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
An introduction to biathlon 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 Dalsaeter 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. 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 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.
Following a successful course in 2010, Polly Murray will be running both a beginners’ and an intermediates’ course in 2011. These courses will be based at Wadahl (www.wadahl.no) and promise to be great fun. The beginners’ course will utilise the alpine slopes at Gålå, whilst the intermediate course will use the more demanding pistes at Kvitfjell and 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. These courses 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.
This holiday is designed to provide a taste of the full spectrum of Nordic skiing. Based at the Wadahl Høgfjellshotel (www.wadahl.no) the holiday will provide two days' classic track skiing, including a day’s instruction (catering for different levels and requirements) plus a day of track touring. This will be followed by two days of skating. For those who have never ski skated before, this will start very gently but, in two days, will aim to get everyone to a reasonable level of competence. The fifth day has been designated 'Telemark Day' with an introduction to Telemark skiing on the downhill pistes. The finale (Day 6) will be a day of back-country touring on metal-edged skis.
Hopefully, one or more of these 'taster' experiences will lead on to a subsequent year's full course or holiday based on a particular discipline. The full range of ski equipment will be available for hire locally and a comprehensive clothing list will be included in the holiday Information Pack.
Designed for those who have never back-country skied/toured, these courses will cover all the elements of safe mountain ski touring in Norway. They are an excellent precursor to a full hut to hut mountain tour, and almost essential for anyone thinking of leading their own group or family on this type of skiing holiday. The courses will be based at the Ruten Fjellstue, Espedalen (www.ruten.no). They will include safety, survival skills, navigation skills and back-country skiing together with an introduction to the Norwegian hut system (DNT).
All necessary ski equipment and footwear can be hired locally, and a comprehensive clothing and equipment list will be included in our Information Pack.