From humble roots, a Wonderland has emerged. In 1995, Albert Hatchwell and Isabelle Hammerich founded a venture based on creativity and the necessity of turning dreams to reality in the heart of Christiania Freetown. By merging the first two letters from each of their names the duo formed ‘ALIS.’ Turning out t-shirts, stickers, and extending their gospel to a greater audience by supporting skate contests and hip-hop festivals with financial backing, ALIS kept gaining momentum, and aside from involvement with local hip-hop labels and underground efforts, in 1998 became a fixed skate-oriented entity on Christiania’s Pusher Street, where a skate ramp was stationed to hold sessions round the clock.

The ramp was relocated to a quieter corner due to protests by neighbors; then with help, expanded into a bowl complete with roll-in, poolcorners and oververt. After a harsh winter took its toll, walls and a roof went up around the bowl, in effect turning the site into Copenhagen’s only indoor skate park, and a mecca for Skandinavian skaters looking to sharpen their skills during frigid seasons. Taking queue from Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece, ALIS has become known as a wonderland of its own for skaters and youth, boasting its own skate team, and standing as a prime example of the independent Christiania ethos.