The Torchman

About The Torchman
The Torch Man in Øyer municipality is a unique figure created from a logging field, designed as a stylized man running with a torch. This formation is located on the west side of the valley and is clearly visible from Hafjell Alpine Center on the east side. The figure was shaped in connection with the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer in 1994.

Although the original plan was to plant new forest the same year, the Torch Man is still clearly visible to this day. To ensure that the contrast with the surrounding forest was not too weak, the figure has been regularly maintained. Nevertheless, debates have arisen over the years regarding economic interests related to the surrounding forest.

The story of The Torch Man
The idea for The Torch Man started as a creative project in the design team at LOOC. The original drawing from LOOC quickly received a positive response from councillor Svein Rønning and forestry manager Carl Olav Holen. The actual felling area was constructed by Jan Reyer Elders from GIH-Skog, who used a digital terrain model to determine the boundaries of the figure.

The recommended place for an optimal view of the Torch Man is the start house for slalom in the middle of the Hafjell facility. The figure can be seen from several places, but the dimensions seem different depending on where you are.

To preserve the stability of the forest in the area, some changes were made to the figure, including an extension at the armpit and crotch. This meant that the design may not have been quite as LOOC had originally imagined, but the Torch Man has nevertheless continued to fascinate visitors and contribute to Hafjell's unique history.