Friends

Photo Johan Larsson

Carl Lundberg

Calle is one of Sweden's most experienced multisport athletes. First and foremost, heís a very good and versatile climber. Everything from bouldering to big wall and alpine climbing. In between, most has been done from skydiving to caving.

"There are just so many different sports! I want to try and learn new things. The mountains have always fascinated me; theyíre an endless source of challenge, but also an unrelenting teacher. I think thatís why I got hooked onto climbing and skiing in alpine terrain. Itís the same with the ocean, water sports are also fascinating." At the moment, Calle is finishing his education to become an internationally certified mountain guide, while trying his hand at kite surfing! As one of our favorite models, we have made him test each and every one of our products through the years to guarantee the best fit and comfort. Spending more time outside than inside, Calle knows what does and doesnít work. "Design and a varying thermal capacity in one and the same garment means that you can get by with one layer less. Before the Alpine Alphies were introduced, I used to wear two base layers to stay warm when belaying, but when climbing I got much too warm and sweaty instead. Thanks to lightweight garments that breathe and keep you warm at the right spots, you donít need to freeze or loose performance to keep warm.î "The new base layers in merino wool have different thicknesses in different areas. Incredibly comfortable and very nice to wear thanks to the fabric and the great fit." The Power Houdi is another one of Calleís favorites: "I got my first one in 2001. Itís been with me for a long time and itís still going strong. Every time you put on a Power Houdi, itís like getting a nice hug!"

Hanna Mellin

Hanna always feels like climbing, regardless if itís indoors, bouldering, sport climbing, ice climbing, big wall or trad. ìRight now, my life is centered around my trip with Martin to Shipton Spire in Pakistan.î

Climbing granite is a favourite that has taken Hanna several times to Yosemite in the US. On the most recent trip, she and her boyfriend became the first Swedes to climb the notorious The Nose on El Cap in one day. One of Hannaís favourite Houdini garments is the : ìSince they have a slightly high-waist in the back and donít hinder freedom of movement, theyíre perfect to climb in. They donít cling to your legs either, and are super comfortable!î On somewhat warmer trips, Hanna has two other frequently used garments, and . But Hanna thinks that the best of all our garments is definitely the : ìI love the Liquid Skin Crew! Itís so comfortable. Iíve had it in blasting sunshine and it worked way better than expected.î When itís a little cooler, a is the obvious choice under a shell jacket> Hanna Mellin

Johan Wigforss

Sailing has been a huge part of Johanís life since the age of seven, when he first began actively sailing in Karlstadís Canoeing Association and laid the groundwork for his present sailing career. After upper secondary sailing school in Motala, Johan advanced from E-dinghy to Laser class, and he is today a member of the national Swedish sailing team and even the SWE Sailing Team.

Goal-oriented and stubbornness are qualities that describe Johan well. "As a sailor, I'm impulsive and physically strong. I have to make decisions quickly and act right away.î The ocean will be Johanís future workplace, and he is studying Shipping and Marine Technology at Chalmers University to become a captain.

Things are going well for Johan. Sailing has taken him halfway around the world to places like China, Brazil and Martinique. "Nothing beats the feeling of success!" he says. He recently took third place in Laser at the British Championships and is now focusing totally on the 2008 Olympics in China.

The difference between training sessions can be huge ñ everything from big, bright sunshine in Brazil to the grim winter of Sweden. Despite the weather in Sweden, Johan doesnít get lazy. Keeping up with sailing even during the darkest months of the year is vital. "As long as thereís no ice, I can sail. I need at least four days a week on the water."

When the weather is wicked and cold, Houdiniís clothing fits right in. The Alpha Crew or the Speed Crew have a permanent place underneath his dry suit. Long Power Tights is also one of his favourites. Johan has even helped us develop some of our garments ñ Toasty Crew a really warm and comfy sweater to wear under a dry suit, and Liquid Skin Crew, a thin, durable and quick drying shirt with excellent sunscreen protection.

Anders Backe

Janette Hargin

Christian Åslund

Save the world or photograph powder snow? For some people, this doesnít have to be a choice. In any case, not for Houdini Friend Christian Åslund, who combines working for Greenpeace with skiing photography.

Christian Åslund has worked with Greenpeace since 1998. He has documented campaigns in India, Svalbard in Norway, Iraq, Indonesia, and Alaska and throughout the US. Christian was on the Greenpeace boat Arctic Sunrise and documented the blocking of the toxic ship Probo Koala until it remained in Estonia.

Together with his assignments for Greenpeace, Christian has developed into one of Swedenís premier ski photographers. His photographs have been published in magazines all around the world, such as Powder Magazine, Outside, Ultrasport and Brant.

Christianís work as a ski photographer means that our clothing is put through the toughest tests ñ clothing that must stand up to great temperature changes. He carries all of his equipment up the mountain, followed by cold hours of standing still.

Christian Åslund

Stian Christophersen

Anna Furén

Anna's heart burns for both bouldering and ice climbing, but her absolute favourite is sport climbing on limestone and long perfect lines. The most beautiful place on Earth (so far) is Ceuse in France, a fantastic rock that offers everything.

At home in Sweden, bouldering is what it's all about for Anna. Sheís active within competitions as an organizer and a competitor. A trip that Anna gladly wants to do again is to return to Gorge du Tarn in France, where you climb during the morning, take a siesta and swim in the river after lunch, and then a last bit of climbing later in the afternoon. You camp about 10 metres from the river, surrounded by the high mountains of the valley. And you can drink excellent coffee at the local bar in the medieval village of La MalËne. What more can you ask for? Anna is a creator and the brains behind many of our products. When she's not traveling, she's one of our favourite models, whether itís trying out new products or being photographed for our catalogue. Anna's favourite garment is without a doubt the Movement Tanktop, with a loose fit, feminine features, and long enough to have under a harness. For those crisp autumn days, Alpha Crew and Power Wrist Gaiters are the perfect combination. "I donít have one favourite product, thereís many of them.î BlocStar

Jonte Grundelius

Felix Oppenheim

We never call Felixís photo studio anymore; if we need to get in touch with him, we call his cell phone! Heís often away in some far away place, where he has traveled to photograph something extraordinary.

He has crossed Lake Hövsgöl Nuur in Mongolia on Nordic skates with some true enthusiasts from the Swedish Skate Sailing Association. It was so cold that carving with the newly sharpened skates was almost impossible.

As well as being able to work at 6,000-metre altitudes or at -50 degrees Celsius, he has to be ready for desert heat or tropical rains. Felix is an exceptionally demanding user of our garments, and one of the most inspiring people we know!


Felix Oppenheim

Lars Fidjestol

With date fruits as the reward, Lars is perhaps the only one in the world who can boast to have rail skied outside a mosque in Iran. And he is presumably the only guy to promote a Houdini sports bra to a local guide in Kilimanjaro.

With a father like Ole Gunnar to brag about, a world champion ski jumper, itís not hard to figure out what Lars dreamed about as a young kid in Vikersund, Norway. He wanted to become the best ski jumper in the world. With his motto "Skis on your feet and a lot of air time", he trained hard for many years. But after three years at an sports upper secondary school in Lillehammer, Lars decided to put ski jumping behind him. These days, itís all about freeskiing. The adventures and travels are what attract the most. His skiing proficiency has taken him to many exotic places in the world, such as Iran, Lebanon, New Zealand and Svalbard, Norway just to name a few. Even if the skiing is fantastic, itís the many encounters with new cultures and different peoples that mean just as much.

Mats Wålstedt

ìI enjoy most things that make life worth living. Love, happiness and
massive green surfing waves. White water kayaking is my greatest passion
and during the summers in Sweden, I spend most daylight hours in the
water.î

Mats started paddling at the age of twelve in the town of Dala-Floda and three
years later, he became a white water instructor at the Kajaktiv kayak school. For a long time, Mats was one of the most promising young paddlers in Sweden and he is now beginning to show his stuff.

As a junior, he dominated the competition scene in Sweden, making it possible for him to paddle in Australia, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Switzerland. For the future Mats wants to inspire as many people as possible about the beauty of kayaking. His big dream is to start a summer camp for children and adolescents. Other dreams are to compete annually in competitions like Master of Water and the 2007 World Championships in Canada.

Being physically active in often-cold water Mats places high demands on his equipment and contributed with sound advice in the development of Houdiniís Liquid Collection. His own favourites when paddling in warm waters are Liquid Skin Crew with a pair of Liquid Rock Pants. At home in Dalarna, an Alpha Zip in particular is whatís worn under a water repellent shell jacket.


Mats¥ blogg

Anders Lewander

A slightly unusual sailor, who lives to hang in the trapeze and push his 5.5-metre catamaran to the limit. During the 1990s, he was the first Swede to compete at an international level using 18-foot boats, after which he started the 14-foot class in Sweden.

For the last few years, heís been the owner of a sail-making firm and has regularly hired in guest sailors on all kinds of competition boats to trim the sails and tweak the boat speeds. His last effort was Archipelago Raid, a 470 km long non-stop race in the Stockholm and Åland archipelgos. This year, Anders won with Calle Hennix in his Formula 18 boat.

During these four days, Anders and Calle were clothed in dry suits, with Houdini Power Shorts, Alpha Loft Vest, Alpha Boxers and Alpha Crew underneath.

Christian Wiesner


Being born and raised in Åre, Sweden has made Christian into a magnificent skier. After four years in upper secondary school learning moguls, he is now a promising freeskiing skier.

Despite high-speed courses or dramatic terrain where a fall can result in devastating consequences, heís still a pretty calm and secure guy. The will to learn new things, take up new challenges and go for the best results are the driving forces that keep his joy for skiing alive.

Christian is one of the latest additions to the Houdini family and he complements us by teaching us new things and accepting new challenges. As a test pilot of our base layer products, he keeps us on our toes, and we like it! Underneath a shell jacket and ski pants, Christian wears Menís Altitude Crew and Menís Altitude Tights. When itís time for after ski, he dresses up in a Menís Power Houdi.

Photo: Nicklas Blom

Stefan Rasmussen

He is a bouldering master with a long-term goal: ìTo become a real tough old guy who keeps climbing, has heaps of fun and lives life to the fullest.î

Stefan won the 2005 Swedish Bouldering Championships, but he points out that there are still many more goals to reach ñ advance to a world cup bouldering final, repeat some really hard classics and get the chance to develop climbing even further.

For Stefan, living life 100% involves a great deal of family life. Heís actually a father with three kids and, as he himself says, he has a lot playing left to do. Together with his wife Sanna, their kids Ebba, Harald and the youngest one, Mynta, Stefanís life is filled with small adventures.

Living in Västervik along the west coast of Sweden, Stefan has a lot of unclimbed bouldering problems just around the corner, so there is no lack of challenges.

He frequently uses the Alpha Crew, Speed Tee and Power Houdi on his upper body, while Chimney Shorts are an obvious favourite.

Daniel Warberg

I met Daniel for the first time four years ago ñ he was only thirteen. His mother had sent him to the wilderness of Dalarna during the summer to get away from the city for a while. We made sure to get him into a kayak a.s.a.p. and the summer was saved!

Daniel paddled hard each day and it didnít take long until he could follow us into the big white water. He developed faster than anyone I had ever seen, and you could see that he had fun! He could not accept that we were better. Instead of sulking, he simply made sure to be just as good as us.

Daniel returned to the town of Dala-Floda the following summers, and after two years, he eventually convinced his mother to move from Stockholm to the white water of Dalarna. His kayak debut came already after the first year in his first competition, Master of Water, in Dala-Floda. The spectators were incredibly impressed with this young manís courage, and he quickly became a crowd favourite. Daniel ruled junior competitions and soon gained a spot on the national team.


He has the courage necessary, no matter if itís a huge jump on a snowboard, bicycle or in a kayak. He always gives 100% and almost always wins.

Ludwig Lind

ìDust-like snow flies up from the frozen crust and in front of you is this slope that steeply winds its way down the mountain. This is my Office!î
The words come out with a huge smile from our mountain expert and dogsled driver, Ludwig Lind.

He is an experienced, fascinating and, to say the least, energetic Sälen resident. If he isnít on a dogsled tour, you can count on him to have something else fun in mind. Ice climbing and white water paddling are usually on tap.

Ludwig is never bored and a little hard weather never gets in the way of a nice day in the mountains.
ìDress properly, think from the inside out. Cotton is your worst enemy in the mountains, since it freezes as soon as you become slightly damp.î
Ludwig knows what heís talking about. He spends almost all of his time in the mountains and is one of the driving forces behind the family business Fjälläventyr. His father started the company more than 20 years ago. Today, they have more than 90 dogs, including the lead dog Hannibal who easily gets his fellow runners to join him at full speed in the mountains.

For Ludwig to do his job well, he has to be dressed properly. The tours are often long, and he does occasionally spend a few nights in a bivouac or tent. Simply, his clothing must keep away moisture and cold.

Alpha Crew and Alpha Long Johns reinforced with a pair of Wind Shorts are part of Ludwigís basic clothing during the six-month winter. An Alpha Loft Vest keeps his back warm, which is critical during the difficult work of harnessing the dogs.



Fjälläventyr

Ane Enderud

Aneís passion is big lines on big mountains. After a few successful years as a hard trained junior on the alpine circuit, she finally chose powder and freedom instead of a speed suit and groomed trails.

She hasnít totally stopped competing. Skier cross, freeskiing and slope style competitions have been on her schedule the last few years.

Aneís skiing career began as a two-year old when she took her first turns on her home soil in Hemsedal, Norway. Today, Chamonix is her home base and a packed bag is always at the ready for assignments with the Nuit de la Glisse team as soon the film teamís meteorologists predict ideal filming conditions.
Even though she skis all over the world, Norway tops Aneís list of favourites.

Ane uses our Chimney Shorts or Drop Knee Power Tights depending on the weather. On her upper body, she likes it loose and often combines Speed Crew and Power Houdi. Alpha Boxers and Mix Wrap Bra is her favourite underwear.

Ane Enderud

Jerk Looman

Swedish Posse