Ski Touring on the Troll Trail in Rondane (Norway)

Combine adventurous point-to-point days with day tours with lighter pack

The week features a mix of point-to-point skiing between overnight locations and day tours from each accommodation. When moving location, you'll need to bring everything with you in backpack, but along the way you'll be staying in a mix of comfortable hotel standard and simpler mountain lodge accommodation, so your pack should not need to weigh more than 8-10kg. For day tours, you need of course carry only what you need during the day.

Trolls feature prominently in Norwegian folklore. The "Troll Trail" itself was set up in 1970 and is now known as one of Norway's most beautiful ski routes, offering skiers who rise to the challenge with majestic scenery and hugely rewarding backcountry ski adventure.

Your adventure begins in Høvringen amidst the dramatic mountains around Rondane National Park. As you ski south, the terrain softens to a gentler mountain landscape as you pass through Myuseter and on to Venabu. Here your tour ends with transfer back to Høvringen for your final night before onward travel. During the tour you'll spend total three nights in Høvringen, two in Myuster and two in Venabu, with the chance for day tours from each location before continuing your expedition.

The tour features a combination of "point-to-point" ski days and day tours from your accommodation. Photo: RS.

Atmospheric and welcoming accommodation to end each day

Norwegian mountain accommodation is full of character, and during the week you'll experience three different accommodation locations, each with their own special charms.

All meals are included. Norwegians love their food and mealtimes are likely to be a memorable highlight of your trip. Each day you'll make a packed lunch from the breakfast buffet to take with you onto the trail.

The skis suitable for the tour are Nordic Touring backcountry skis - a little wider and more stable than classic cross country skis, with metal edges and partial skis for increased grip. The technique is similar to classic cross country skis, but you will have more grip and more control. Ski equipment is available to hire or of course you are welcome to bring your own if suitable for the tour.

You'll be skiing both on prepared tracks and "off-trail" during the tour. Photo: RS.

Optional transfer from Oslo Airport or take the train

For guests arriving by flight to Oslo Gardermoen (OSL), transfer is available as an optional extra to bring you right to the start point of your tour. Alternatively, it's also convenient to travel by train from Oslo to Otta, from where taxi is available to reach Høvringen.

Included

Accommodation:

• 7 nights' accommodation in mountain hotels/lodges/hostels. Standard of accommodation during the tour varies from comfortable hotel standard to simpler mountain lodge/hostel standard.
• Accommodation in based on shared twin rooms. Solo traveller will share room with other same-gender participant in the group, unless requesting solo occupancy as optional extra (note that availability for single occupancy is limited).
• Rooms may have en-suite or shared WC/shower facilities depending on the accommodation used.

Example accommodation in Høvringen (Days 1, 2 and 7). Accommodation on other nights of the tour will be of simpler standard. Photos: RS

Meals:

Please advise us of any special dietary requirements on booking.

• All meals from Dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8.
• Breakfast and dinner (incl. evening coffee) is taken at the accommodation. Lunches will be lunch packet prepared from the breakfast buffet before each day's skiing begins (including thermos flask for hot drinks) and eaten out on the trail.

You should bring additional snacks (e.g. chocolate, nuts, dried fruit) for extra energy when skiing.

Guide:

Services of experienced local guide. Your guide will accompany the group at all times when out skiing and plan suitable day tours in the surrounding area of each accommodation.

Not Included

• Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
• Ski equipment (available to hire as optional extra).
• Transfer from Oslo airport (available to add as optional extra).
• Drinks with meals and alcoholic drinks.

Required

Health requirements/experience:

Minimum age 18 years. You should have at least two years' experience of cross country skiing in prepared tracks. Previous experience of backcountry skiing will be an advantage. You must be able to maintain good control in mixed terrain and conditions, being able to brake and control your speed safely.

A general high level of fitness is required, as some of the days are particularly demanding.

You should be able to ski with a backpack 8-10kg for distances up to 34km in challenging terrain. When moving accommodation location (two days in total during the tour), you will need to carry everything with you. When doing day tours from the accommodation (3.5 days in total during the tour), you need only carry what you need for the day.

You should expect to have sufficient experience and fitness to complete all sections of the tour. However, as the itinerary features day tours from fixed location as well as days skiing between accommodation, there is a certain amount of flexibility and it is possible to rest at the accommodation during the day tour days if you prefer. It may also be possible as a back-up to travel by taxi independently (at own expense - note that costs for taxi can be high) between accommodation locations as an alternative to skiing these stretches. NB: At any point during the tour, if the guide judges guests to be unable to complete a section safely and within their abilities, they may be requested to arrange taxi transport at own expense to the next accommodation.

What makes this "Medium-Hard"?

The tour features some demanding days, with long distances in challenging terrain. Weather and trail conditions in the mountains can also change quickly.

When changing accommodation, you must carry everything with you in backpack.

However, the tour also features three days of day tours from fixed location, when you can ski with lighter pack, and also features comfortable accommodation in mountain hotels and cabins along the route, so the weight required to carry is much less than for an expedition featuring simpler accommodation or winter camping.

NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.

Equipment/clothes needed:

For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".

A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.

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. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.

Preparing for your trip:

For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.

Minimum number:

A total of minimum 4 persons is required for scheduled tours to be confirmed to run. You are of course welcome to book as a solo traveller.

Groups

Max. group size 8 persons for public tours. For private tours, slightly larger groups may be possible - please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Eco Info

This provider has a written environmental policy.