Norge Skisportens Hjemland plakat – Daqtin Th. Hanssen – 1935

Norge Skisportens Hjemland plakat – Daqtin Th Hanssen – 1935

Vintage Norge Skisportens Hjemland plakat presenting Norway as a destination for Winter Sports. The poster was created by the virtually unknown Norwegian artist Daqtin Th. Hanssen in 1935. It was produced by the Norwegian State Railways.

Hanssen’s superb image depicts a traditionally dressed  Nordic skier ascending a snowy mountain slope. The skier is wearing the classic 1930s attire of the era, plus-four trousers Norwegian knitted socks, and black leather  ‘Universal’ ski boots attached to his wooden skis. In the background, the artist has included the mountain peak of Norway’s highest mountain Galdhøpiggen.

This is the Suisse version of the poster which reads Norge Skisportens Hjemland . The poster was produced in at least two other languages. The French version reads La Norvege Le Pays Du Ski (Norway, The Ski Country) whilst the English version reads Norway The Home of Ski-ing

Is Norway The Home of Skiing ?

Norway is often claimed to be the home of skiing and the birthplace of skiing, and it seems to be a fair claim to make.

In Norse mythology, Ullr is a god associated with skiing and hunting. He’s often depicted as using skis to hunt game, and later he became known as the god of skiing and hunting. His wife, Skaði,is sometimes depicted as accompanying him on his hunts. Together, they are known as the god and goddess of skiing and hunting. In mortal form another Norwegian legend, claims the first skier was a Sami herder who used his skiis to travel across the snow-covered landscape.

For those with a more scientic mind, mythology and legend won’t cut it. They’ll need hard evidence. Well Norway has plenty of that to support its claims.

The earliest Scandinavian examples of skiing date back to 3000 or 4000 BCE, with primitive carvings of skiers holding a single pole in both hands. These carvings were found in Norway and are some of the earliest evidence that skiing was practiced in Scandinavia during the Stone Age.

The Rødøy carving is a Norwegian rock carving from around 1000 BCE. It depicts a skier holding a bow and arrow, with skis positioned in an angle rather than parallel. This is the earliest known depiction of skis of equal length.

Physical evidence has been discovered in the form of a ski found in the Norwegian Vefsn Nordland which has been dated to 3200 BCE. There are some 20 findings of ancient well-preserved skis found in drained bogs in Norway, indicating that skis have been widely used in Norway, particularly Northern Norway, since prehistoric times.

Is Norway The Home of Skiing ?

The discovery of 5000-year-old paintings in 1926 from the Altaic region of modern China suggest the aboriginal use of skis, and  fragments of ski-like objects dating back to 6300-5000 BCE found in northern Russia in 1938 may put Norway’s claims in doubt. There is no doubt the Norwegian discoveries have revolutionized our understanding of how ancient skiers maneuvered their skis, and has also given us new insight into the development of skiing as a sport.

While the exact origins of skiing are now disputed, there is no doubt that Norway has played a major role in its development.There is also no doubt that modern skiing has evolved from beginnings in Norway and Scandinavia.

Even the word ski comes from the old Norse word skíö which means ‘stick of wood’ or ‘ski’ and the term slalom is the term used for skiing downhill through poles or gates is now recognised throughout the world.

Today, skiing is enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities around the world. Whether zipping down a slopes for pleasure or competing in a race, skiing is a thrilling way to enjoy the winter months. Norway remains one of the world’s leading skiing nations, with world-class resorts and athletes. Every year, thousands of people flock to Norway to experience the exhilaration of skiing down a pristine mountain slope. With its breathtaking scenery and world-class ski resorts, it’s no wonder that Norway is still considered the birthplace of skiing.

Buy the vintage Norge Skisportens Hjemland plakat

You may not own an impressive winter lodge near Norefjell or a log chalet on the side of the Galdhøpiggen, but if you’re looking for a way to add some Nordik ski-themed flair to your home décor one of our superb quality reproductions will look great in any room. So go ahead and impress your skiing friends with this must-have ‘Norge Skisportens Hjemland plakat! It’s available in A4 and A3 sizes to fit the smaller places in your home and it can be purchased in A2, 50x70cm and A1 sizes if you want to make a real statement!

Our posters are carefully and professionally created from vintage originals. Whilst great care is taken in the production of these posters, we also try to maintain a vintage feel, so there may be small imperfections, fold marks, scuffs, tears or marks that were part of the original poster master. If these do appear they should be visible on the larger views of the item on this listing. The originals of many of the posters we offer can cost many thousands of pounds, so whilst these posters look great, especially framed and mounted on a wall, they are intended as a fun, affordable reproductions and not intended fine art prints.

The 50x70cm version has been specially produced to be used in conjunction with Ikea’s 50x70cm Ribba picture frame which currently retails for around £12. So you can bag a bargain of print and frame for a great price.