A stunning introduction to Nordic ski touring with views to some of Norway's most famous mountain ranges. The Peer Gynt Løype, loipe or trail, is named after a local Norwegian hero characterised into fiction by author Henrik Ibsen. Our 120 km (75 miles) tour beginning north west of the Winter Olympic town of Lillehammer, skis the entire route in 'Peer Gynt Country'.
Skiing on prepared trails we make our way from the lakeside at Dalseter through a landscape of birch forests, distant mountains, frozen lakes and rivers and isolated farms. If this is your first cross country ski trip in Norway, be prepared to be blown away.
The mountains in the 'Peer Gynt Country' offer ideal cross country skiing terrain. The stable inland climate ensures good snow conditions throughout the winter. Most of the route sits at around 1000m (3280ft) where the ski trail travels along the remote Peer Gynt Mountain Road.
The nature and traditional culture of Gudbrandsdalen have been a source of inspiration for artists, and the myths and stories hold everything from trolls to historical people, like Per Gynt. The same character that inspired Henrik Ibsen when he wrote his world famous masterpiece, Peer Gynt. The real Per Gynt lived in the village of Sødorp by Vinstra, and has given his name to this mountain area. The region is well known for its natural beauty and there are good chances of seeing wildlife such as elk, foxes and birds of prey. It also gives magnificent views of the Jotunheimen and Rondane ranges.
This trip can also be organised as a bespoke holiday where the itinerary can be changed to match the number of days, ski locations and distances that suit the requirements of your group.
The scenery was spectacular and dramatic, we hardly saw another soul some days. We were expertly led by Emily, who was very supportive and encouraged us along the way. I just loved staying at Fefor, such a fantastic hotel. All our hotels had amazing views from the rooms.
Fantastic trip! Our guide Emily was competent, calm and reassuring. She helped me improve my technique significantly. Best moment - mastering snowploughing down hill!
Excellent accommodation, well organised, incredible, almost excessive food, beautiful scenery with some glorious descents.
The remoteness, peace, countryside, scenery and views in Norway make it a very special and memorable holiday destination. The excellent, enthusiastic, encouraging and fun guide and the comfortable accommodation and sumptuous food just add to the enjoyment of the holiday.
A spectacular trip. Great trails and amazing guides. I improved my skiing and had a fantastic time!
Great trip, fabulous snow, brilliant skills instruction. Lovely hotels & some amazing food, especially the buffet breakfasts. High point for me was crossing the Skardbua pass on the final day & Fefor hotel which is amazing!
A beautiful varied ski journey with time to practice and develop technique . Lovely quirky hotels, great food, best moment skiing over Skardbua Pass. I didn't expect the terrain to be so varied and undulating or so beautiful.
This was a wonderful trip. The scenery is stunning, and we were very lucky to have perfect ski conditions. The accommodation was varied but in all cases both comfortable and characterful. Lindsay was great as a guide - helping us with our skiing technique (which improved a lot in my case!) as well as looking after us extremely well and making sure we all had a fab time. Best moment? Lots to choose from, but probably the Skardbua pass - proper Norwegian mountain scenery!
Outstanding!!! Spectacular. We couldn’t have had a better guide for the group. We had a fabulous trip, Julia, and while we thanked Lindsay, I wanted to thank you too for all you did to make it possible. Thanks for accommodating our group. Everyone had a great time. The landscape was gorgeous. Blew my mind each day.
Your guide will meet you at the family run hotel at the top of the Espedalen Valley. One of the oldest settled sites in the area, the hotel has superb views across the lake and the mountains of the Jotunheim National Park. On arrival you can fully relax and take in the calm of the wilderness as we will spend three nights at the Dalseter Hotel. For 'Arrival' details please refer to the Trip Information section.
The Espedalen Valley is a popular ski area for locals offering a first class selection of well maintained trails. There are 220 km (137 miles) of well groomed tracks (enough to keep you busy for a week or two!), and it's the official start of the Peer Gynt Mountain Road. We have many options available to us for finding our ski legs and making use of the vast network of trails running straight past our hotel door. For those renting skis locally you can get used to your equipment, and if you've chosen to ski on traditional 'waxable' skis then your guide will show you how to prepare them. Skis that are waxed glide extremely well and it really is not difficult to learn the art of waxing. Excursions include lakeside tours, views to the Jotunheim peaks and drinks at the delightful Bingsbu 'warming' hut. After your ski enjoy a swim and a sauna in the hotel spa.
Ascent: 400-550m (1312-1804ft) Descent: 400-550m (1312-1804ft) Distance: 15 km+ (9.4 miles) per day.
Today we begin our point-to-point journey and begin the Peer Gynt Løype. A gentle climb leads to easier ground in the Hattdal Valley, through birch trees until we reach the start of a fun descent with views of the Rondane mountains on the horizon. Our trail twists and turns down through the pine forests until we reach the farms on the outskirts of Fefor, our destination for the night. With views of the Rutenfjell mountain and stunning frozen lake, our historic hotel built in 1891 was once a simple farm guest house. This soon became the winter residence for King Haakan and his family between 1907-1914, then later owned by the Dutch Queen Wilhelmine. Today the Fefor Høifjellshotel has kept it's rich character offering excellent accommodation and recently opened a newly built swimming pool.
Ascent: 231m (757ft) Descent 268m (879ft) Distance: 18km (11 miles)
Our trail runs directly on from the hotel in Fefor and takes an undulating route with some excellent downhills into the woodland along by the lake. Passing characterful mountain cabins it then heads alongside the Gålåvatnet lake offering easy skiing as we make our way to the small ski village of Gålå. Gålå is where the first Gudbrandsdal cheese was made in 1863, and each August a performance of Henrik Ibsen’s 'Peer Gynt' with music by Grieg is arranged at the outdoor arena by Gålåvatn lake. We usually stop at the characterful Peer Gynt cafe for an early lunch, and once fueled on coffee and cake we get to grips with the climb to the plateau.
Ascent: 393m (1289ft) Descent: 388m (1273ft) Distance: 15.2 km (9.5 miles)
After a hearty breakfast, we leave our mountain lodge and head off on what is a lovely day of skiing with a real Norwegian 'lifestyle' experience, passing isolated homesteads and villages along the way. As you ski you can ponder the challenges of living in an environment where winter is long, the snow deep, and any expedition outdoors requires skill with a ski-doo or skis. Undulating trails take us to the frozen fishing lake of Vedalsvatnet where the fishers sit immobile on the ice hoping for a 'bite'. We then pass the rustic hilltop village of Svinslåa before the long rolling descent to reach the Olympic ski area of Kvitfjell.
Ascent: 532m (1745ft) Descent: 708m (2322ft) Distance: 27 km (16.9 miles)
We start our final day by climbing steadily back up to Svinslåa, then a swooping descent to the valley, and on to the crossing of multiple trails at the high col at Skardbua. The col has a wild mountain ambiance, and you are under no illusion that you are truly in the Norwegian mountains. If the weather is kind, we will enjoy our picnic lunch before heading down the excellent descent to Skei. This 'home run' provides brilliant mountain views and does indeed give a grand finale to our 120km (75 miles) ski journey. Skei is the most southerly point of our tour dominated by Skeikampen mountain. We spend our final night at the Thon Hotel where once again we ski to the door.
Ascent: 640m (2099ft) Descent: 822m (2696ft) Distance: 29.5km (18.5 miles)
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 0907 hrs leaving Lillehammer for Oslo Gardermoen airport. It arrives at the airport at 1101hrs. NB: these train times will be published three months before travel at which point we will confirm. 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, and the train journey takes around 2 hrs.
If you would like to stay on after the tour to ski or explore then do let us know and we can book extra nights in Skei or make suggestions on other ski areas near by. You may like to stay in the Olympic town of Lillehammer and ski the many trails above the town.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. In many cases a single room is available for a supplementary fee, but these can be in short supply and require early booking. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
On this tour you will stay in excellent hotels with good facilities such as sauna's and swimming pools. Our guests are usually very pleasantly surprised by the standard of the hotels in Norway and this trip is no exception. Single rooms may be available on request for a supplementary payment. However, these are limited in number and we recommend that you book early if you wish to be sure of a single room. Please contact us for details.
For winter 2023 Lauvåsen may not be open, and we will use the newly opened Gålå Høgfjellshotell. We ask for your understanding with regard to this change. In winter 2023 many Norwegian hotels are acting as refugee centres for people from the Ukraine.
Dalseter is something of a Norwegian tradition. For generations Norwegians have traveled to spend part of the winter and, indeed, summer months at this mountain hotel. Beautifully situated at the top of the Espedalen valley at 930 meters above sea level, Dalseter Mountain hotel or 'Hoyfjellhotell' in Norwegian, has a wonderful view of the valley and the mountains in the Jotunheimen National Park. We spend three nights here, before beginning our journey.
Dalseter is a family-owned and managed hotel, where third generation hospitality welcomes you to the mountains. The hotel is run by Grethe Gillebo and it is always a pleasure to see her again. The rooms are simple but always cosy. There is a decent sized swimming pool, and saunas. There is also a small ski tow in front of the hotel which can be useful for those who want to do lots of descents! There is a small fee for using the tow which you can pay direct to the hotel. There is also a shop with snacks, and useful ski items, as well as some clothing such as hats and gloves.
With views of the Rutenfjell mountain and stunning frozen lake, this historic hotel, built in 1891, was once a simple farm guest house. This soon became the winter residence for King Haakan and his family between 1907-1914, then later owned by the Dutch Queen Wilhelmine. Today, the Fefor Høifjellshotel has kept it's rich character offering excellent accommodation and has recently opened a newly built swimming pool.
We love Fefor for its views, and comfort, and especially for its food. Dinner is copious with a huge variety of meats, fish, cheeses, salads, and desserts. Most of our guests seem to also feel the need to order traditional Norwegian waffles, sour cream, and jam on their arrival!
Lauvåsen Mountain Lodge is located in the mountains above the valley of Gudbransdalen. At an altitude of 960 metres, it can be found in a beautiful landscape surrounded by mountain plateaux, lakes and stunning views towards the mountains of the Rondane and Jotunheim. Langleiken, the black wooden lodge, where we usually stay was built in 1898 and provides a cosy overnight location with a log fire.
For winter 2023 Lauvåsen may not be open, and we will use the newly opened Gålå Høgfjellshotell. We will update this page once new images and information are available from Gålå Høgfjellshotell. We ask for your understanding with regard to this change. In winter 2023 many Norwegian hotels are acting as refugee centres for people from the Ukraine.
The lodge has bedrooms on two floors, and there are shared toilet and shower facilities on each floor. We are provided with bed linen and we would ask you to kindly make up your own beds. Dinner is served in the main building adjacent and it will often be the owner, local entrepreneur Tore, who will serve you himself. Usually dinner will be local produce, such as elk burgers!
In winter 2023 we expect to be staying at Gålå Hotel in Gålå instead of Lauvåsen Mountain Lodge. These changes have been necessary due to events created by the pandemic and hotel closures in this remote area of Norway. The hotel is built in traditional Norwegian style, and has simple but cosy bedrooms. It is conveniently placed for the store and ski tracks in the village.
The Kvitfjell Hotel is situated high on the mountain with great views Gudbrandsdalen to the lake, and the Olympic alpine slopes of the Kvitfjell ski area. The rooms are cosy with en suite facilities and the hotel restaurant supplies a tasty and plentiful dinner.
Within a short distance you will find restuarants, grocery store, a sport shop and a cosy afters bar. As with all of our hotels on this trip we ski almost to the door!
Our hotel at Skeikampen is right at the end of our journey and we take our skis off almost at the door. Dinner is normally a Norwegian style buffet with plentiful delicious food. The rooms are spacious and comfortable.
Breakfast is probably the best on offer on this trip and worth savouring before our departure to Lillehammer and the train station.
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. Arrival times should give sufficient time before the departure of the train to Vinstra to allow you to prepare your kit and to store any excess luggage at the airport.
We ask you to plan your flights to allow you to take the train from Oslo Gardermoen airport at 1429hrs, arriving at Vinstra at 1716hrs. By taking this train you will benefit from our group transfer from the station at Vinstra which is included in your trip fee. If you think your flight will not make the 1429hrs train, please contact us before booking your flights to discuss the options.
The train timetables are published 3 months beforehand, but the time varies very little. You can also take the morning train fro Oslo which arrives at Vinstra at 1107 hrs, and then take the local bus at 1155hrs. This is not included in your trip fee but is inexpensive and means you can arrive earlier in the day.
Important Update: Until further notice there are no trains travelling north of Lillehammer. At Lillehammer you will transfer to a bus for the remainder of your journey. In summer 2023 the railway bridge at Ringebu was destroyed by floods, and the train is now replaced by a bus service. It is crucial that you book your ticket (which will include the section by bus) as soon as they are available. The buses are often fully booked.
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 0907 hrs leaving Lillehammer for Oslo Gardermoen airport. It arrives at the airport at 1101hrs. 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.
When booking a trip we ask you to acquire insurance to cover you for the following:
Mountain Rescue Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, mountain rescue, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page. Most of our trips have a maximum altitude of 3,000 metres. If you are unsure or are joining a bespoke trip, then please ask us for specific details.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Please note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable, unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
COVID-19 Insurance
As well as medical cover, we recommend that you have appropriate travel insurance so that if you fall ill and test positive for COVID-19 prior to (or during) your trip, you will be financially covered for cancelling your trip. You should also consider booking a policy that covers you if you have to cancel or curtail your holiday because you have to self-isolate. If you choose to cancel, cancellation charges will be payable, but if the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. Please read the clauses below detailing trip cancellation and curtailment.
Travel Insurance covering COVID-19 is now available from a number of suppliers, Campbell Irvine, Trailfinders and Staysure. Please check their websites for the latest information on what is and isn't covered. It is likely that more companies will offer COVID related cover in the future.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Winter temperatures in Scandinavia are 'according to the locals' warmer in recent years than previously which is why we now run trips in the months of January, and February, as well as 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°).
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!
King Bore - 'King of Winter' from Nordic mythology says he can't promise anything, but in 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.
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 2023 the charge for classic ski hire, either a waxing ski or skintec ski with NNN binding is 615 NOK per person for 6 days. If you want to hire a metal edged ski with BC NNN boots this will be 695 NOK. 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. In 2023 it will cost a total of 2200 NOK (approx. £180) which will be shared between those hiring. You may want to check how many will be hiring and therefore the cost of the return of the skis.
There is no charge for using the ski tracks in Norway, and therefore no ski pass is required.
Your safety while skiing is our top 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.
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.
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Additional Items
**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
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
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. This trip has a single supplement of £250.
We go to great lengths to work with first class ski instructors who are passionate about their work.
Your ski instructor 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 countries your ski instructor will hold the national qualification required for the country you are visiting. All are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
In the majority of cases your instructor will also be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders 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, and traditions of the area which you are visiting.
Please note your instructor has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
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.
On this trip your lunches are included in your trip fee. In Norway it is traditional to make up your own packed lunch from the breakfast ingredients. Breakfast is normally a buffet with a large range of food on offer with more than enough interesting items to prepare a tasty sandwich. You will be supplied with paper to wrap them in. You can also ask to have a thermos flask filled with a hot drink.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
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
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes that reflect the culture of the country and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for the traditional food of the region.
If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance to a certain food type which will make you ill the accommodation will cater for this as best they can, eg gluten free, nut free, lactose free.
If you are vegetarian then this is not a problem as the hotels/refuges are used to being asked for vegetarian meals. Our accommodation will try to cater for those with vegan diets but in remote refuges in the mountains this is more difficult. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet please contact us. Gluten-free diets will be possible with regard to the evening meals, but we would advise that you bring along some gluten-free snacks for your breakfasts and lunches.
If you have a 'special' diet which is NOT because of an allergy or intolerance, and is not 'veggie' then we apologise, but we cannot cater for this. The accommodation on the popular routes will be catering for many people each evening, in some cases up to 70/80 meals per night, 7 days a week, and realistically they cannot produce many different meal options unless the food will result in illness.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water. At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check 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.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
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.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
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’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
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 would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. 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 in your individual case.
Due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. These are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards in terms of the service we offer our guests. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means that your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements.
There may be occasions when our partners have helped book your accommodation and organise the logistics for your trip. On these occasions your hotel may have recorded your room reservation in the name of one of our partners.
We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same package as Tracks and Trails Ltd. The price will be the same, though occasionally they may be operating in a different currency. Your itinerary and the items that are included, or not included in your trip fee, will also be the same.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. If you have any questions about this policy please contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
When booking a trip during the pandemic we ask that you keep an open mind and be willing to adapt and be flexible.
Any holiday taken during the Covid-19 pandemic may be subject to change and with little or no notice of that change. As the past months have proven no-one can predict the situation from one week to the next, however, we will do our very best to gauge the best response to any new developments. New restrictions or guidelines might affect where we eat out, which accommodation we can stay in, and potentially transport arrangements if the numbers in vehicles are restricted.
Itineraries may not be exactly as advertised due to new regulations or restrictions. We are sure there will be various scenarios which we have not even thought about that might lead to a change or adaptation in the itinerary.
Please read our Covid-19 Cancellation Policy and ensure you have appropriate insurance as per our recommendations. We also ask that you make yourself aware of the entry requirements of any country you are visiting on your trip. We have compiled a Travel Links Advice list to help you source the correct information.
Prices may vary depending on date.
Code | Start date | Return date | Dates | Price | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PEG1 | Sat 03 Feb | Sat 10 Feb |
Sat 03 Feb - Sat 10 Feb Code: PEG1 |
Price: £2095 | Spaces available | Book |
PEG2 | Sat 17 Feb | Sat 24 Feb |
Sat 17 Feb - Sat 24 Feb Code: PEG2 |
Price: £2135 | Limited availability | Book |
PEG3 | Sat 09 Mar | Sat 16 Mar |
Sat 09 Mar - Sat 16 Mar Code: PEG3 |
Price: £2135 | Spaces available | Book |
The scenery was spectacular and dramatic, we hardly saw another soul some days. We were expertly led by Emily, who was very supportive and encouraged us along the way. I just loved staying at Fefor, such a fantastic hotel. All our hotels had amazing views from the rooms.
Fantastic trip! Our guide Emily was competent, calm and reassuring. She helped me improve my technique significantly. Best moment - mastering snowploughing down hill!
Excellent accommodation, well organised, incredible, almost excessive food, beautiful scenery with some glorious descents.
The remoteness, peace, countryside, scenery and views in Norway make it a very special and memorable holiday destination. The excellent, enthusiastic, encouraging and fun guide and the comfortable accommodation and sumptuous food just add to the enjoyment of the holiday.
A spectacular trip. Great trails and amazing guides. I improved my skiing and had a fantastic time!
Great trip, fabulous snow, brilliant skills instruction. Lovely hotels & some amazing food, especially the buffet breakfasts. High point for me was crossing the Skardbua pass on the final day & Fefor hotel which is amazing!
A beautiful varied ski journey with time to practice and develop technique . Lovely quirky hotels, great food, best moment skiing over Skardbua Pass. I didn't expect the terrain to be so varied and undulating or so beautiful.
This was a wonderful trip. The scenery is stunning, and we were very lucky to have perfect ski conditions. The accommodation was varied but in all cases both comfortable and characterful. Lindsay was great as a guide - helping us with our skiing technique (which improved a lot in my case!) as well as looking after us extremely well and making sure we all had a fab time. Best moment? Lots to choose from, but probably the Skardbua pass - proper Norwegian mountain scenery!
Outstanding!!! Spectacular. We couldn’t have had a better guide for the group. We had a fabulous trip, Julia, and while we thanked Lindsay, I wanted to thank you too for all you did to make it possible. Thanks for accommodating our group. Everyone had a great time. The landscape was gorgeous. Blew my mind each day.
From Price | £2095 |
Holiday Type | Point to Point Track Skiing |
Duration | 8 Days |
Group Size | 4-8 |
Minimum Age | 18 |
Maximum Altitude | 1200m (3937ft) |
Countries Visited | Norway |
Meet In | Vinstra, Norway |
One of our guests has compiled this lovely film showing what it is like to ski the route. Thank you Angela.
In 2018 Richard Etellin put together this montage of images from the trip. Lovely to see blue skies and happy guests!