X2 Festival 2016

With increasing number of events, artists and presenters on the program, the festival has become well known far beyond the borders Sunnmøre.

Relaxing in the sun. Photo: Marius Beck Dahle

To find the start of the X2-adventure, we must go back 11 years. Sunnmøre has always been a favorite for outdoor and extreme sports enthusiasts, with its steep alpine peaks and the pure nature. In 2005, a few VUC students interested in outdoor sports began to play with the idea of developing a winter sports festival in the town, and one year later, the first X2 festival was held. The festival got its name because of the first and only competition held in 2006; a randonee competition where participants has to climb two mountains. It did not take long before the festival grew. In 2008 present festival started to take shape, as several sports were put on the program and evening event included more artists and DJ’s. The year 2012 was also a milestone for the festival, as it expanded its outdoor area with a new scene and introduced guest speakers for the first time. This year’s X2 festival offers a total of 50 events during the four days and it seems that the festival continues to grow each year.

Competition in XBoard. Photo: Mathias Remmereit

If you have never attended X2 festival before, you should know that the programme includes something for every taste. You are equally welcome to participate or just be a spectator, and there are no requirements for spectators to be particularly interested in outdoor life and/or extreme sports. Most events include ample opportunities for spectators to watch and cheer for the participants while enjoying good music and food on the sidelines. X2 Festival also collaborates with the Student House Rokken, which will add to the programme in the festival area downtown. Beer-tasting, yoga, and a cool festival tent are just some of the ingredients for the daytime programme. If you wish to take part in the events and does not have lots of extreme sport experience, Multisport may be the thing for you. The Multisport competition is a treasure hunt in and around Volda, where participants must get through different challenges along the way.

If you are mostly interested in the evening programme you are in for a treat as the festival programme includes a multitude of artists and DJ’s. Acts such as Lars Vaular, Honningbarna, ARY, Carl Louis, Kuuk, Death by Unga Bunga, Drippin, Warlocks and Skatebård will ensure great musical atmosphere into the late night hours and the Taco-cart will take your order when you are hungry, tired and want to go home.

Good mood in the festival tent. Photo: Torbjørn Buvarp.

See the full programme and more information about the X2 Festival at www.x2festivalen.no (in Norwegian)