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CHARLOTTE KALLA
"The conditions for training are fantastic in Sundsvall"
Charlotte Kalla - skiing legend and Sweden's greatest female Olympian of all time with her nine Olympic medals, including three gold and six silver. She moved to Sundsvall in 2011 as she was attracted by the fantastic conditions for training both summer and winter.
What is your favorite destination in Destination Sundsvall?
- Södra Berget and Elit 15 km is my favorite trail. A challenging ski track that suits those with previous skiing experience. The trail offers many technical challenges and lots of altitude meters, while the feeling of being in the middle of the wilderness is mixed with lookout points where you can glimpse Sundsvall. It is a great pleasure to have access to Södra Berget, which is just a stone's throw from the center of Sundsvall and where the snow supply offers a long winter season thanks to the height difference from the city.
Why did you choose to move here?
- The conditions for training are fantastic here in Sundsvall, both during the barefoot season and during the winter months. In addition, there are good communications from Sundsvall when I was going out on both training camps and competitions during my elite career.
What is the best viewpoint here in the destination?
- Uvberget at Hulitjärn between Birsta and Bergsåker is a favorite.
If you want to eat like Charlotte Kalla. Which restaurant in the destination do you go to and which dish should you choose from the menu?
- Naturaj is my favorite restaurant and get the chance to eat their tasting menu with locally grown ingredients in season. They are amazing at bringing out flavors, texture and the atmosphere there is very cozy, so the whole sitting is an experience.
If you were to opt out of restaurants and the hustle and bustle of the city and go on a picnic instead, where would you go?
- I love to get out for an outdoor lunch or dinner. My friend Maria has given me the book Sundsvall's Nature Guide and there are lots of tips on excursion destinations. The place I have visited most times is Uvberget.
What do you think of Sundsvall's ski trails and where do you find the best ones?
- There are so many fantastic tracks in Sundsvall with great variety. The best are clearly up on Södra Berget, but you must not forget all the nice tracks that are on the north side of the city as well.
If you're training for Vasaloppet, do you have any tips on a good route?
- To take a lap around Södra Berget and start in Sidsjön, go up past LV5, towards Stockvik, up on Ängen and then down Blå Kryss. It is a nice longer round that I can really recommend.
Photo: Nils Jakobsson
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"Here you can find the mix between a big city feeling and enormously beautiful nature"