We have reached our goal

We are now getting closer to Ustaoset. Just east of the station is the place where many claim Norway was united as one kingdom. The construction of the Bergen line took place from the East and the West and in 1907 the last sleeper coloured in red, white and blue was laid just east of the station, two years before the official opening. Exhausted workers, engineers and politicians celebrated ecstatically over the feat that had been accomplished and this meeting of East and West was seen as the final joining of the country. With the track completed the journey time between Oslo and Bergen was reduced by over 3 days. The Bergen line was complete. Others, who achieve their goals in Ustaoset, are the competitors in “Spring’s most beautiful adventure” -the Skarverennet cross country ski race. Every year over ten thousand ski enthusiasts take part in the race from Finse to Ustaoset. Skarverennet is a race that attracts both professional and amateur skiers from around the world. The route follows the Hallingskarvet mountain range and is 38 kilometres long. The course can be completed by everyone, old and young alike and at the finish line everyone will be hailed a winner. In the professional classes, stars such as Dario Cologna, Petter Northug and Terese Johaug have all been winners of the Skarverennet; the latter has in fact won the race 10 times.