With the ambition of penetrating into the very core of the Norwegian and Nordic "friluftsliv": An ecologically responsible life in the open air-in nature, people will have to become acquainted with Fridtjof Nansen--with the thinker as well as the practitioner. Outdoor life with natural and strong links to the national "friluftsliv"--tradition was his ideal, and quite a lot of people in the years after him have been fired with his enthusiasm for the wonderful experiential and health--giving meetings with nature. Obviously, he has been a hero and an idol for generations of people. His reputation as an arctic explorer, as scientist and sportsman, as an internationalist and a humanitarian, have been emphasized by a great many books and articles about him. The main purpose of this article is to shed more light upon his thinking about "friluftsliv," to show and explain its focus, its models and paragons.