TRAILS / LIFTS

The alpine skiing facilities component of the tourism destination covers the largest part of the south-eastern part of the mountain "Lille Blåmannen". The composition of the mountain means it is created for all types of trails/levels of difficulty.

There will be something here to suit all types of users, from novices to extreme skiers. The longest trail will be a full 6 km.

The choice of lift types will be adapted to meet market demand. There is also the option of a top-class restaurant with 360 degree panoramic views.

CABINS / SITES

A total of around 40 ha can be developed for this purpose within walking/skiing distance of the nearest ski lift. The buildings will be low and emphasis will be placed on building forms and materials that fit well into the terrain and environment. Over and above this, there will be some communal facilities, works buildings and service facilities.

The basic concept is to sell cabins/sites to individuals, companies and institutions, which may hire them out to the extent agreed. This phase requires rezoning and the city council is positive about this.

EXPERIENCES / ACTIVITES

The basic idea behind Arctic Center as a tourism destination is that it will be able to offer a wide variety of activities - and not just activities involving alpine skiing. The area can offer a broad spectrum of tourism services/activities. Examples of what can fit into such offers are flood lit ski trails, toboggan slopes, indoor swimming pool/water park, marked cross-country ski tracks, reindeer sleigh rides, dog sledding, hunting, fishing, attractions, cultural offers and heliskiing in the Lyngen Alps in winter and glacier climbing/walks in summer.

Up until the 1920-30s, Finnheia was used by Swedish Sami people as a summer camp and grazing area. Several gamme (traditional turf huts) were constructed and 2-3 of these are closely linked with the regulation plan 906. According to a proposal from the Ministry of Environment, which is confirmed in the regulation plan, the aim is to restore these to their original condition. AC will seek collaboration from the Sami Cultural Heritage Committee and other parties that can ensure such restoration work will be technically correct. The gamme will then be included in the project as an important Sami cultural offer for posterity.

In addition, a Sami experience centre can be established here to sell Sami food, products and activities. In this context, AC will seek collaboration with an actor from within the Sami reindeer herding community to operate the centre commercially.

Tromsø Wilderness Centre in Håkøybotn is a well established and well run venture with a kennel of more than 100 Alaskan huskies. In addition to dog sledding, the company offers a varied year-round activity programme, ranging from simple activities for city folk to extreme challenges for experienced adventures looking to test their limits. Arctic Center will seek collaboration with Tromsø Wilderness Centre, which would be mutually beneficial for both parties.

HOTEL

An area of 15 ha has been set aside for a hotel. The total building area may be up to 8800 m2. The ridge selected as the ideal site for the hotel is Finnheia. The site is at an altitude of 190m and commands a view of the entire area. Here, course and conference facilities can be constructed in the "wilderness" just 15 minutes from Tromsø Airport.

SPORT

Even though Arctic Center is planned as a tourism venture, the possibility of including sporting bodies has formed part of the planning. This was instrumental in the area at Håkøybotn being chosen as the best site.

In accordance with a city council resolution, the collaboration with sporting bodies is formalised, and the decision has been reached to collaborate about the realisation of training and competition facilities of international standard for all alpine skiing disciplines. In addition, there are all classes of snowboard, freestyle skiing and Telemark skiing. Tromsø Slalomklubb (slalom ski club), Troms Skikrets (county ski association) and the Norwegian Ski Federation (NSF) have participated in this collaboration. Separate reports clarifying this have been implemented by NSF construction manager Alfred Andersen in 1991 and more recently followed up by NSF construction consultant Stein Hessen in 2002 and FIS consultant Hermod Bjørkestøl in 2003.