Hardanger Crossing, Norway
Wide open spaces!
A traverse of the vast open spaces of the Hardangervidda plateau.This tour will give a very rewarding adventure, from Finse, at the highest point of the Oslo - Bergen railway, all the way to the road at Haukliseter, crossing only one other road in the process! We head south past the Hardangerjokul and the icy tongues of its outlet glaciers, through more rolling country and then the great open spaces of the Sandhaug area. For the final two days we traverse the craggier country beyond Litlos to Haukliseter, the area of the Hardanger reindeer reserve where ‘sticks’ for trail marking are no longer allowed – we ‘boldly go’ where very few others go these days!
The skiing is a joy as the weight of sacks is kept to a minimum by using the DNT lodges, where food, fuel and bedding await our arrival – see the ‘Accommodation’ section below.
- A classic point-to-point tour across the vast plateau of the Hardangervidda
- A rare chance for confident Nordic skiers to complete this superb traverse
- Space, scenery and solitude
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Departures
Trip
Departure date
End date
Price
Status
HC
Sat 20 March 10
Sat 27 March 10
£1135 or 1305 Euros
Places available | Make a Booking
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 and skins only for bigger climbs. Terrain is gentle to moderate, depending on the week. Skiing is usually on way-marked routes but sometimes through untracked snow. Only the easiest tours have machine-prepared trails.
Level
Skiers should have previous Nordic skiing experience, be able to travel over undulating terrain and be able to ski down moderate terrain in a variety of snow conditions. A confident snowplough turn and the ability to traverse are the minimum downhill technique requirements. From the technical skiing point of view, the skiing is no more than 'intermediate' but your level should be such that you don’t need to rely on coaching ‘en route’. This tour does demand a degree of stamina and self-reliance in a relatively remote area, skiing relatively long & sustained days (15 – 25kms), especially towards the latter part of the tour when the leader will need to devote their attentions to accurate navigation. We will need to be flexible in our planning with respect to weather and snow conditions.
Day 1 Arrival
Flight to Oslo (own arrangement) and train to Finse; overnight at Finsehytta.
Day 2
The first skiing day takes up gently uphill past the icefields of the Hardangerjokull, over a watershed and past lakes with some good downhills to enjoy! Overnight at a staffed lodge
Day 3
A short day through some rolling country and to the one road we see on the trip! A day to ‘catch up’ a little, there should be time to include a ‘top’ or two ‘en route’ or from the lodge and/or have some technique practice in the afternoon – or rest once there! 2
Day 4
A short minibus ride starts a great day for striding and gliding, enjoying the grip of your wax and the rhythm and efficiency of skiing, following a gently undulating route across the vast open spaces of the Hardangervidda.
Day 5
We continue to the south-west as the terrain starts to change again with small, but quite abrupt, craggy hills dotting the plateau - and maybe providing a goal for the more energetic! To-night’s lodge nestles amongst these hills in one of the most spots of the Hardangervidda.
Day 6
To-day we leave the ‘stick’ marked route and really start to savour the atmosphere of this rarely visited area, picking our way over small passes and finding the best ‘lie of the land’ for our route. To add to the remote feeling of the area, we enjoy the quietness & camaraderie of a self-service lodge for the night.
Day 7
Our last, big day to Haukliseter, following a line of small lakes amongst shapely hills and then taking an intriguing route across country for the final steep downhill to the road …. hot showers and beers!
Day 8 Departure
We have a morning free, maybe for some local skiing and bagging a ‘top’ before catching the lunch-time bus to Oslo. Own arranged evening flight to the UK or, if you have a flight on Sunday, 28 March, we can arrange hotel accommodation for the night in Olso. For extra costs see under Flights below.
Further Information
The exact route and decisions about options and ‘extras’ (for those overflowing with energy!) will be made on a daily basis by discussion, taking into consideration weather, snow conditions and the whole group’s aspirations and abilities. However, the leader has the final word when it comes to decision making, the safety and welfare of the whole group being paramount.
Leadership
The tour leader will be a professionally qualified BASI Nordic Instructor at the least and may also be a BASI Telemark Instructor. He/she will hold the Winter Mountain Leader Award or have the ability and experience to navigate in winter conditions. While in no way interfering with the tour, coaching along the way in ski technique and waxing will help you ski more effectively and with less effort. We are always mindful of safety in cold conditions and wilderness areas. You will be in very good hands!
Accommodation
This will be in Den Norske Turistforening (or associated private organisations) 'hytta' for 7 nights. 'Hut' is a bit of a misnomer and ‘mountain lodge’ is a better term. All lodges have shared 4-6 bedded rooms (twin rooms are available, at staffed lodges only, for a supplement). All meals (excellent in quantity and quality!) are provided and you make up your packed lunch from the breakfast buffet. There are hot showers (10 kroner), drying rooms, a shop and bar. We will also be using 'self-service' lodges for 2 nights; these are excellent timber-built buildings set in remote surroundings, with bunk rooms, fully-equipped kitchens, wood-burning stoves, a stockpile of wood (ready for chopping!), chemical toilets and food in store. As a group, we will share the tasks of wood-chopping, water collection, cooking, clearing up, etc.
If required, we can arrange reasonably priced accommodation in Oslo at the start or end of the tour.
What to bring
Kit lists can be found on the Trip Info page and can be downloaded from Members Information. Generally, outdoor clothing, metal-edged Nordic touring skis, 75mm bindings, 75mm norm leather touring boots (with vibram soles), touring poles and climbing skins are needed. It is not possible to hire equipment in Norway for this trip. Ski equipment can be hired in the UK from Braemar Mountain Sports who offer a courier service. If you wish to hire skins (£25 for the tour), please let us know. It is not possible to hire skins in Norway.
Full package and travel arrangements
Full package includes rail & bus travel in Norway; from Oslo city back to Oslo city, full-board accommodation as described above, instruction & leadership for the tour described above. DNT annual membership is included. If you are already a 2010 DNT member, please send us your membership card when booking for a reduction of £50. Airport transfer to/from Oslo bus station & railway station not included. Details will be included with your joining instructions. £50 cashback to all who book if group numbers equal or exceed 10 in total.
Flights
Flights need to be arranged with your own travel agent, via the internet or ‘cheap flights’ companies. Visit www.expedia.co.uk or www.ryanair.com (to Oslo Torp) for options.
- NB Check with your airline for their ‘skis-on-flight’ charges and time needed for checking in skis.
- Flights should be to Oslo Gardermoen. Arrival times should be minimum approx. 2½ hrs before train departure time (on the 20th) and return flight departure time should be minimum approx. 2½ hrs after bus arrival time in Oslo on your return date.
- Train departure on 20/3/10: from Oslo: 16.07
- Bus arrival on 27/3/10: in Oslo: 18.10
- Please let us know your flight details & check these bus & train times before booking your flights.
- Flights should not be booked until this trip is guaranteed to run.
- It is also possible to fly to Oslo Torp with Ryanair but please allow more time either way between Olso city centre and Torp airport. Transfer details via the Ryanair website.
- We can organise nights in an Oslo hotel if your flights require it, especially for the night of Sat., 27 March. E.g. 1 night B&B is £60/person, sharing a twin room; £90 for a single room.
- We will book your bus & train tickets and seat reservations.
Exchange and Finance
Not a great deal of extra money is required but allow for the following, as necessary:
- 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!
- All personal expenditure on drinks, postcards, trolls, etc. (5 nights are at staffed lodges with shop & bar – also showers at 10kr.)
- Your flight and airport taxes.
- Airport transfer to/from bus/railway station – allow £18 each way.
- Oslo bus station left luggage - 25kr/day. Useful if you want to leave ‘travel clothes’, ski bags, etc not required on tour.
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. This trip might or will include
touring away from marked trails in relatively mountainous terrain. 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. We usually takes a maximum of 10 clients for a hut-to-hut tour. If this number is exceeded then two leaders will run the trip rather than just one.
These arrangements and services are provided by The Telemark Ski Company, our partners in Norway.
Departures
| Trip | Departure date | End date | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HC | Sat 20 March 10 | Sat 27 March 10 | £1135 or 1305 Euros | Places available | Make a Booking |
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 and skins only for bigger climbs. Terrain is gentle to moderate, depending on the week. Skiing is usually on way-marked routes but sometimes through untracked snow. Only the easiest tours have machine-prepared trails.
Level
Skiers should have previous Nordic skiing experience, be able to travel over undulating terrain and be able to ski down moderate terrain in a variety of snow conditions. A confident snowplough turn and the ability to traverse are the minimum downhill technique requirements. From the technical skiing point of view, the skiing is no more than 'intermediate' but your level should be such that you don’t need to rely on coaching ‘en route’. This tour does demand a degree of stamina and self-reliance in a relatively remote area, skiing relatively long & sustained days (15 – 25kms), especially towards the latter part of the tour when the leader will need to devote their attentions to accurate navigation. We will need to be flexible in our planning with respect to weather and snow conditions.
Day 1 Arrival
Flight to Oslo (own arrangement) and train to Finse; overnight at Finsehytta.
Day 2
The first skiing day takes up gently uphill past the icefields of the Hardangerjokull, over a watershed and past lakes with some good downhills to enjoy! Overnight at a staffed lodge
Day 3
A short day through some rolling country and to the one road we see on the trip! A day to ‘catch up’ a little, there should be time to include a ‘top’ or two ‘en route’ or from the lodge and/or have some technique practice in the afternoon – or rest once there! 2
Day 4
A short minibus ride starts a great day for striding and gliding, enjoying the grip of your wax and the rhythm and efficiency of skiing, following a gently undulating route across the vast open spaces of the Hardangervidda.
Day 5
We continue to the south-west as the terrain starts to change again with small, but quite abrupt, craggy hills dotting the plateau - and maybe providing a goal for the more energetic! To-night’s lodge nestles amongst these hills in one of the most spots of the Hardangervidda.
Day 6
To-day we leave the ‘stick’ marked route and really start to savour the atmosphere of this rarely visited area, picking our way over small passes and finding the best ‘lie of the land’ for our route. To add to the remote feeling of the area, we enjoy the quietness & camaraderie of a self-service lodge for the night.
Day 7
Our last, big day to Haukliseter, following a line of small lakes amongst shapely hills and then taking an intriguing route across country for the final steep downhill to the road …. hot showers and beers!
Day 8 Departure
We have a morning free, maybe for some local skiing and bagging a ‘top’ before catching the lunch-time bus to Oslo. Own arranged evening flight to the UK or, if you have a flight on Sunday, 28 March, we can arrange hotel accommodation for the night in Olso. For extra costs see under Flights below.
Further Information
The exact route and decisions about options and ‘extras’ (for those overflowing with energy!) will be made on a daily basis by discussion, taking into consideration weather, snow conditions and the whole group’s aspirations and abilities. However, the leader has the final word when it comes to decision making, the safety and welfare of the whole group being paramount.
Leadership
The tour leader will be a professionally qualified BASI Nordic Instructor at the least and may also be a BASI Telemark Instructor. He/she will hold the Winter Mountain Leader Award or have the ability and experience to navigate in winter conditions. While in no way interfering with the tour, coaching along the way in ski technique and waxing will help you ski more effectively and with less effort. We are always mindful of safety in cold conditions and wilderness areas. You will be in very good hands!
Accommodation
This will be in Den Norske Turistforening (or associated private organisations) 'hytta' for 7 nights. 'Hut' is a bit of a misnomer and ‘mountain lodge’ is a better term. All lodges have shared 4-6 bedded rooms (twin rooms are available, at staffed lodges only, for a supplement). All meals (excellent in quantity and quality!) are provided and you make up your packed lunch from the breakfast buffet. There are hot showers (10 kroner), drying rooms, a shop and bar. We will also be using 'self-service' lodges for 2 nights; these are excellent timber-built buildings set in remote surroundings, with bunk rooms, fully-equipped kitchens, wood-burning stoves, a stockpile of wood (ready for chopping!), chemical toilets and food in store. As a group, we will share the tasks of wood-chopping, water collection, cooking, clearing up, etc.
If required, we can arrange reasonably priced accommodation in Oslo at the start or end of the tour.
What to bring
Kit lists can be found on the Trip Info page and can be downloaded from Members Information. Generally, outdoor clothing, metal-edged Nordic touring skis, 75mm bindings, 75mm norm leather touring boots (with vibram soles), touring poles and climbing skins are needed. It is not possible to hire equipment in Norway for this trip. Ski equipment can be hired in the UK from Braemar Mountain Sports who offer a courier service. If you wish to hire skins (£25 for the tour), please let us know. It is not possible to hire skins in Norway.
Full package and travel arrangements
Full package includes rail & bus travel in Norway; from Oslo city back to Oslo city, full-board accommodation as described above, instruction & leadership for the tour described above. DNT annual membership is included. If you are already a 2010 DNT member, please send us your membership card when booking for a reduction of £50. Airport transfer to/from Oslo bus station & railway station not included. Details will be included with your joining instructions. £50 cashback to all who book if group numbers equal or exceed 10 in total.
Flights
Flights need to be arranged with your own travel agent, via the internet or ‘cheap flights’ companies. Visit www.expedia.co.uk or www.ryanair.com (to Oslo Torp) for options.
- NB Check with your airline for their ‘skis-on-flight’ charges and time needed for checking in skis.
- Flights should be to Oslo Gardermoen. Arrival times should be minimum approx. 2½ hrs before train departure time (on the 20th) and return flight departure time should be minimum approx. 2½ hrs after bus arrival time in Oslo on your return date.
- Train departure on 20/3/10: from Oslo: 16.07
- Bus arrival on 27/3/10: in Oslo: 18.10
- Please let us know your flight details & check these bus & train times before booking your flights.
- Flights should not be booked until this trip is guaranteed to run.
- It is also possible to fly to Oslo Torp with Ryanair but please allow more time either way between Olso city centre and Torp airport. Transfer details via the Ryanair website.
- We can organise nights in an Oslo hotel if your flights require it, especially for the night of Sat., 27 March. E.g. 1 night B&B is £60/person, sharing a twin room; £90 for a single room.
- We will book your bus & train tickets and seat reservations.
Exchange and Finance
Not a great deal of extra money is required but allow for the following, as necessary:
- 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!
- All personal expenditure on drinks, postcards, trolls, etc. (5 nights are at staffed lodges with shop & bar – also showers at 10kr.)
- Your flight and airport taxes.
- Airport transfer to/from bus/railway station – allow £18 each way.
- Oslo bus station left luggage - 25kr/day. Useful if you want to leave ‘travel clothes’, ski bags, etc not required on tour.
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. This trip might or will include
touring away from marked trails in relatively mountainous terrain. 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. We usually takes a maximum of 10 clients for a hut-to-hut tour. If this number is exceeded then two leaders will run the trip rather than just one.
These arrangements and services are provided by The Telemark Ski Company, our partners in Norway.
