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Types of Skiing Explained: Alpine, Nordic, Touring & SkateTrip Guide
Horse riding in Norway isn’t your typical riding school experience. You’ll be learning to ride with Norwegian mountains as your backdrop, building skills on forest trails with horses that know these paths better than you do. This guide covers everything you need to show up prepared for five days of riding, yoga, and mountain adventure.
Getting to our Norwegian mountain base means flying into Oslo Gardermoen (lufthavn), then a two-and-a-half hour train through Nordic countryside to Ringebu, where we pick you up. The railway station is downstairs in the same building as the airport arrivals terminal, so you won’t have far to haul your bags.
We’ll pick you up at Ringebu station at either 16:53 or 18:49 for a twenty-minute transfer to the hotel. These times align with our recommended train connections from Oslo Gardermoen Airport. On the way back you’ll be dropped off in time to meet the 12:06 or 13:57 trains back to Oslo Gardermoen.
We schedule our transfer around the train between Oslo and Ringebu, so please book flights that meet these trains.
Arrival: Book a morning flight into Oslo Gardermoen, then book one of these trains to Ringebu as these are the ones our transfer meets:
Leave at least an hour between landing and your train. The station is downstairs from arrivals so there isn’t much transit time to worry about, but always factor in possible delays.
Departure: Book one of these trains back to Gardermoen, then an afternoon or evening flight with at least two hours between the train arriving and your flight leaving:
If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you’ll need to arrange your own way to Ringebu. Your host is your main contact on the day, and the bookings team is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5:30pm UK time. Comprehensive travel insurance covering delays and missed connections is mandatory for all Gutsy Girls trips.
A taxi between Ringebu station and the hotel can be arranged.
Contact the bookings team in advance to arrange this. Please note – if you arrive later on arrival day, you will miss dinner and no refund is available.
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.
We connect everyone on the trip via WhatsApp before departure, so you can coordinate travel if you’d like. Many guests arrange to share the train journey from Oslo.
This trip is rated moderate and is designed for improvers who want to take their riding beyond the arena. You need to be confident controlling your horse at walk and rising trot before you arrive. Canter is a bonus, but not expected and definitely something to work towards across the week. If you’ve never been horse riding, or it’s been years since you last sat in the saddle, start with our Beginners Horse Riding Adventure first.
Important: For safety reasons, if you don’t have the required riding experience when you arrive, you won’t be able to join the trail rides.
Fitness: This trip isn’t the most physically demanding one we run, but three consecutive days in the saddle, plus hours at the stable, requires a decent base fitness to get the most out of the week.
You need to be confident at walk and rising trot, know how to steer and stop, and be happy to try canter. This is an improvers trip for riders who have the basics down and are ready to take their riding onto the trail. If you’ve never been horse riding or haven’t for a long time, this is not the right starting point. (we’ve got an excellent beginners trip for that!)
The Døle horse (Dølahest in Norwegian) is a breed native to the region and built for mountain terrain. Calm, sure-footed and sturdy, they give riders a real sense of security on uneven ground. They also have a lot of personality, which you’ll discover as the week goes on. You’ll be paired with your own horse at the start of the week and ride them throughout.
We’ll walk and trot, with the possibility to canter if the whole group is up for it.
The horses can carry riders up to 100kg. If you’re over this weight, contact the Bookings Team before booking and we’ll check with the stables to see if we can accommodate you.
You’ll be based for the entire trip at a family-run mountain lodge with views across lakes, mountains and open landscape from every window. The place is cosy and well set up for an active week, with a communal lounge, bar, complimentary tea and coffee 24/7, a yoga studio and a sauna. WiFi is also available in all rooms and communal areas.
Rooms are simple, light and airy with en-suite bathrooms and mountain-style décor. Many have mountain views.
The hotel is dog-friendly with two or three resident dogs. They won’t enter bedrooms, but you’ll see them in the lounge – worth knowing if you have allergies or aren’t a dog person.
Important note on clothing: Clothes worn at the stables cannot be worn around the hotel. Pack separate sets for the stables and hotel time.
All meals are included, from arrival dinner to departure breakfast. Breakfasts and lunch are a generous buffet at the hotel, whilst dinners are a three-course set menu each evening using quality local ingredients. On the day with the longest ride, you’ll make a packed lunch from the range at the breakfast buffet to eat by a traditional lavvo.
Alcoholic drinks are not included, although there is a bar with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options to purchase separately.
Important: Dinner is a set menu and cannot be changed on the day. Include your dietary requirements and anything you really won’t eat clearly on your check-in form after booking.
A family-run mountain lodge at the edge of Rondane National Park. Cosy en-suite rooms with mountain views, an open-fire lounge, bar, yoga studio, sauna, gym and complimentary tea and coffee. It’s a warm, welcoming base and the food is excellent.
Yes, there’s good WiFi in all rooms and communal areas.
Yes. Towels are in your room, hairdryers are available in the cabinet at the end of the corridor on each floor, along with spare towels.
No. Bring travel wash or soap flakes if you want to hand-wash anything, or pack enough for four nights.
Traditional, homemade and a real highlight. A generous breakfast and lunch buffet (or a packed lunch to eat at the stables) and a three-course set menu dinner each evening using local produce. The kitchen prioritises quality local ingredients and healthy, homemade cooking.
Yes. Please include your dietary requirements on your check-in form after booking and we’ll make sure it’s taken into account. Dinner is a set menu, so flag anything you can’t or won’t eat well in advance of arrival as it may not be possible to make changes on the day.
No, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are not included. The hotel has a bar where you can purchase these.
Tea and coffee is available 24/7 in the lounge.
Yes. On the longest riding day, you’ll pack your lunch at breakfast and eat by a traditional lavvo. For other lunches you’ll enjoy the hot buffet at the hotel.
Norwegian summers are beautiful but unpredictable. Dress as you would for a UK autumn: layers, a waterproof jacket and riding clothes that can handle a bit of mud and ever changing conditions. Even on a warm week, temperatures tend to be low in the morning and evenings, so you may need an extra layer for first thing at the stables.
Rides go ahead in most weather conditions. Your guides know the terrain and will adjust the plan where needed. Keep an eye on the forecast in your customer portal in the week running up to your trip and adjust your packing accordingly.
Norwegian summers can be warm and sunny, but also cool, wet and changeable. Pack layers and waterproofs regardless of the forecast. Even warm weeks can feel cool in the mornings and evenings. Dress as you would for a UK autumn and check your customer portal closer to your trip for the most accurate forecast.
Yes, in most conditions. Your guides know the terrain, can suggest alternative routes and will make the call if conditions are unsafe. Pack for everything and expect to ride in it.
Yes. Guides adjust daily plans based on conditions where needed. Safety comes first throughout the week.
Swimwear and a small travel towel. Wild swimming is optional, not mandatory, and the indoor sauna is available whether you swim or not.
Communication: There’s good WiFi in all rooms and communal areas at the hotel.
Money: Everywhere on this trip accepts card, so you won’t need Norwegian krone.
Tipping: Tipping is not compulsory on our adventures, but if you’ve had a great trip and brilliant service, a tip for your guide or host is always appreciated. We recommend giving 200-300 NOK, or whatever you can or feel is the right amount.
We work with the best guides available, male or female. There are fewer women in outdoor guiding roles, so we prioritise expertise and guest experience. We vet every guide carefully and monitor feedback closely to ensure all guides align with our ethos and standards. We also hope more trips like ours encourage more women to find new activities and become guides themselves.
No. Train tickets between Oslo Gardermoen and Ringebu must be booked separately at approximately £30 each way. Book via vy.no/en or sj.no as soon as tickets go on sale (60–90 days before travel).
As soon as you book, not the week before you fly. Booking early means you’re covered if you need to cancel before departure, not just for issues while you’re away. Your policy should cover travel delays, missed connections, trip cancellation, medical emergencies and evacuation, baggage and equipment loss, and all activities on your itinerary.
There will be a maximum of 6 to 7 guests depending on the trip date.
Note: riding clothes will get dirty. It’s fine to re-wear them the next day as they’ll just get dirty again, just don’t wear them around the hotel!
Footwear: Wear boots or shoes with some grip, but nothing too chunky (they need to fit in the stirrup). They also need to cover the foot entirely and preferably the ankle, with some ankle flexibility. They should be sturdy, water resistant and muck-proof for stable work. Riding boots are ideal, but hiking boots work well.
Riding clothes: Go for riding trousers or jodhpurs and avoid anything with a rough or hard inside seam as this will rub in the saddle.
Layers: Norwegian summer weather is unpredictable. Bring long-sleeve tops, fleeces or jumpers, a lightweight jacket and a waterproof jacket. Waterproof overtrousers are optional but useful.
Gloves: You need gloves with a grippy palm – riding, cycling or leather gloves all work.
Hotel clothes: Clothes worn at the stables cannot be worn around the hotel. Pack a separate set for mornings and evenings, plus yoga wear and slippers for the lodge.
Just wear the boots you usually wear horse riding and the stables. Riding or jodhpur boots are ideal, hiking boots are a good alternative. Check with the Bookings Team if you’re unsure.
No. Rides won’t be longer than a couple of hours and we have waist bags you can borrow for small essentials. Bring a small daypack to carry your stuff to the stables, but you won’t take it on the horses.
You’re welcome to bring your own riding helmet, however the stables have a wide range of high-spec hats in various sizes to save you space in your suitcase.
Trip Code NORVENHRSI. Include this code in any message so we can find your trip straight away.
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