SKI MANHATTAN
From North to South
Since 2021, we have monitored the weather; finally, a great storm rolled into New York City. At the time I was sitting in Boulder, watching the island disappear under “King Winter,” when the idea took hold – a sled adventure from north to south on Manhattan.
The city of New York has attracted adventurers for centuries. A place for all kinds and interests, nationalities and passions. Roald Amundsen headed to New York after his many feats to share his stories and findings around the globe, and this attraction is very much alive today.
The book “Under Manhattan” by Erling Kagge depicts his crossing of the Big Apple through the sewers. A story of the stark contrasts from down below to the chaos above. This book and story would eventually inspire another Manhattan adventure, this time above ground.
Back in 2021, a severe snowstorm rolled across the Northeast and buried New York City for days. I sat in Boulder and observed the island getting covered by “King Winter” when the idea came about. A sled adventure from North to South on Manhattan, a Central Park camp, and as always, a loose itinerary.
January 24th, 2026, and the weather forecast and news channels can confirm that the winter storm will hit New York City with full force. A quick call to Henry and Alex in Colorado results in a reignition of the dream and tickets booked within minutes. But cancellations follow for the flights to New York, to Philadelphia, and Washington. The dream adventure seems to shatter before it even could begin. But what city in the Northeast is more like Norway in the sense that they are used to long and stubborn winters? Montreal, Canada. Flight booked, sleds packed, and fingers crossed.
10 hours later, I find myself on the border between Canada and the United States attempting to state my business and purpose for my entry into the U.S. A secondary control was necessary before I had my passport stamped and returned to me, and I am still not sure if they took me for a fool when they waved me away. Regardless, the adventure lives on.
A predicted 5 ½ hour drive turned into 8 hours of snowy chaos as everyone around me seemed to be moving like the world was about to end. From my perspective, this seemed like any other day in Norway during wintertime. There weren’t many of us moving south this evening as news channels across the States have strongly recommended everyone to stay inside and avoid any unnecessary travel. I categorized mine as necessary.
Snow drifts, trapped cars, and “ghost town”-like scenes met me as I crossed the Harlem River and set foot on Manhattan. 8 hours since Montreal, I finally blew crispy frost smoke and witnessed a city in hibernation. Henry & Alex came rolling in and we were ready for adventure, to say it mildly. Sleds packed, skis on, and goggles down at 8pm, we started our trek southward. Finding “enough” snow was really our only concern, but that quickly diminished as every avenue and side street reminded more of a cross-country trail than a buzzing city street. Another “enemy” we quickly discovered, which used to be a savior, were the snowplows. But to our delight, King Winter was having the upper hand so far.
We made our way southward into Upper Manhattan, swapping between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave based on snow conditions and plows changing our conditions on a running basis. On the horizon, we could spot the high-rise of Columbus Circle and the southern end of Central Park as we entered the “green lung” of Manhattan.
Central Park was in a vacuum until, to our delight, we met a group of youngsters that were out sledding on one of the many hills in the park. Even at midnight, many seemed to share our excitement for the snowy conditions. Coming up on 70th Street, we made a quick detour towards the Upper East and a visit to our longtime partners at the Explorers Club. A club that has attracted explorers and adventurers for a century, and a place Roald Amundsen spent good time after his many feats.
We headed back into the park as we trekked our way across the reservoir and “The Lake” before passing through Columbus Circle and jumping from 8th Ave over to 7th towards Times Square.
On the horizon, you could see the lights shooting towards the sky, and navigation had never been easier. Skiing into Times Square was surreal as our primitive setup for winter travel cruised into what is considered one of the most visited places on earth.
At this hour, it was still buzzing. A combination of people either playing or attempting to get rid of the snow around them. A playful one pulled up and agreed to give us a tow, as we like the activity of “snørekjøring,” or skijoring behind cars. Our new friend towed us a few blocks when we passed a news reporter witnessing our out-of-the-ordinary rig and activity.
30 seconds later, we were live on Fox News.
WATCH INTERVIEW
After an interaction with millions, we went back to our primitive activity and faded back into the darkness of Central Park for a few hours of sleep. The next morning the sun rose and, to our delight, Libby came around with a New York favorite: breakfast bagels and orange juice. An undisputed classic and elevated to a new dimension in the setting we found ourselves in. Breakfast devoured, sleds packed, and skins on. We headed south again. Down 9th, into Chelsea, through Meatpacking, into West Village as we reconnected with the streets we “skied” in a drier setting.
watch ROLLERSKI EDIT
These side streets proved still “skiable” as the plows are making it increasingly difficult to navigate on solid snow. With our equipment in mind, we figured a subway ride towards our lunch spot made the most sense. Skis off, sleds up, and over the subway gates they went. Sitting down on the subway was another reconnection to the daily buzzing lives of New Yorkers and a good relief for the base of skis and sleds.
Spring St. station, our stop. Sleds out, over the gates, and up the stairs. Lunch at Balthazar awaits, an Amundsen favorite and a classic for any Norwegian visiting New York City. We parked outside as the host looked at us with wonder, struggling to find words, probably, as we were directed to our seats. Later on, we understood that this was a “first” at Balthazar: that someone had skied up to the restaurant for lunch.
Sandwiches and coffees down, we headed south again. Through the side streets of Lower Manhattan, through Chinatown, and into the Financial District. We had a vague memory of steep staircases around Wall St that we wanted to explore while also symbolizing the end of our trip. The southern tip of Manhattan, outside of the New York Stock Exchange, we have never felt smaller. Among giants by all definitions, we have moved across Manhattan in a vacuum.
We are all about contrasts. In our daily lives, in activity, and to “live a brand.” Contrasts make the opposite greater and therefore elevate any experience. The trek through the world’s epicenter for tourism, in silence and peace, is something we will never forget. Thank you, Erling Kagge, for taking care of the sewers. We were happy to have conquered above ground.
Written by JC Løvenskiold
