Barents Winter Games 2025: Alta Gears Up for an Exciting Event
The preparations for Barents Winter Games 2025 are well underway!
This past weekend, the Barents Sports Committee Norway (BSCN) held a successful board meeting in Alta
This past weekend, the Barents Sports Committee Norway (BSCN) held a successful board meeting in Alta, where the upcoming event, scheduled for March 28–30, took center stage. The committee visited the various venues in collaboration with local organizing clubs to ensure everything is on track.
Sports Venues and Competitions
The Barents Winter Games will feature a diverse range of sports across multiple venues in Alta:
The board visited all venues
Here they were visiting UIT where Badminton and carpet-curling is arranged.
Kaiskuru: Cross-country skiing, ski orienteering, and biathlon, coordinated with Skialiansen.
University of Alta: Badminton and carpet curling.
Altahallen: Futsal and table tennis, organized with Finnmark Football Association.
Nordlysbadet: Swimming, in collaboration with Nordlysbyen Swimming and Lifesaving Club.
BUL-hallen: Floorball.
Event Highlights
With approximately 850 participants from Northern Finland, Northern Norway, and Northern Sweden, Barents Winter Games 2025 promises to be a remarkable celebration of sports and community. Some key highlights include:
Opening Ceremony: Taking place Friday evening at Finnmarkshallen, featuring cultural performances showcasing Alta’s rich heritage.
Get Together Event: A social gathering at Scandic Alta on Saturday night, fostering connections between participants and volunteers.
Children’s Ski Race: Organized by Skialiansen alongside the main competition, encouraging young athletes to take part in the festivities.
Community Engagement and Partnerships
The enthusiasm from the local community is evident. "We have received tremendous support from the municipality, county, and local sports clubs," says Vera Arntsen, International Coordinator for the Barents Sports Committee. The organizing team has also had productive meetings with Alta’s mayor, who will host the official guest dinner, and various sports clubs to finalize competition details.
To ensure a successful event, Barents Winter Games 2025 has partnered with local businesses and organizations. Scandic Alta, Canyon Hotel, and Thon Hotel Alta will provide accommodation, while catering services will be managed by UNO. Event branding and materials will be supplied by Fagtrykk.
Organizational Efforts
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has been working diligently to coordinate key responsibilities:
Henriette Bismo Eilertsen – Internal transport.
Odd Martin Holsebø – Young Leaders in Barents (YLIB).
Marit K. Jakobsen & Inger Lise Eieland – Get Together event.
Marit Arntzen (Finnmark Sports Federation) – Overall event management.
Mari H. Meslo (Alta Municipality) – Opening ceremony coordination.
Odd Marcus Grøtte Pedersen (Finnmark Sports Federation) – Communications.
Vera Arntsen (BSCN) – Accommodation and international coordination.
Geir Magne Gamst – Project management.
Volunteers Needed!
Barents Winter Games 2025 is still looking for volunteers to assist with logistics, event organization, social media, and sports competitions. Those interested can register through our official website: www.barentssports.com. The application deadline is February 21.
Alta: A Proud Host City
For the first time, Alta is hosting Barents Winter Games, an event that fosters cross-border collaboration and sportsmanship in the Barents region. We encourage local residents to take part in the celebrations. The competitions are open to the public, offering a fantastic opportunity for families and sports enthusiasts to experience an international sports festival up close.
A Strong Partnership for a Memorable Event
International Coordinator Vera Arntsen and Project Manager Geir Magne Gamst express their excitement about the upcoming games: "The dedication from local organizers and support from our partners show our collective commitment to delivering an inclusive and unforgettable event," says Arntsen.
Barents Winter Games 2025 will bring together athletes and volunteers from across the Barents region, symbolizing collaboration, inclusion, and the joy of sports. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Alta in March!
BSCN also visited Kaiskuru, where both CC-skiing, Biathlon and SKi Orienteering are to compete during the BWG25.
“The dedication from local organizers and support from our partners show our collective commitment to delivering an inclusive and unforgettable event”
