Shop till you drop
…or the contrary? Oslo and Norway are to polar equipment what Paris and Milano are to fashion. The heritage, the latest, the best, the “haute couture” of survival in harsh conditions are found here.
We work together with Piteraq in Oslo. Not only do they have the best assortment, but also the best service and know-how. We have known them for almost a generation, and we can promise you a great time and equipment that you will be very satisfied with.
Shopping Guide:
• Call us at OuslandColliard for expert guidens
• Mail Piteraq directly at post@piteraq.no
• Call the shop in their opening hours at:
+47 934 10 060
• Go directly to Parkveien 17, 0350 Oslo
Why come here:
We will meet you and be with you. We believe that seeing, feeling, trying, and discussing are the best ways for you to both like, understand, and love your equipment. This is important as it is a huge part of the day, and that you feel on top of whatever may come.
To chat, try to build up a package that is optimal for you is what we love.
Your choice or ours?
Will we force ‘our’ products on you? No
Yes, there are several Norwegian Product lines we prefer to use ourselves. BUT we know that everyone is different. Everybody needs different things. And everybody needs to be super happy, proud, and confident in their own setup.
There may be many valid reasons for you to choose differently from us. But we are 100% sure that our being different alone will enhance the quality of our discussion and finally give us a setup that we can be ultra happy with.
More reasons:
For being a high-cost country, the Norwegian Krone is surprisingly weak, so prices are pretty good there. Come shopping with us, and we’ll see to that you get some special deals too.
If you bring all your stuff back, out of the country, you should also ask to get the VAT back – that helps a lot too!
How to proceed?
Any way you like, actually. What we will do is introduce you to the folks at Pitaraq or Bryne (where our office is), and you may prefer to deal straight with them.
If not, we would love you to go with us. Then we normally discuss your shopping list beforehand, and we may even let Pitaraq prepare a bag with it.
What you come with usually has a long talk first, and then go shopping, trying, and refining. Lots of fun
We have even had some flying in early morning and leaving in the evening. – Sounds crazy, but all in all you may have an upside both with cost and quality…
But you're not done yet
While in Oslo, we'd like to suggest a couple of other great places.
Brynje Flagship Store
This is a great place to visit. Not only do they make great products used by many of us, they're super nice and helpful — and if you want to meet up with us, this is the place.
Brynje keeps a desk for us, and all our group meetings will be here too. On top of that, this is the ‘’South Pole Prep-Hub: every September, all the Antarctic expeditions we help out gather their stuff here for a last packing frenzy before it's sent off by cargo to Punta Arenas, Chile.
You'll find the Brynje Flagship Store at Kongens Gate 16 in Oslo, or find more info here :-)
Norrøna House
With Børge and Vince being Norrøna ambassadors, our bonds with them are strong. Their equipment is mostly bought in their own stores or online, but their quality, design, and philosophy make them a favourite among many polar skiers.
Their shops are always worth a visit, as they're beautifully designed. They have several shops in Oslo, but we tend to use the Norrøna Flagship Store at Akersgata 30.
For a real treat, though, visit The Norrøna House just outside Oslo. It's any outdoor enthusiast's dream — shop, café, bar, service counter, climbing wall, lecture theatre, and more. Check it out!
Åsnes
Norwegians are supposedly born with skis on, though 9 out of 10 mums would dispute that. But Norwegians are born with a skiing mindset. That's down to history, myth and Vikings, but mostly to enthusiasts.
And here we have many. But for us in the exploratory world, one company stands out: Åsnes.
Founded by the Åsnes brothers, the brand has survived for over 100 years through wars, difficult economic periods, and changing markets and standards.
Today they are the clear favourite among polar explorers. They are the only brand with an ear for us and a burning passion for arctic challenges. Their range is constantly developed to meet new trends, new standards, new goals – and ever-changing conditions.
For us, it is invaluable to have someone who accumulates experience, is eager to discuss, and always gives great advice. With them onboard, a ski comes alive and becomes an opportunity, not just something to stand and walk on:
Length, width, weight, steel edges, type/length/width of skins – correlated with your weight, speed, sled, goal and skill level. The right ski can be a huge factor in the success and satisfaction of any polar trip.
That we have been able to develop the Børge Ousland Ski with them is an honour, but it also taught us all the factors that make a ski great. We wanted a polar ski that was lighter than others, had a good structure that would also benefit ski technique – and of course could take a real beating.
We love our ski, but, as you'll see, looking through their catalogue, they have options and suggestions to match any skier, their skill set and needs. Choose wisely, and don't be afraid to ask us – or Åsnes directly.
So, Frank, Asbjørn and all the other enthusiasts at Åsnes – Let’s go skiing!
The Børge Ousland BC Ski
A very light and versatile ski for backcountry skiing, longer trips and expeditions towing a sled. But it fits prepared cross-country tracks too.
It weighs just over 800 grams per ski in 200 cm length, has a full steel edge (2.1 x 1.9 mm) for very good edge control in all conditions, a lightweight wooden core, and superb durability.
This ski's full-length camber profile and pronounced wax pocket make it a superb choice where good glide is essential. Its sole is designed for good wax absorption and durability. (See more on the ski here)
Questions?
Send us a message
and we'll get back to you shortly.