Norway Ski Squad

Arrival

We recommend flying to Gardermoen airport, Oslo. This is the main airport and is easily accessible from Oslo city. It is also possible to fly to Oslo Torp or Oslo Rygge with Ryanair, but you will need to allow more time between Olso city centre and these airports. Transfer links to Oslo are to be found on the Torp airport website. 

To take advantage of the group transfer to your hotel, which is included in your trip fee, we ask you to plan your flights to take the train from Oslo Gardermoen airport at 1429hrs to Vinstra arriving at 1711hrs. This train is normally displayed on the departure board as Trondheim S. This can be done at vy.no, and the ticket downloaded to your phone. Train tickets should be purchased as soon as possible as they can be 'sold out'. Some services may not be available for purchase until 60 days before departure. Details of discounts, including those for Senior Citizens, can be found here

You can also take a morning train from Oslo to Vinstra, and then the local bus at 1155 hrs from Vinstra Railway Station to your accommodation at Dalseter Høyfjellshotell. The line is number 240 Skåbu-Dalseter and is operated by Innlandstrafikk. This bus is not included in your trip fee, but is inexpensive and means you can arrive earlier in the day. Timetables for the bus are also available on line at vy.no.

Travelling to Norway by Train: There are options for rail travel to Norway from all major European cities. For example from the UK you can overnight in Copenhagen, Denmark, however, there are many possibilities. The easiest way to book is via Rail Europe or The Train Line. If you're travelling from the UK or USA then take a look at the multi-day pass travel system provided by Eurail. If you would like to book each stage as an individual journey you can view the example given below which shows how to get from the UK to Copenhagen, in Denmark.

Travel from London, England, to Brussels, Belgium using the Eurostar. These tickets can be purchased up to 6 months ahead of your travel date. Then book a train from Brussels, in Belgium to Gothenburg, in Sweden, (Gotëborg) adding a stopover in Copenhagen, Denmark. For this you can use the German Railway website. A full day on the train sees you arriving in Copenhagen in the evening. 

The final leg of your journey is from Gothenburg Central Station, in Sweden, to Oslo, Norway, and this can be booked using Vy the Norwegian rail network. All the trains have Wi-Fi, charging points and a restaurant car.

Departure

We will organise your transfer from your hotel in Skeikampen to the train station at Lillehammer, this is included in your trip fee. The train we will aim for is the 1015 hrs leaving Lillehammer for Oslo Gardermoen airport. It arrives at the airport at 1201hrs. These train times will be published three months before the travel date and may vary by a few minutes. If you need to reach the airport earlier PLEASE ADVISE US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If you choose to leave the hotel in Skeikampen either before or after the group transfer to Lillehammer this will be at your own cost. The trains from Lillehammer to Oslo Gardermoen Airport leave approximately every hour throughout the day. It may be possible to take a bus from Skei at the end of the last day of skiing to reach Lillehammer that evening with a  view to taking an early train to Oslo. Please contact us if you would like to consider this option. 

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 will encounter and accommodation you will be staying in. 

Equipment

This trip uses ‘classic’ style track skis. If you are bringing your own skis they must fit in the tracks. Ideally no wider than 60mm, but an absolute maximum of 66mm otherwise your skis will 'catch' in the tracks and you will not have a good experience. You can use track skis which are 'waxing', 'fishscale' or 'skintec'. You can also use track skis with a metal edge, or half metal edge. If in doubt about the suitability of your own skis please contact us.

Skis, boots, and poles - can be hired at the start of the trip. The cost of hire is indicated in 'Trip Information'. If you are intending to hire you must inform us as soon as possible as equipment must be booked in advance. The type of ski supplied by the hire shop is provided in the 'Ski Rental' section of the Trip Information page. 

• Wax Cork and Ski Scraper - only if using 'waxing' skis, these can be bought at the hire shop
• Ski ties - to hold your skis together, useful but not essential
• Waxes - if required, these will be supplied by Tracks and Trails
• Rucksack - 25 to 30 litres with waist and chest strap. You need space to carry your kit, and an item of group kit
• Rucksack waterproof cover or liner to keep contents dry
• Water container - 1 litre, drink tubes and bottles stowed on the outside of your rucksack usually freeze in winter
• Whistle
• Emergency foil blanket - safety item to be carried in rucksack
• Sit mat (to isolate you from the ground)

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 - lightweight, 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 - or Nordic Ski Visor
• 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 - Norwegian Kroner
• GHIC - if travelling from UK for medical cover

Additional Items

• Slippers for use at accommodation
• Clothing for use at accommodation
• Hair dryer if required (it is not standard for Norwegian hotels to provide one)
• Travel Kettle if required (it is not standard for Norwegian hotels to provide one)
• Swimwear for when sauna is available
• Camera/ Book/Music
• Toiletries – soap/shower gel; not all accommodation supplies these
• Ear plugs - if room sharing
• Small thermos for hot drinks
• Short gaiters for snowy days
• Head torch - plus spare batteries
• Padlock - for luggage being transferred
• 1 Medium sized - kitbag/holdall/suitcase
• Micro-spikes/boot grippers - optional, for icy conditions on the street/car park
• Sit mat (optional)

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

Your luggage will be moved each day by a taxi driver. Please restrict yourself to one bag of approximately 15kg (33lbs) per person. Not all hotels have 'lifts' and you must be able to carry your luggage upstairs. There may be a charge imposed by the taxi company if you have more than 1 bag, and we would ask you to cover this. 

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

For this tour you will be using 'classic' track skis. Ski rental is arranged with the hotel and you can have waxing skis, or skintec skis with or without metal edges. All skis have NNN bindings and Fischer touring boots.

For winter 2027 the charge for classic ski hire, either a waxing ski or skintec ski with NNN binding is around the 930 NOK per person for 6 days. If you want to hire a metal edged ski with BC NNN boots there will be a small additional charge for these. BC boots are more robust, heavier and offer more support, but are not necessary for the Peer Gynt. If you wish to hire skis you should have already provided details on your Booking Form. 

Your skis have to be collected from our final hotel at the end of the journey, and returned to the hire shop. It will cost a total of 2500 NOK (approx. £190) which will be shared between those hiring. In general most of the group will hire and therefore it can be divided by up to 8 people. You may want to check how many will be hiring and therefore the cost of the return of the skis.

If you are bringing your own skis and would like to store a bag The Stasjonen Hotel in Lillehammer, Norway provide bag storage for 60 NOK per day.

There is no charge for using the ski tracks in Norway, and therefore no ski pass is required.

When creating private trips for guests your trip fee does not include the cost of additional expenses such as transport, accommodation or cable cars which may be required to complete your route due to itinerary changes. We aim to complete the agreed itinerary, however, in terms of both safety and enjoyment the route can only be followed when conditions/weather are appropriate. Your guide will make a decision on your route based on those conditions. Any decision by your guide will be final and indisputable. We therefore, if required, ask that you are prepared to cover these unforeseen expenses. It is rare that we need to apply this, but by operating on a case-by-case basis we avoid building these costs into your agreed trip price.

At Dalseter they begin to prepare the tracks as soon as they have enough snow in December and continue until mid-April or after Easter. In Espedalen they begin to prepare the tracks as soon as they have enough snow and continue until mid-April /after Easter. Track machines in Espedalen have GPS with GSM transmitters so that the status of preparation are updated in real time and published on www.skisporet.no.

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.

We go to great lengths to work with first-class ski instructors who are passionate about their work. They will be a BASI qualified, or equivalent, Nordic Ski Instructor. BASI is the British Association of Snowsport Instructors and is one of Europe's leading examining boards for those choosing a career in snow sports. For some trips your ski instructor will hold the national qualification required for the country you are visiting. All are fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.

In the majority of cases your instructor will also 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, culture and traditions. Your instructor has complete discretion to make a decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. You can learn more about our guides and instructors at About Us. 

We grade this trip as Intermediate, for skiers with previous track cross country skiing experience. On our first day we will spend time finding our ski legs, and we will then have a second day at Dalseter before we are committed to our point-to-point journey. 

Expect to ski on a mixture of both flat and rolling terrain on prepared trails. You should already be at a level where you are confident about controlling your speed and direction, and have a good ‘snowplough’. You should be able to cope with skiing under control on a variety of terrain both uphill and downhill, and be confident about tackling corners while skiing downhill. All our trips include quality instruction, but for these trips you need to have a good ‘kick and glide’ to be able to travel competently and at a steady pace. You should have a good level of fitness to ensure that you are comfortable with longer days in winter weather, which may include snowfall and cold winds. You should be happy to ski on a variety of snow including perfect fresh tracks, AND tracks less than perfect which may be ‘firm’. On our point-to-point trips you will be expected to carry a small daypack. Time on skis will be 5-6 hours per day covering approximately 15-25 km (9.4-15.6 miles) per day with an occasional longer day.

On this point-to-point trip you will have luggage support which means your bags are transferred each day to the next accommodation and you only need to carry a small/medium sized 'rucksack' for items you might need during the course of the day. Please refer to the kit list for this trip for guidance on the size of rucksack required.

As your luggage will be moved along the route by taxi we ask that you keep the weight to a maximum of 15kgs (33lbs), and ONE bag per person. Many of the taxi companies who move your bags impose a 15kg (33lbs) limit and restrict the number of bags simply because they have to unload and reload the vehicle many times each day. If you take more than one bag you may be asked to pay a supplement. Also with regard to weight be aware that you may have to carry your luggage to your bedroom, which may involve climbing several flights of stairs as not all hotels have elevators. Luggage on 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 a map of the itinerary you will find the one below covers the route: 

Nordeca 2563: Peer Gynts Rike - Turkart 1:50,000

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. We have never yet had guests feeling they were losing out in terms of ski hours by booking in January or February. There is a special pleasure to starting your ski day in the sunrise, and skiing back with the sunset. 

Historically temperatures in December have averaged -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°). Clearly there is the potential for temperatures to drop much lower, but rarely lower than  -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 therefore great ski tracks. If we do 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 'Expert' point-to-point journeys and we experience very cold temperatures eg -15°Celsius (5°F) then 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.

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

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.