Jotunheimen, Norway Snowshoeing

Arrival

Travel to Meeting Point: Travel north by train from Oslo to Otta. We organise a group transfer from the station to your hotel for the train arriving at Otta at 1735 hrs. It departs Oslo Sentrum at 1402 hrs, or Gardermoen Airport at 1429 hrs. Train tickets should be purchased as soon as possible as can be 'sold out'. Reduced prices if booked in advance at Norwegian Trains. Generally tickets available 90 days before departure. Details of discounts, including those for Senior Citizens, can be found here

Travel to Norway by Train: Options from all major European cities. Book via www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. You can book from London, England, to Brussels, Belgium using the Eurostar www.eurostar.com, these tickets can be purchased up to 6 months in advance. Then train from Brussels, Belgium to Gothenburg, in Sweden, (Gotëborg) with stopover in Copenhagen, Denmark. For this you can use the German Railway website. Final leg from Gothenburg Central Station, in Sweden, to Oslo, Norway. Book with the Norwegian rail network www.vy.no.

Travel to Norway by Air: Fly to Oslo Gardermoen Airport or Torp, 1h45 from Oslo by public transport. Buses from Torp to Gardermoen every hour to connect with train to Otta.

Departure

Transfer to Otta train station included to take the 1131 hrs to Oslo. Possibility to depart the evening of the last day of snowshoeing, but transfer to Otta at your own cost.

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 the appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and the accommodation you will be staying in. 

Generally clothing for snowshoeing should be equivalent to that used for walking in the mountains in winter. For this trip we provide snow shovel, snow probe, walking poles and avalanche transceivers free of charge. The carrying of this safety equipment is compulsory and demonstrates ‘best practice’. 

If your shoesize is bigger than EU47 / UK 12 - please get in touch so we can make sure to supply you with the correct snowshoes.

Equipment

• Snowshoes - supplied free of charge

• Poles - supplied free of charge

• Avalanche Transceiver - supplied free of charge

• Snow Shovel - supplied free of charge 

• Snow Probe - supplied free of charge 

• Rucksack – 30-35 litres, with waist and chest strap. Ideally it should have a system that allows you to attach snowshoes if it is necessary to carry them.

• Rucksack – waterproof liner/cover

• Winter Hiking Boots - warm and waterproof. They must cover your ankles. A 'stiff' B2 boot which takes a crampon is not advised

• Bags to waterproof items, such as documentation

• Gaiters - useful on days with deep fresh snow

• Emergency foil blanket

• Micro-spikes - Needed for conditions when snowshoes are not practical or icy/slippery surface.

Clothing 

• Waterproof jacket - essential, this must keep you dry during a day of continuous snowfall or at least as dry as any waterproof jacket ever keeps you!

• Waterproof trousers - in case of heavy snowfall

• Trousers - windproof and warm 

• Thermal top - long sleeves

• Thin fleece - long sleeves

• Waistcoat - fleece/wind stopper 

• Gloves x 2 (one thick and one thin)

• Over-mittens for colder days can be useful

• Warm hat

• Sun hat

• Head/ear band 

• Duvet jacket (or second warm layer)

• Scarf or 'Buff' for neck

• Socks - 2 or 3 pairs

Comfort

• Lip salve

• Sunscreen - essential

• Sunglasses - essential

• Goggles - very useful in snowfall

• Snack bars/chocolate

• Tissues - we recommend biodegradable bags to dispose of rubbish

• Anti-bacterial hand wash

Personal First Aid

• Personal medication 

• Blister plasters (e.g. Compeed)

• Painkillers/anti-inflammatory

• Glucose tablets/Energy gel

• 2 x Rehydration sachets - eg Dioralyte

• Throat lozenges

• Antiseptic cream/spray

Documentation 

• Mountain Rescue/Ski Insurance documents - compulsory

• Passport

• Credit card

• Cash - NOK (Norwegian Kroner)

• GHIC - if travelling from UK for medical cover

Additional Items

• Clothing for use at accommodation

• Hair dryer if required 

• Travel Kettle if required 

• Camera/ Book/Music

• Toiletries – soap/shower gel; not all accommodation supplies these

• Ear plugs - if room sharing

• Small thermos for hot drinks

• Sit mat (optional)

**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**

Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit 

Adventure Lightly, Leave Only Footprints

• Green travel – take a train from anywhere in Europe & use electric transport upon arrival

• Local produce – enjoy meals made with locally sourced ingredients

• Support local – we use local snowshoe hire

• Keep it green – our stays are big on recycling!

• Say no to single-use – help us cut down on plastic waste

• Leave no trace – everything, even tissues, comes off the mountain with you

• Low-carbon destination –Norway has a low carbon footprint, using hydroelectric power & energy-efficient buildings

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.

For each trip a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm your trip will go-ahead. Minimum and maximum numbers are displayed in 'At a Glance' on the righthand of the trip page. If you book travel before we have emailed to confirm the trip is guaranteed we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss.

When booking this holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two 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 £125 in 2027 and £130 in 2028.

For these trips we supply, free of charge, all snowshoe equipment; snowshoes, hiking poles, avalanche transceiver, snow shovel and snow probe. The carrying of this equipment, worth £600 per person, is compulsory. We kindly ask that you take good care of the equipment supplied.

Avalanche Transceivers Wearing an avalanche transceiver is good practice in a winter environment. An avalanche transceiver is a device about the size of your hand which is worn under the top layers of your clothing. It emits a silent signal that can be picked up by anyone searching for you. You may have done previous snowshoe trips where the wearing of a transceiver was not compulsory, however, at Tracks and Trails your safety is paramount and wearing one is compulsory.

Boots Warm and waterproof hiking boots are essential, these can be 'summer' or 'winter' boots. They must cover your ankles and provide support, it is not possible to low cut hiking shoes or trainers.

For this trip where you are centre-based, in other words where you are staying in the same accommodation all week, you are welcome to bring whatever luggage you require. However, please note that not all the hotels we use have elevators. This means you may need to carry your luggage to your bedroom and this might involve climbing several flights of stairs. We would suggest that luggage with wheels is generally a good idea.

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 leader will carry the correct maps and you are not expected to navigate, but if you would like to have maps of the itinerary you will find that the map detailed below covers your itinerary: 

Cappelen Damm Kart 45 - Jotunheimen 1:100,000/1:50,000

Normally our accommodation at Gjendesheim DNT sells the above map as well as several others for this area.

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.

Food On our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes. If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem.  If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups. 

In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue.  If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us. We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.

Water If the accommodation has a problem with the water supply they will post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water, otherwise it is normal to drink from the tap. Hotels - It is not uncommon for restaurants to charge for tap water at the evening meal. If this is the case then Tracks and Trails will cover the cost. Mountain Huts - If your trip features a stay in a mountain hut/refuge and the tap water is not potable then Tracks and Trails will cover the cost of bottled water at the evening meal. Sparkling water is not included in this option and any cost should be covered by you.

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 snowshoe 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 - the following are aimed at those who snowshoe in winter, and hike in summer:

Get Fit for Hiking and Snowshoeing 1

Get fit for Hiking and Snowshoeing 2

We go to great lengths to work with first class guides who are passionate about their work. They are fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation. Note your snowshoe guide has our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment. This is particularly relevant in a winter environment where the snowpack can change on a daily basis. Your snowshoe guide will be a qualified International Mountain Leader. IML's 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, culuture and traditions. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page. 

On this trip your lunches are included in your trip fee. In Norway it is traditional to make your own packed lunch from the breakfast ingredients. Breakfast is normally a buffet with a large range of food on offer. You will be supplied with paper to wrap your sandwiches, but you might like to bring a lunch box. Bring a thermos flask for hot drinks.