Regi Batt and Tobias Dimmler toured the Norwegian Lofoten last March. Far above the Arctic Circle this archipelago of islands reaches out into the North Sea. Their search for uncharted territory provided fabulous ski-touring, Ski&Fly and soaring sessions - an adventure in a unique monochromatic landscape.
Lofoten, Norway. One fjord follows another. Many small mountainous islands, growing out of the sea. The weather changes by the second: strong wind pelts your face with ice and snow – then it’s flat calm. In an instant hidden rocks emerge from the haze, sunlight fights its way through the cloud layer and the landscape takes on its true shapes. Then, soon after, the fog closes around again. On clear nights you get to see the Northern Lights - delicate curtains of green light dancing and undulating across the heavens. These spectral apparitions light up the surroundings. This cosmic phenomenon, created by an interplay of charged solar particles and the earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field, also captured Regi and Tobi in its spell. “It is surreal light show, fascinating and uncanny in equal measure”, enthused Regi.
Skis and paraglider – the perfect combination
The next day the sun shone in their faces; white mountains and blue sea making a wonderful contrast. They got in their car and drove off. The road meandered along the fjords, and around every curve a new and fantastic landscape revealed itself. They continued until a promising-looking peak appeared, parked and set off upwards – with skis and wings. They climbed steadily along forest tracks and through soft birch woodland towards the summit. To begin with the frosted landscape sparkled like sugar, then as they progressed upwards more snow lay under their skis. The view behind showed fjords and island groups, separated by the shimmering blue sea.
Lonely flights
Regi and Tobi were in luck. The normally changeable weather was showing its stable side. Lofoten weather is basically dictated by wind direction. West wind means changeable, from heavy snow to sunny intervals everything is possible. With the wind between NE and SE you can expect cold dry weather with many hours of sun. The pair could take advantage of this easterly situation, and enjoyed many unique tours, sometimes taking off from summits, sometimes lower down depending on conditions. They usually were the only travellers. Sometimes they saw other ski tourists – never another paraglider pilot.
Flexibility pays off
Long hours of sun also have their negative side. The old snow they had begun with melted progressively: stones and grass took over, more and more. There came the point where they changed from skis to hiking boots. Ski&Fly became Hike&Fly. “The less snow, however, meant the more perfect was the wind. We took off from the tops and could make some long soaring sessions. The ever-changing landscape always fascinated me, each time,” explained Tobi.
The Equipment
The Team
Tobias Dimmler
Tobi is a professional tandem pilot and photographer. He has flown all over the world with his paraglider and captured the special moments with his camera. When he's not on the road, the Swiss native lives and works in Interlaken.
Regi Batt
Regi combines her passion for endurance sports with flying since 2012. Whether on high altitude tours, skiing or hiking, the paraglider is usually part of it. Three years ago she turned her hobby into a profession – since then she has been working as a professional tandem pilot in Interlaken.