Norwegian winter GUIDED TOURS 2016 What’s new? • Rondane Classic Tour / PAGE 4 • Across Hardangervidda / PAGE 7 • Hardangervidda south to north / PAGE 7 • New year celebration in Femundsmarka / PAGE 12 Experiencing nature – enrichment for life www.dntoslo.no Important information PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND FITNESS PREPARATIONS before booking The tours differ in grade and length. It is important to choose a tour that is not too challenging for you. All tours are for skiers with previous experience with mountain skiing. You should be Climate, weather and ski conditions capable of skiing up and downhill in unprepared trails, carrying a backpack for 6–7 hours a day Norway shares the same latitude as Alaska, or more, even if weather and snow conditions are bad. It is highly recommended to undertake WELCOME TO GUIDED Greenland and Siberia, but compared to these some training to build your fitness before the tour. If you are not sure which tour to choose we areas Norway has a more pleasant climate. recommend to start with a tour graded Easy, with permanent stay at one of our lodges and Meanwhile the winter can be quite stormy and day trips from there. As you get more experienced you can increase the level of difficulty. the weather changeable. To prepare for this, please follow our recommended pack list (p. 15). WINTER TOURS IN NORWAY Winter temperatures in the mountains in the GRADING OF GUIDED SKI TOURS southern part of Norway vary from about -5 to -20°C. Windy weather lowers the temperature Our grading scale takes both tour length and type of terrain into consideration. The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT Oslo og Omegn) organises guided ski tours. All ski tours include dramatically. The tours from cabin to cabin are in accommodation at staffed mountain lodges or self-service cabins and all meals, and the tour guide is one of our unprepared trails and often with deep snow. Easy Day tours from a cabin or easy skiing activity suitable for everyone. The length of the tour experienced DNT winter tour leaders. We also offer transport from Oslo directly to the mountains. Ski gear and ski rentals can usually be adjusted based on the skiing skills of the participants. Previous experience of This brochure presents our guided tours led by English speaking tour leaders. For more details about the tours For mountain ski touring in unprepared trails, mountain skiing with backpack is necessary. Terrain comparatively flat without major variation you will need broader skis, more robust boots in altitude. Recommended for skiers with experience, but as the first mountain ski tour in and for online booking, please visit our website www.dntoslo.no/english and bindings and stronger ski poles with larger Norway. baskets, than you might choose for skiing in prepared cross-country trails. Note that heavy Medium slalom skis and randonné skis with continental Previous experience with high altitude mountain skiing is essential. Tours uphill and downhill boots are not appropriate for the conditions, and for up to about 15 km a day. must not be used. For more information about how to choose the proper touring skis see Intermediate www.dntoslo.no/english/tips. Several years of high altitude mountain skiing experience. Tours involve long climbs and steep downhills for up to 25 km a day. On some tours there may be steep downhills that require the Ski rentals is possible for the following tour: ability to cope with slopes and traverses safely in variable snow conditions. If you are unsure about Tour 10736 Magic midwinter in Langsua. your downhill ability, check the details of the tour or ask for more information about the terrain. Ski rental is to be prebooked from Espedalen Sportell. E-mail: [email protected] Advanced These tours are for especially good skiers that have several years of mountain skiing experi- Cabins/meals ence, very good skiing skills, are fit and have very good endurance. On some tours there may The DNT cabins are known for their cosy and be steep downhills that require the ability to cope with slopes and traverses safely in variable intimate atmosphere and friendly service. Three snow conditions. If you are unsure about your downhill ability, check the details of the tour or meals are included each day except the first and ask for more information about the terrain. last. These are breakfast-buffet, lunch pack with a filling for your own thermos flask and 3-course General for all guided tours, Skiing is in unprepared trails. dinner. The first meal is normally dinner on arrival at the first lodge. Accommodation will be in 4 bedded rooms or larger. The lodges are open to everybody, so at busy times you need to be prepared to share rooms with people you do not know. If the cabins are very crowded, it may even be necessary to sleep on mattresses on the floor. In self-service cabins, there is no reservation of beds. In these cabins, all parti- cipants must help with cooking, dishwashing, water supply, cleaning and general house- keeping. All necessary provision can be found in a stock room. Rondane PHOTO: SINDRE THORESEN LØNNES. COVER: CAMILLA HORTEN THORESEN LØNNES. SINDRE COVER: PHOTO: Femundsmarka Magic full moon over Iungsdalshytta in Skarvheimen. Langsua Explore more of Norway Oslomarka Extending your stay! Hardangervidda ABOUT OUR DNT WINTER TOUR LEADERS How does staying a few extra days in the mountains sound? You can book Skarvheimen All our tour guides have completed the DNT’s special training course for winter tour leaders or other training of the same standard and quality. a tour without transport or with transport one way and have a longer stay Our winter tour leaders have experience with ski tours, and show a high level of skill and expertise when it comes to touring the mountains during in the first or last lodge of the ski tour. Alternatively, you can participate Jotunheimen winter. They lead the tours on a voluntary basis, motivated by their passion for the mountains, for ski touring, for being on tour with others who on two guided ski tours and get to explore different mountain areas. Breheimen share the same interest, and for the DNT. Please contact our DNT Tour Information Centre (see last page for contact info) to get advice about which tours that can be combined. Dovrefjell 2 Winter 2016 More information about booking, guided tours and cabins at www.dntoslo.no/english More information about booking, guided tours and cabins at www.dntoslo.no/english Winter 2016 3 Guided winter tours in Norway 2016 Guided winter tours in Norway 2016 PHOTO: SINDRE THORESEN LØNNES. SINDRE PHOTO: PHOTO: ELLEN NÆSJE. PHOTO: Getting ready for today’s skiing adventure. The ski tour follows the waymarked routes in unprepared trails. RONDANE BREHEIMEN Rondane was declared a National Park in 1962, the first in the country. This area is still home to one of Norway’s last Breheimen National Park and the Jostedal glacier are located west of Jotunheimen, between Sognefjorden, herds of wild reindeer. Many of the peaks reach above 2000 meters. Rondane is smaller than, and not as wild as, Nordfjord and Ottadalen. The names connote snow and cold, roped mountaineers and gaping crevasses, but there Jotunheimen National Park. Nevertheless, with its range of peaks, valleys and mountain areas, it offers a challenge is much more to be experienced. The largest glacier on mainland Europe and a bevy of other glacier areas offer for those who love the feeling of untamed nature combined with the possibility of exploring the peaceful areas. abundant adventures. The lushness of the valleys is as impressive as the barrenness of the peaks. Highlights of Rondane extra night at Rondvassbu. Accom- Rondane Classic Tour climb a peak when staying an extra Highlights in Breheimen spectacular glacier, Fortundalsbreen. modation will be in DNT lodges, night at Rondvassbu. Typical for this area is challenging Tour 10762 7 days Medium Tour 10763 7 days Intermediate Tour 10806 6 days Intermediate hotel and self-service cabins. Lodges: Hjerkinn Fjellstue terrain with steep descends. With Departure dates: Mon 7/3 Lodges: Smuksjøseter Departure dates: Sat 12/3, Sat 19/3 & Fjellridning Departure date: Sat. 12/3 good weather conditions, we can This tour starts at Høvringen in the – Rondvassbu (2 nights) The tour is crossing Rondane – Grimsdalshytta This ski tour runs through the enjoy a breath-taking view of the western part of Rondane, continu- – Bjørnhollia from north to south, a classic – Øvre Dørålseter National Park Breheimen, which surrounding peaks. ing southwards and ending up in – Eldåbu (self-service cabin) route offering great variations in – Rondvassbu (2 nights) hosts the largest glacier of Norway, Lodges: Sota Sæter (2 nights) the Ringebu Mountains. Open – Venabu Fjellhotell landscape. You can experience all – Bjørnhollia Jostedalsbreen. The first two nights – Nørdstedalseter (2 nights) plateaus, massive peaks, wilderness Transport: Departure from/to from plunging valleys to spectacular Transport: Departure from Oslo/ we stay at the charming staffed – Sognefjellshytta and magic light are all ingredients Oslo/Oslo Airport Gardermoen mountains and open plateaus. As we Oslo Airport Gardermoen by train lodge, Sota Sæter. This is a good Transport: Departure from/return for a perfect winter tour. There are by train and return to Oslo/Oslo move southward the majestic range and return to Oslo/Oslo Airport way to test our skiing skills and get to Oslo by bus. no steep ascents or descents unless Airport Gardermoen by train. of peaks over 2000 meters will ap- Gardermoen by bus. to know each other. On the way to ELLEN NÆSJE. PHOTO: you climb a peak when staying the pear. There will be an opportunity to Nørdstedalseter we will cross the On the way to Nørdstedalseter.