Trip Guide: Beginner Cross Country Ski and Yoga Holiday in Norway

Book a morning flight into Oslo Gardermoen. From there you need to be on one of these trains to Ringebu, because these are the arrivals our transfer meets:

• 14:29, arriving Ringebu 16:53
• 16:29, arriving Ringebu 18:49
• Some Saturdays, 15:59, arriving Ringebu 18:35

Leave at least an hour between landing and your train leaving. The station is downstairs in the same building as arrivals, so an hour is plenty unless you want to stop for a coffee.

Fly into Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) and take the train north to Ringebu, where we will meet you and drive you the last twenty minutes to the hotel. The railway station sits directly underneath the arrivals hall, so there is no transfer between the two.

Book Gardermoen specifically, not Oslo Torp. Torp is well over an hour south of the city and points you in the wrong direction for Ringebu, which turns an easy afternoon on the train into a long day of connections.

If you want to add a night or two in Oslo first, you can pick the train up from Oslo Central Station instead. It runs a little longer than the airport leg, since Gardermoen is already north of the city, but it is the same line and the same arrival into Ringebu.

If you catch a later train, we can arrange a taxi between Ringebu station and the hotel:

• 8am to 8pm: 300 NOK each way per person (roughly £22 or €25)
• 8pm to 8am: 790 NOK each way per person (roughly £58 or €65)

Email us to book the taxi. Bear in mind that a later train on arrival day means you will miss dinner, and we cannot refund it. Travel insurance covering delays is strongly recommended.

Book directly through vy.no/en, the Norwegian national rail operator. Tickets cost around £30 each way and are not included in your trip price.

Tickets are released roughly 90 to 60 days before travel. Until then the site will usually tell you the train is unavailable or sold out, which looks alarming and means nothing. It simply is not on sale yet. Search again as your dates come into that window and the trains will appear.

If you are still seeing that message around 30 days out, drop us a message. That is late enough to be worth looking at, and we can help you work out an alternative route.

Book as soon as your date opens up, because the earlier trains fill first and they are the ones our transfer meets.

If you catch a later train, we can arrange a taxi between Ringebu station and the hotel:

• 8am to 8pm: 300 NOK each way per person (roughly £22 or €25)
• 8pm to 8am: 790 NOK each way per person (roughly £58 or €65)

Email us to book the taxi. Bear in mind that a later train on arrival day means you will miss dinner, and we cannot refund it. Travel insurance covering delays is strongly recommended.

Group transfers run on schedule and cannot wait for late arrivals. You’ll need to arrange your own transport to meet the group – we’ll support you with local information. Comprehensive travel insurance covering delays and missed connections is essential.

If you regularly do activities that raise your heart rate and leave you breathing heavily for 45 minutes, you’ll manage fine. Consider whether you can comfortably walk 8-25km distances on consecutive days. Cross-country skiing is demanding, but if you’re honest about your fitness level and can meet our cardio requirements, you’ll have a great time.

Focus on cardiovascular fitness for endurance and stamina. Walking at a good pace where you feel slightly out of breath is useful, plus running, cycling or other high-intensity exercise. Balance work helps too – practise standing on one leg every time you brush your teeth. Activities like Pilates, yoga and dancing develop balance progressively.

Each day you’ll be active for 6-7 hours split into 2-3 hour sessions, covering 8-25km depending on conditions and group ability. You’ll warm up while skiing but cool down quickly at stops. The terrain is gently rolling with some downhill sections – not overly steep but you will pick up speed and need to control it.

We’re here to support you out of your comfort zone in a fun, encouraging environment. Everyone’s journey learning new sports is different, so we adapt to the group. However, this is an active adventure holiday requiring participation in daily activities – if you’re concerned about the physical demands, contact us before booking to discuss whether this trip suits you.

Rooms are simple, light and airy with mountain style decor and superb views from many bedrooms. They’re comfortable with heating and private bathrooms, but this isn’t a luxury hotel – it’s a traditional mountain retreat focused on warmth, good food and hospitality after active days.Rooms are simple, light with mountain-style decor and superb views from many bedrooms. They’re comfortable with heating and private bathrooms, but this isn’t a luxury hotel – it’s a traditional mountain retreat focused on warmth, good food and hospitality after active days.

We cater for all dietary requirements and allergies with safe, tasty alternatives. The dinner is a three-course set menu, so if there are foods you can’t eat or dislike, make this clear well in advance of arrival. We’ll request detailed dietary information before your trip.

Yes, there’s WiFi throughout the hotel, though you might find it patchy – probably a good thing for switching off. The atmosphere is relaxed and social with a spacious lounge where guests gather around the fire. Be aware this is a dog-friendly hotel with at least three gentle resident dogs in communal areas.

No washing machines, but you could bring soap flakes or travel wash to hand wash base layers if needed. The drying room is excellent for wet ski clothes and there’s plenty of space to air things overnight.

Norwegian winter is a “dry” cold that feels less harsh than damp UK cold at the same temperature. While -10°C sounds extreme, you’ll find it more bearable than expected, especially when active. The key is layering – avoid cotton clothing that gets wet and cold without drying fast.

Mountain weather can be unpredictable, so guides adjust daily plans to ensure the best and safest experience. We build flexibility into every trip because conditions change. You’ll still get your full adventure experience, just potentially with modified routes or alternative indoor activities during severe weather.

Cross-country skiing is a really active sport and means you’ll be generating heat (and getting sweaty) while out in the cold. This is great whilst you’re on the move, but when you stop for a break you cool down quickly. We recommend merino wool or synthetic base layers, topped by a windproof, breathable waterproof hiking jacket with a hood, plus a warm, insulated jacket to put on at rest stops.

These activities are weather dependent, particularly in January and April when snow levels may be insufficient. We’ll have alternative activities or additional skiing available instead.

Drinks are the main extra expense – beer costs around £8-12, wine similar. If you want snacks or souvenirs, expect Norwegian prices to be 30-50% higher than UK. Most people spend £100-200 for the week on drinks and personal items, but this varies greatly depending on alcohol consumption.

Max. 8 guests.

Our guides are trained in mountain first aid and emergency procedures. The hotel can coordinate local medical services if needed. Comprehensive travel insurance covering outdoor activities and medical emergencies is mandatory. Emergency evacuation from remote skiing areas is possible but expensive without coverage.

We use female instructors and guides whenever possible, but can’t guarantee this due to fewer women in the outdoors industry. Our priority is working with the most experienced, patient and passionate instructors who excel at building confidence. Guide gender becomes less important than their ability to teach and inspire safely.