Generation Geilo: Portrait of a Community
Nestled between two of Norway’s most majestic national parks, the mountain town of Geilo attracts adventurers from all over the world. But its beauty is more than skin-deep: Geilo isn’t just a thriving town, but the civic embodiment of a different mode of being.
Strained by the seemingly inexorable global trend of populations gravitating from the countryside to the city, Geilo began to pioneer a model of sustainable tourism, one aimed at sustaining not just the precious local ecology, but the local community too.
Ten years on, the town has successfully transformed its fortunes. Visiting Geilo — and struck by the buoyant, tenacious and diverse community spirit I found there, I began to create this environmental portrait series. Shot over the period of one year, I set out to document the people who have been instrumental in ensuring that the future of Geilo will be as rich, and rooted, as its past.
Andrè & Mari Bjørnstad
Kjetil Larsgard, 10th Generation Hill Farmer
Anne Brusletto & Kompis, Slaatta Skisenter
Karina Brogaard & Heidi Aasheim Tragethon, Samsara
Asle Kirkevoll, Geilo Hestesenter
Torgeir Skrede, Director of Sports NTG
Ole Kristian Kirkevoll, Snow Creator
Frode Aga, Restaurant Hallingstuene
Aileen & Pete, Tuva Turisthytte
Geilo Fire & Rescue Service
Jarle Rueslåtten, Cheese Maker
Johan Helland, Statoil Geilo
Jarle Uthus, Prestholtseter Mountain Cafe
Duane Butcher, Trail Builder
Rune Lundsør, Epic Events & Snowboard Museum
Kjell Eikrehagen, AKA The Ice Man
Andreas Uthus, Project Leader of Steen & Lund
Kunt Medhus, Radio Hallingdal
Thomas Tragethon, Geilo Tomteservice
Vojtěch Hejtmánek & Martin Kádrle, Full On Adventure
Elisabeth Korsane Langeby, Sous Chef & Confectioner
Ragnar Nicolaien, Cross Country Ski Trail Master
Kunt Erik Fosskaug, Geilo Ski Patrol
Petter Braaten, Hallingskarvet National Park Manager
