The Anticipation Letters No.8

Off Pist skiing. Hemavan Feb 28th.

A postcard from time off in a world of 50 shades of white

This Sunday is perhaps not a regular letter, more like a postcard, since I’ve spent the week on winter break vacation in the Swedish mountains, skiing with my family and family friends at the ski resort Hemavan.

It’s so beautiful here, groves of birch trees, and the top of the ski slopes is above the tree line, creating a wonderful ever changing scenery with ever changing shades of white, from sunny warm white, to cold icy blue, and the valley is filled with lakes and rivers.

We’ve also spent a day in Tärnaby, the iconic skislopes where both Ingmar Stenmark and Anja Pärson originates from. The view there is absolutely magnificent towards a winding lake and river. The birch trees in the mountains look more dark purple than white when winter bare, and in Tärnaby black lichen hangs from the dark branches. Kind of spooky and beautiful at the same time, it only grows where the air is clean. The slopes are super well prepped here and there’s hardly any people (Only talented young skiers in a slalom oriented senior high school attacking the steep start of Anjabacken (the Anja slope), even though this is the busiest week in Swedish ski resorts.

In addition to a love of skiing, I’ve always been attracted the mountain and ski aesthetics, I’m always inspired in alpine environments. Yes to pine interiors and fire places, but also the bright neon red canes and net fences marking the slopes. How the functional additions to the layered white and black landscape stands out in bright contrast, but also has a highly temporary and flexible quality.

Here’s to manifesting some great alpine design projects coming my way! Say a Visual Branding project for a mountain resort – Hemavan has a solid one with a simplistic and free spirited vibe. Or a collaborative project with an architect on a mountain cabin style boutique hotel. Or why not a local foragers brewery or design and branding for a sustainable skiing gear brand.

Une Liste de Cinque
A few favourites from this week

1. All the amazing views

   I fill myself up with all the amazing views, drinking it in deep sips. Today I’m actually almost a bit sea sick from losing myself in oceans of all white (the last few days it’s been snowing with extremely poor visibility.

2. Hemavan – a secret gem

   Hemavan has a beautiful landscapes partly above the tree line, accessible off pist. Considering this is a very busy week (the “Stockholm week”) this resort is very calm and hardly any queues at all. Still there’s nice restaurants spread around the system. And the ability to spend an extra day in nearby Tärnaby is also a plus.

3. Well, skiing

   My work as a creative takes up a lot of my attention and focus. And I sometimes forget other things I love doing. Skiing is one of them, it’s a multi sensory activity you’re fully engaged in.

4. Time with family
   During a regular week, how much time and attention do we really have for our kids? It’s been great to have fun skiing together for a full week, and it feels great that both our kids now can enjoy the mountains with us.

5. Time off
   I’m reminded how good it can be to take some time off. I feel lighter, more clear-minded, mobile and alert, and have detoxed some stress symptoms.

I read this book when participating in a workshop by Lydia Kellam, a fellow creative and educator I’ve enjoyed collaborating with.

This book, Time Off, gives you some aha-moments and perspectives on the importance of taking time off. Recommended! I think I’ll read it again when I’m back.

We pre-ordered a mix case of Revel Cider pet nats from Open Sea Wine for that perfect sunny after-ski vibe when everyone’s back at the cabin (the after-ski here is not kids friendly, which I’m perfectly ok with).

Alors on Dance still works to restart the energy French style after a long day and sauna.

The view from the top of Anja-slope in Tärnaby.

Breathtaking.

I rarely take time off completely, but this week I did. I actually didn’t even bring a laptop (I write this from my husband's).

But of course I had to check out the Jil Sander runway show, which also turned out to be the very last from Luke and Lucie Meier, who parts from the brand as Creative Directors. I’ve been loving the eight years they’ve been leading the brand creatively.

They presented a dark, decadent night club look. But weirdly similar to the aesthetics of the landscape here, silver shimmering rivers, dark birch groves, lichen hanging from the branches.

“If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play.” John Cleese

When I used to snowboard many years ago now, I used to push myself with a Rage against the Machine song playing in my mind (it worked).

Now, on a day where I had some time alone in the slopes, I found myself hearing It don’t mean a thing (if it ain’t got that swing) with Ella. Here from a video from 1974. Try it!

The Visual Identity for Hemavan Tärnaby. Simplistic and straight forward, with a letter here and there exchanged for relevant symbols, adding a free spirited vibe.

I don’t know who did this, but I learned that there were previously two different profiles, making it confusing for the guests. I only have some slight remarks for the signage of the slopes, which was a bit scarce. How can you design to recognise the brand while understanding the levels, names and/or numbers of the slopes?

A Sunday Note to self (to create anticipation)

I would love to stay another week, but it’s time for the 11 hours drive home.

On Monday awaits jury work for Prisad Färg, which I very much look forward to!

À bientôt!

xxx

Charlotte Ryberg
In Pursuit of Beautiful Concepts

Thank you for reading The Anticipation Letters – The new Sunday ritual. A more personal and intuitive letter on design, life, work, philosophy, inspiration, creating anticipation for the week ahead. Words by ENTIÈRE founder Charlotte Ryberg. If you wish to receive it in your inbox each Sunday, subscribe below.