Cross-Country Skiing Holidays, Tours & Courses
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Although these holidays are designed as a learning experience, they are great fun and involve touring through some of the most beautiful winter scenery that Norway can offer. Suitable for both adults, children and families, they are perfect for those wishing to learn to cross-country ski, those wishing to improve their technique, or those simply wanting to tour on excellent tracks through a beautiful landscape. Both classic and skating techniques are taught, and coaching can be provided for skiers wishing to hone their skills in preparation for one or more of the testing ski marathon races.
On any one course skiers are grouped (and instructed) according to their ability and requirements. Children are either grouped separately, or accommodated sensibly within an adult group. The holidays are structured for a maximum of 12 skiers per course and the instructor / client ratio will never exceed 1:8. The holidays are based at the Wadahl Høgfjellshotell, (www.wadahl.no).
A mini-biathlon experience is offered during the holiday and other highly recommended activities include tobogganing (very exciting!) dog-sledding (real huskies!) or a Norwegian aquavit experience in a traditional aquavit house (amazing – adults only!).
This holiday gives experienced skiers the chance to spend six days skiing from hotel to hotel on prepared tracks in the 'Peer Gynt' region of the Gudbrandsdal. The week starts at Dalseter (www.dalseter.no) in Espedalen, where we spend the first day regaining 'ski legs'. On day 2, the first day of the tour, we ski through some truly memorable mountain scenery to Fefor, where accommodation is provided at the Fefor Høgfellshotell (www.fefor.no). It was here that Captain Scott spent his last winter preparing for his epic expedition to Antarctica!
The third day is spent skiing through high forests and then down the valley to the Gålå ski arena. The route finally winds its way up to the Wadahl Høgfjellshotell(www.wadahl.no) in the attractive mountain village of Gålå. This is the base for all our skills holidays and telemark courses.
On day 4 we ski to Lauvåsen (www.lauvaasen.net). Built originally as a hunting lodge in 1898, the Lauvåsen Fjellstue has had many uses over the years, including that of a registered clinic for asthmatics. It has now been converted into very comfortable, yet traditional, accommodation with its own high quality restaurant. We also spend day 5 at Lauvåsen, where you are offered the option of a 'Norwegian Experience Day', or a further day's ski tour in the local area.
On the last day we ski back to Wadahl, using a different route. Technical coaching can be included throughout the week.
If you wish to join this holiday, you should have at least one season’s cross-country skiing experience.
This new tour gives another opportunity for experienced skiers to spend six days skiing in a new area on superb tracks which are frequently used by international teams and also used for two of Norway’s famous ski marathons.
The week starts at the Sjusjøen Hoyfjellshotell (www.Sjusjoenhotell.no), 16kms up the mountain from Lillehammer where clients spend the first day regaining ski legs and preparing skis and equipment for the tour. On day 2 we ski north to the Hornsjø Høyfjellshotell (www.hornsjoe.com), a high mountain hotel, situated on the northern edge of the Sjusjøen arena in grand scenery. Many of the tracks are on the treeline so are exposed but afford good views of the distant Jotunheim Mountains.
Day 3 is spent skiing west towards the Gudbrandsdal, and around large lakes to the Nordseter Sportell (www.booking.com/Nordseter-Sportell). We spend two nights in this privately owned apartment hotel, which has a good swimming pool and private restaurant. A local route is selected around Nordseter for Day 4.
On day 5 we ski down to Lillehammer, via Sjusjøen, linking into the last 16kms of the famous Birkebeiner Marathon ski route. This is one of the most exhilarating cross-country ski routes anywhere and is predominantly downhill. It takes us through the Olympic arenas in Lillehammer, underneath the Olympic ski jumps, (where a World Cup event will be taking place) and ending up at the SAS Radisson hotel (www.radissonblu.com/lillehammer) in Lillehammer where we spend the last two nights.
On the Saturday, there are options for visits to the Olympic Museum, shopping in Lillehammer, tobogganing, and for those who have not tired of skiing, the annual Norwegian Women only Marathon, the Inga Låmi (30 kms classic race) takes place in the Olympic Cross-Country arena just above the hotel! Let us know if you wish to enter.
Total distance for the week is between 90 and 120 kms, depending on routes selected and weather conditions.
We will be running a beginners/intermediates course in 2012. This course will be based at Wadahl (www.wadahl.no). The course will utilise the alpine slopes at Gålå, and may also use the more demanding pistes at Kvitfjell or Hafjell.
As well as being an exhilarating discipline in its own right, telemarking is the key to getting the most out of back-country skiing. This course will equip you with the necessary skills to enjoy a new style of skiing that previously you may not have even contemplated. Good quality equipment is available to hire; a lift ticket will be required.
