Rondane Hut to Hut, Norway
Classic Norwegian terrain
Gentle terrain with short hut-to-hut distances provides a perfect environment for learning and developing your Nordic ski techniques and skills. This tour is an introductory Nordic skiing course whilst ‘on the move’. Rather than learning skiing techniques stuck on a small nursery slope and a short section of machine-cut track, this week allows you to do straightaway what most people going to ski in Norway wish to do: a hut-to-hut tour. The location and the itinerary have been carefully chosen to allow novice skiers to learn and develop sufficient skills along the way. The terrain is always gentle and the distances are quite short; at the start of the week 5kms and gradually increasing to 15kms on the last touring day. Every day will start with some coaching, especially earlier in the week, and in this way we can ensure you will be technically ready for each day’s touring.
- Learn and develop Nordic skiing technique and skills
- Enjoy ideal skiing terrain with the stunning backdrop of the Rondane mountains
- Complete a hut-to-hut tour, with coaching as you go
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Departures
Trip
Departure date
End date
Price
Status
RHH
Sun 27 February 11
Sat 5 March 11
£1155 or 1385 Euros
Places available | Make a Booking
Introduction
The Rondane is an area of 2000m peaks lying east of the Jotunheim group, north of the Lillehammer area and immediately east of the main railway from Oslo to Trondheim. For this week’s course and tour we stay on the edges of the area, travelling across the plateau area that fringes the range. This means we use the ideal terrain of frozen lakes, rolling meadows, plateaux and forests to learn and develop Nordic skiing technique.
The hut-to-hut itineraries and the times set aside for coaching are carefully designed to gradually develop skills on suitable terrain and over relatively short hut-to-hut distances. As skills and confidence increase during the week, greater distances can be tackled over more ambitious terrain.
By the end of the week you will have the techniques and skills to undertake a more challenging hut-to-hut tour e.g. at our ‘Intro/Intermediate’ or ‘intermediate’ grade; you are ready to continue with many years of hut-to-hut skiing!
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
As a minimum, suitable for those who have done only a little skiing before. If you have had a few days on Nordic skis or are already an Alpine skier then this week will be ideal. If you have not skied at all before then we can suggest an alternative course. Typical daily distances are 5 – 15kms and daily ascents between 60 & 300m.
The following is intended as a guide only and route details are subject to confirmation.
Day 1 Arrival
Flight to Oslo Gardemoen airport (own arrangement) Train to Otta; taxi minibus to Mysuseter fjellstue (dinner, B&B included)
Day 2
A day based at Mysuseter, spending the morning getting used to the skis, finding our ‘skiing legs’ and practicing basic travelling techniques followed by a local tour in the afternoon.
Day 3
From Mysuseter we will head directly towards the mountains, to the charming Smuksjoseter right at the foot of the snowy peaks (11kms). The skiing is straightforward and the situation is very rewarding! Probably time for a local excursion once at the lodge.
Day 4
A day based at Smuksjoseter – a great environment for further technique consolidation and confidence building. There are some superb mini-tour options to tackle as well during the day.
Day 5
A day tour to Rondvassbu (11kms) – a dramatically located base for 2 nights. The route skirts the main mass of the Rondane mountains and the skiing is interesting & enjoyable without being excessively challenging. Along the way we will stop occasionally for some coaching and/or spend some time at the lodge doing likewise – or simply to admire the splendid views.
Day 6
A day based at Rondvassbu with the opportunity to enhance our skiing skills and do a local tour, maybe along the lake, right through the mountains to wild corries and bowls beyond or up one of the local summits for a stunning panorama.
Day 7
We return to Mysuseter (10kms direct). We plan to include a summit on the way if the weather is good or an alternative side-loop – or go direct to Mysuseter and enjoy the local track skiing, ‘putting it all together’.
Day 8 Departure
Minibus to Otta station and train Oslo Gardemoen airport.
Further Information
This programme is intended as a guide and many other options exist. 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.
Leadership
The course leader will hold a British Association of Snowsports Instructors Nordic qualification; (‘Ski Instructor’ at the least and may also be a BASI Telemark Instructor). She/he will hold the Winter Mountain Leader Award or have the ability and experience to navigate in winter conditions. Coaching on technique will be given most mornings and also along the way 'as necessary'. Intensive input for improvement of Nordic travelling, downhill or telemarking is available on our various instructional courses.
Accommodation
Accommodation for 7 nights will be at the well-known Den Norske Turistforening 'huts' or privately run lodges of similar standard. The literal translation from the Norwegian 'hytte' really is a bit of a misnomer and the buildings are perfectly weatherproof, warm and dry! The staffed ‘huts’ are more like hotels! Sleeping is in shared rooms with bunks for 4 - 6 people. There are excellent drying rooms, hot showers (sometimes there is a small charge), a lounge, dining room and small shop & bar! All meals are provided and you make up your own packed lunch from the breakfast buffet - and we have seen some amazingly inventive sandwiches over the years!
The accommodation we use and the quality of the facilities at the lodges do mean that, when we are travelling form one to the next, we are carrying relatively ‘minimalist’ rucksacks – good news!? This also allows us to focus on our ski technique better and to enjoy the skiing more!
What to bring
Kit lists can be found on the Trip Info page and downloaded from Members Information. Generally, outdoor clothing, metal-edged Nordic touring skis, 75mm bindings, 75mm norm leather touring boots (with vibram soles) and touring poles are needed. Owing to local inconsistencies of supply it is not convenient to hire this equipment in Norway. Ski equipment can be hired in the UK from Braemar Mountain Sports who offer a courier service. Please contact us if you need advice.
Full package and travel arrangements
Full package includes rail travel to/from the Rondane, taxi transfers to/from the touring area, dinner, full-board accommodation (7 nights dinner, bed, breakfast & packed lunch) in the Rondane, all instruction & leadership, DNT annual membership. If you have your own DNT membership, save £50 on the tour cost, on production of a photocopy of your membership card.
Flights
- Flights need to be arranged with your own travel agent, ‘cheap flights’ companies or on the internet. Flights need to be to Oslo Gardermoen, recommended for convenience, or Oslo Torp – Ryanair. Visit www.expedia.co.uk or www.ryanair.com for options.
- Flight arrival times on March 7th: recommend no later than 1 hour before the train departure at 14.45 from the Gardemoen airport train station. Return flight departure times on March 14th: recommend min. 1 hour after the 14.43 train arrival at the Gardemoen airport train station.
- Train times are from 2009, but 2010 likely to be similar. Please confirm these train times with us before booking your flight.
- Flights should not be booked until this trip is guaranteed to run.
- NB If using Oslo Torp airport 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 If you fly Ryanair beware of their skis-on-flight charges and 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: personal expenditure on drinks, postcards, trolls, etc. Food or refreshments between Oslo and the Rondane.
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. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHH | Sun 27 February 11 | Sat 5 March 11 | £1155 or 1385 Euros | Places available | Make a Booking |
Introduction
The Rondane is an area of 2000m peaks lying east of the Jotunheim group, north of the Lillehammer area and immediately east of the main railway from Oslo to Trondheim. For this week’s course and tour we stay on the edges of the area, travelling across the plateau area that fringes the range. This means we use the ideal terrain of frozen lakes, rolling meadows, plateaux and forests to learn and develop Nordic skiing technique.
The hut-to-hut itineraries and the times set aside for coaching are carefully designed to gradually develop skills on suitable terrain and over relatively short hut-to-hut distances. As skills and confidence increase during the week, greater distances can be tackled over more ambitious terrain.
By the end of the week you will have the techniques and skills to undertake a more challenging hut-to-hut tour e.g. at our ‘Intro/Intermediate’ or ‘intermediate’ grade; you are ready to continue with many years of hut-to-hut skiing!
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
As a minimum, suitable for those who have done only a little skiing before. If you have had a few days on Nordic skis or are already an Alpine skier then this week will be ideal. If you have not skied at all before then we can suggest an alternative course. Typical daily distances are 5 – 15kms and daily ascents between 60 & 300m.
The following is intended as a guide only and route details are subject to confirmation.
Day 1 Arrival
Flight to Oslo Gardemoen airport (own arrangement) Train to Otta; taxi minibus to Mysuseter fjellstue (dinner, B&B included)
Day 2
A day based at Mysuseter, spending the morning getting used to the skis, finding our ‘skiing legs’ and practicing basic travelling techniques followed by a local tour in the afternoon.
Day 3
From Mysuseter we will head directly towards the mountains, to the charming Smuksjoseter right at the foot of the snowy peaks (11kms). The skiing is straightforward and the situation is very rewarding! Probably time for a local excursion once at the lodge.
Day 4
A day based at Smuksjoseter – a great environment for further technique consolidation and confidence building. There are some superb mini-tour options to tackle as well during the day.
Day 5
A day tour to Rondvassbu (11kms) – a dramatically located base for 2 nights. The route skirts the main mass of the Rondane mountains and the skiing is interesting & enjoyable without being excessively challenging. Along the way we will stop occasionally for some coaching and/or spend some time at the lodge doing likewise – or simply to admire the splendid views.
Day 6
A day based at Rondvassbu with the opportunity to enhance our skiing skills and do a local tour, maybe along the lake, right through the mountains to wild corries and bowls beyond or up one of the local summits for a stunning panorama.
Day 7
We return to Mysuseter (10kms direct). We plan to include a summit on the way if the weather is good or an alternative side-loop – or go direct to Mysuseter and enjoy the local track skiing, ‘putting it all together’.
Day 8 Departure
Minibus to Otta station and train Oslo Gardemoen airport.
Further Information
This programme is intended as a guide and many other options exist. 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.
Leadership
The course leader will hold a British Association of Snowsports Instructors Nordic qualification; (‘Ski Instructor’ at the least and may also be a BASI Telemark Instructor). She/he will hold the Winter Mountain Leader Award or have the ability and experience to navigate in winter conditions. Coaching on technique will be given most mornings and also along the way 'as necessary'. Intensive input for improvement of Nordic travelling, downhill or telemarking is available on our various instructional courses.
Accommodation
Accommodation for 7 nights will be at the well-known Den Norske Turistforening 'huts' or privately run lodges of similar standard. The literal translation from the Norwegian 'hytte' really is a bit of a misnomer and the buildings are perfectly weatherproof, warm and dry! The staffed ‘huts’ are more like hotels! Sleeping is in shared rooms with bunks for 4 - 6 people. There are excellent drying rooms, hot showers (sometimes there is a small charge), a lounge, dining room and small shop & bar! All meals are provided and you make up your own packed lunch from the breakfast buffet - and we have seen some amazingly inventive sandwiches over the years!
The accommodation we use and the quality of the facilities at the lodges do mean that, when we are travelling form one to the next, we are carrying relatively ‘minimalist’ rucksacks – good news!? This also allows us to focus on our ski technique better and to enjoy the skiing more!
What to bring
Kit lists can be found on the Trip Info page and downloaded from Members Information. Generally, outdoor clothing, metal-edged Nordic touring skis, 75mm bindings, 75mm norm leather touring boots (with vibram soles) and touring poles are needed. Owing to local inconsistencies of supply it is not convenient to hire this equipment in Norway. Ski equipment can be hired in the UK from Braemar Mountain Sports who offer a courier service. Please contact us if you need advice.
Full package and travel arrangements
Full package includes rail travel to/from the Rondane, taxi transfers to/from the touring area, dinner, full-board accommodation (7 nights dinner, bed, breakfast & packed lunch) in the Rondane, all instruction & leadership, DNT annual membership. If you have your own DNT membership, save £50 on the tour cost, on production of a photocopy of your membership card.
Flights
- Flights need to be arranged with your own travel agent, ‘cheap flights’ companies or on the internet. Flights need to be to Oslo Gardermoen, recommended for convenience, or Oslo Torp – Ryanair. Visit www.expedia.co.uk or www.ryanair.com for options.
- Flight arrival times on March 7th: recommend no later than 1 hour before the train departure at 14.45 from the Gardemoen airport train station. Return flight departure times on March 14th: recommend min. 1 hour after the 14.43 train arrival at the Gardemoen airport train station.
- Train times are from 2009, but 2010 likely to be similar. Please confirm these train times with us before booking your flight.
- Flights should not be booked until this trip is guaranteed to run.
- NB If using Oslo Torp airport 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 If you fly Ryanair beware of their skis-on-flight charges and 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: personal expenditure on drinks, postcards, trolls, etc. Food or refreshments between Oslo and the Rondane.
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. 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.
