Western Ski Areas Turn To Ullr
Western skiers have been praying to Ullr for snowfall, and are apparently being rewarded. According to the Aspen Daily News:
This year’s early season drought has prompted some Roaring Fork Valley locals to turn to the gods. Several Ullr fires have been lit, and one group of locals is promising to burn one each week until the snow really starts flying.
“It’s just kind of a sacred spiritual event, pooling our energy into the rock and stick, to make energy move around to bring the snow,” said Danny Brown, an Aspen local who has been to several Ullr fires.
Aspen is also hosting its first Annual Pray for Snow party, complete with corporate sponsors: “… if it snows, organizers of the event — sponsored by KSNO-FM and 39 Degrees at the Sky Hotel — said the ceremony will be a way to thank the Norse god Ullr, or any other deity, pagan or otherwise, that unleashed the flakes. “
Invoking Ullr in Colorado is nothing new: Breckenridge has hosted an Ullr Fest for decades. The Fest sounds very tourist-friendly, featuring “the legendary Main Street Parade, live entertainment and bar series, a Nordic event, Ullympics and an ice skating party.”
Whistler Blackcomb also has an annual Ullr Party, and the Norse God is being invoked by official snowbloggers. These parties all sound like Good Clean Fun, encouraged by local tourist boards. And so far there don’t seem to be any objections from Christians — even when the God appears in Utah!
Kevin S. on 05 Dec 2007 at 1:11 pm #
It may be comical to most of these people, but I would rather it be that way and continued. It may not be “serious worship” but I can definitely see it bringing a few people back to the Old Ways. As far as acceptance in society goes, being comical is the first step towards being taken seriously and treated with respect.
Michelle on 06 Dec 2007 at 12:20 pm #
I grew up in Breckenridge. Ullr Fest didn’t become “tourist friendly” till the dog food company bought the ski area.
Before that, kids had the day off from school, we had a paraded which included bikers, meat sacrifice and throwing, and naked dancing with free flowing beer and cider, much of which was given in libation to Ullr.
That night included dancing and a large bonfire in town in which everyone brought their sacrifices and came to be cleansed for the new year by burning things representing the bad of the past year.
It’s much tamer now.