It is raining in Bodø. Almost all snow is gone. But French Jean Rouaux (22) is still hopeful and looking for new adventures and good skiing conditions. Jean is wrapped in technical hiking clothes from head to toe with a steak pulled well over his head. Next to him is his bike with a pair of skis on. – Two months ago I got a crazy idea, says Jean Rouaux enthusiastically to news. What if he combined the favorite accusations of bicycle and skis? Just over 3500 kilometers later, however, he is still looking for the snow … Cycling + Ski = Sant Jean is an adventurer and works as a climbing instructor in his hometown of Chamonix. The city is located at the foot of Mont Blanc and is a mecca for winter sports enthusiasts. Nevertheless, Jean chooses to travel to Norway to ski. – We do not have the same nature as here in Norway, and I thought: Why not? It’s a good idea. Many come to Norway to ski, but they usually take flights. It takes six hours, but I thought: Why not make an adventure out of it? With this bike, Jean tries to get away 20 miles a day. Photo: Per-Magne Steen / news Social anthropologist and tourism scientist Kjersti Ruud Walaas applauds Jean Rouaux Travel Style. – This is like Lars Monsen in a different way. A kind of urban Lars Monsen. When traveling this way, you have to trust yourself fully and cope with all possible weather conditions. It’s tough. It is Stamina, and few of us do it. I admire those who do. Do you want to travel like Jean? Are you totally on control ?? Never in life! It sounds really cool! Tjaaaa. Maybe something similar, but not so extreme! Show result A special type of tourist Walaas mentions Jean as a hiker. – He wanted to fit into the category where it is the fewest and perhaps the particular type of tourists, who do something very special. They are called hikers. What characterizes a hiker is that they really take a deep dive into the culture and society one visits. Very often the hiker is a young man, such as Jean. When the Frenchman arrives at Bodø, he has traveled 3500 kilometers in 25 days. Instead of taking a hotel and relaxing, Jean decided to go hiking. But the conditions were not quite right to ski, so he had to carry the skis up the mountain. French Jean Rouaux (22) cycled from France to Alta. Will inspire others on Instagram and the Polarsteps app shares Jean from the trip to inspire others to follow their dreams. – I think this can inspire people to believe in their dreams. If you are consistent then everything is possible. For Jean, it is also important to show that you can experience the world in an environmentally friendly way. – I want to show that slow travel is good. Jean Rouaux (22) bikes from France to Tromsø to ski this way of travel will be more popular in the future, but the few will probably go out as hard as the Frenchman, Walaas says. – We will see a good part of those traveling to seek calm and authenticity, and who want to get to know themselves, achieve mastery and anchor themselves in local communities. We see that the young people have that need. Travel researcher at Kristiania Kjersti Ruud Walaas University College. Photo: The private tourism researcher believes the need to find an anchorage is even greater today considering the political situation in the world. – Traveling fills a lot of function that religion did before. It made you meaning, explanation and a reason to live. But today it is the travel that we use to realize ourselves. How to travel sustainably: – Can you travel by air even if you want to travel environmentally friendly? – Yes, answers social anthropologist and tourism researcher Kjersti Ruud Walaas, adding: – For Norwegians, it is difficult to do so much transport. You have to fly in a way. The ideal would not be to fly, but many of us will travel and then it is better to fly less than before and go on more thoughtful trips. Walaas says that tourists can take more steps to pay more attention to the environment and the place you are at: Do good preparation and plan the trip. Leave money locally – and be aware of who you are giving your money to. Choose local hotels, restaurants and airlines. Steer away from the chains. – I don’t give up easy Jean mostly sleeps in tents and never takes a hotel. It presents challenges when it rains violently: – When I wake up in the morning, I’ve just had wet clothes. When they finally get dry, it starts to rain again. It has been a challenge. – Have you ever thought about giving you and taking the plane back to France? – No. To be honest, I’m not a person who gives up easy. I haven’t thought about it. I’ve had a pretty pain in my knee. Despite the pain, I would never have given up. Jean continued on the stubborn journey and reached Alta after 36 days on the bike seat. French Jean Rouaux (22) cycled from France to Alta. Published 13.03.2025, at. 17.08
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