Mountain Adventure Holidays
This is an exceptional route which you will be unlikely to find anywhere else! A stunning six-day Nordic ski journey, which begins in Geilo the gateway to the famous Hardangervidda National Park. We enjoy 145 kms (90 miles) of track skiing, which takes us through varied and beautiful mountainous terrain. We visit remote valleys and stay in characterful hotels, and mountain lodges while our luggage is transported for us. This is Nordic ski touring at its best!
We are delighted to bring you The Hallingdal Track, a fabulous mountain journey on Nordic skis. As far as we are aware we are the only ski guiding company to offer this trip, which in our minds is one of the best. A constantly changing panorama as we make our way south-east from the ski town of Geilo to the mountains of Norefjell. We ski through stunning mountain terrain which is high above the tree-line offering views of distant horizons. Unusually for Nordic track skiing our route takes us over the summits of two mountains, Dyna and Hallingsnatten.
Today you arrive in Geilo, in southern Norway to the historic Dr Holms Hotel, which dates to the time the Bergen-Oslo railway was opened in 1909. Geilo is known for its skiing and its mountain trails. It is the gateway to two national parks. Hallingskarvet National Park, which is characterized by steep cliffs and is the home of arctic foxes, and Hardangervidda National Park, which at 3,422 square kilometers, is Norway's largest national park. Tonight we meet you at your hotel in Geilo, at approximately 1730 hrs, to organise any ski hire and to brief you on the trip. The briefing will often take place after dinner due to late arrivals.
This morning we set off from Geilo with a fifteen minute transfer by road to the small village of Ustaoset where we will begin our long distance journey along The Hallingdal Track. We start with relatively flat terrain until we reach the lake of Usta where we ski onto the lake itself and head for the other side. The lake crossing makes for a wonderfully atmospheric start and is a great introduction to this world of snow and ice. Once at the other side we climb steadily up a long hill to reach the amazing Hardangervidda plateau, a wilderness the size of Switzerland. We then turn east and ski toward the rounded summit of Birgithovda at 1173m (3847ft). On the way we will call in at Tuva Turisthytte for a coffee and waffles. Tuva has been welcoming visitors since 1915 and is a traditional Norwegian mountain lodge. Leaving Tuva we climb past fishing lakes, and then descend and turn east as we make our way to Hakkesetstølen, which sits high above our starting point at Geilo. Tonight we stay in the hamlet of Hakkesetstølen in a traditional Norwegian wooden lodge enjoying local hospitality. It is a day to savour a truly arctic environment.
Ascent: 620m (2033ft) Descent: 600m (1968 ft) Distance: 23.7 km (14.8 miles) Dur 5h00
We cross the mountains high to the south of Ustedalen this morning as we ski through a landscape of small hillocks and lakes. This is ideal terrain to consolidate technique and ensure that you are on good form before we head onto more challenging ski tracks. We have some amazing views today across the valley to the high plateau of Hallingskarvet with its black cliffs and gully lines, and then eventually views to the far east and the range of mountains far beyond. Most of the day we are following the route of the Hallingspretten race, which is a 50km cross country ski race from Geilo to Ål held every March. Our ski day ends at the tiny mountain hamlet of Tullestølen where we will be picked up by our taxi and driven down into the valley for our overnight in the town of Ål. Quite simply there is no accommodation at Tullestølen and a visit to Ål adds to the variety of overnights on this trip. It is the only time we leave the actual route, and the rest of the trip we are skiing door to door. Ål has various shops and supermarkets, and two sports shops providing retail therapy if you wish it.
Ascent: 457m (1498ft) Descent: 534m (1751ft) Distance: 22.2km (13.8 miles)
A transfer back up the long steep hill to Tullestølen and the tiny community of Sangefjellet lying under its blanket of snow begins our day. We ski through an interesting landscape of numerous small lakes, birch woods and hills as we work our way towards the summit of Dyna. This mountain is a feature of the area and at 1212m (3975ft) is a common goal for local skiers. If you have watched the film on our website of the Hallingdal Track then it is this descent that is featured in the film. A ski through tiny hamlets and past ancient wooden buildings is to be savoured, some of the wood used for these buildings is so old that it appears sculpted by the wind and the elements. Eventually, we arrive beside the lake at Holmevatn where there is a wooden shelter for a final snack stop before heading to our mountain inn at Myking. A sauna to warm any chilled muscles is a great way to end the day here.
Ascent: 691m (2266ft) Descent: 659m (2161ft) Distance: 28km (17.5 miles)
A lovely descent into the valley starts our day and gets our legs warmed up! We ski through characterful birch woodland, passing in and out of open glades, until we reach the settlement of Synstevassbu. ‘Bu’ is often the ending for a place name as it means a simple building or mountain hut, where the shepherd lived while looking after the herds in the summer. At Synstevassbu we ski across the lake and then begin a steady climb to the high plateau. It is at this point in our journey that the terrain begins to feel higher and wilder. Sometimes the ski tracks in this section can be ‘blown in’, and we may be working a little harder. A fast descent down to Langedrag, where you will soon realise it is not our ‘usual’ type of accommodation. It is in fact a wildlife park and features Norwegian animals such as lynx, arctic fox, musk ox, reindeer and elk, to name a few. It is quite a thrill to hear the wolves howl at the moon just as you drift off to sleep.
Ascent: 459m (1505ft) Descent: 419m (1374ft) Distance: 20km (12.5 miles)
We leave the stunning views of the massive lake of Tunhovdfjorden behind as we climb back to the plateau and begin our most challenging day. Today the terrain is wilder, higher and more exposed to the elements than anything we have encountered so far, and has a true mountain feel to the landscape. The area is home to one thousand wild reindeer, and it is not unusual to see ptarmigan flying across the trail in front of us. We have been incredibly lucky to see a wolverine running across the mountainside. We eventually take a line up a gentle gully where we gain the high ground and turn southeast and head for the high point of Hallingnatten mountain at 1314m (4309ft). The mountain has an impressive cairn marking the summit and makes for excellent photos! In 2020 we were stunned to see a large herd of reindeer on the summit. A very special moment. After passing this summit we ski through undulating terrain to the long lake of Reinsjøen where we continue along the shore before a final climb between two low lying hills, towards an exciting and steep descent to the hamlet of Haglebu where we will spend the night in cosy wooden cabins. If the tracks demand it we may take a longer route from Reinsjøen to Haglebu which will make the journey 34.7km (21.7 miles), and an ascent of 873m (2863ft) and descent of 1297m (4254ft). If in the course of the trip your fitness or ability has been challenged then we would ask you to note that your guide may ask you to travel with the luggage on this day as it is a demanding day and requires good technique for the descents. Normally you will be able to travel with the luggage free of charge, but if there are additional costs we will ask you to cover those.
Ascent: 762m (2499ft) Descent: 932m (3056ft) Distance: 30 km (18.8 miles)
A steady climb this morning as we regain the high plateau, this time to the south of the hamlet of Haglebu. The peak of Smatjernnatten will be on our left as we join the plateau and rejoin the Hallingdal Track as we head ever southeast over lakes, and round characterful small summits. We love this day, lots of mountain features and stunning terrain. Numerous lakes all along the route, which we will ski along or across, though it is hard to tell in the snow-covered wonderland whether we are on land or water! The mountains have more than one hundred pit traps dating to Neolithic times when the hunters would drive wild reindeer into the pits. Eventually we see the settlement of Tempelseter which is the start of many of the cross country trails in this area of Norefjell. The name ‘seter’ is very common and is a simple wooden cottage where farmers bring their herds to be milked. Historically the young women brought the animals to the seter and remained there for the summer, caring for them and making cheese. We finish The Hallingdal Track at Templeseter and transfer down to Eggedal to spend our final night in a really lovely traditional Norwegian hotel.
Ascent: 634m (2079ft) Descent: 549m (1800ft) Distance: 20.2 km (12.7 miles)
Today we have an early morning transfer by private taxi of 1 hr, 15 minutes from Eggedal down to the railway station at Hokksund where we catch a train to Oslo Airport. If the group transfer time which is detailed under "Trip Information", "Arrival & Departure", does not work with your planned flight time then we can help you organize an early transfer to Hokksund. This will be at your own cost and is likely to be around 2500 NOK, or as with many of our guests you can consider spending a night in the capital city of Oslo and catching a flight the following day. Please note that if you arrived via Bergen there are trains which run back to Bergen from Hokksund but it is a very long journey of up to 8 hrs. We would suggest that if you do fly in to Bergen that you consider flying out of Oslo.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. In many cases a single room is available for a supplementary fee, but these can be in short supply and require early booking. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
On this tour you will stay in comfortable and cosy hotels, some have saunas. Our guests are usually very pleasantly surprised by the standard of the hotels in Norway and this trip is no exception. Do not expect luxury, but you will get lots of character and good Norwegian hospitality. The trip price is based on two people of the same gender sharing a room. Your room will usually have en suite bathroom and toilet on 5 nights, but may not on 2 of the nights. It is really a case of what is available at the time of booking. On a trip such as this the accommodation available to us is very limited and we have little choice. This trip was new in 2019 and without exception our guests remarked that one of the most enjoyable aspects of the trip was the varied accommodation, and the chance to enjoy traditional Norwegian hospitality.
This historic hotel opened its doors in 1909, at the same time as the Bergensbanen railway was opened linking Oslo with Bergen. Doctor Ingebrikt Christian Holm was a specialist in respiratory diseases and in 1909 he put his knowledge into action and established the Dr Holms Hotel. In the beginning it was a retreat for pale inhabitants of Bergen and Oslo who embraced the fresh mountain air, but today is a cosy and comfortable hotel catering to skiers.
In 2009 the hotel celebrated its 100th anniversary claiming to be ”The Hotel of Nine Lives”. Having survived changing epochs, and enduring gusts of wind of hurricane strength. There is hardly another mountain resort hotel that has endured the years through Norwegian history such as the Dr Holms Hotel.
We have true mountain accommodation tonight perched high on the 'fjell'. Hakkesetstølen is located 1050m (3444ft) above sea level, surrounded by the beautiful scenery and nature of the Hardangervidda. This is very much a true mountain lodge, rustic, wooden and oozing character and opened in 1993 by Queen Sofia, of Norway. Torild who runs it is a gem of a woman, and looks after us very well.
We will either be housed in bedrooms in the main building, or we may find we are staying in the cabins which surround the lodge itself. Rooms may or may not have private shower and toilet although when possible we do ask for en suite facilities.
Tonight we head for the valley and the town of Ål, simply because we have no other possibility to stay high on the mountain. The town is a typical Norwegian town, with some basic facilities such as a supermarket, bank and sports shops. The Hallingdal Thon Hotel where we will be staying does a good dinner, and excellent breakfast, and has a gym and sauna.
The hotel is also just a short distance from the tourist office, museum, and arts and culture centre. If you have some free time it is worth popping into the culture centre to check out any local art exhibitions.
Ranten is a traditional Norwegian hotel situated in the remote mountain community of Myking, surrounded by log cabins, lakes, and forests. All bedrooms have en suite facilities. For many years Norwegians have been travelling to Myking in the winter months to enjoy the many cross-country ski tracks in the area.
An overnight with a difference as we share space (not too close) with wolves, reindeer, lynx and elk! Langedrag is a wildlife park in the Norwegian mountains. Quite simply we have no other options for accommodation, and to be honest it's a great experience. Our overnight stay includes entry to the Park which features a wide range of native animals.
The accommodation is in characterful log cabins, simple but cosy. Most rooms do not have en suite toilet facilities and you will be sharing facilities nearby your bedroom. We will be provided with bed linen and we will be asking you to help out by making up your own beds. Please be aware that Langedrag is an education facility and places great important on teaching the next generation about the native wildlife. For this reason there are often groups of school children also staying at Langedrag, though usually in a different building!
After a long descent to the remote hamlet of Haglebu we will be happy to see our cabins by the lakeside. Our accommodation tonight is cosy but simple. We aim to stay at the Turistheim which is a park by the lake where Norwegians have log cabins and caravans where they spend the summer months. We will have a range of cosy log cabins at Haglebu. The larger ones will have private showers and toilets, and others will use the communal shower and toilet block on the site. The facilities are spotlessly clean and comfortable.
Tonight we will eat dinner at the local fjellstue, which is a simply mountain restaurant, about 350 metres from our accommodation. Our breakfast will be provided at the Turistheim by Amund, the owner, and is much more convenient than our previous arrangement which required us to order a 'take-away' breakfast the night before! There is simply no where else to stay at Haglebu and to be honest we love the Turistheim, and are grateful that someone is going to cook our dinner, and provide breakfast.
At the end of our last skiing day we leave the mountains and descend to the tiny village of Eggedal where we enjoy a lovely traditional hotel. We are assured a warm welcome from the owner of Eggedal Borgerstue, Elisabeth Bøle. The hotel features tastefully decorated rooms, some with four-poster beds, and local artwork.
But it should be no surprise that the decor is beautiful as Elisabeth also runs an interior design and art business from the hotel. You may even find that you can purchase some last minute gifts from her showroom.
Arrival
To get to Geilo, in Norway, you can choose to fly either to Oslo Gardermoen airport or to Bergen airport. Then you can take a train to Geilo which is on the main line between Oslo and Bergen. If arriving into Oslo airport the journey time is approximately 4 hrs. The railway station is within the airport building and is just a few minutes walk from the baggage reclaim area.
Arriving into Bergen there are trains to Geilo several times a day, taking around 3 hrs. To travel from Bergen airport to Bergen bus/train station is a 15-minute taxi ride, or a 40-minute tram ride. The trams leave the airport for the bus/train station every 15 minutes.
Travelling to Oslo by Train: There are options for rail travel to Norway from all major European cities. For example from the UK you can overnight in Copenhagen, Denmark, however, there are many possibilities.
The easiest way to book is via www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. If you're travelling from the UK or US then take a look at the multi-day pass travel system provided by Eurail.
If you would like to book each stage as an individual journey then using the UK to Copenhagen, Denmark, as an example here is how.
Travel from London, England, to Brussels, Belgium using the Eurostar www.eurostar.com, these tickets can be purchased up to 6 months ahead of your travel date. From here you can book a train from Brussels, Belgium to Gothenburg, in Sweden, (Gotëborg) adding a stopover in Copenhagen, Denmark. For this you can use the German Railway website int.bahn.de. A full day on the train sees you arriving in Copenhagen for an evening walk around the city before dinner if you would like to use this as a stop over.
The final leg of your journey is from Gothenburg Central Station, in Sweden, to Oslo, Norway, and this can be booked using Vy the Norwegian rail network website www.vy.no.
All the trains have Wi-Fi, charging points and a restaurant car.
Departure
On your departure day we have an early morning transfer by private taxi of 1h15 from Eggedal to the railway station at Hokksund where you can take a train to Oslo, or elsewhere. We will aim the group transfer for the train departing at 0859hrs, which will arrive at Oslo Gardermoen airport at 1017 hrs. We advise that your return flight is from Oslo airport. To return via Bergen involves a lengthy train journey.
All of the above train times are provisional. In Norway the train times are confirmed 3 months before the departure date and can vary by a few minutes on the times given for previous months. Tickets for buses and trains are easily purchased on line at Vy.no.
Please ensure you book your ticket as the trains can be fully booked and you will not be permitted to travel.
When booking a trip we ask you to acquire insurance to cover you for the following:
Mountain Rescue Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, mountain rescue, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page. Most of our trips have a maximum altitude of 3,000 metres. If you are unsure or are joining a bespoke trip, then please ask us for specific details.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Please note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable, unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
COVID-19 Insurance
As well as medical cover, we recommend that you have appropriate travel insurance so that if you fall ill and test positive for COVID-19 prior to (or during) your trip, you will be financially covered for cancelling your trip. You should also consider booking a policy that covers you if you have to cancel or curtail your holiday because you have to self-isolate. If you choose to cancel, cancellation charges will be payable, but if the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. Please read the clauses below detailing trip cancellation and curtailment.
Travel Insurance covering COVID-19 is now available from a number of suppliers, Campbell Irvine, Trailfinders and Staysure. Please check their websites for the latest information on what is and isn't covered. It is likely that more companies will offer COVID related cover in the future.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Winter temperatures in Scandinavia are 'according to the locals' becoming warmer, which is why we now run trips in the months of January, and February, as well as the traditional ski touring months of March and April. Even in January when the daylight hours are short we find that we have more than enough time for skiing. We have never yet had guests feeling they were losing out in terms of ski hours by booking in January or February. There is a special pleasure to starting your ski day in the sunrise, and skiing back with the sunset.
Historically temperatures in December have averaged -8°Celsius (17.4°F), in January -9.7°Celsius (14.5°F), in February -9.2°Celsius (15.4°F), in March -6.6°Celsius (20.1°F), and in April -2.3°Celsius (27.9°). Clearly there is the potential for temperatures to drop much lower, but rarely lower than -15°C (5°F).
We have found over the years that these temperatures have not been unpleasant nor have any guests had problems dealing with the weather as it is generally a 'dry' cold, and of course this helps create great snow and therefore great ski tracks. If we do experience a cold snap where temperatures drop then we ensure that everyone is appropriately clothed and kitted out for the ski day. In this respect energy snacks and a thermos with a hot drink are a great comfort!
If you are booked on one of our 'Advanced' or 'Challenging' point-to-point journeys and we experience very cold temperatures eg -15°Celsius (5°F) then we would expect you to be able to be efficient and keep moving and to manage your comfort.
The skis used on this trip will be metal edged classic track skis, or classic track skis with half-metal edge and with NNN BC bindings. The type of ski the Norwegians call a ‘fjell’ ski which means 'mountain' ski. The hire shop normally supplies Fischer XC E99 ski with metal edges, or similar. We use this type of ski as we may encounter tracks that have not been ‘cut’. We generally use waxing skis on this route, rather than fishscale, but we would not exclude you from bringing fish-scales if they are appropriate for the terrain. If you have your own skis we would ask that you contact us for clarification. You will also need ‘climbing skins’ and we supply these free of charge.
If you require ski hire we will arrange hire in Geilo. The hire cost for 6 days for winter 2024 is 1320 NOK. If the number of people hiring is 4 or less, then your skis can be posted back at the end of the trip from the Post Office in Eggedal, which is open till 2100hrs on the day you arrive in Eggedal. The postage cost will be covered by the person who is hiring the equipment and is expected to be around 350-400 NOK per person. This is based on being no more than 10 kgs (22 lbs) in weight.
If there are 5 people or more hiring then the skis have to be returned by taxi at a cost of approximately 4480 NOK in 2024. The reason for this is that returning the skis by post could take one week, and the hire shop at Geilo would lose a week of rental income.
If you are skiing at a level sufficient to book this trip then you probably ski every year, and may find it better value to think about buying your own boots, and skis. Whatever you decide please discuss with us to ensure that any hire or purchased skis and boots are the correct type for the trip. Be aware that if you already have boots you need to check with us that they will fit the bindings on the hire skis which are NNN BC.
Note you are required to bring your own cork, scraper and ski tie. These are not expensive items, and can be purchased at the start of your trip. There is no charge for using the ski tracks in Norway, and therefore no ski pass is required.
Your safety while skiing is our top priority. All skiers are requested to adhere to the Code of Conduct published by the International Ski Federation, or FIS. The aim is to make you, the skier, aware of how to avoid risks, take responsibility and act thoughtfully while on the cross-country ski tracks.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you will encounter and accommodation you will be staying in.
Equipment
Skis, boots, and poles - can be hired at the start of the trip. The cost of hire is indicated in 'Trip Information'. If you are intending to hire you must inform us as soon as possible as equipment must be booked in advance. This trips uses Nordic touring skis with metal edges and NNN BC bindings.
If you are bringing your own skis they must fit in the tracks, and should be a maximum of 66mm at their widest point otherwise they will 'catch' in the tracks and you will not have a good experience. Boots also need to fit in the tracks. Metal edged ‘fish-scales’ are acceptable. If in doubt about the suitability of your own skis please contact us.
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Your luggage will be moved each day by a taxi driver. Please restrict yourself to one bag of approximately 15kg (33lbs) per person. Not all hotels have 'lifts' and you must be able to carry your luggage upstairs. There may be a charge imposed by the taxi company if you have more than 1 bag, and we would ask you to cover this.
Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £400. The supplement is with regard to a single room being available for 6 of the 7 nights, this is because there is a possibility that on one of the nights a single room will not be possible due to limited accommodation options.
We go to great lengths to work with first class ski instructors who are passionate about their work.
Your ski instructor will be a BASI qualified, or equivalent, Nordic Ski Instructor. BASI is the British Association of Snowsport Instructors and is one of Europe's leading examining boards for those choosing a career in snow sports. For some countries your ski instructor will hold the national qualification required for the country you are visiting. All are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
In the majority of cases your instructor will also be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting.
Please note your instructor has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
This is our highest-level cross-country ski holiday. At this grade, expect the same as our 'Advanced' trips plus a little more of everything! This means that distance, height gain, time on skis could be extended due to the terrain and reliability of the snow and conditions. The tracks may be perfect or they may not have been ‘groomed’ for several weeks. You should be an experienced and proficient cross-country skier who loves a challenge both physical and mental. We would expect you to have completed various point-to-point journeys before attempting this trip. You should be able to cope with all kinds of weather, and be self-sufficient in terms of keeping yourself warm, dry, fed and hydrated. You should enjoy being in remote and wild mountain areas. In Norway we normally use ‘waxing’ skis and although you do not need previous experience in this we would expect you to understand the principle and be prepared to follow the guidance of your Instructor. You should be at a high level of fitness and be able to ski for 6-8 hours and cover distances of 25-35 km (15.6-21.8 miles) per day whilst carrying a daypack. These trips will sometimes feature a longer day of up to 40 km (25miles) and up to 8-9 hrs of skiing.
NOTE: With regard to The Hallingdal Track we would like to emphasise there are many long descents which require a 'strong' snowplough and a good mental attitude. There are also numerous hills, some short and some long, and you should also have a confident 'herringbone' technique and understand how to best use a waxing ski to gain maximum 'kick and glide'. It is important that you understand the need to be efficient while skiing in terms of waxing, and packing/unpacking items from your rucksack as the weather may dictate that we need to avoid undue delays during the ski day.
This is without doubt a fabulous trip and the general consensus from our guests in 2019 was that it was the best ski journey they had done.
On this point-to-point trip you will have luggage support which means your bags are transferred each day to the next accommodation and you only need to carry a small/medium sized 'rucksack' for items you might need during the course of the day. Please refer to the kit list for this trip for guidance on the size of rucksack required.
As your luggage will be moved along the route by taxi we ask that you keep the weight to a maximum of 15kgs (33lbs), and ONE bag per person. Many of the taxi companies who move your bags impose a 15kg (33lbs) limit and restrict the number of bags simply because they have to unload and reload the vehicle many times each day. If you take more than one bag you may be asked to pay a supplement. Also with regard to weight be aware that you may have to carry your luggage to your bedroom, which may involve climbing several flights of stairs as not all hotels have elevators. Luggage on wheels is generally a good idea.
On this trip your lunches are included in your trip fee. In Norway it is traditional to make up your own packed lunch from the breakfast ingredients. Breakfast is normally a buffet with a large range of food on offer with more than enough interesting items to prepare a tasty sandwich. You will be supplied with paper to wrap them in. You can also ask to have a thermos flask filled with a hot drink.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
We encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for traditional food and where the menu reflects the best that the region provides.
The hotels to there best to accommodate the dietary needs of our guest . If you are vegetarian this is not a problem as the hotel is used to being asked for vegetarian meals. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance which will make you ill then the accommodation will cater for this as best they can but we would ask that you make it clear on your booking form of any food intolerance so that we can discuss your needs with the hotel at the earliest point possible. When using remote mountain huts the staff are usually able to offer breakfast and dinner which meet with the clients needs. Packed lunches can be more problematic and so we do suggest that, if you do have a specific dietary requirement, you bring a range of suitable snacks to supplement the lunches. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 08 Mar - Sat 15 Mar Code: HAL1 |
Price: £2395 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £2395 |
| Holiday Type | Point to Point Track Skiing |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-8 |
| Minimum Age | 17 |
| Maximum Altitude | 1314m (4309ft) |
| Countries Visited | Norway |
| Meet In | Geilo, Norway |
