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5 SEPTEMBER 2024
THE VAST NORD- A DREAM SNOWMOBILING TRIP SAGA
In the frozen expanse of northern Norway, where the sun barely rises during the long winter months, two old friends embarked on a very special adventure. When the sun began to emerge in late May, Tomas and Sondre, together with a very handy crew, set out to ride snowmobiles in a place they never thought possible to ride. The goal was to explore Seiland, a remote and rugged region beyond the Arctic Circle, where few have thought to venture on a sled. With their bond forged in their love for snowmobiling, countless shared adventures, and many laughs along the way, they knew this journey would be their most epic yet.
The film opens with epic footage showing the vast, rugged and unforgiving landscape of this remote place. It’s so clear that this terrain is protected from man and preserved for the wild. With uplifting music and a nearing crescendo of the intro…… and it’s damn hard to click away.
Gaining Access
This might be one of the most crucial and endearing parts about this story. There are very few people who have access to this beautiful place, and those who do, are very lucky. Mostly these lands are accessed by Laplanders; indigenous people to the region and many live a unique and rugged lifestyle of reindeer herding. When searching for a way to explore this terrain, Tomas and Sondre basically bartered free manual labor for snowmobiling access. The deal was that they get to bring snowmobiles to ride and in exchange, they help their indigenous friends fix their fences and care for their reindeers.
The journey begins at the edge of civilization, a fishing dock in the Alta Harbor. Using a crane, they load snowmobiles onto a fishing vessel. From the awkward angles and tetris-like struggle to find a way, it becomes very clear that this boat is not made for snowmobile transport. With optimism and some healthy, cheerful doubt, Tomas looks into the camera and says “they should be able to make it work”.
And where there is a lot of will, there is always a way.
As the boat cruises through the fjords, the sun illuminates a vast snowscape that shows signs of warm transition into spring. No wonder this place is dreamed of by adventurers—not because it is truly off-limits, but because it is so remote and challenging to reach. But for this group, the challenge was part of the allure. They were not just seeking a destination but an adventure that would push their limits and create lasting memories.
Adventures on the Edge
Each day brought a new obstacle to overcome. They navigated not having a place to dock, bony features down low due to snow melt, heavy snow from the warmth, and their sleds weighted down with supplies. They crossed running rivers, the water soaking their feet and legs. There were moments of pure exhilaration as they raced across open tundra, the world a blur of white, brown and blue. And then there were moments of quiet reflection, as they paused to take in the surreal beauty of their surroundings.
One of the most memorable parts of their adventure was a couple nights spent under a clear sky in a cabin built by the Laplanders. The cabin, oddly positioned on the top of a mountain, was a profoundly beautiful shelter from the elements. They built a roaring fire, cooked a simple meal of reindeer meat, and shared laughs of past adventures. Outside, the sky was bright in a celestial celebration of their time together.
The Joy of Exploration
Character is not lacking in this adventure story. Sondre is a humble yet charismatic guy with a reaction to snow like a golden retriever to a ball. Simple bliss. He adds wonder, awe and appreciation to the journey. What he lacks in words, he makes up for in laughter. After a day of riding in this desolate place, Sondre said, “it’s so deserted. It’s just us on the entire island. It’s really incredible. Speechless”
Tomas- the founder of TOBE Outerwear, is a tall, soft-spoken man who wears his history on his sleeve. The 20+ years of snowmobiling have taken their toll on his body. By the way he walks, you can see the amount of fun he has had crash-landing jumps. He lives the lifestyle of the brand he has created and he is damn proud of it. Tomas is no stranger to being filmed but rarely does a cameraman capture the shit-eating grin on his face when asked about riding in backcountry like this. He says, “oh I’m so stoked. Spring riding in places where you’re not supposed to be riding…does it get any better?”
Midway through the film, it becomes clear that this adventure was filmed out of love. How Linus Nilsson was able to fly a drone, operate a RED and film on his phone at the same time? Someone should check if he has 3 arms. He must.
His vision, passion and capability as a filmmaker shone bright in this project.
A Journey to Remember
The trip was not just about the physical journey but also about the emotional and mental exploration. It was a reminder of why we work so hard to steward an outerwear gear brand, and the importance of living our dreams. The journey reaffirmed Tomas and Sondre’s belief that life is meant to be lived fully, with a sense of exploration and a willingness to venture into the unknown.
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