Is Denmark Europe's Next Skiing Destination?

When you think of European ski destinations, Denmark – a low-lying, coastal country in Scandinavia often known for bicycles (and lots of them), Legos, canals, and beer – might not be the first that comes to mind, but starting next winter, Denmark’s capital city of Copenhagen is looking to put itself on the map for just that. As part of Copenhagen’s push to be the first “carbon zero” city by 2025, the city’s new Amager Bakke waste incinerator will provide clean energy for 60,000 homes each year by burning 400,000 tons of waste – and house a 440 meter ski slope (one of the world’s longest artificial ski slopes) on its roof with terrain for beginner, intermediate, and expert skiers and snowboarders (that’s nearly 1,500 vertical feet, for any American readers). And while it might be a man-made hill, the facility’s expert terrain isn’t for the faint of heart, with 45 degree slope angles offering some serious steeps while taking in views of the city. This isn’t the first time the Danish firm commissioned with bringing the shred-worthy facility to Denmark’s capital, Bjarke Ingels Group, has dug its ski tips into a project that puts skiing and snowboarding at the forefront of its design – just last year the design firm launched a Finnish project that offers guests the ultimate ski-in, ski-out opportunity at the resort of Levi in Lapland, with a 500-room luxury hotel where guests can take the lift up to the roof before cruising down to the surrounding slopes. While the Copenhagen design provides a little bit more practicality in the way of providing green energy to the city, it should also add a new, sleek shape to the city’s skyline, and incorporate green park space around the facility, with waste burning operations set to start on December 1^st, and the ski hill itself opening sometime after that. It might not be the toast of European skiing, but it might be just enough to get your downhill fix while you’re in town.