A Danish Love Story

The Børve family from Lyngby, just outside Copenhagen, has always had a passion for the mountains. They took the leap that many dream of: packing their skis and bikes and moving to the picturesque area of Trysil.

– I remember it as if it were yesterday, says Mikkel Børve with a smile. – It was Easter three years ago, the weather was splendid, and we were riding the lift to the summit of the mountain. Suddenly, I asked: Why don’t we live here?

Together with his wife Christina and their children, Sebastian (16), Mads (13), and Emil (9), Mikkel had visited Trysil every winter for the past five or six years. The family was actively involved in the local ski club, which frequently organised ski trips to the area. In the past, they had been drawn to the slopes of Høgegga, but now it was the park that captivated the children the most. That lift ride planted a seed of dreams that grew larger, recounts Mikkel.

– That summer, we also had the chance to try mountain biking in Trysil, and it was just as enjoyable, he says. Mikkel believes many people in Denmark are unaware that Trysil is one of the premier destinations for mountain biking in Scandinavia.

Working Remotely

The family decided to relocate to Trysil to be closer to skiing, biking, and everything they cherished.

The move went surprisingly smoothly. They rented a furnished house in Trysil and leased out their home in Lyngby. With skis, bikes, and essentials packed in a trailer, they set off north. They arrived in Trysil just before Christmas, right before the pandemic struck.

– We were fortunate to be able to bring our jobs with us. Mikkel works as an IT consultant and can work from anywhere. I work in product development for a Danish insurance company, spending one week each month in Denmark while working remotely for the rest of the time. It works really well, says Christina.

– And if we need to go to Copenhagen, it only takes eight or nine hours by car. We certainly haven’t moved to the other side of the world, Mikkel adds.

The Children Are Thriving

But how did the children react to the move to Trysil? The eldest, Sebastian, admits that he wasn’t entirely convinced at first.

– I thought it was a bit daunting to leave my friends in Denmark. But that feeling passed quickly. Now I’m really happy here and have no desire to move back. I still keep in touch with my old friends, and some of them have already visited us in Trysil, Sebastian shares. He recently finished secondary school and is now studying sports at Trysil High School.

Mads and Emil share their brother’s enthusiasm. They love life on skis in Trysil, and the park is their favourite spot.

– Here, we can ski almost every day throughout the winter, even in the evenings after school. The atmosphere is fantastic, and there are many of us who enjoy skiing in the park, says Mads.

Living Life Outdoors

When they moved, the plan was to stay in Trysil for a year and a half. Now, nearly three years have passed, and that plan has long been forgotten.

– We will stay here as long as everyone is happy, Christina says, emphasising that they have been warmly welcomed by the local community.

– Having active children is certainly an advantage. In addition to skiing, we also play football, handball, and cycle. We have gotten to know other parents and made new friends, she adds.

Mikkel adds that life is now largely lived outdoors, which they truly value.

– We spend a lot of time outside, and the pace of life here is slower than in Denmark. One advantage of living in a tourist destination is that family and friends often want to visit. We really appreciate that, he says.

– What would you say to others who dream of doing the same?

– I think many people have thought about it. We certainly don’t regret it, Mikkel concludes, and the whole family nods in agreement.