In February 1966, the official cold record was measured in Vuoggatjålme. The weather station showed a whopping -52.6 degrees. Now, 58 years later, the record is threatened when Michael Balla’s thermometer on Tuesday showed -48.8 degrees.
– It feels very cold, but it is not impossible to be outside. You have to dress very well and cover your face, fingers and toes properly, he says.
The moose safari had to be changed to a sauna
Michael, who runs a tourist company with his partner Esther, has had to find new ideas for his foreign guests when the cold – for example, the regular elk safari has been replaced by a sauna.
Although it is possible to be outside, the cold makes it difficult. Neither of Michael’s two cars start and the bathroom is out of order.
– A water pipe has frozen to pieces. I have turned off the water and tried to heat it without success so I have to wait out the cold, says Michael Ballas.
In the clip – Michael hears about the cold record that he would rather not break.