The Nordic Way

We fans of the outdoors all have our reasons for loving what we do, but it might surprise you to learn there’s a set of ideas—and an ethnicity—that have shaped quite a bit of the Midwest’s relationship with fresh air, though sometimes in the background. Why bother with ideas? Outdoor culture has many styles, sometimes we might wonder about what we like, other times we might sense distractions, and occasionally we can even feel out of place. The more options we have as we ponder such feelings, the better our chances of finding what suits us and being comfortable with it. So, there can be more to the smell of sun-soaked pines or the sting of cold water than we might think.

This is the first of a three-part series. This introduction will give a general overview of Nordic concepts. The second part will dive into outdoor sports as seen through a Nordic lens, and the last part -- just in time for snow – will take a Nordic look at Nordic skiing.

The ethnicity in question is Scandinavian, which matters here in the Midwest, since so many of us trace our family to the massive Nordic immigration of the late 1800s. Though Norwegians, Swedes, and Finns were a minority, they left an outsized mark. And not just with lutefisk, but a deep vein of outdoor aerobic fun—cross-country skiing, trail-running, paddlesports, and more. They imported not only activities but an attitude, a way of knitting the indoors and outdoors together. It’s the old “it’s not about the bike” idea—meaning, the real story is in how we live, not our gear or VO2 max.

I’m not Scandinavian myself, but I’d chased Nordic sports long enough to be curious when I noticed there were special concepts behind them. Years ago, I skied for a week with NCAA athletes from Europe. They were different, but awesomely—they turned sport into play. And in my own outdoor fun, I noticed that I loved doing things seasonally, year-round, while specialists around me often stuck to one thing. I kept feeling it was all connected, yet I didn’t see that being explored as I looked around. ...Except sometimes. I kept getting hints. Then I encountered my first big Nordic idea -- it was wild!

Core Concepts: The Fresh-Air Life

My first word-clue was Norwegian: friluftsliv (“free-loofs-leaf”)—the fresh-air life. It’s a value that ties it all together for them. It means a lot of things, especially freedom and the outdoors, but at its heart, it’s about daily living in connection to nature and the seasons. It’s not about quitting your desk job, but about making the most of the sun you can each day. So when the days get short, carve out some time during your lunch hour to head outside. Keep nature as part of your days. Don’t just save it for the weekend, blend it in. Also, I think it’s such a fun-looking word! It seems to be worth more awareness. Even though I don’t know the language, I can sense some of the meanings in the word.

In Nordic countries, people have a habit of getting out into nature after work and on weekends. The cities tend to have green spaces nearby. Also, kids play and learn outside in a kind of school called “forest kindergarten.” A big lesson for kids this age is how to dress themselves, especially for different weather, and this is seen as a significant part of their education. But even in Scandinavia, the pull of video games and gym treadmills nibbles at the old ways. Everyone needs reminders, and having words for it can help!

These days, other Nordic notions are running laps around the outdoor sports that I’d assumed were the core of the theme. The American “Nordic World” ski magazine is long gone, and there are only a few Nordic ski and sport books out there now. But “Nordic Living,” a magazine of interior design, recently hit the newsstands, alongside a sizable new crop of books and blogs on Nordic fashion, cuisine, and health. This is the new Nordic media! It only obliquely hints at Nordic skiing. We do have a couple new Nordic ski and sport websites, but the Ikea side of Nordic culture is vastly bigger. Yet I haven’t seen much mention of connections going in either direction. The “Nordic Approach” blog aims to demonstrate that there’s more to outdoor sport than gear and fitness; to me, this seems like a welcoming direction. Is there room for more such efforts?

Two more words well worth knowing are hygge (“hoo-gah”) and koselig (“koosh-lee”). Both mean cozy, but in a deeper, broader sense—arranging your space and life to shelter the spirit. Yes, they are indoor ideas, but as with many Nordic concepts, they have a yin-yang aspect: what we do indoors affects our attitudes to the outdoors. Hot cocoa, firelight, and the feel of switching to fuzzy slippers at the door are small details that can be bulwarks against the cold, dark months, letting us recharge to get back out there. Clothes layering is also a cozy thing, a practical necessity that can be creative and fun. It can also look and feel good.

We might sometimes feel adrift when it comes to outdoor fashion. Nordic says, “If you like it and it works for you, fine.” There’s enough darkness in winter as it is, so make sure you like what you’re wearing! Black and Lycra can seem to dominate outdoor apparel, but natural fabrics like wool can be timelessly beautiful and still practical. Colors and patterns can be inspiring during the months of a limited outdoor palette. Intense performance fabrics don’t always have to take the lead -- style can also have the proper function.

From Philosophy to Practice

Sauna belongs, too—heat shared with everyone in the room, no status or pretense, young and old sweating in their bare skin. Get hot, and after a certain amount of time, your thoughts drop away, leaving only breath. Then comes the shock of jumping into a cold lake or a snow roll. Sauna works the Nordic cycle—hot to cold, then back again. The cold plunge is a recent exercise recovery trend, but jumping in a cold lake after a sauna (or hot exercise) has been part of Nordic life for generations.

Up north, a sauna often goes with a cabin, or “camp.” In Norway it’s a hytte—a hut, revered for its rustic and intentional simplicity. The idea of hytteliv, or hut life, is about being in a place that belongs more to the landscape and family, friends, and neighbors than to individual users. We don’t have as much of this in North America, but they even have allemansretten: the right to roam, hiking, and skiing where they like (while respecting nature and property owners). We come close to this in our love of public land and parks, and in our cherishing of green space, pathways, and trail systems.

The Finnish sisu (“see-soo”) is stubborn persistence in hard times. That idea alone can give a lifetime of encouragement. It pairs well with uffda, a mild cuss for the top of a long climb. “Oof-dah!” is a grunt of effort tinged with vexed humor. Try it, it works!

Rune Standli, a Norwegian, has provided me with feedback during my quest to understand these concepts. He loves the outdoors and is the father of a top Junior Nordic ski racer. He said, “Your idea of friluftsliv is good but there’s also an aspect of free, as in no-cost, along with ‘free as a bird.’ And with idraet there’s the idea of the Law of Janteloven. It means humility: ‘Don’t think you are better than anyone.’”

Attitude Over Technology

Nordic countries were the cradle of modern endurance training—home of intervals and periodization. But their outlook is different from a fever for aerobic gains. Their word idraet (“ee-dreht”) means organized sport, but the game is just the beginning. It’s about body, soul, club, and nation. Record-setting takes a back seat to playing together. Even alone, you’re part of the group. Motivating your peers, thanking your coach—these matter more than your watts per kilogram. The idraet value is for the long haul and can prevent burnout. This is also why Norwegians don’t keep score in kids’ sports until they’re 12 or 13. You don’t always have to keep score, either.

History backs them up. When the Winter Olympics were first proposed in the early 1920s, Norway and Sweden were the caretakers of cherished snow sports. They balked at the individualistic spirit. Only after the values of amateurism and international goodwill were enshrined did they join in. Even now, Norway’s sports program focuses more on ensuring a broad base of youth participation than on cultivating stars. Their slogan is “The Joy of Sports for All.”Making room for all is so important! Even now, we hear about people curious about outdoor sports feeling intimidated or getting the cold shoulder. Being respectful ambassadors is a Nordic value – and scenes that thrive know it makes all the difference!

It’s an attitude over technology. Our experience and camaraderie are the foundations. If you’ve ever felt alienated by a sports style of “get to the parking lot, shred the heart-rate monitor, then get home,”You’re not alone. There are other ways to play, and many who would be happy to join you in kicking back now and then to a more casual vibe. Whatever your need, keep looking, or start something fresh!

Nordic notions can let us know we’re on the right track and can steady us if we feel intimidated. They’re about roots, not extreme achievement. Peak intensity, of course, is fine, fun, and has its place, but it’s not the core. The Nordic approach offers practical wisdom—inspiring us to find our touchpoints and routines that help us find our way and keep us coming back.

Books to Explore:

The Nordic Theory of Everything — Anu Partanen
Sisu: The Finnish Art of Courage — Joanna Nylund
The Little Book of Hygge — Meik Wiking
Friluftsliv: Reconnect with Nature — Oliver Luke Delorie (inspirational photos & notions)