Seefeld & Seiser Alm, from ultra-distance champions to beginners.

Ready for rodeling with new and old friends in Leutasch, Austria (Photo: Moritz Klee)

Ski in Austria and Italy Next Winter

Fresh snowfall made for excellent conditions on Seefeld’s trails (Photo: Moritz Klee)

Would you like to explore Austria and Italy’s best cross-country ski trails next winter? Let Lumi Experiences handle all of the hotel, transportation, and scheduling logistics so you can enjoy the trails to the fullest with your travel companions, with the help of Lumi’s local, expert trip leaders. Relax in comfortable trailside accommodations and discover regional cuisine unique to both countries. Not an ultrarunner like Courtney? Both Seefeld & Seiser Alm feature trails for all levels of skiers, even novices. There is limited space available on Lumi’s Seefeld & Seiser Alm trips next January, with two departure dates available. Reach out to reservations@lumiexperiences.com today for a detailed daily itinerary or to sign up.

Garrott, Kevin and Courtney in front of Seefeld’s Seekirchl church (Photo: Moritz Klee)

See you on the trail,

Garrott Kuzzy
garrott@lumiexperiences.com
Founder & Olympian, Lumi Experiences

About Lumi Experiences

As the world’s premier cross-country ski travel company, Lumi Experiences offers boutique trips that introduce travelers to winter cultures where Nordic skiing is a part of everyday life — from Sweden to Slovenia. It’s a ski vacation like no other.

Media contact: Nathan Miller – Marketing & Guest Communications Manager – nathan@lumiexperiences.com

August 26, 2026
The Engadin Worldloppet: Mattress Downhill or Optional Walk-Around?

Muottas Muragl Base Station

by long-time Lumi guest from Anchorage, Alaska: Gunnar Knapp

On March 8, 2026 I skied the Engadin Ski Marathon in the Engadin valley of Switzerland. I was very pleased to complete my tenth Worldloppet, thus earning my Worldloppet Master Diploma and gold medal.

To ski the race, I joined the trip organized by Lumi Experiences to Seefeld (Austria) and the Engadin Marathon. I had taken numerous other fun trips with Lumi, including trips for all but two of my ten Worldloppets.

Here are some excerpts from my journal for this trip which give a sense of the Engadin valley, the race course, and the race experience.

Gunnar high above the Engadin Valley atop Muottas Muragl

Thursday, March 5, 2026

After I arrived at my hotel in Samedan following a lengthy – yet beautiful – train ride from Zurich, part of me wanted to just sleep all afternoon. However, I stuck to the plan, which was for me to take a city bus over to the base of Muottas Muragl, a funicular railway which rises high above the valley, where I soon met the Lumi group led by trip leaders Vale and Elisa, along with founder Garrott and guest communications manager Nathan.

The ride up the funicular was long, steep and somewhat scary. At the top there was a fabulous view of snow- and glacier-covered peaks in all directions. The Engadin Valley below stretched down to Lake Silas far in the distance where the Engadin Marathon will start, progressing up the valley beyond us. It was really spectacular.

At the top was a restaurant where I could have relaxed with a beer and soup and enjoyed the view. Instead, I spent my time walking around on the packed hiking trails, taking in the view, snapping pictures, and watching paragliders take off right next to the restaurant and soar into the sky above, below and in front of us.

After we rode back down the funicular, we had a quick and easy ski back to Samedan, just a few kilometers away.

Groomed trails atop Muottas Muragl make for easy exploring at 8000_

Friday, March 6, 2026

The next morning our group took a short bus ride to St. Moritz. At a plaza in the center of town we got off and put on our skis before heading out along the middle part of the Engadin course. I took it very easy, enjoying the excellent conditions and warm sunshine, stopping frequently to take pictures of the gorgeous scenery.

One kilometer before the finish of the half-marathon at Pontresina we came to what is called “Mattress Hill.” It looked scary enough and there were indeed lots of mattresses on trees throughout the narrow course. I had heard that if you didn’t want to ski down you could walk on a path alongside the race course. It was true, and it wasn’t just a path of trampled-down snow as I had expected, but rather a paved path which had been sprinkled with sawdust to make it less slippery. Walking down was very easy. It wasn’t “cheating” at all: there was an actual official Engadin Marathon sign saying that the path for skiers to walk on was 250 meters ahead, and another sign for the actual turnoff to the path.

Just beyond the bottom of Mattress Hill is the 21 km mark and the finish of the half-marathon. From there it was a wonderful long gradual downhill that might be almost two miles long.

Liftoff!

Saturday, March 7, 2026

With my legs tired after a fair amount of skiing yesterday, my goal for the day was to relax in my room and get rested. I didn’t join the more gung-ho members of our group who skied the final part of the course down towards the finish. Instead, I relaxed for several hours and took a much-appreciated late-morning nap. But it was such a pretty day that I decided to go out for an afternoon walk with my camera.

Riding the funicular down from Muottas Muragl

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Today I skied and finished the long-awaited Engadin Ski Marathon. And with that, I finally finished my tenth Worldloppet race and earned my Worldloppet Master medal and diploma!

Here are a few, or maybe more than a few, details about my day and the race.

Everything turned out to be very well organized, as we had been promised. I scouted out the location of the porta-potties (many, and without lines!), the drop-bag trucks, and the (crowded) warming tent. I hung out in the warming tent until it was time to finally head over to the start area and find my way to the “G” bin for my “27G” start.

Approaching the Mattress Hill walk-around

And then we were off. For the next 8 km or so I had fun, fast and easy skiing down this wide, uncrowded course. It was even more fun because I kept reminding myself, “Take it easy! Your only goal is to finish and have fun!”

All this wonderful skiing on the flat portion of the course came to an abrupt end when the trail turned off the lake, narrowed, and headed into a forest, where I almost immediately came to the first bottleneck. Three rows of skiers were herring-boning up the hill on the left, and a long line of skiers was walking up the hill on the right (encouraged to do so by a race official). I was glad to walk: there was less risk of someone stepping on my poles.

The first bottleneck on the Engadin course

After about 2 km in the woods we came out onto another lake with a wide open trail before skiing through the center of St. Moritz. It was a relief to finally come to “Mattress Hill,” which I knew was right before the half-way point. I skipped the chaos of the crowded hill and walked down the path.

From the halfway point on, it was mostly easy, fast and fun skiing, starting with a wonderful long downhill, followed by long stretches of flat on which I found myself steadily passing slower skiers from earlier waves. I alternated between skating (V1, V2, and V2 alternate) and double-poling, with more and more double-poling as I got closer to the finish. After the lakes ended there were long stretches of rolling hills. They were not too steep up or down and were actually more fun than the continuous flat. But the last 21 km was still a long way and I was definitely tired and ready to finish.

One last bit of excitement that I did not expect was a sharp left turn into a steep, narrow and winding downhill just a half-kilometer before the finish. With the snow scraped away to ice with snow berms on the side, I skirted around several very tentative skiers just in front of me. I made it down in one piece and after that there was only a short uphill before a left turn into a broad flat finishing stretch.

Finally, I was done. Ooof! A big relief! I was pleased that I had finished the race, hadn’t injured myself, and had fun throughout.

Garrott was waiting in the finish area and he took a few pictures of me and then pointed me to where our Lumi group were sitting at a picnic table, relaxing with a few drinks. After a few minutes with the Lumi group we left to walk up to the train back to Samedan.

How did I actually do in my race? My time was 4:10:43. Not very spectacular results from a “racing” point of view. But it doesn’t matter. I achieved my goals: I finished, and I had fun. And achieved my Worldloppet Master certification, completing 10 Worldloppet events.

Gunnar Knapp is presented with his finisher medal at the Engadin Worldloppet

Would you like to join Lumi’s 2027 Seefeld & Engadin trip? There are still a few spots available, but we expect this one to fill by April 30. Reach out to reservations@lumiexperiences.com to request a detailed trip itinerary or to sign up and receive the $200 early booking discount for reservations on all trips by April 30.

See you on the trail,

Garrott

Founder & Olympian

Lumi Experiences

Gunnar Knapp, Worldloppet Master! Presented by Epp from the Worldloppet

May 29, 2026
Lumi Experiences Announces 2025/26 Headgear Sponsorship with Olympian Julia Kern

Lumi Experiences, the world’s premier provider of boutique cross-country ski vacations, is proud to announce an expanded partnership with US Cross Country Ski Team star, Julia Kern, designating Lumi Experiences as her official headgear sponsor for the 2025/2026 FIS Cross Country Season. This commitment helps support Julia as she prepares for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games in February.

Julia Kern (USA) racing the World Cup cross-country mass start this past weekend in Ruka (FIN). (Photo: Modica/NordicFocus)

What is a “headgear sponsor?”

The International Ski Federation (FIS) requires World Cup athletes to race in their country’s national team race suit, which typically includes logos of the team’s sponsors. The only space an athlete can use to promote personal sponsors is on their hat or headband.

From Junior Nationals to World Cup Success

On the ski trail, Julia has established herself as one of the most exciting competitors on the World Cup circuit, currently completing her 10th consecutive winter traveling the circuit for months at a time.

Julia is renowned for major achievements, including securing a bronze medal in the Team Sprint alongside a teammate at the 2023 World Championships in Planica, Slovenia, followed by earning a silver medal in the Team Sprint at the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim, Norway — along with multiple individual World Cup podiums along the way.

As a teenager, Julia thought junior nationals were the pinnacle of cross-country skiing and “didn’t even know what the World Cup was.” Through ski racing and travels, Julia now inspires people of all ages to get out on skis and discover the world — two passions that align perfectly with Lumi Experiences.

Julia Kern (USA) took her first individual podium since 2019 last March. (Photo: NordicFocus)

A Shared Passion

Lumi Experiences has been supporting Julia Kern as a sponsor since 2022. Julia’s regular social media posts offer insights into life on the World Cup circuit, inspiring followers with photos and videos of international travel and cross-country skiing.

Beyond skiing, Julia shares content like photography tips, packing tips, and her favorite places to ski — including destinations like Toblach, Seefeld, and Seiser Alm.

Julia’s prior headgear sponsor, The Memory Clinic, was unable to continue due to reductions in government funding. Lumi Experiences is pleased to step in and support Julia’s journey for the 2025/26 season.

Supporting Julia aligns with Lumi Experiences’ broader efforts to support cross-country skiing. Lumi has supported the National Nordic Foundation (NNF) since 2018, contributing to US cross-country skier development. Lumi is also a major supporter of the Trail to Gold Fellowship — a program inspired by one of Julia’s coaches — with a goal to bring more women coaches to the World Cup level. Julia’s team-first mentality reinforces Lumi’s investment in this community program. Lumi also supports organizations such as the Women Ski Coaches Association and the New England Nordic Ski Association, both of which have played a role in supporting Julia’s career.

A Lifelong Nordic Ski Connection

Julia’s personal background provides a unique connection to the international travel experience that Lumi offers guests. She holds US/German citizenship and speaks fluent German. Her parents are from Germany, and she grew up skiing the trails in Oberwiesenthal.

In recent years, the German-speaking destinations of Seefeld (Austria) and Seiser Alm (Italy) have often become Julia’s Christmas training locations of choice — which coincidentally are two of the most popular destinations for Lumi travelers.

Lumi guests pose with Julia Kern and her parents at the 2023 Planica World Championship. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

“We are incredibly proud to step up our support for Julia Kern as her official headgear sponsor for the 2025/26 season,” said Garrott Kuzzy, Founder of Lumi Experiences and fellow Olympian. “Julia is an exemplary athlete who inspires fans worldwide, and whose connection to European ski culture, fluent German and travel expertise make her an ideal ambassador for Lumi Experiences.”

Julia Kern commented on the new partnership:

“I’m thrilled to expand my partnership with Lumi Experiences as my official headgear sponsor for the season. Lumi has supported me since 2022 and shares my passion for skiing, travel, and community. Their commitment to programs like the National Nordic Foundation and Trail to Gold inspires me, and I look forward to bringing ski fans along to destinations like Seefeld, Toblach, and Seiser Alm.”

About Lumi Experiences

Lumi Experiences offers boutique cross-country ski vacations, introducing travelers to winter cultures where Nordic skiing is a part of everyday life. Founded by Olympian Garrott Kuzzy, Lumi provides guests with expertly curated travel experiences — including opportunities to cheer on athletes like Julia Kern at World Cup and World Championship events.

Founded in Vermont and rooted in love for snow and ski culture, Lumi continues to bring together ski fans, athletes, and world-class destinations.

Lumi guests meet World Championship medalist Julia Kern at the 2023 World Championships. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

December 4, 2025
Let the Wild Cheering & Glitter Continue

Lumi guests with Haakon Klaebo, father of World Champion

“The crowd was cheering so loudly I couldn’t even hear myself breathe” – Johannes Klaebo

If you’ve been to a cross-country ski race in Norway, you know exactly what Klaebo means. At the World Championships in Trondheim this week, the Granåsen Ski Center grandstands and course are packed with over 25,000 raucous fans – their cheering deafening. In Norway, the fans are so dedicated, they’ll stand for hours in the pouring rain to see their favorite skiers glide by for a moment.

Guests on Lumi’s Trondheim World Championships trip are right in the middle of one of the biggest celebrations of skiing. Cheering hometown hero Klaebo to five victories to date has been unforgettable. The wild cheering continued for Lumi trip leader Silje, chief of course marshals for the World Championships (< check out this video!), who will be leading Lumi’s Norway-Birken trip at the Holmenkollen & Norwegian Birkebeiner next week!

The Granåsen Ski Centre packed with fans.

It’s inspiring to see even the non-hometown heroes having hugely successful performances despite Trondheim’s tricky coastal conditions which make nailing the perfect race wax a challenge. Lumi sponsored athlete Julia Kern’s hard work to finish in the top 5 in the Women’s Sprint Final and then win Silver in the Team Sprint with Jessie has her tip-to-tip with the best cross-country skiers from around the world. Lumi is thrilled to support Julia on her journey – go Julia!!

Stars, stripes & glitter!

Before, during and after the events, Lumi veteran trip leader and 2x Olympian Holly Brooks has been sharing her insider knowledge of the athletes and races as well as her boundless energy, smiles and glitter with guests. Alongside Holly, trip leader Linda who is a retired biathlete and Trondheim local is passionate about sharing her biathlon and Trondheim expertise with the group.

Learning biathlon from Lumi trip leader Linda who’s a retired biathlete.

Beyond soaking up the electric atmosphere during the races, Lumi guests took a sunset boat ride along the Trondheim fjord to learn about the city’s fishing heritage and see its colorful, waterfront buildings. Linda led a biathlon lesson – a new experience for most guests who are familiar with cross-country skiing, but adding the rifle marksmanship was an entirely new experience. Comparing notes about the day’s excitement over a Norwegian meal, sometimes followed by attending the medal ceremonies, has been a fun way to unwind in the evenings.

The celebration continues in Trondheim this week! If you wish you were there in person, don’t miss the festivities at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games next winter – for a chance to cheer for your favorite world-class skiers, get an insider’s look at the races with Lumi’s expert trip leaders, and have an unforgettable winter ski adventure in Italy’s stunning Dolomites region. The energy, the fans and the skiing awaits!

Hooray for fresh snowfall!

Reserve your spot by Monday, March 31 to save $300 / person on any 2026 Lumi trips. The trips are already filling quickly and a few, such as the Opening and Middle Week Olympic trips, may fill before then. After Julia and Jessie’s impressive result in the Classic Team Sprint at the World Champs, I personally can’t wait for the Skate Team Sprint, which guests on the Closing Week Olympic trip will get to see next winter. Reach out soon to info@lumiexperiences.com to see a trip itinerary and sign up!

See you on the trail,

Garrott Kuzzy

garrott@lumiexperiences.com

Snowy skiing!

March 12, 2025
Win a ski trip for two to France!
Cross-country ski travel company Lumi Experiences is celebrating its partnership as an official tour operator for the Worldloppet’s series of 20 international ski marathons with a…

Trip giveaway for two lucky skiers on the 2025 France – Transju’ trip, a value of over $10,000.

Enter the trip giveaway today for your chance to win two spots on the trip, including two entries in the Transju’ ski marathon! To double your chance of winning, follow Lumi on Instagram or Facebook. The trip is transferable to a friend if you can’t make it. The giveaway closes Wednesday, December 11 and the winner will be announced on lucky Friday, December 13.

Do you find that skiing pairs well with cheese & wine and want to explore the flavors of France’s Jura region by ski?

On the Lumi Experiences France-Transju’ trip, spend 8 days at a renowned cross-country ski area in the Jura Mountains near the French-Swiss border. Explore the 170+ km of trails that criss-cross through quaint villages and preserved forests, all leading to cozy mountain huts. Lumi already has reservations for several trailside lunches and dinners at local restaurants where you can sample the local wines and cheeses the region is known for – like fondue made with Comté or Mont d’Or cheeses. At the end of your trip, ski the Transju’ Worldloppet ski marathon, France’s largest cross-country ski race. With classic and skate distances ranging from 25 – 70 km, there’s an event for every skier.

What’s included?
- 7 nights in three- and four-star hotels
- All breakfasts, 5 dinners and 3 trailside lunches
- Ground transportation, starting and finishing in Geneva
- All ski trail passes
- Ski waxing, including race wax for the Transju ski marathon
- Personalized daily trail recommendations from your local trip leaders
“All of the activities, skiing, museums, tours were excellent, but I think the highlight I value most was the wonderful people – our leaders, fellow Lumi travelers, and locals – I met during the trip was the best part.” – Dave Melcher, 2024 France-Transju Trip

As the world’s premier cross-country ski travel company, Lumi offers boutique trips that introduce travelers to winter cultures where nordic skiing is a part of everyday life — from Switzerland to Norway. We would love to host you on your next ski vacation. If you have any questions about Lumi trips or would like to receive a detailed itinerary for a trip, you can reach us at: info@lumiexperiences.com

Bonne chance!

Garrott Kuzzy

garrott@lumiexperiences.com
November 14, 2024
2025 World Championships in Trondheim, Norway
The Camp Norway fan club traveled to Slovenia for the 2023 World Championships. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

This February and March, the attention of Nordic ski world will be on the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim, Norway! The World Championships only happen every two years and, besides the Olympics, it’s the most prestigious event for World Cup skiers. And did I mention it’s in Norway? Lumi Experiences has lodging and grandstand tickets reserved for this unique Nordic event. The trip deadline is approaching fast: receive a $300 / person booking discount when you sign up for Lumi’s Week 1 trip by Friday, November 15. There’s still a few spots available on the Week 2 trip too. Need more inspiration for why to head to Trondheim?

Norwegian fans at the Holmenkollen ski festival. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)
- A rare opportunity: This is only the second time in cross-country ski World Champs history that the competitions will be held in Norway, but outside of Oslo – the last time was in 1997 (almost 30 years ago in Trondheim!). Norwegian ski festivals like the Holmenkollen World Cup, affectionately known as “the second national day” of Norway, draw huge crowds of Norwegian fans every year. World Championships are sure to draw an even bigger crowd from Norway and beyond.
Jessie and others in the first-ever Women_s 50 km in Oslo, Norway. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)
- An historic event for gender equity: 2025 is the first-ever World Championships where men and women skiers will be racing ALL the same distances. Just two years ago at the World Champs in Planica, Slovenia, women raced shorter distances than the men in every event. This winter, for the first time ever at the World Championships, everyone will ski the same distances. US Gold Medalist Jessie Diggins and others have been advocating for this parity for a long time – now it’s a reality and historic accomplishment for gender equity.
Diggins skiing above Oslo at the Holmenkollen Ski Festival. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

Jessie Diggins, after a podium finish in the first-ever Women’s 50 km World Cup event at the 2023 Holmenkollen Ski Festival:

That was amazing to finally get to race 50km! I believe with all my heart that THIS is the message we want to send to young women everywhere: that you CAN do hard things, and you should be given the same opportunities to go test yourself and see what you find deep inside. Because it’s the feeling of knowing you had to work so hard for it that makes you even more proud when you cross that finish line.

Colorful facades on the Trondheim fjord. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)
- More affordable & easier access than the Olympics: The Lago di Tesero ski stadium in Val di Fiemme, Italy is preparing to host the cross-country ski events for the 2026 winter Olympics. We’re hearing from lots of US skiers who hope to travel there for the cross-country ski events next winter, but the World Champs in Norway is more affordable and easier to access than the Olympics in Italy are going to be. The 1994 Lillehammer Olympics may go down in history as the most magical Olympic Games in history. While no one is sure when Norway will host the next Winter Games, the atmosphere at the 2025 Trondheim World Championships will be about as close as it gets to an Olympics in Norway.
Diggins winning Gold at the 2023 Planica World Champs. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)
- Skiing with the Stars: From Therese Johaug coming out of retirement as a strong long-distance skier to Diggins who placed 3rd in the first-ever Women’s 50 km in 2023, the competition is going to be big. The US men skiers are sure to bring the heat too. Ben Ogden skied the fastest men’s individual sprint in US history at the last winter Olympics and Gus Schumacher knows how to peak for events in late February, after winning the 10km Skate race at the 2024 Minneapolis World Cup. Of course there’s Johannes Klæbo too – who grew up in Trondheim and will surely want to put on a show for his home crowd!
Lumi guests try out Biathlon in Slovenia at 2023 World Champs (Photo: Lumi Experiences)
- Come for the corduroy, stay for the culture: This wouldn’t be a Lumi trip without activities beyond skiing. Trondheim is located on a fjord, so we have a sunset boat ride planned to get out on the water and learn more about Trondheim’s fishing heritage and get an up-close look at the multicolored facades right on the water. Biathlon anyone? Take a shot at biathlon, cross country skiing combined with rifle marksmanship with your biathlon-expert trip leader. In the evenings, dine at some of our favorite restaurants in Trondheim and raise a glass with your travel companions!
Lumi guests meet World Championship medalist Julia Kern at the 2023 World Championships. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

Join Lumi Experiences to bring the stars, stripes and glitter to cheer for Team USA in Klæbo’s backyard. I’m excited to share that veteran Lumi Experiences trip leader and 2-time Olympian Holly Brooks will be one of our leaders, alongside a Trondheim local trip leader, for the second week of the championships. Holly is known for bringing her glitter and getting the group special access at the events, like she has done on past Lumi trips at the 2019 Seefeld World Champs, 2023 Holmenkollen World Cup and 2024 Minneapolis World Cup!

Lumi trip leader and Olympian Holly Brooks shares insights with guests at the 2023 Holmenkollen. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

There are still convenient flights into and out of Trondheim as well as limited space available on the Lumi trips for Weeks 1 or 2 of the championships. Let Lumi take care of your lodging (at this point, it’s almost impossible to find a hotel room in and around Trondheim during the World Champs), transportation, ski waxing, and more. Learn more on the Lumi website: 2025 Trondheim World Championships trips. Sign up for the Week 1 trip by Friday, November 15 and save $300 / person. Reach out to see the itinerary: info@lumiexperiences.com

Lumi guests meet the team at 2019 World Champs in Seefeld. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

See you on the trail,

Garrott Kuzzy

garrott@lumiexperiences.com
October 29, 2024
Thinking Ahead to Winter? It’s Not Too Late for a Lumi Ski Trip

There is still limited space on several Lumi ski trips for the winter ahead! Beautiful skiing, delicious cuisine, cultural experiences and the support of local, expert trip leaders await you on a range of Lumi trips – from cheering trailside at European World Cup races like the Tour de Ski in Italy and World Champs in Norway to leisurely skiing with majestic mountain views and cozy trailside huts for lunch in Slovenia – there’s a trip for everyone.

Check out which trips still have availability below, reach out to see an itinerary and sign up soon for this winter. We look forward to hearing from you: info@lumiexperiences.com!

Tour de Ski: World Cup Trip

Be trailside for European World Cup highlights
January 2 – 9, 2025

Catch your favorite World Cup racers where the Nordic competitions for the 2026 Olympic games will be held in Val di Fiemme, Italy at the Tour de Ski. Spend four additional days skiing on the Seiser Alm plateau – one of Europe’s most scenic and renown ski areas in the heart of the Dolomites, known for their trailside cuisine, Aperol spritzes and après-ski culture.

Trondheim World Champs Trip

Take $300 off Week 1 until October 1
Week 1: February 24 – March 3, 2025
Week 2: March 3 – 10, 2025 – almost full!

The best skiers will converge at the Granåsen Ski Centre outside of Norway’s 3rd largest city, Trondheim, for two weeks of competitions. Only once every two years: the World Champs are one of Lumi’s most popular types of trips. Discover the trails around Trondheim in a country where skiing is the way of life, and sample the city’s “new Nordic” food scene after an evening boat ride along the Trondheim Fjord.

Seefeld & Seiser Alm: Sight-Skiing Trip

Two of our most popular destinations
January 5 – 12, 2025

Ski two incredible trail networks in Europe and dine at some of our favorite trailside huts along the way. There is no ski racing on this trip, just beautiful accommodations, kilometers of trails with mountain views, and cozy trailside huts serving traditional Italian & Austrian food.

Slovenia: Sight-Skiing Trip

Explore beautiful Slovenia by ski
March 2 – 8, 2025

Visit Slovenia during their magical winter season. Discover plentiful cross-country ski trails with fabulous views of the Julian Alps, explore snowy mountain villages and visit scenic Lake Bled. At the beginning of the trip get to know Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana and at the end, Venice’s canals.

France-Transju: Worldloppet Trip

Skiing in France’s popular Jura region!
February 3 – 10, 2025

The Jura Mountains’ location on the French-Swiss border makes for unparalleled wine and cheese tasting, both on and off the trails. Stay in a rural village surrounded by groomed trails that wind their way through forests and towns to warm huts serving French cuisine. This winter, ski the new Transju course that has been re-routed for snow resiliency and ends walking distance from our lodging.

Engadin: Worldloppet Trip

Get to know Austrian & Swiss ski culture
March 3 – 10, 2025

The gently rolling Engadin ski marathon in Switzerland’s scenic Engadin Valley is the perfect course for new Worldloppet skiers, especially those who prefer to skate ski. The alpine cheese here rivals the Comté and Mont d’Or found in France’s Jura Mountains. For a birds-eye view of the valley, take a historic funicular high above. On the way to Zurich, travel through the Swiss Alps on the famed Bernina Express Railway.

Where do you want to ski this winter? We look forward to hearing from you! Reach out to see an itinerary, ask any questions and save your spot.

Hope to see you on the trail in 2025,
Garrott Kuzzy
garrott@lumiexperiences.com

September 17, 2024
Olympic Reflections from Paris

The author: Olympian and Lumi founder Garrott Kuzzy at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

It’s been 14 years since I became an Olympian, competing as a cross country skier in the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

Since then, it hasn’t been easy to get to the Olympics as a spectator. The Winter Games have been in Sochi, Pyeongchang and Beijing, while the summer games have been in Rio and Tokyo, with an interruption by the Covid pandemic. The Paris Games were finally an opportunity for me to attend my first Olympics as a spectator. My wife Catherine speaks fluent french and has spent lots of time in Paris, so she planned out an incredible long weekend for us, striking the perfect balance between Olympic events, Parts attractions and local flavors.

Cafes packed with international fans in Paris

We caught the opening Ceremonies and many of the early competitions on TV, so we had a pretty good orientation and impression of the experience before arriving last Thursday night, August 1 for three days in Paris.

Local Parisian bakery

Public transportation was plastered with Olympic branding and volunteers to direct visitors. Our accommodation in Paris’ 9th arrondissement was located right on the cycling road race route with views up to the Sacré Coeur Basilica atop Montmartre – one of the highest points in Paris. We arrived in time for a late dinner – almost all restaurants in France have strict seating times and require reservations – and an evening storm poured rain just outside the restaurant’s open facade, bringing a welcome breeze on a hot night. Parisian steak frites, paired with a bottle of Bordeaux and a fresh side salad offered a quintessential start to the trip.

View to the cycling finish line from the Eiffel Tower

Most events start later in the day, so our aim on Friday was to discover Paris. What better place to kick things off than the Eiffel Tour? Adorned with the Olympic rings, I wanted to visit the iconic landmark on the Seine and site of the Opening Ceremonies, Beach Volleyball and finish of the triathlon and road races. I wrote my Master’s Thesis about “visitor flows” and the movements of tourists through cities. Not surprisingly, one of the first places tourists go when they arrive in a new city is the highest point. In Innsbruck, the destination I studied for my thesis, that’s the Nordkette mountain range overlooking the city below. In Paris, the highest point is the Eiffel Tower.

View of Sacré Coeur Basilica atop Montmartre and Grand Palais — site of the fencing competitions

I was surprised that there was practically no line for the elevator to the top, so we hitched a ride and were rewarded with an Olympic panorama of Paris. The festive atmosphere of the beach volleyball match carried to the top of the Eiffel Tower. BMX racers practiced at the race track on the other side of the Seine. 3 x 3 basketball courts were surrounded by spectators. The iconic Grand Palais museum, with its vintage art deco style, hosted the fencing competitions. The Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame – all places I knew only from photos and textbooks – came to life amidst all the Olympic venues. I didn’t get to visit any of the famous sites during my first trip to Paris, but I’m already looking forward to my next trip when I can go inside. This trip, after all, was to celebrate the Olympic Games!

Beach volleyball from the Eiffel Tower

And that’s exactly how it felt: a celebration. I was a bit self-conscious before my first day in Paris, so I decided to leave my USA Olympic rings shirt at home, instead opting for an unbranded neutral green t-shirt. Once I was out in the city, I realized I was probably the only person without a national flag or Olympic rings of some sort. People’s clothes were an opportunity to open conversation, congratulating sport’s fans on the achievements of athletes from their country.

Garrott doing his best to embarrass his wife Catherine by pretending to propose with an Olympic ring under the Olympic rings.

Some countries with large Olympic teams even have “houses” in Paris. The houses are more like embassies. The “Team USA House” was in the Palais Brongniart, an impressive building originally built in 1826 as home to one of the world’s first stock exchanges. The Team USA House is a gathering point for athletes, their families, sponsors and even US Olympians from previous Games. At the Vancouver Olympics, the cross country skiers stayed in Whistler, so I never visited the Team USA House. One of my highlights in Paris was visiting the Team USA House and the opportunity to connect with other Olympians and share the experience with my wife Catherine and best man, Dan. Dan and I ski raced both in high school and college together. Dan is in Paris for the Olympics in his role working for Airbnb.

The Olympic Ring

A couple of the highlights in the Team USA House were catching up with 5x Bobsled Olympic medalist and 2022 USA flag bearer Elana Meyers Taylor, her husband and Olympian Nic Taylor and Olympian Lauren Gibbs. Elana won her first medal at the 2010 Games (I was at the awards ceremony!) and is still competing, currently training for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games. Wow!! I’m looking forward to cheering on Elana, Nic and Lauren when they compete at the Bobsled World Cup in Innsbruck this winter. Another highlight was meeting LaShawn Merritt, 3 x Gold Medalist in the 400m Sprint and 4x400m Relay. We connected on the focus and intention it takes to achieve big goals and the power of sleep. LaShawn currently runs Nike Speed Clinics for high school athletes and runs the LaShawn Merritt Foundation, dedicated to enhancing the well-being of youth in underserved communities.

USA on their way to a World Record in the Mixed Relay

We haven’t even made it to the competitions yet! Getting tickets was definitely not the easiest or most affordable part of the games, but spending Friday night under the lights of the Stade de France, France’s national stadium, was definitely worth the effort. All 80,000 seats were sold out and the crowd was waay into it. Fortunately, there was still enough flexibility to get up and move around, so we could catch different events from different vantage points. We met the families of a few different athletes competing and had fun cheering on their athletes. The US team dominated the 4 x 400m mixed relay qualification. The women’s 5000m qualification heats featured a master class in strategy, with team tactics, rabbits and sprint finishes all coming into play. Many of the decathlon events offered an opportunity to see a variety of field sports. The highlight of the evening was the men’s 10,000m final. The crowd had a wave going around the stadium at the same pace as the runners. Grant Fisher from the US brought home an historic bronze medal on the 10k which prompted lots of texts with past running teammates of mine watching the races from home in the US.

Women’s 5km track & field

If I had one wish for my time in Paris at the Olympics, it’s that more friends and family could join me to experience the Games. One person would be my sister Martha, who is an NCAA DI Champion rower. We went to the Rowing finals on Saturday morning thinking of her. The women’s and men’s Eights and Single Sculls featured medal finals. Rowing had a fun atmosphere with a lot of freedom for fans to walk along most of the 2 km course.

Women’s 5km track & field

The rowing medal ceremonies finished with enough time for us to get back to our neighborhood for the Men’s Road Race. We didn’t plan this part of the trip beforehand, but the course went right past our accommodation in Paris – twice! The crowd was already starting to line up behind the fencing when we arrived, so we staked out our spot next to a crew of Irish fans, in Paris to cheer on Ben Healy and Ryan Mullen. Surprisingly, the two Irish cyclists were having a great race and the Irish crew was ecstatic, sharing updates with us from the course. I really enjoy capturing photos from events like the Olympics. At the track and rowing events, most of my photos were capturing the crowd and atmosphere, but because the athletes were so far away, it was almost impossible to get any close-up action shots. That changed when I lined up next to catch the lead pack of the cyclists. One of the absolute highlights of the Games for me was capturing a close-up of Remco Evenepoel, en route to his Olympic Gold Medal, less than 5 km from the finish and right before his dramatic bike exchange after getting a flat tire. Looking at the photo, I think you can even see a little smirk on Evanepoel’s face as the reality sinks in that he’ll likely win his second gold medal of the Paris Olympics. A big grin is definitely apparent on French rider Valentin Madouas, en route to a silver medal. What an exciting event.

Sold out Stade de France Stadium on a Friday night

Our trip wrapped up with more exploration in Paris. Restaurants and bars were packed and patrons overflowed onto the streets watching various events on the big screens. Cheers erupted in different places from different crowds and there was a genuine joie de vivre from everyone in Paris.

Men’s 10k under the lights at the Stade de France

As I reflect on my long weekend in Paris, I am so glad that I took the time to attend the Olympics. After this experience, there’s no doubt that the Paris Olympics will go down as one of the best ever, especially with how Paris’ cultural sites were incorporated into the venues for the competitions and how well everything was organized. I am already looking forward to the Milan-Cortina Games and feel much more knowledgeable about the Olympic system as we develop Lumi’s trip to the 2026 Games.

Garrott with wife Catherine and best man Dan at the Team USA House

If you’d like to attend a World Championship event, we still have a few spots available on Lumi’s trip to the 2025 Nordic World Championships in Trondheim, Norway and the Tour de Ski trip in Val di Fiemme, Italy. The World Championships in Trondheim, Johannes Klaebo’s hometown, will be an historic series of races. The Tour de Ski in Val di Fiemme will be on the same trails as the Olympics in 2026. If the Paris Olympics have you inspired to take a trip to France, we still have a few spots available on Lumi’s France Jura trip. One of Lumi’s trip leaders in France is the mother of an Olympic Gold medalist with some incredible Olympic stories herself.

Garrott reconnects with 2010 Vancouver Olympian Elana Meyers Taylor – 5x Olympic medalist in Bobsled

Our Olympic sale with $300/person savings for the 2025 World Cup and France trips ends this Sunday, August 11. Reach out soon for more information and to sign up!

Catherine meets LaShawn Merritt – 3x Olympic Gold Medalist in the 400m and 4x400m

Team Australia at the rowing final

Australian fans at the rowing finals

Steak Frites sans Frites

Buttery muscles

More tasty French treats

Spectators lined the streets for the men’s road race

Fans preparing for the road race

Gold medalist Remco Evanepoel drafts behind US rider Brandon McNulty

The black Specialized S-Works bike that will eventually win the Men’s Olympic Road Race, ridden by Remco Evanepoel

Remco Evanepoel en route to a Gold Medal, just 5 km before the finish, shortly before a flat tire forces a bike exchange

Paris Olympic Games Gold Medal

August 13, 2024
Tour de France or Tour de Ski? (why not both?!)

Diggins sporting the yellow leading jersey at the 2024 Minneapolis World Cup.

On Saturday, June 29, the best cyclists will set off from Florence, Italy for the first stage of the 2024 Tour de France. For the next three weeks, they’ll be riding around 200 km of often hilly or mountainous terrain every day. This devilishly grueling stage race serves as a model for the winter equivalent – Tour de Ski – where cross-country skiers are pushed to their infernal limits day after day. This seems like it could only be dreamed up in hell, right? Then it may come as no surprise that the initial, demonic idea for the Tour de Ski was hatched in a sauna during a conversation between Olympic Gold medalist Vegard Ulvang and Jürg Capol, FIS head of cross country ski competitions.

While most mortals spend the holidays and celebrate the New Year with friends and family, World Cup cross country ski racers are in training camps the week leading up to the Tour de Ski – a 7 day stage race traveling through several countries to ski venues across the Alps, from New Year’s Eve to through the first weekend in January. The event was first held in 2006 as a way to incentivize athletes to participate in races during a time of year that generally draws large TV audiences in Europe. Racers give their all to entertain the rest of the hungover world on New Year’s morning. Generous World Cup points, a purse of close to $1 Million and the prestige of winning are used to make sure the top cross country skiers attend this grueling week of back-to-back racing and traveling.

Lumi trip leaders at the Alpe Cermis hill climb in Cavalese, Italy

Similar to the Tour de France, points and time bonuses are earned and awarded for different events and classifications: a sprint bib for the most points in sprint races, a U-23 bib for the most points of a young athlete, an award for the best climber and even a yellow leader bib for the most overall points – just like the Tour de France. If you were at the Minneapolis World Cup this past winter you likely saw Diggins skiing laps of the Wirth Park course in her yellow leader bib.

Over the past 18 years, the Tour de Ski events have taken place in iconic venues such as Munich, Prague, Toblach / Dobbiaco, Oberstdorf and Val Müstair. Venues and countries come and go in the itinerary, but there is one constant: the Alpe Cermis Hill Climb in Val di Fiemme.

Skiing the trails in Passo Lavazé above Cavalese, Italy.

There is no better test of a skier’s determination than the Alpe Cermis Hill Climb. The 7-race tour ends with a 9 km skate race, starting in the Val di Fiemme Stadium – site of the 2026 Winter Olympic Cross Country Ski events – and finishing at the mid-station of the Alpe Cermis Alpine ski hill. The climb is just 3.6 km, but the average gradient is 12% with a maximum of 28% – steep enough to bring even the world’s best skiers to collapse at the finish as lactic acid burns like fire in their legs. Simply finishing the Tour de Ski is a tremendous accomplishment even for a World Cup cross country skier.

That’s why we are thrilled to bring Lumi guests this winter to cheer on athletes at the 2025 Tour de Ski. Every year, our Lumi trip leaders travel to Cavalese, Italy on a Dry Run before hosting guests on our two trips to the Marcialonga. The weekend when our trip leaders do their Dry Run always overlaps with the Tour de Ski Hill Climb and they plan their day in order to watch the World Cup racers as they head up Alpe Cermis. It is the trip leaders who rave about the Tour de Ski, saying how much they would love to share the Tour de Ski experience with Lumi guests.

Seiser Alm at sunrise

But this trip is about more than the Tour de Ski. It visits two of our most popular destinations: Cavalese, Italy and Seiser Alm – in the heart of the Italian Dolomites. When you’re not cheering on the racers, you’re out skiing on the panoramic Passo Lavaze plateau. When you’re not out skiing, you’re with your hotel’s chef / owner learning to make her family’s centuries-old Apple Strudel (hint: as it’s in Italy, it’s made with olive oil, not butter – a Lumi guest favorite, especially vegan travelers). After the Val di Fiemme World Cup events finish, your own personal Tour de Ski continues on the famous Seiser Alm plateau. 80 km of immaculate trails rolling beneath Dolomite spires await you. It turns out, many of the World Cup athletes also head to Seiser Alm for their recovery week after the Tour de Ski. It may be one of the only opportunities for you to actually pass Johannes Klaebo on the trail.

Of course, it’s up to you what ideas you might dream up as you relax in the heavenly sauna at your Seiser Alm hotel on the 2025 Tour de Ski trip this January… Or if touring through France by ski is more up your alley, there are still a few spots left on our France Transju trip this February.

We’re offering $300 off both trips through the final stage of the Tour de France. Reach out to info@lumiexperiences.com by July 31 to receive a detailed trip itinerary, sign up and save!

See you on the trail,

Garrott

garrott@lumiexperiences.com

June 28, 2024
Happy Mother’s Day!

Calling all Parents & Adult Children: Ski in Europe together in 2025

(plus savings from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day!)

Leading up to Mother’s Day, we’re taking an opportunity to reflect on the special time that adult children and parents can spend together on a ski vacation. In a world with busy work schedules and obligations, time together is often squeezed into a meal, a weekend or the holidays. Recently, we have found that Lumi trips are increasingly popular for parents and their adult children. It’s rare that Moms or Dads can spend a dedicated week together with the adults they once taught to ski. The itineraries are planned and logistics are taken care of, so neither parent nor child has the responsibility of deciding which route to take, how to navigate transportation in a foreign country or even who is going to cook or wash dishes. I love seeing when our guests can simply relax at the hotel bar before dinner in the evening and catch up with their loved ones without any responsibility – this is especially the case when it is parents and their adult children.

With Mother’s Day this Sunday, we wanted to share some reflections from Katie who traveled with her mom Francie to Austria & Italy on the Seefeld & Seiser Alm Sight-Skiing trip last winter.

Do you want to take a special ski trip with your or parent(s) or adult child(ren) this winter? Sign up for a 2025 Lumi trip that still has availability before Father’s Day on Sunday, June 16 and save $300 per person!

Katie and Francie in Seiser Alm

2024 Seefeld & Seiser Alm reflections by Katie Miller:

I knew going on a trip to Europe with my mom would be unlike anything we had experienced together before. What I did not know or expect was the connection, gratitude, and joy that I was going to experience traveling with my mom. We had never been on a trip of this length or magnitude.

To say the trip and traveling with my mom for 11 days was special would be a vast understatement. I saw her in ways that I never had before, we bonded not only as mother and daughter, but became closer as friends which I think is one of the greatest gifts that arises when you spend time with a parent as an adult. You can see them and understand them in ways that you were not able to when you were younger.

We spent the majority of our time in Seefeld, Austria, and Seiser Alm, Italy, with a quick added day and half in Venice, Italy at the end of the trip. We hit the timing just right and Seefeld was blanketed with snow that looked like vanilla frosting creating some mouth-watering photos and the kind of skiing that Nordic enthusiasts dream of. We skied through stunning trails, got the perfect mix of snowy and sunny weather, ate lunch at huts on the side of the trail, trying local dishes including Kaiserschmarrn and Käsespätzle. Drank several hot chocolates with Amaretto (highly recommended!) and went Rodeling (Austrian sledding!) down the mountain at an alpine hill.

It was hard to leave the dreamy trails, delicious local foods, and perfect ski days in Seefeld, but we made the trek to Seiser Alm, Italy and somehow the trip only got better. Seiser Alm is truly a skier’s paradise (Nordic and Alpine). I can say without a doubt it is now at the top of my list of favorite places to ski ever. The trails are seemingly endless, the grooming is impeccable, and the views are stunning and leave you feeling like you are standing in a painting. Our days in Seiser Alm were filled with joyful skiing, never ending smiles, soaking up sun and drinking a lot of coffee and espresso. We started and ended our days enjoying meals with our other trip goers and guides filled with tales of our days, recommendations for the next days, and information about the local area.

My mom and I got to see each other push our comfort levels and be adventurous out on the trails; my mom pushed herself by trying to ski longer than normal and on trails that were harder than those she normally skis on. I headed out on one of the days for a day of alpine skiing on the Sella Ronda (which may have been the coolest thing I have ever done!). When we were off doing different activities, we’d come back together later in the day and share what we’d done and continue to be in awe of the amazing place we were in and the gratitude we had for being able to experience it together.

A trip filled with laughter, new experiences, new places, and becoming closer friends with my mom was a truly unique experience and one I would recommend to anyone lucky enough to have the opportunity.

Katie in Seefeld

It’s always a treat for me to have parents and adult children enjoying the trails together on Lumi trips. My Dad joined me for the Iceland-Fossavatn trip (his first Lumi trip!) last month – more on that later. If you’d like to travel with your parent(s) or adult child(ren) this next winter, there is still some space available on the 2025 Seefeld & Seiser Alm Sight-Skiing trip that Katie and Francie experienced last winter.

Prefer to watch your favorite skiers race together? Check out the Tour de Ski and Trondheim World Champs trips. Want to participate in a ski marathon or two together? The Marcialonga & King Ludwig, France-Transju, Seefeld & Engadin, Norway-Birken and Iceland-Fossavatn trips still have space available, but are filling up quickly. Reach out by Father’s Day (Sunday, June 16) to reserve your spot and save $300 / person!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there,

Garrott

garrott@lumiexperiences.com

May 11, 2024
Skiing under the Northern Lights: A Guide Chasing the Auroras
Skiing the Fossavatn Worldloppet above Ísafjörður, Iceland (66.0749°N)

With so much attention focused on the sky as many places in North America prepare for the upcoming total solar eclipse, it seems like a great time to highlight another solar phenomenon.

One of my favorite ways to extend the ski season is to travel north in the early spring, an ideal time to see the aurora borealis or northern lights.

Lumi’s ski season comes to an end next week in Iceland’s Westfjords region for the Iceland-Fossavatn trip. Conditions are looking good for skiing the Fossavatn ski marathon after a recent, record snowfall in the host village of Ísafjörður. I hope the solar outlook will be in our favor too! Will we be lucky enough to look up and see ribbons of colorful light dancing across the night sky? There’s a decent chance, although since there are lots of factors that influence the visibility of the northern lights, there’s definitely no guarantee.

A brief astronomy refresher: the northern lights occur when a solar flare emits charged particles from the sun. When these particles collide with gasses in the earth’s atmosphere, they emit the light that we see as the aurora. Last week, Lumi trip leader Lilli spotted the northern lights from her home in Trondheim, Norway. Next week, will we be able to see them from even further north in Iceland? Maybe!

The sun setting on a clear night in Ísafjörður

Here’s a recipe to increase your chances of seeing the northern lights:
- - Travel to a northerly location 65-70°N: Because solar flare particles have an electric charge, when they arrive in the Earth’s atmosphere, they catch a ride to the north pole (and south pole for the southern lights) along Earth’s magnetic field. This is why the northern lights are seen in places up north, in what is called the aurora oval zone around 65-70°N. Ísafjörður, Iceland (66.0749°N), home of the Fossavatn Worldloppet ski marathon, is within this zone! When the lights are particularly strong, they can be seen south of these latitudes too, like in Trondheim, Norway (63.4305°N) last week.
- Seek out dark skies: There is plenty of time when the sky is dark enough during the winter up north. This is why many northern light photos you see are taken during the winter. It’s hardly ever dark enough during the night to see the northern lights in these places during the summer months. Being in a remote location that doesn’t have much light pollution like Ísafjörður, a small coastal town in the Westfjords, is another plus.
- Look ahead for clear skies: Take a look at the local forecast. If you’re lucky to have a clear night during your trip, keep your eyes peeled for the northern lights after ~ 10:00 PM.
- Check the aurora forecast: Another key factor that influences your chances of seeing the northern lights, but is harder to predict, is the weather in space. While there isn’t a constant stream, schedule or pattern of solar flares, scientists do monitor solar activity and predict when and where the northern lights will be most likely seen. You can take a look at NOAA’s Aurora Forecast to get a sense for where in the world you’re most likely to see an aurora on a given day. This changes day-to-day. This Tuesday, they were forecasted to be strong in Iceland, Wednesday in northern Russia.
Did you know that solar activity is on an 11-year cycle and predicted to be at its peak or “solar maximum” until the end of 2025? During this time, there’s a greater frequency of seeing the northern lights generally.

Is it on your bucket list to see the northern lights? Check out these Lumi trips to increase your chances of seeing the northern lights in 2025 (during the solar maximum!): Iceland-Fossavatn, Trondheim World Champs (2025 only!), Norway-Birken and Estonia & Finland (waitlist-only). Let’s ski and gaze at the night sky! Sign up soon and receive a $200 discount before April 30.

See you on the trail, gazing up at the sky,

Garrott

garrott@lumiexperiences.com

he Trondheim World Champs in 2025 only!
April 5, 2024
Lumi Announces New 2025 Trip to Estonia and Finland

The Finlandia Worldloppet Ski Marathon in Lahti

Did you know that “Lumi” is the Estonian and Finnish word for snow? I am thrilled to announce the new Lumi Experiences Tartu & Finlandia trip for February 2025! Experience the unique winter cultures in Estonia and Finland on Lumi’s special namesake trip.

The trip starts in the medieval city of Tartu, home to the Worldloppet ski marathon with the same name. It’s also where the Worldloppet Headquarters is based. Discover Estonia’s ski culture by skiing the gently rolling Tartu Worldloppet ski marathon (31 or 63 km), a popular right of passage amongst Estonians. The event starts at the Sports Center in Otepää, host of past FIS World Cup competitions, and continues through snowy pine forests to the finish area outside of Tartu. When you’re not skiing, step outside your hotel to explore Tartu’s culinary scene and historic neighborhoods.

After a long weekend in Estonia, take a scenic ferry across the Baltic Sea from Estonia’s capital city, Tallinn, to the Finnish capital, Helsinki. Continue your journey about an hour further north to Lahti, home to over 180 km of ski trails, Finnish saunas and the Finlandia ski marathon.

Skiing Estonia’s Tartu Worldloppet Ski Marathon

As a World Cup ski racer, racing in Lahti was one of my favorite World Cup venues. It’s close to town, making it a short walk from your hotel to the stadium, where the famous Finlandia ski marathon starts and finishes and where World Cup athletes were racing in the Lahti Ski Games. Ski and skate other venues, including over several frozen lakes, around Lahti which is known as the Gateway to Finnish Lakeland. Off the trail, visit Lahti’s Ski Museum, reward yourself with the traditional Finnish sauna experience, and taste Mustikkakeitto, their special blueberry soup.

Add to the experience by book-ending your trip with an optional stay in each country’s urban coastal capital: Tallinn and Helsinki.

We hope you’ll join us for this special Lumi cross-country ski trip to Estonia and Finland. Reach out to info@lumiexperiences.com to be the first to see the itinerary and save your spot. March is the last month to receive the early booking discount of $300 per person on all 2025 Lumi trips. Several of our most popular trips, like the Dolomitenlauf & Marcialonga and Norway-Birken are over half-full already. Reach out soon to secure your spot!

See you on the trail soon,

Garrott

garrott@lumiexperiences.com

We recommend arriving early to explore Estonia’s vibrant capital Tallinn

March 6, 2024
A Tale of Two Birkies

The original 1869 oil painting of Knud Larsen Bergslien’s “The Birkebeiner” is on display at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum in Oslo. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

Most Birkie skiers are familiar with the legendary story of the original Norwegian Birkebeiners and how that inspired the famous cross country ski race in Norway, from Rena to Lillehammer; which in turn inspired the American Birkebeiner from Cable to Hayward.

But what is the Norwegian Birkebeiner like today? I skied my first American and Norwegian Birkies last year and took away many impressions.

“Wait, what?!” you ask. “Garrott, you lived in Hayward for 5 years and have never skied the Birkie?” Well, okay. I skied the Birkie once in 2007, but it finished at OO that year. The Birkie’s timing in late February always overlapped with World Cups or Olympic Games. After retiring in 2011, I moved away from Wisconsin. Last year was my first year back, as my company, Lumi Experiences, had a booth at the Expo, sharing stories from the Worldloppet events where we run cross country ski vacations.

Spectators cheering on Birken skiers. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

On Birkie Saturday, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ski from Cable to Hayward and actually finish on Main Street. Finally, I checked off one of my bucket-list items as a ski racer.

Three weeks later, I found myself standing in Rena, Norway getting ready to classic ski 54 km from Rena to Lillehammer, carrying an 8 pound backpack representing baby prince.

Spectators provide extra sustenance to skiers between the official aid stations. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

Håkon Håkonsson. The three-week gap between the two events was enough to recover from one and carry good fitness into the next.

Our group was staying in Lillehammer, so it was an early morning bus ride to get to the start in Rena. The race course takes you on a direct path over the mountains, but the roads have to go around the mountains. In order to arrive at the start by 8:00 am, the bus left Lillehammer at 5:30 am. I was expecting a very dark start to the morning, but when I opened the blackout curtains and daylight came in, I thought I had slept through my alarm. This should not have surprised me, as we were just two days from the Spring Equinox and only 5° south of the Arctic Circle.

Ski trails in every direction. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

The start of the Birken is basically in a farm field with temporary warming tents without any permanent infrastructure. The colloquial name for the Birkebeinerrennet was one of the biggest surprises for me. I’ve grown up in the US calling it the Norwegian Birkie, but in Norway, it is unequivocally referred to as the “Birken.” This terminology makes it easy to differentiate the American “Birkie” from the Norwegian “Birken.”

The start itself was one of the most civilized starts I have ever experienced. The ~ 10,000 starters are split into 14 waves. As a wave 1 Birkie skier, my Birkie time was good enough to be seeded in the 4th wave at the Birken – a wave placement which seemed surprisingly accurate, given the pace of the skiers around me. Ample tracks and a gradual uphill start kept everyone spread out without any accidents. It seemed like everyone understood they had 54 km to ski and no one needed to win the first kilometer.

Sunshine and blue skies. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

In fact, as early as one kilometer into the race, skiers were already stopping to work on their kick wax. Conditions were surprisingly tricky, as the course starts only 1000 feet above sea level, then climbs to about 3000 feet of elevation. The weather warms throughout the day and a skier may go through three or four different wax conditions.

I waxed with a thin layer of klister, covered with hardwax. This combination is tricky because you have to keep your skis moving to prevent icing in the powder at higher elevations, but it provided great kick for the first 20 km of climbing up to the plateau in Raudfjelllet. It was also durable enough to last for my entire 54 km race. I just stopped once to switch skis half-way through the race in Kvarstad. This meant the wax that had worn off the inside edges of my skis was now on the outside edges, giving me better glide and kick for the second half of the race.

The spectators really help make a ski race fun for participants. The Marcialonga in Italy and the Engadin in Switzerland both go through many villages, so it’s easy for people to cheer from their balcony. The Birkie and Birken courses are much more rural, so they’re harder for spectators to access. However, the spectators that make it out onto the course are there to have fun and bring a lot of enthusiasm for the racers. There were so many spectators at the Birkie this year that I thought I was already at OO when in fact, I was only at Boedecker Rd. By the time I was actually at OO, skiing over the Key Log Bridge, I was in awe at all of the new infrastructure and enthusiastic spectators. My favorite spectators, however, are the snowmobilers. They are often in the harder to reach corners of the course and seem to be there more to cheer on the agony of defeat than the thrill of victory.

Skiing into the Birkebeiner Stadium. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

The Birken goes through a protected region, high on the plateau, so there are no snowmobilers. Somehow, though, spectators figure out how to bring couches to the trailside, build huge bonfires and offer homemade aquavit or Jagermeister to skiers passing by.

Speaking of aid stations: each Worldloppet event seems to have its own unique treats, like Comte cheese in France, dark chocolate in Switzerland or blueberry soup in Sweden. In Norway, it’s lefse. Seriously. The rolled lefse dough filled with cinnamon and sugar looked a little dry to me, but I was hungry at the first aid station and took a bite. It turned out to be one of the best tasting race foods I have ever eaten. After that, I made sure to take a buttery lefse at each aid station. Yum!

Unlike the Birkie, which is mostly wooded from start to finish with lots of rolling trails, the Birken is mostly on a high open plateau with long, sustained climbs and long, gradual descents. I often found myself looking out over the wide expanses and admiring the views throughout the race.

We were fortunate to have ideal weather conditions for this year’s Birken, save for a headwind somewhat reminiscent of crossing Lake Hayward at the Birkie this year. There are years, however, where the weather on the plateau can be much less ideal. Besides the symbolism of the backpack, there is also the practical consideration that you can carry warm, dry clothes with you. Not only does the backpack need to weigh 8 pounds, it also needs to store a windproof jacket, pants, long underwear, hat, gloves and balaclava.

One of the best parts of the Birken is the final 15 km from Sjusjøen to Lillehammer. Rather than big climbs and a lake leading to the finish, the last 15 km of the Birken is a long, gradual downhill. Before the race, I learned that a special award is given to finishers who cross the line within 25% of their age group winner’s time. I’m not sure if the Birkie still has a 25% Club award, but the tradition lives on in Norway. I train far less than I did as a racer, but still have a competitive spirit. Achieving the 25% Club award in the Birken is not easy. When I realized I may still be in the running at the last time check, I tried to make up as much time as I could on the downhill to Lillehammer, relying more on my ski skills than on my fitness.

Lumi guests Bill and Meg celebrate at the Birken finish. (Photo: Lumi Experiences)

The Birken finishes at the Birkebeiner Stadium, which hosted the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Games and still has one of the most challenging trail networks on the World Cup circuit.

Fortunately, the Birken finish does not take racers on any of the World Cup course. Instead, skiers cruise through the flat stadium and into the finish. After a quick backpack check, skiers are awarded their Birken medal and Worldloppet passport stamp, recognizing their achievement.

For me, one of my favorite aspects of completing a big event like the Birken is sharing the experience with friends. After the race, everyone gathered to share stories about their journey from Rena to Lillehammer and to cheer on the new friends they had made during the week. Skål!

If you’d like to ski the Norwegian Birkebeiner, check out the Lumi Experiences Norway Birken Trip and receive the early booking discount of $300 per person when you secure your spot before March 31. We would love to have you along. Reach out to see the itinerary!

See you on the trail soon,
Garrott Kuzzy

garrott@lumiexperiences.com

February 22, 2024
Rodeling and Yodeling through Winter Adventure

Big smiles from Muffy’s skiing adventures on the Seiser Alm plateau in Italy. (Photo: Muffy Ritz / Lumi Experiences)

Story originally written by Karen Bossick of “Eye on Sun Valley” newspaper, abridged story below.
Photos courtesy of Muffy Ritz and Lumi Experiences.

Lumi Experiences guest Muffy Ritz from Sun Valley, Idaho traveled on the Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf Trip to Worldloppet events in Italy, Germany and Austria. Read on to learn about her adventures!

By Karen Bossick:

While others were trying to will the snow away this winter, Muffy Ritz was doing what she always does: Chasing it around the world.

Ritz is adamant about endowing her winters with adventures that include snow, culture and challenge.

“It’s so fun to get out of our element in Sun Valley and experience the European way of skiing, the European races…the spirit, the food,” she said. “You might take a chairlift to one ski area and spend six hours skiing back where you started.”

Ritz came to Sun Valley as an assistant Nordic coach for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. A few years later in 1996 she started VAMPS—Vomen and Muffy’s Program–to encourage women of all abilities and ages to challenge themselves on the cross-country ski trails.

Last winter she and Joney Otteson headed to Europe for a few weeks of skiing Worldloppets, including a 70K race and back-to-back 42K skate and classic race.

The Marcialonga course starts in Cavalese, Italy and winds its way through snowy villages in the Fassa and Fiemme Valleys in the heart of the Italian Dolomites. (Photo: Muffy Ritz / Lumi Experiences)

“Worldloppet is basically a long ski, a citizen ski marathon,” Ritz said. “Serious racers take part in them, but the vast majority are very average folk. We spent nine months ahead of our trip roller skiing, hill bounding and doing strength training in the gym. But the snow didn’t come until mid-December that winter so we were nervous that we wouldn’t be in shape compared with those who had gotten on snow before us. But it turns out you don’t go that hard—you just cruise.”

Ritz did a similar trip in 1998 with Tom Pomeroy and Katharine Sheldon, but it was a DIY trip in which they made their own reservations, waxed their own skis. This time they did it the easy way, going with Lumi Experiences, a cross-country ski travel company founded by Garrott Kuzzy, a Nordic Olympian who grew up in Minnesota—Ritz’s old stomping grounds.

The guides included Olympian Holly Brooks, a Seattle native who competed at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics and placed third in a World Cup 4-by-5K relay with teammates Kikkan Randall, Liz Stephen and Jessie Diggins.

Lumi trip leaders, including Holly Brooks (on the left), serving up some trail-side Zirbenschnaps at Passo Lavazé. (Photo: Muffy Ritz / Lumi Experiences)

Transportation was dialed in; hotels were in walking distance of the finish lines. They were escorted to the start lines and met at the finish line with celebratory libations. And World Cup wax technicians prepped their skis.

When they weren’t skiing, they learned to make apple strudel and knodel dumplings, tried curling and yodeling and careened down snow-covered trails on wooden sleds in something called rodeling.

Nighttime curling in snowy Seefeld, Austria. (Photo: Muffy Ritz / Lumi Experiences)

“We’d sled seven kilometers down an icy road, using our feet to brake and steer. It started off easy, then became treacherous. We did it four times anyway,” Ritz said.

The 70K Marcialonga, which went up and down hills in the Fiemme Valley of Italy’s Dolomites, was the funnest ski race Ritz has ever taken part in.

Muffy sporting her striped socks and Bliz shades in the Marcialonga classic ski marathon. (Photo: Muffy Ritz / Lumi Experiences)

She and Otteson wore red and blue striped socks ala Olympian Jessie Diggins as they toed the starting line along with 8,000 other skiers. Every five minutes race officials would open the gates allowing another 500 to 700 skiers onto the course.

Bands played and spectators rang cowbells as they skied through tiny villages, finally crossing the finish line in the center of town. The race started at 8 a.m.; the last skiers didn’t cross the finish line until about 6 p.m. as fireworks exploded overhead in the dark.

Both felt like they could have skied another 20K, even though they’d skied 70 km already.

“Italians don’t know how to go downhill. They’d stand at the top of hills considering the best way to go down. Then they’d snow plow and everybody would pile up,” Ritz said. “But Italians know how to have a good time.”

The 50K King Ludwig Lauf held in Oberammergau, Germany, took Ritz and Otteson past Bavarian monasteries. They availed themselves of Schnapps at aid stations along the way, and Kuzzy and his crew met them at the finish line with beer.

“There’s no pressure—nobody knows you. You’re just there to have fun,” said Ritz.

Muffy and her friend celebrating a strong Marcialonga finish. (Photo: Muffy Ritz / Lumi Experiences)

In addition to racing in these and other races, the group visited an Olympic training facility and dined at a hut where they had soup in an herb bread bowl and made their own butter, shaking cow cream in a jar. Some of the alpine skiers skied the Sella Ronda, a 40K ski circuit in South Tyrol, Italy.

Ritz sent friends pictures of the Italian cappuccinos, which she claimed were the best in the world. And, as always, she hopes others will join her on future trips.

“Anyone can do these!” she said.

–

As an Official Tour Operator of the Worldloppet, Lumi Experiences offers guaranteed entry in the Marcialonga — one of the most popular (and fastest filling) Worldloppet events of the season. If you want to experience skiing the Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf Worldloppet events like Muffy, check out the trip and reach out to see the itinerary: info@lumiexperiences.com

Plus save $300 per person when you secure your spot before March 31!

See you on the trail soon,

Garrott

garrott@lumiexperiences.com

February 15, 2024
What’s the Worldloppet? Why a Worldloppet?

Author Ron Sawdey with his wife Cissy after finishing the 2023 Marcialonga Worldloppet event in Italy

Lumi Experiences guest Ron Sawdey from Salt Lake City, Utah took time to reflect on his 2023 trip to the Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf Worldloppet events in Italy, Germany and Austria. Ron’s reflections share some insider insights for both the uninitiated and Worldloppet Masters alike. Read on to learn more about the trip.

– – – – – – – – – –

For the uninitiated, you may have heard the words, “World Loppet”, and have had some vague notion that it has something to do with cross-country skiing. And you would be right.

The Worldloppet is a worldwide series of citizen ski marathons, though the majority of these races take place in Europe. Yes, there are elite, professional teams that compete in these races, but the vast majority of the skiers are very average folks. The US has its own Worldloppet marathon in the American Birkebeiner (often simply called “The Birkie”), held each year between Telemark and Hayward, Wisconsin.

I got talked into doing my first of these ski marathons by my good friend, Jerry Richardson. Jerry and his wife, Angie, shepherded me through my first Birkie a number of years ago, and I’ve managed to complete two more since that initial foray. They have been a blast, and I would heartily recommend this very American experience (try the walleye) to anyone who has a desire to test themselves in a true ski marathon.

Author Ron shows off his classic skiing technique, flanked by the stunning Dolomites

Evidently, this whetted my appetite to take on more of these adventures, and with another skiing buddy, Cary Martin, we took on the Vasaloppet in Sweden six years ago. This 90km ski is undoubtedly one of the highlights of my long ski life. It was held under near perfect conditions (low 20’s, sunny skies, and no wind), and was a long, but joyous celebration of skiing for me and several thousand of my close personal friends.

The pandemic postponed plans for the last three years, but this year, Jerry again convinced me to take on a couple more ski marathons, the Marcialonga held in the Val di Fiemme in Italy, and the King Ludwig Lauf held in Oberammergau, Germany. Hey, while you’ve gone to the expense of traveling to Europe, why not get the most bang for your buck. Given how difficult it was to secure a lottery entry into the Marcialonga, we opted to go through a tour operator, Lumi Experiences. As an official tour operator for the marathon, Lumi was guaranteed starting spots in what turned out to be the 50th edition of the race. In hindsight, this was an absolutely brilliant way to go.

Lumi Experiences is owned and operated by a former US XC Ski Teamer, Garrott Kuzzy, who lives and works from Innsbruck, Austria. I have to say that Garrot has got this ski marathon tour thing dialed in. Garrott, along with our guides, Anna and Matija, made the experience effortless, and fun. Every transportation, lodging, eating and skiing related detail was thought through by Garrott and his team. This allowed us to focus on what we came to do; knock off a couple of ski marathons. Our hotels for both races were within walking distance of the finish line and were solid 3-4 star lodging. We were escorted to every shuttle, accompanied to the start line, and met at the finish line by Garrott, Anna or Matija (with celebratory libations in hand). If you have a food preference, it was already communicated to the hotel staff. If you didn’t feel like skiing, that was okay as well. They always had suggestions for other things to do in the towns we stayed at. For my wife, Cissy, who did not plan to race, this was a welcome option. Perhaps best of all, Garrott arranged for wax technicians who have waxed on the WC circuit to prep our skis before each race. We had great skis!

Lumi trip leader Anna shares insights before heading out for a ski with the group

Our fellow tour companions also made this trip remarkable. There were 16 of us from all over the US (and one great female skier from Canada), and each and every one of them were interesting, fun, and generally nice people. Sharing a week of skiing with these people made the trip even more memorable. I’m even plotting to do another Lumi trip for the Norwegian Birkebeiner Rennet with a fellow skier from this trip.

A city walk through the Olympic host city of Innsbruck is a highlight of the trip

Garrott and company made sure that we had fun. Our post Marcialonga recovery day ski at Passo Lavesa, and our midweek stay in Seefeld, Austria gave us the opportunity to take relaxed tours in some of the most beautiful cross-country terrain that you can imagine. Lumi also made sure that we had other non-skiing, fun stuff to do. We learned how to make apple strudel at our hotel in Cavalese. We noshed on appetizers and drank Proseco from our hotel’s deck as the fireworks show celebrated the last finisher of the Marcialonga (yes, it’s a very long day). We had a brush-by encounter with Johannes Klaebo at Passo Lavesa while sipping trailside schnapps. We tried our hand at eisstockschießen (Austrian curling) in the middle of a snowstorm in Seefeld, but mostly laughed at our incompetence. We tried to learn how to yodel with the help of an Austrian yodeling champion. Cissy and I won a gold medal (chocolate filled) for trying hard. We careened down the slopes of a small Austrian ski resort on very cool wooden sleds in what is called rodeling. Yes, we did try to yodel while we rodeled.

Away from the ski trails, guests learn the art of making apple strudel

Yodel-e-i-oo… Ron and the group learn to yodel (and dance) with a 2-time yodel World Champion

In front of the iconic Seekirchl church is the perfect place to learn Austrian curling

Yodeling while rodeling

In other words; we had a ball. I have never been so relaxed before a big marathon than I was on this trip. And my times for these marathons probably reflect that relaxed attitude. However, as one of the members of our tour put it; “To finish is to win!”. I took those words to heart.

Skiing along the trails in Cavalese, Italy

This was essential for the Marcialonga where nearly 8000 skiers toed the line that day.. After working my way up to the 2nd wave in my last Birkie, I was disappointed to find out that I was placed in the very last wave for the Marcialonga. Evidently, based on my having no Loppet times for the last three years (damned COVID), and my advanced age (just turned 70) I was deemed a slowpoke. I refer to it the “Geezers and Duffers” wave. This meant literally stopping on the course while novice skiers contemplated the hill they were about to descend. It meant trudging in place in a herringbone stance while waiting for your fellow skiers to make their way up even the most minor climbs. I quickly adjusted my mindset to just go with it. There was no point in getting frustrated, and all of that slow going gave me time to take in my surroundings. Passing through villages where bands played, the local folk ringing cowbells and shouting encouragement from second floor windows are things that makes the Marcialonga unique. It was a long but glorious day, capped off by hearing the sound of Cissy’s voice encouraging me up the last, nasty climb and then meeting me at the finish. That was a moment I won’t soon forget.

Author Ron checking out the Val di Fiemme ski stadium, host of the annual Tour de Ski Final and 2025 Winter Olympics

Local spectators cheer on skiiers during the Marcialonga Worldloppet

The King Ludwig Lauf, was a much mellower affair. There may have been a couple of thousand racers total between the Saturday skate race and the Sunday classic race. I was still slotted into the last wave, but with so few skiers, there was no standing and waiting that day. The day before had warmed well above freezing and we had a hard freeze overnight. That temperature swing coupled with a very shallow snowpack created a very icy course. This made for screaming downhills, sketchy corners, but very fast tracks. I doubt that I have ever double-poled that much in a race. It was fast and fun! As always, Garrott and crew were at the finish with beer and schnapps, but they had even skied out onto the course to offer their encouragement as we made our way through the Ammergau valley. It was a perfect end to a perfect trip.

The König Ludwig Lauf Worldloppet event goes past the Ettal Monastery in Bavaria, Germany

Local fans cheer on skiers as they make their way around the course in Germany

Proof of the accomplishment – Rons shares 4th Worldloppet passport stamp on his way to becoming a WL master

Superfan Cissy is at the finish again to cheer on and greet husband Ron

If you have ever considered doing a Worldloppet race, I would absolutely encourage you to do so. Check out worldloppet.com for a calendar of all of the Loppet races. It does require a lot of skiing to properly prepare for a ski marathon, but if you are willing to commit the time to do that training it is readily in reach for the most average skier (me). Where it’s possible to pull off such an adventure on your own, I must say that paying a bit more to have a tour operator like Lumi Experiences handle those myriad trip details is well worth the added cost. Regardless of how you choose to do it; DO IT!

– – – – – – – – – –

As an Official Tour Operator of the Worldloppet, Lumi Experiences can offer guaranteed entry in the Marcialonga — one of the most popular (and fastest filling) Worldloppet events of the season. If you want to experience skiing the Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf Worldloppet events like Ron, we’d love to hear from you: info@lumiexperiences.com. Secure your spot before March 31, 2024 and receive the early booking discount of $300 per person.

Hope to see you on the trail soon,

Garrott

garrott@lumiexperiences.com

February 1, 2024
Packing Tips from Julia Kern: US Ski Team-er and World Champs Medalist

(Plus! Which 3 passports does Julia carry with her in the winter?!)

Lumi Experiences is excited to support athletes on the US Ski Team like Julia Kern. Julia won a bronze medal in the Team Sprint at the World Championships last winter, and she is also a great representative off the race course.

Julia Kern visiting Innsbruck, Austria.

Like several of the top-US racers who hold dual-citizenship (Jessie Diggins: US/Canadian, Sophia Laukli: US/Norwegian), Julia Kern holds US/German citizenship and speaks fluent German. Kern’s parents are both from Germany, though Kern grew up around Boston. Since childhood, cross cross-country ski treks in Europe have been a favorite past family tradition, including this year where the Kern family spent the week together skiing in snowy Toblach, Italy before the Tour de Ski.

This is the 9th consecutive winter that Julia is traveling the World Cup circuit for 4 months straight and she has her packing dialed in. As Lumi guests are starting to pack for their trips this winter, we asked Julia for recommendations on packing for ski trips. Check out Julia’s top 5 unique packing tips in this short video and see which 3 passports she carries with her!

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Hopefully Julia’s packing hacks are helpful for your upcoming skiing adventures. If you want to take a ski trip to some of Julia’s (and our!) favorite destinations across Europe next winter, we’re offering an early booking discount on all 2025 Lumi trips. Secure your spot before March 31, 2024 and save $300 per person.

Buon viaggio!
Garrott
garrott@lumiexperiences.com

January 28, 2024
Lumi’s Holiday Gift Guide

Happy holidays! Lucky for us skiers that the start of ski season coincides with the start of the holiday season. Holiday markets around Europe are bustling, the Alps are covered with a blanket of snow and the mulled wine is flowing. With gift giving on the mind, here are some of Lumi Experiences’ favorite gift ideas from our favorite brands for your favorite skiers this winter:

Julia Kern wearing her Hot Stuff hat by Skida at the Snow Farm in New Zealand

Hot Stuff

US skier Julia Kern’s new Skida print is out: Hot Stuff. Julia was inspired by the chili pepper pattern as a reminder to “bring the heat this winter… keep things spicy… taking risks, challenging the norm, skiing with more fire, and keeping things exciting.”

Lumi guests will receive Skida hats on their trips this winter, but you won’t find this pattern. Gift a Hot Stuff headband, hat, or neckwarmer to your favorite skier whose taking on a new challenge this winter, like skiing their 1st or their 10th Worldloppet! Part of the proceeds will benefit Julia on her 9th World Cup circuit this winter.

Go Julia!

Icelandic pancakes with berries & whipped cream

Icelandic Pönnukökur

Tis the season for Pönnukökur – golden Icelandic pancakes traditionally enjoyed at a celebration in Ísafjörður, a small town in Iceland’s Westfjords region where you can ski the Fossavatn ski marathon on the Lumi Iceland-Fossavatn trip this April.

Similar to crepes, Icelandic pancakes are made with more eggs so they are golden, custardy, and easy to flip, especially when cooked on medium-high heat using a 10.5” Lodge cast iron pan. They make a hearty breakfast or post-ski treat. See the recipe & enjoy!

Cowbell cheering at the Seefeld World Championships

Cowbells

If you or your special someone will be joining us in Minneapolis or Norway for World Cup races this winter, or you want to join the Lumi trip to Trondheim, Norway for the 2025 Nordic Ski World Championships (launching soon), there’s no better way to cheer for your favorite racers like Julia Kern than with a MOEN Cowbell from Norway (the same supplier for the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer).

Sean Sherman’s The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen Cookbook

Modern Indigenous Cuisine

Lumi guests on the 2024 Minneapolis World Cup trip will wrap up the much-anticipated World Cup weekend with a farewell dinner at a popular restaurant in Minneapolis called Owamni. Chef Sean Sherman’s menu at Owamni highlights the foods of Indigenous communities across North America.

Why not sample a taste of modern indigenous cuisine before your trip? Sherman’s cookbook, The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen, specifically highlights recipes from the Dakota and Minnesota territories.

Enjoying a bottle of Lagrein wine in Cavalese, Italy

Lagrein & Mont d’Or

A bottle of Lagrein is a Lumi favorite. The Lagrien grape variety originates from the Alto Adige / South Tyrol region of northern Italy, which Lumi guests visit during trips to Seefeld & Seiser Alm, Dolomitenlauf & Marcialonga, and Marcialonga & König Ludwig Lauf.

A glass of Lagrein with Mont d’Or cheese—a special winter delicacy in the Jura Mountains of France—make a great pairing. Named after a peak on the French-Swiss border, Mont d’Or meaning mountain of gold, is traditionally served warm and melted with a baguette to scoop out the creamy gold colored cheese. Taste it in season on Lumi’s ski vacation to France!

Lumi trip leader Holly Brooks skiing above Oslo

Prince Haakon

Calling all Birken skiers! To celebrate the history of the Norwegian Birkebeiner, which follows the same path along which Prince Haakon Haakonsen was skied to safety by Birkebeiner warriors in 1205-1206, all Birken skiers must wear a 3.5 kg / 8 lb backpack (symbolizing the little Prince) when skiing the race.

If you don’t already have one, this is one of our favorites: Salomon Trailblazer 20 backpack. The 20 L volume is big enough to carry everything you’re required to carry for the Birken, plus a camera or other supplies, but not so big that you end up carrying too much.

Skin skis in snowy conditions in Seefeld, Austria

Skin Skis

With inevitable temperature fluctuations throughout the day, it’s much easier to “grab and go” with skin skis than to have to pack waxes, a cork, and re-apply wax along the trail.

With skin skis, you can ski to your favorite trailside restaurant on a cold winter morning, enjoy Pönnukökur or a hot goulash soup with friends, and then clip back into your skis for a snowy and slightly warmer ski back to your hotel, without any wax adjustments!

If you or your favorite ski buddy is looking to try skin skis for the first time or wants to buy a new pair, New Moon and Pioneer Midwest ski shops sell all the main brands. We recommend them for classic skiing on all Lumi trips.

Skiing the tree-lined trails in Minneapolis’ Theodore Wirth Park

Trees for Carbon

Traveling this winter? Consider making a donation to an innovative carbon offset program in Minneapolis. Green Minneapolis is working to expand the urban tree canopy across the city, and by doing so, providing carbon offsets to individuals or companies who want to offset their carbon emissions.

Lumi trip leader Krissi sporting her Bliz shades at the Dolomitenlauf in Austria

Bliz Shades

Lumi trip leaders love their Bliz sunglasses from our partners at Enjoywinter.com!

A Lumi Gift Card

Let your favorite skier choose their favorite 2025 winter vacation with a Lumi Experiences Gift Card!

From Iceland to Italy, our boutique trips introduce travelers to winter cultures where nordic skiing is a part of everyday life.

$100, $500, and $1000 gift cards available with extra savings until December 31.

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Hopefully one or more of these gift ideas is the perfect fit for your favorite skier(s) this holiday season. Wishing you a very happy holiday time with family, friends, good food and wine, and hopefully some excellent skiing.

Happy holidays!

Garrott

garrott@lumiexperiences.com

P.S. Check out Lumi’s 2025 trips! Where will you ski next winter?

December 12, 2023
Lumi Trip Giveaway for Two to France

A sponsor of FasterSkier, Lumi Experiences is the world’s premier cross-country ski travel company. As an official tour operator for the Worldloppet, a series of 20 international ski marathons, Lumi is celebrating their partnership by gifting a trip to two lucky skiers for the 2024 France-Transju trip, valued at over $10,000.

We invite you to enter the trip raffle! Registration deadline is Wednesday, December 13. The winners will enjoy eight days of skiing through the renowned Jura Mountains in France and two entries in the Transju’ ski marathon.

On the Lumi Experiences France-Transju’ trip, explore the seemingly endless trails that criss-cross through quaint villages and preserved forests, all leading to cozy mountain huts for lunch. Sample the local wines and cheeses in preparation for skiing the Transju’ Worldloppet ski marathon, France’s largest cross-country ski race.

Lumi Experiences Cross Country Ski Vacations offers boutique trips that introduce travelers to winter cultures where nordic skiing is a part of everyday life — including their newest “sight-skiing” trip to Iceland (take $300 off before December 15) with the option to participate in the Fossavatn Worldloppet ski marathon.

Bonne chance and good luck!

Garrott Kuzzy

Lumi Founder & Olympian

December 12, 2023
Reflections from 2023 Nordic World Championships in Planica, Slovenia

A lot has changed since the first time I skied in Planica at an OPA Cup event in 2007.

For US skiing, it’s a special venue. Tazlina Mannix won that 2007 event: an indication for many US skiers that winning in Europe is possible. In 2019, Julia Kern scored her first World Cup podium in Planica.

At World Championships this week, a bronze in the Team Sprint for Kern and Jessie Diggins, and a gold for Diggins in the 10 km Freestyle made more history for the US in Slovenia’s famous Planica venue.

I love bringing Lumi Experiences groups to the World Cup and World Championship events, so that guests can experience the unique atmosphere of international racing in person. I knew this World Championships in Planica would be a special week, both for the racing, but also for the atmosphere at the venue and the cultural activities in the corner of Europe where Slovenia, Italy and Austria meet. Sprinkle in busloads for Norwegians, Swedes, Finns (and even Americans!) and you have a recipe for an exciting international event.

Sandwiched between the American Birkebeiner and the Engadin Ski Marathon, I could only join our groups for three days in Slovenia, but they turned out to be incredible. Here are a few highlights from the week…

When flying over the Alps, make sure to get a window seat

Kicking off the morning with an Italian breakfast and snowflake cappucino

Walking to the race course beneath the backdrop of Planica’s Ski Flying hill

Lots of American flags to cheer on the US women, including Julia Kern in the 10 km Freestyle

Fans from Sweden were hoping for a Swedish skiers on top of the podium

Swedish fans on the trail

But Jessie Diggins had other plans

Cheered on by US fans

Landing on top of the podium

The first time a US cross country skier has ever won an individual gold medal at World Championships

Kudos come in to US fans from Sweden

And even Norway

Even if they still disagree with each other

But Lumi trip leader Anna can work magic and make everyone happy

Reporters waiting to interview athletes interview US fans instead

New Moon Ski Shop owners greet their staff member Chris Hecker, who also waxes for the US Team

Julia Kern’s mom shares stories with Lumi guests

Away from Planica’s race trails, Lumi guests walk from their hotel to the ski trails in Italy’s Saisera Valley

And enjoy the skiing in the shadows of the Julian Alps

At dinner, self-proclaimed King of the Norwegian Supporters Morten Hagenstuen congratulates the US fans on Jessie’s victory

And Jessie collects her gold medal at the awards ceremony in Kranjska Gora

Congrats, Jessie!

Away from the race trails, Slovenia is full of activities

Like biathlon at the Pokljuka World Cup venue

And Slovenian kids practice their agility playing hockey on skis

Slovenia’s beautiful Lake Bled with it’s island church is a must-see

No Lumi trip would be complete without sledding

Or a meal at a hut

But this was the first time we have been night sledding

And it certainly won’t be the last

Back at the venue for the women’s relay, the Norwegian fans pre-game at the official Norway Ski Team Fan Truck

And follow their Pied Piper to the stands

Some fans are torn between allegiances, like this Swedish woman married to a Norwegian

She’s wearing her hand-knit relay socks, inspired by the US women, supporting the Norwegian and Swedish team

Gotta love the international support of Packers fans

As with all World Championships, there are athletes from non-traditional ski countries competing as well

And fans from all over the world

Except this year, the absence of Russian athletes and fans is notable, as is the support for Ukraine

As the women’s 4 x 5 km relay takes off

And the US women, including Rosie Brennan, take off after them

Fans along the trail stay warm with schnaps and aquavit, smuggled into the venue

Swiss supporters of Nadine Fähndrich cheers with an herbal schnaps

While Norwegian fans drink from their shot ski

Jessie and the US women put in a strong effort to catch the pack

With US fans right next to the trail

In the end, it is Norway’s women who win the relay

In front of what feels like a home-town crowd in the stands

The US women, including Julia Kern are congratulated by parents

Along with Hailey Swirbul

And take the time to chat with Lumi guests

And even sign a few autographs

Thanks to US team coach Matt Whitcomb for chatting with Lumi guests and sharing insights after the races

Garrott Kuzzy sneaking in for a rare photograph, working on his telemark landing and showing off his relay socks

Where to next… Lumi will be at the Holmenkollen World Cup in Oslo next weekend

As the world’s cross country skiers start preparing for the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim, Norway

In the meantime, so long from Planica!

Want to join one of the Lumi Experiences trips to cheer on your favorite athletes at a World Cup? Reach out to info@lumiexperiences.com to be first to learn about our upcoming trips to World Cup events.

The first week trip was also a Lumi Experiences fundraiser to support the Trail to Gold Fellowship. The proceeds from the trip helped make a $4,000 donation to support this program, started by the National Nordic Foundation and Women Ski Coaches Association to help get more women coaches to the World Cup.

The Trail To Gold Fellowship was inspired by the book: Trail to Gold: The Journey of 53 Women Skiers; a collective effort by a community of women skiers to tell each other’s stories, and in doing so, set a track for the next generation of US skiers to find success based on the themes and values represented by those who came before them. The net proceeds from the book go towards the Trail to Gold Fellowship and provided the initial funding for the project. The book offers an excellent history of US women’s cross country skiing and is an inspiring read.

Since 2018, Lumi Experiences is thrilled to donate over $20,000 to the National Nordic Foundation in an effort to support cross country skier development in the United States through Lumi’s cross country ski vacations to World Cup and World Championships events.

If you think Slovenia & Italy look beautiful in winter, you should see them in the summertime! How about joining us for the Factory Tour trip this August, where you can ski on the Dachstein Glacier, glide through the Planica Ski Tunnel, see how skis are made and hike in Slovenia’s stunning Julian Alps?

If you’d prefer to join a trip to Italy next winter to cheer on your favorite athletes at the Tour de Ski, email Garrott to get the trip itinerary as soon as it’s available. Plus, save $300 / person when you sign up for any 2024 Lumi Experiences trip by March 31!

See you on the trail,

Garrott Kuzzy
garrott@lumiexperiences.com

March 8, 2023