Oslo 2011 is hoping that it will be teeming with people all along the cross-country ski tracks and bids a warm welcome to the forest area North of Oslo - in order to keep up the unique Norwegian tradition of camping in the woods during Nordic ski championships. Spectators who wish to camp overnight during the WSC will be met with excellent facilities in the area around Frognerseteren and within the outer track network. Tents can be put up from February 21 at 12:00. Below you can read more about camping, transport and use of the ski tracks.

During the World Cup last year 6000 exhilarated sports enthusiasts strapped on their skis and set up camp in the Frognerseteren area. Oslo 2011 believe there are even more coming to the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2011!

Outdoor Recreation Act (Friluftsloven) applies
There is no charge to camp at Frognerseteren and elsewhere in the forest during the WSC. The Nordmarka is a public area and is therefore regulated by the Outdoor Recreation Act. The public should still follow the instructions given to preserve the tracks and ensure the smooth flow of crowds in the area. In accordance with the Act, the general liability rules will apply for damage and inconvenience and the right to remove persons will be exercised in the event of improper behaviour. The forest must be restored to its original condition at the end of the WSC. We must take good care of nature and the environment around us.

Show good sportsmanship
In order for the athletes and the public to have positive experiences, we need everyone to show good sportsmanship. Special routes will be set up for spectators to get to the various camping areas and everyone must contribute to keeping the WSC tracks perfectly prepared and providing optimal conditions for all the competitors. The elite of ski sports is eager to experience spectator life and the WSC in the Nordmarka - that forest culture special to Norway which is highly valued by the athletes. Join in to give them the best competitive conditions possible and a unique experience. They will remember this for the rest of their careers!

GOOD TO KNOW:

Tent camping

• We are reserving an area around Frognerseteren Restaurant, Heftyehuset, Skistua and Sporten. This area will be known as "Frognerseteren Live" and therefore there will be no camping here. Many spectators will be able to stand together here during the competitions. There will be interactive communication with loudspeakers providing live reports from both the arena area and out on the network of tracks.

• It is not possible to reserve tent sites in the forest in advance. We are organising camping only during the World Championship period. Since the preparations for the event involve relatively large and heavy machines, we do not want camping around the WSC track network before 21 February 2011. Tents are allowed from 21 February at 12:00 to 6 March at 12:00.

• The map will show several camping areas for different target audiences. There will be toilets provided and bags of firewood for sale. Garbage cannot be left in the forest, but must be taken home or taken to designated waste depots. It is important that everyone follows the best possible environmental practices!

• There are no tents or camping allowed inside the ticketed arena areas. "VM-haugen" (formerly Gratishaugen) and the "Kapellskogen" around the Chapel are part of the ticketed area and therefore camping is also prohibited here.

• All types of tents ("lavvo", lean-to, igloo, etc.) are permitted but the forest must be preserved and restored to its original condition afterwards.

• Bonfires can be lit anywhere outside of the arena area, as long as they are a good distance away from the ski tracks and everyone shows respect for safety and each other. Firewood will be sold in the Frognerseteren area.

• Family camping will be set up in the Setterbakken area (Hemingseter). The focus here is on activities for children and young people and the target audience is families with children and those who want great activities for kids.

Dates to see cross-country skiers in action on the tracks around Frognerseteren
The cross-country skiers will pass by the Frognerseteren area on Saturday 26 February, Sunday 27 February, Monday 28 February, Tuesday 1 March, Saturday 5 March and Sunday 6 March. On Monday and Tuesday the 10 km-loop goes all the way to Bomveien. Notice that the competitors only pass Frognerseteren more than once on 30 km Pursuit Men, (27 February), 30 km ladies (Saturday 5 March) and 50 km men (Sunday 6 March).

Parking
There is no parking places in the area around Frognerseteren and Sporten during the WSC period. You will be directed to a loading and unloading area near your camping site. Then you can take your car back home or to the designated parking areas, for example at Øversetertjern, Tryvann, Sognsvann.

Skiing during the WSC period
There will of course be groomed tracks in the forest even during the WSC. Due to the requirements for top quality preparation, the WSC tracks will be closed during the period of the event. Parts of the lighted track (Lysløypa) from Frognerseteren to Holmenkollen will be reserved solely for WSC athletes during the Championships period. During this period Holmenkollen Arena will be also be closed. We know that all Nordmarka users, especially skiers, understand this and will help us to enforce these restrictions.

Other tracks will be groomed by some of the world's best preparation experts from the City of Oslo and the Association for the Promotion of Skiing (Skiforeningen).

For reports on track conditions and the status of available training routes, check out http://www.skiforeningen.no/markadb/showf.cgiand http://www.friluftsetaten.oslo.kommune.no/skiloypepreparering/