Venabu: Tracks and Tours
Photos: John Beech and Lars Tvete
This week is for ‘introductory’ to ‘intermediate’ Nordic skiers looking for top quality day tours with the benefit of a qualified instructor/leader who will be able to give coaching whilst ‘on the move’. This allows you to do straight away what most people going to ski in Norway would like to do: go out touring and enjoy the hills, plateaux and forests on skis! The terrain is quite gentle and the distances can be quite short; at the start of the week maybe up to 10 or 12kms and gradually increasing as the week progresses to give some ‘good days out’. Every day will include some coaching, and in this way we can ensure you will be confident and ready for each day’s touring.
- Develop your Nordic skiing technique, enjoy centre-based half and full-day tours
- Ideal skiing terrain of plateau, hills and forest, with the stunning backdrop of the Rondane mountains
- Comfortable and hospitable base to return to each day
- Ski coaching and day tours both on-track and off-track
For intermediate skiers there will be plenty of challenge; the week will be ideal to refresh and consolidate skills and to develop experience and confidence in your off-track skiing – as well as have some excellent day tours!
By the end of the week skiers of all levels will have the satisfaction of having completed several good day tours in un-tracked snow, you will have developed your skiing and confidence to new levels and you will be looking across the valley to the Jotunheim mountains or towards the Rondane, knowing you are ready for more ambitious day tours and/or hut-to-hut tours in the future!
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Introduction
The skiing at Venabu area lies to the south of the Rondane mountains, north of the Lillehammer area and immediately east of the main railway from Oslo to Trondheim. For this week’s programme we will be using the local Nordic track network to access some great off-track tours and objectives, travelling across to this plateau area to the south of the Rondane mountains, using the ideal terrain of frozen lakes, rolling meadows, plateaux and forests to learn, develop and enjoy Nordic skiing technique. We will use both on and off-track areas for coaching and touring.
The daily programme will be carefully designed to gradually develop or refresh skills on suitable terrain and over relatively short distances. As skills and confidence increase during the week and depending on the abilities and aspirations of the group, greater distances can be tackled over more ambitious terrain. Objectives might then include one of the DNT huts in the hills to the north-east, a circular tour along the ridge of Nordre Bolhogda for the awesome views or a visit to the shapely cone of Svartfjellet. As an added bonus, there is usually a large heard of reindeer in the vicinity, to add to the wonderful Arctic ambience of this area.
By the end of the week you will have the confidence, techniques and skills to undertake more challenging day tours or ‘full-blown’ hut-to-hut tours e.g. at our ‘Intro/Intermediate’ or ‘Intermediate’ level. You are ready to look forward to many more years of hut-to-hut skiing and/or centre-based day touring!
Type of skiing - Nordic
Day tours, coaching sessions or multi-day tours using cambered, metal-edged skis and leather or soft plastic touring boots. Waxes are usually used for grip and glide. The terrain used is gentle to moderate. Skiing is usually on way-marked routes but sometimes through untracked snow. On some of the tours we will use machine-prepared trails.
Level
As a minimum, the ability to travel over undulating terrain, a confident snowplough and the ability to traverse are the minimum technique requirements. If you have had a few days on Nordic skis or are already an Alpine skier and wish to try Nordic skiing then this week might also be suitable – contact us for more information. Typical daily distances are 5 – 20kms and daily ascents between 60 & 200m. If you have not skied at all before then we can suggest an alternative course.
Trip Outline
The following is the outline programme for the week.
Day 1: Flight to Oslo Gardemoen airport (own arrangement). Train to Ringebu; taxi minibus to Venabu Fjellhotel (dinner, B&B included)
Days 2 - 7: 6 days of either half-day or day tours with coaching as outlined above.
Day 8: Minibus to Ringebu station and train Oslo Gardemoen airport. Flight to UK (own arrangement)
Further Information
Our itinerary for this week will stay very flexible. We have to consider weather, snow conditions and the abilities & ambitions of all group members. Flexibility is essential when considering the safety & enjoyment of a group in the mountains & all participants should be aware that ski-touring is more serious & committing than skiing based at a resort. The final decision remains with the group leader, for the safety and enjoyment of all. However, nearly all itineraries are completed to the satisfaction and enjoyment of our clients while making any adjustments necessary for safety in the prevalent conditions.
Leadership
The course leader will be Katherine Hurst who holds a British Association of Snowsports Instructors (BASI) Nordic Instructor qualification. She is very familiar with the Venabu area having run many courses here in the past and knows all the options and ‘ins and outs’ of the area to ensure you have a superb skiing experience during this week; she also has the ability and experience to navigate in winter conditions. Coaching on technique will be given most mornings and/or along the way as necessary. Intensive and specific input for improvement of Nordic downhill or telemarking is available on our various instructional courses.
Accommodation
Accommodation for 7 nights will be at the Venabu Fjellhotel. This hotel is built in the typical Norwegian style, is family-run and enjoys a very relaxed and hospitable atmosphere. Facilities include a superb dining room, with views to the Rondane Mountains, a fully licensed bar, two saunas, a solarium, meeting rooms, fitness room, two TV lounges, table tennis table and pool table. There is also a large ski
waxing room with ski hire & shop, as well as a souvenir shop. The food is excellent, including a ‘Norwegian Buffet’ every Wednesday and there is always a good selection of vegetables, salad and vegetarian options. We have opted for ‘self-made’ packed lunches everyday so we have complete flexibility with plans for our skiing day; lunches are made from the breakfast buffet, in the Norwegian tradition – a chance to experiment with all sorts of yummy sandwich fillings!
All rooms are ‘en suite’ with shower, WC, radio and phone and are non-smoking. Rooms in the East Wing are the standard rooms, included in our price; it is also possible to opt for a room in the West Wing which are larger and have under-floor heating in the bathrooms. Single rooms are also available.
Other activities available here, if you fancy a change from skiing, include snow-shoeing, dog sledding, riding with a horse and sleigh (all extra costs) and excursions to local sites of interest. All these can be arranged on arrival.
What to Bring
A full equipment list will be sent to you on booking. Generally, outdoor clothing, metal-edged Nordic touring skis, 75mm bindings, 75mm norm leather touring boots (with vibram soles) and touring poles are needed. Good ski hire (metal-edged skis) is possible on location however we can also advice you about equipment hire in the UK. Upon booking we will send you details on maps of the area if you wish to purchase one prior to your trip.
Full Package and Travel Arrangements
- Full package includes rail travel to/from Ringebu, taxi transfers from the station to Venabu return, dinner, bed, breakfast & packed lunch (7 nights) at Venabu Fjellhotel, all instruction & leadership.
- Flights need to be to Oslo Gardermoen, recommended for convenience, or Oslo Torp & Oslo Rygge with Ryanair. Visit: www.travelsupermarket.com, www.expedia.co.uk or www.ryanair.com for options.
- Norway can also be reached by ferry and train from the UK, or elsewhere in Europe.
- Flight arrival times on 25th March: recommend no later than 1 hour before the train departure at 14.45 from the Gardemoen airport train station. Return flight departure times on 1st April: recommend min. 1 hour after the 14.40 train arrival at the Gardemoen airport train station.
- Flights or trains should not be booked until this trip is guaranteed to run
- NB If using Oslo Torp or Rygge airports than please allow considerably more time either way and contact us for rail links from Oslo city to meet the rest of the group.
- NB Check with your airline for their skis-on-flight charges and any separate ski checking in procedures!
Exchange and Finance
There are exchange facilities in Oslo Airport but it would be best to obtain Norwegian Kroner prior to your departure from the UK, to save time and for convenience once we are on tour away from banks! Not a great deal of extra money is required but allow for the following:
- Ski hire at Venabu for 6 days: allow £55 (pay locally)
- Single room supplement (‘standard’ room): £115 (pay with booking)
- Larger twin room in West Wing, supplement: £70 per person (pay with booking)
- Allow for any personal expenditure on drinks, postcards, trolls, etc.
- Allow for any food or refreshments between Oslo and Venabu.
Insurance
A reminder that you need to arrange this independently at the time of booking; holiday insurance with special cover for touring is required. You need to be covered for ski touring and skiing on piste, in-track and on way marked trails. If you need more information, please contact us.
Minimum Numbers
This trip requires a minimum of five clients to book before it can be guaranteed to run.
These arrangements and services are provided by The Telemark Ski Company, our partners in Norway.
