Ski Touring in the Mountains of Dalarna

Overview

Duration: 8 days/7 nights.

Accommodation: 7 nights' accommodation in mountain stations/cabins, full board.

Required: General good level of fitness and knowledge of ski touring, previous experience of mountain tours. Minimum age 15.

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Experience the beauty and silence of the winter mountains on a guided ski touring expedition through the stunning landscape of the Dalarna mountains. At this time of year there is still no shortage of snow, but the smell of springtime is in the air and the mountains invite you to get out and explore.

After a day-excursion from your base at the award-winning mountain station to get accustomed to your equipment, you will head off into the wilderness for four days of cross-country ski touring through a world of birch forests and wide mountain plains. Your route takes you onto the Norwegian side of the border, passing through Femundmarka National Park. Accommodation during your experience is three nights at the mountain station in Dalarna and three nights in Norwegian mountain stations along the route.

At the end of your ski touring expedition, you return to the award-winning mountain station to enjoy a sauna and farewell dinner in the quality-marked restaurant with its spectacular view over the Norwegian mountains to the west, sharing your impressions and memories of your time in the winter wilderness with your fellow adventurers. Relax and enjoy the pictures in your mind of white winter mountains glistening in the sunshine against a boundless blue sky.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival at the mountain station, meet at 18.00 for dinner and a welcome meeting.

Day 2

For your first day of skiing you will do a tour in the area surrounding the mountain station to brush up on your skiing technique and check the equipment is set up appropriately for a multi-day ski tour.

Day 3

Start out from the mountain station towards Sylseth on the Norwegian side of the border. You will follow the winter trail for the first kilometres over Lång Mountain. Up by the Jakobshöjden you leave the trail and turn north. Now it will be easy skiing and you will get magnificent views from horizon to horizon. From the northern slope of the Lång Mountain you head down towards the Grötå valley, cross the Norwegian border and continue towards Sylseth, where a 3-course dinner awaits.

Distance: approx. 14km.

Day 4

Your ski tour continues through thin birch forest up through the valley between the mountains of Sylvola and Gröthogna. You will travel westwards and pass the lake Rönnsjön and continue into the Femundmarka National Park south of the Store Svuku. This section offers wonderful skiing on the slopes of Store Svuku on your way down to Svukuriset and your mountain station accommodation for the night.

Distance: approx. 16 km.

Day 5

Today you can choose to do a day tour from Svukuriset or to relax at the station and take it easy. You ski a couple of kilometres north up onto the heights west of Store Svuku, offering magnificent views over lake Femunden and the Norwegian mountains in the west. Here the mountain world opens up in all its glory! If you stay behind at the mountain station, you can enjoy the genuine old Norwegian mountain station environment and relax with a book in front of the fire.

Day 6

You start in birch forest, skiing up and past Revlingsjön and Elgåhognas northern slopes. Soon you are up on the mountain plains and the skiing gets easier as you head east past Forborgen and up to the pass valley, which you follow until you reach the Swedish border and then down towards the mountain station where your ski tour began - a sauna and dinner awaits you to welcome you home from your mountain adventure!

Distance: approx. 23km.

Day 7

This is a day to relax and soak up the atmosphere of the mountains before departure, a chance to collect your thoughts and reflect on the weeks' adventures. If you would like to do some skiing, there are 120km of prepared ski trails starting right from the door, or why not pamper yourself with a well-deserved spa treatment or massage at the station's mini-spa?

Day 8

Departure after breakfast.

Please note that the above itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions and other factors.

General information about the mountain station where the tour begins and ends

Equipment Rental

It is possible to rent a complete range of outdoor equipment from the mountain station, including winter clothing and ski equipment. Details will be provided with your booking documentation.

Store

The store at the mountain station stocks a wide range of outdoor equipment and maps as well as provisions if you wish to purchase additional snacks.

Restaurant

The mountain station has a certified, fully-licensed restaurant.

Other

Sauna is included for all mountain station guests. There is also solarium and massage available at the station. The mountain station has a mini spa, where treatments must be booked 3 weeks in advance. Full list of available treatments and information on how to book will be provided after booking.

Dates & Prices

Dates

24.03-31.03.12

The Price

Prices are in British Pounds. If you wish, you are also welcome to make your payment by bank transfer in Euros or Swedish Kronor. If this would be of interest, please let us know and we will be happy to provide prices.

£660/person* (ski hire not included)

*Based on membership of the International Youth Hostel Federation (Hostelling International), YHA or STF (Swedish Tourist Association). If you are not already a member, in order to qualify for membership you must purchase membership of STF, cost 295 SEK/adult (approx. £29) 450 SEK/family (approx. £45). Membership cards will be collected and paid for on arrival at the mountain station in Sweden. Please note that if you are not a member and do not wish to become a member, the non-member price for this experience is £732/person.

What The Price Includes

Accommodation

7 nights' accommodation in multi-person rooms in mountains stations/cabins with sink, shared shower and WC. Other accommodation options are available for the nights at the mountain station (days 1, 2 and 6). Please contact us for details.

Bedding, towels are not included. End of stay cleaning is included.

Meals

Full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8.

Activities

• 1-day ski tour on Day 2, 4-day ski tour Day 3-6 as per itinerary.

Guide

• Experienced and knowledgeable local leaders and guides and safety equipment.
• Services of local guide.

What The Price Does Not Include

• Ski equipment (may be hired as optional extra)
• Sleeping sheet and towels
• Alcoholic drinks

There is a well-equipped sports store at the station and it is possible to rent or buy the equipment you need. Please advise the station of your equipment requirements/sizes in advance so that they can ensure the most suitable equipment is available for you. Contact details will be provided after booking.

Optional Extras

• Ski equipment can be hired from the mountain station. Please advise sizes and requirements in advance. Cost for set of touring skis, boots and poles around £60/person for the duration of the tour, to be paid in Swedish Kronor when you collect your equipment.
• It is possible to pre-book a range of treatments at the station's mini-spa. Information on how to book and treatments available will be provided after booking.

Practical Info

Health requirements/experience

You should have a good level of fitness and knowledge of cross-country skiing. You should be able to ski with 10-12 kg in your backpack for periods of 6-7 hours over undulating terrain. Have previous experience of mountain tours. Minimum 15 years.

Equipment/clothes needed

A detailed recommended equipment list will be sent with your booking confirmation.

NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing.

Groups

Total of min. 5 participants for experience to run. Max. group size 12 persons. This experience is open to travellers from all over the world. Groups may be made up of participants from a number of countries, around 60% of whom are likely to be from Scandinavia.

It is possible for groups to book this experience on other dates by arrangement - please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Grövel Lake

The Grövel Lake and the Grövel Lake Mountains are situated in the northern part of Dalarna.

The area is characterized by low mountains and old-growth pine forest and here and there streams and wells break through. The Grövel Lake Mountains are a collective term for the area surrounding the lake which stretches over the border between Sweden and Norway. The highest mountain on the Swedish side is Storvätteshågna at 1,204 m. On the Norwegian side there are a few peaks that reach above 1,200 m. Reachable on a day walk lie Store Svuku and Gröthågna, which are both around 1,400 m.

Additional Notes

This provider has received a prestigious Swedish Ecotourism award for its commitment to high standards to cultural and environmental sensitivity..

Location

Detailed information on travel options will be sent with your booking documentation. We are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey.

By Air

Fly to Stockholm or Gothenburg then onward to the mountain station by direct bus (bookable through Nature Travels) or train + bus, travel time 8-10 hours. Alternatively, fly to Oslo for onward travel by hire car (driving time around 5 hours).

Without Flying

Ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg (Denmark) for onward connections by train and bus to the mountain station.

Map of Sweden