Off-track Nordic ski touring skills week

Arrival 

Travel to Meeting Point: Several trains per day from Oslo to Geilo. Aim to arrive before 1900hrs. Train tickets should be purchased in advance as they can be 'sold out'. Book train tickets here. Some services may not be available for purchase until 115 days before departure. EnTur is a great App for Norwegian transport options. Details of discounts, including those for Senior Citizens, can be found here

Travel to Norway by Train: Options from all major European cities with tickets from Eurail, Rail Europe or The Trainline. For example - from London, England, to Brussels, Belgium using Eurostar, these tickets can be purchased up to 6 months in advance. Then use German Rail for trains from Brussels, Belgium to (Gotëborg) Gothenburg, in Sweden, with a stopover in Copenhagen, Denmark. From Gothenburg Central Station, in Sweden, to Oslo, Norway you can book with Norwegian Rail.

Travel to Norway by Air: Fly to Oslo Gardermoen Airport or to Torp. Buses from Torp to Gardermoen Airport (1h45) every hour to connect to the train to Geilo. Transfer links from Torp.

Departure

On your departure day we will be in Geilo with easy access to the train station for onward travel.

It is your responsibility to ensure any insurance taken out is appropriate for your trip and the activity you will be undertaking. Tracks & Trails cannot advise on insurance policies or be held responsible if, in the event of a claim, your insurance is inadequate. 

Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue It is a condition of booking you are insured for mountain rescue, medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. The exception to the mountain rescue insurance requirement is if the trip is taking place in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Ensure your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude can be checked in the 'At A Glance' box on the trip page. 

Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance Insurance should be booked as soon as we confirm your trip is going ahead. Deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the minimum numbers required. In this case we offer a full refund or the option to transfer to another trip.

Baggage Loss/Equipment Damage We advise insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage.

All the above is detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further information on insurance options click here.

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 may encounter and accommodation you will be staying in. Further general information about kit can be found in this blog.

Group Kit We share the following amongst the group - emergency lightweight shelters, 2 snow shovels, snow probe, first aid kit, and any repair kit. 

Equipment

• Skis - for the type of skis, boots and poles required for this trip and for ski hire consult 'Ski Equipment and Ski Pass' on this page.

• Rucksack - 40 to 50 litres with waist and chest strap. Recommended maximum weight of 10-11 kgs (22–24 lbs) when loaded with fluid, food etc. Recommendation varies depending on physical frame and strength. A larger powerful skier can carry more, and a smaller lighter skier will find 10 kgs (22 lbs) the maximum to still be able to ski safely.  You need space to carry your kit for the duration of the trip, plus an item of group kit.

• Rucksack waterproof cover or liner to keep contents dry

• Ski ties - to hold your skis together

• Water container - 1 litre, drink tubes and bottles stowed on the outside of your rucksack usually freeze in winter

• Snow shovel - check with us before packing one as we may already have sufficient within the group

• Small emergency foil survival bag - required

• Carry mat - min. 1 metre length, to isolate your core from the ground in emergency - a sit mat is not enough - required

• Kick skins - if your skis have this facility, if not you need full length climbing skins

• Head torch - plus spare batteries

• Goggles - required

• Whistle

Clothing

• Waterproof jacket - essential, this must keep you dry during a day of continuous snowfall

• Waterproof trousers - in case of heavy snowfall

• Trousers - lightweight, windproof and warm

• Thermal top - long sleeves

• Thermal leggings

• Thin fleece - long sleeves

• Waistcoat - fleece/wind stopper 

• Gloves x 2 (one thick and one thin)

• Mittens for colder conditions - ideally woollen

• Over-mittens for colder days are useful

• Warm hat

• Sun hat

• Head/ear band 

• Duvet jacket (or second warm layer)

• Scarf or 'Buff' for neck

• Socks - 2 to 3 pairs

• Gaiters - to deal with fresh snow

Comfort

• Lip salve

• Sunscreen 

• Sunglasses

• Hand warmers x 4

• Small 'Pack' towel 

• Snack bars/chocolate

• Anti-bacterial hand wash for self-service huts, often no running water

• Tissues - we recommend biodegradable bags to dispose of rubbish

• Sleeping bag liner, also known as a 'sheet sleeping bag'. Sleeping BAGS are NOT allowed. 

• Slippers for use at accommodation

• Small thermos for hot drinks - recommended

Personal First Aid

• Personal medication 

• Blister plasters

• Painkillers/anti-inflammatory

• Glucose tablets/Energy gel

• 2 x Rehydration sachets - eg Dioralyte

• Throat lozenges

• Antiseptic cream/spray

Documentation

• Passport

• Mountain Rescue/Ski Insurance documents - compulsory

• Credit card - most outlets now accept a card

• Cash - Norwegian Kroner for incidentals

• GHIC - if travelling from UK for medical cover

Additional Items

• Ear plugs

• Camera/ Book/Music

• Minimalist Toiletries – soap/toothpaste etc

• Padlock for any left luggage 

• Micro-spikes/boot grippers - optional, for icy conditions on the street/car park

Skis Metal-edged Nordic backcountry skis similar to the Fischer Transnordic 82 Easy Skin Xtralite with NNN BC bindings or equivalent, with a sidecut of around 82-60-70 mm. The term 'sidecut' refers to the width at the tip, waist, and tail. The wider the sidecut the more stability, but less glide. The narrower the ski, more glide, but less stability. If you have waxing skis you should have your own grip waxes and be confident/competent at making your own daily decisions on which grip wax to apply to ensure efficient travel.

New Developments There are now wider and shorter off-track skis available and for 'once a year skiers' they offer more control and easier descents. Examples include Fischer S-Bound 98 Crown/Dual Skin Xtralite or if you want a ski which uses grip wax, but can also take a short skin there is the Åsnes Falketind 62 Xplore ski with Rottefella Xplore bindings and Alfa Free Xplore boots.

Hire Skis & Boots You should book these as soon as possible via your Tracks and Trails Account. In 2026 the cost for skis, boots, poles and kick skins will be approximately 1500 NOK for the 6 days in 2027. There will be a small increase for winter 2028.  A helmet is required for the one day when we use the downhill alpine ski slopes - this costs approximately 50 NOK. The hire skis are similar to the Fischer Transnordic 66. These will most likely be crown skis, otherwise known as fishscale.

Boots Leather or soft plastic off-track boots, with Vibram soles. If hiring we recommend you tape up your heels and any areas of potential issue, BEFORE skiing. We recommend Tensoplast as a tape which can help avoid blisters.

Poles Touring length that fit snugly under the armpit when the basket is on the snow surface - a ski pole which can be adjusted is preferred.

Skins If you have a ski which allows a short 'kick' skin to be attached you should also bring these, if not then you will need full length climbing skins.

Purchasing Buying Nordic ski equipment from the UK; we suggest Braemar Mountain Sports or Telemark Pyrenees. Buying Nordic ski equipment from the USA; we suggest REI Co-Op or Evo.

Ski Pass There is no ski pass required to use the tracks or mountain trails in Norway.

When we leave our hotel in Geilo and travel to the mountains you will leave your main luggage at the hotel. We strongly advise a padlock on your luggage. You will take a few extra overnight items in your rucksack for the days we are at our DNT lodge. 

If you would like to spend extra nights in Oslo, the capital city of Norway, we can suggest several city centre hotels. Single rooms are available in each of the following options:

The City Box Hotel, Oslo which is where our guides stay between trips. The hotel is very reasonably priced, convenient for the railway and bus stations. The hotel also offer washing facilities if you are running trips back to back and need to launder clothes.

The Thon Hotel Opera is a very short distance from the central railway station and, indeed, the Opera House. It is approximately 100 metres (328ft) from the railway station. Karl Johan high street, the main shopping thoroughfare, is a two minute walk from the hotel. 

The Thon Hotel Spectrum is also central and approximately 600 metres (1968ft) walk from the central railway station. 

These last two hotels are part of the Thon hotel chain. We would normally recommend family run hotels, but they are not easily found in central Oslo and we feel that the Thon group do provide good accommodation which is easily reached from the railway station. You will be able to book either of these online. 

Your safety while skiing is our 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. 

• Respect for others
  A cross-country skier must ski in such a manner that they do does endanger or prejudice others.

• Respect for signs, direction and running style
  Trail marking signs must be respected on any trail marked with an indicated direction. A skier shall proceed only in that indicated direction and ski in the indicated running style.

• Choice of trails and tracks
  On cross-country trails with more than one packed track, a skier should choose the right-hand track. Skiers in groups must keep in the right track behind each other. With free running style, skiers shall keep to their right-hand-side of the trail.

• Overtaking
  A skier is permitted to overtake and pass another skier to the left or right. A skier ahead is not obliged to give way to an overtaking skier, but should allow a faster skier to pass whenever this is possible.

• Encounter
  Cross-country skiers meeting while skiing opposite directions shall keep to their right. A descending skier has priority.

• Poles
  A cross-country skier shall make the utmost effort to keep their poles close to their body when near another skier.

• Control of speed
  A cross-country skier, and especially going downhill, shall always adapt their speed to personal ability and to the prevailing terrain and visibility and to the traffic on the course. Every skier should keep a safe distance from the skiers ahead. As a last resort, an intentional fall should be used to avoid collision.

• Keeping trails and tracks clear
  A skier who stops must leave the trail. In the case of a fall, they shall clear the trail without delay.

• Accident
  In case of an accident, everyone should render assistance.

• Identification
  Everybody at an accident, whether witnesses, responsible parties or not, must establish their identity. 

On many trips there will be an element of 'group kit'. This kit will will be minimal and usually a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example, on a week-long trip you may carry a shelter for one day before passing it to the next person. If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items, such as a snow shovel, probe, spare ski pole etc.

This is an off-track Nordic ski touring trip - a beautiful way to experience the mountains in winter. This is a form of cross-country skiing where we leave the groomed tracks behind and head off-track into forests, across rolling hills and frozen lakes, and climb to mountain plateaus. We use lighter equipment than alpine ski touring, travel longer distances and have more freedom than track skiing. The emphasis is on travel, distance and exploration. You should be prepared to deal with anything the terrain or weather throws at you.

Am I suited to this sport? Nordic off-track touring suits those who love to spend full days outside, are drawn to simplicity, solitude and rhythm, and who enjoy getting somewhere under their own power. Consider Nordic off-track an adventurous form of skiing for those who want to 'belong in the landscape'. Snow conditions, route and weather are unpredictable so expect the unpredictable and embrace this. 

Fitness and technique are important, but this sport is especially about mindset, and the following attributes are required:

• Patience & Calm - snow conditions vary, progress may be slow, you are okay with adjusting plans

• Team Spirit - in this winter environment we work as a team, supporting and helping each other

• Self-reliance - comfortable being far from help and shelter, and can manage your bodily needs

• Curiosity & Appreciation - you work with the terrain, while weather and daylight dictate your day

• Experience - grows slowly, with an understanding that turning back is sometimes necessary

Trip Grade Ensure you have read and understood the grading level for your trip and that you meet the requirements. All off-track ski grades can be found here.

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. When staying at the DNT lodge at Kraekkja there are generally no single rooms available, and we book rooms for two people to share. We cannot rule out being in a larger room for between 3 - 6 people, it is the mountains and we are grateful for a warm bed, hot showers and good food. A single room may be available on the first four nights and on the last night of this trip whilst staying in Geilo. The supplement, if a single is available for all five nights in Geilo, will be £390 in 2027 and £410 in 2028.

The statistics given on your itinerary relating to ascent, descent and distance should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required. This is a guideline to help you decide if, based on previous experience, your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip. We ask you to note that the even the most modern of technology can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance.

Your ski guide will have the maps required for this trip, but if you would like to arrive with your own maps we have listed those which cover the route:

Statens Kartverk Lankartdivisjonen 1:50,000 Turkart 'Geilo' and Turkart 'Finse'. New style Nordeca maps are also available; sheet 10039 'Hardangerjokulen' and sheet 10040 'Geilo'.

All maps are available online via the Map Shop www.themapshop.co.uk or from Stanfords in London https://www.stanfords.co.uk/

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. There is pleasure to starting your ski day in the sunrise, and skiing back with the sunset. Temperatures in December average -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°). Temperatures be lower, but rarely below  -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 great ski tracks. If we 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) we would expect you to be able to be efficient and keep moving and to manage your comfort.

Plastic credit or debit cards or smartphone pay systems are increasingly accepted throughout the areas where we run trips. Some countries, such as Norway, are moving towards a cashless society. However, in Europe, in the mountain areas where we run trips, a small amount of cash in the local currency is useful. For example, if you stop at a family-run mountain cafe or farm they may not accept cards or smartphone systems, and cash will be necessary. We recommend having enough cash in the local currency to pay for a few snacks and drinks. Whether to bring cash or not is at your own discretion.

The DNT stands for Den Norske Turistforening, which translates to the 'Norwegian Trekking Association'.  Local member associations operate 550 cabins across Norway, maintaining a network of 22,000 km (13,730 miles) of marked hiking trails and 7000 km (4375 miles) of branch-marked ski tracks. Each year, volunteers work a total of more than 800,000 hours maintaining this system. DNT Cabins are either 'staffed' or 'self-service'.

Staffed cabins Serve all meals; breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch which you make from the breakfast buffet. Meals are excellent in both quality and quantity. Almost all cabins have hot showers and electricity, either from the power grid or from a local generator. You can charge electrical items. They are cosy and traditional in style and are just as comfortable as a rustic hotel. They serve alcohol and normally sell basic items such as snacks, batteries, first aid items etc. Staffed cabins are open only in certain seasons.

Self-service cabins Equipped with all we need for cooking and sleeping. Firewood, gas, kitchen utensils, table linen and bunks with blanks or duvets and pillows. You should bring a 'sheet sleeping bag liner' for reasons of hygiene. The cabins are stocked with tinned and dried food. It is not possible to 'reserve' beds in self-service cabins and it is a case of 'first come, first served'. In the self-service cabins we look after ourselves: fetch water, cook food, wash up and chop wood.

You can read more about the DNT system and what to expect in terms of accommodation at the cabins in our Exploring Norway's Quiet Trails.

A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in your luggage. If your trip does not include luggage support carry a paper copy with you, but separate from your passport. You should check passport requirements with 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.  

NEW European Travel Regulations 2026 If you are travelling to Europe you may be impacted by a change to travel regulations. In the last quarter of 2026, the European Commission will roll out a U.S. style electronic travel authorisation system for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the EU. It is your responsibility to check for updates with regard to the introduction date.

We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country

If your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut a slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be useful for recharging phones etc. This type of accommodation will generally have electricity, but it may be limited in supply, and it is not always possible to charge items.

Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. If you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not.  Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size. 

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. We advise you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number. 

GHIC For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). The GHIC gives access to state healthcare in Europe either free or at a reduced cost. The GHIC is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.

EHIC 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 should apply for a GHIC.

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 operate a zero tolerance for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all items from the mountain, this includes toilet tissue, and those items you consider to be bio-degradable.

The waste water in mountain huts, also known as refuges/rifugios, often runs into nearby streams and rivers with a potential impact on the eco-system, though in many places steps are now being taken to avoid this. Whether or not your trip involves staying in a mountain hut we would nevertheless recommend you consider nature friendly sunscreens which only contain mineral UV-blocking ingredients such as oxide, and titanium dioxide.

You can read our Sustainable Travel Policy here.

Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means the price of our trips can change overnight. We have undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. 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. 

If you would like help preparing for your adventure you could consider booking a Quick Fix session with personal trainer Kate Brown. This is aimed at those who want to get ready for any of our winter activities. Your booking with Kate will involve a 45 minute 1:1 video consultation and action plan. You can read more about her ethos and experience here.

We also offer free training videos on our YouTube channel:

Best Strength Workout for XC Skiing | Physio-Approved Ski Prep Exercises

Cross-Country Ski Warm-Up Guide | Essential Mobility & Activation Exercises

Cool Down for XC Skiers | Prevent Injury & Boost Recovery

Or if you would like to read our blog on suggestions for preparing for either cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing click here

Off-track ski touring is a specialist activity that takes us into some of Norway’s most beautiful and remote wilderness areas. To make these journeys possible, we rely on the DNT mountain hut network, as there are no alternative accommodation options along the routes we ski. The DNT generally opens its hut bookings in November. Once bookings open, we will secure your accommodation and formally guarantee your trip, at which point you can go ahead and make your travel arrangements. We appreciate that you may be keen to get your travel plans organised, and we thank you for your patience. We will be in touch as soon as DNT bookings open and your accommodation is confirmed.