Probably the biggest problem for visitors at big world events, is accommodation – not enough beds, they must be booked early, it is expensive and so on. It surely will not be different during FIS Nordic world ski championship in Liberec in February 2009 (FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Liberec 2009). The Czech Tourist Club has prepared something that has never been done before and that is organizing an international winter camp (Mezinarodni zimni stanovani).

The group of Czech winter campers from Winter Olympic games in Turin - Italy

Winter camping has a long tradition in the Czech Republic. The oldest one, which has its 47th anniversary this year, is ZS Klic in Polevsko at Novy Bor (12.-14.-12-2008 – petr.randus@centrum.cz) and it is about 30 km west of Liberec. We camp in tents at many different places in the Czech Republic in winter so we have a lot of experience in organizing such an international event.

Even for inexperienced campers, sleeping in winter is not anything demanding. Suitable tents, ground mats and sleeping bags and so on are sold nowadays. Believe me, that the beginnings were a lot worse! If we are willing to give up the comfort of guesthouses, hotel rooms and accommodation in a camp in favour of the winter camping, which is going to be organized for the Nordic Ski World Championship, is a fair offer.

International winter camping (MZS – mezinarodni zimni stanovani) by FIS World Nordic Ski Championship will take place in Liberec right next to the gate to the SKI Areal Vesec in days 21.2. – 1.3. 2009. Even though the price has not been fixed yet, it will be around EUR 20 for the whole stay and what is more, sanitary facilities including possibility to take a shower will be provided. Participants in MZS will not only be in the center of the ski areal with a good level of connection to the city center but also be able to enjoy other sports: especially hiking, ski touring and many other social/cultural programs, not far from the camp. So you do not need to worry about thinking what to do in the long winter evenings.

Because it is still one year till the world championship takes place it is enough time to think about it and to get all the necessary equipment (tents, sleeping bags and so on). Information will start to appear step by step on the official web pages of the world championship (www.liberec2009.com) and in the press. You can also write to the organizer of the Czech Tourist Club: milaturista@email.cz.

We believe that this first run of winter camping at a big international event will find its supporters in the whole skiing world and hopefully it will become a tradition.

Petr Randus, KCT Ceska Lipa
July 10, 2008