FAQs
Norway Beginner Downhill Skiing Holiday
Travel
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You are responsible for booking your own travel to Tyinkrysset bus stop where you will be picked up at 21:20.
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On arrival day, we will collect you from: Tyinkrysset bus station at 21:20.
On departure day, we will drop you off at: Tyinkrysset bus station at 9:45.
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We recommend flying into Oslo Gardermoen. There is one bus a day to Tyinkrysset from the airport itself, or a more regular bus service from Oslo Central bus station. It is also possible to get the bus from Bergen airport.
Please note that if you arrive before our transfer time you will need to book your own transfer to the hotel. Please contact our Bookings Team who will be able to help you with this.
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Book your tickets on the Vy website (https://www.vy.no/en) - which is easy to use and has an English version.
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We do not provide specific suggestions for international flights, but there are plenty of options to choose from. We recommend flying into Oslo Gardermoen. Bergen airport is also an option.
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The bus journey is approximately 4.5 hours.
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The transfer takes approximately five minutes.
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Yes, private transfers can be arranged at an additional cost of approximately NOK 80 (£6/€7) per person per way. Please contact us in advance to arrange this.
Accommodation & Food
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We stay at a newly renovated mountain hotel at 900m above sea level with 28 rooms and 15 apartments. Each room has a comfy bed, private bathroom with shower, mountain views from large windows, a window sofa for morning coffee, free WiFi, and a flat-screen TV. The hotel has a cosy restaurant, terrace, and is literally steps from the trails. It's not fancy, but after long mountain days you'll appreciate the comfort and those views.
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Yes, towels are provided. Hairdryers can be borrowed from reception for the length of your stay.
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Laundry facilities aren't available at the hotel. Pack travel wash or soap flakes if you want to handwash clothes during the week.
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The food is a highlight. The hotel chefs take pride in what they serve, using local ingredients from the nearby Valdres region. You'll get a mountain breakfast buffet each morning to fuel your days, packed lunches for the trails, and three-course dinners served each evening in the restaurant. Expect hearty Norwegian mountain food - warming soups, local meat and fish, dishes designed to refuel tired legs.
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We accommodate most dietary requirements with advance notice. Just tell us early as sourcing specialty ingredients in the mountains takes planning.
Activities
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This trip is rated moderate. It's designed for complete beginners with zero skiing experience, but you'll need decent fitness to enjoy it. Learning to ski is physically demanding, so your legs will know about it. You’ll also be out for 6-7 hours a day (with breaks and lunch) in cold conditions, learning something completely new.
Got questions about whether this is right for you? Get in touch before booking - we'd rather have an honest conversation now than have you miserable on a mountain.
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No! This trip is for complete beginners. Our guides will provide instruction and support throughout the experience, you just need a willingness to learn and try something new.
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You don't need any kayaking experience to enjoy this adventure - our guides are great at making it enjoyable & safe for all abilities.
Gear & Packing
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Ski equipment (skis, boots, poles)
All kayaking equipment
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Base Layer (Next to Skin)
Top and Bottom: Wear moisture-wicking thermal underwear, ideally made of merino wool or synthetic materials, to keep sweat away from your skin. Avoid cotton, as it retains moisture and can make you feel cold.
Socks: High-quality ski socks (merino wool or synthetic blends) to keep your feet warm. Again, avoid cotton.
Mid Layer (Insulation)
Fleece or Down Jacket: A fleece, synthetic, or down mid-layer will provide insulation. Fleece is a popular choice for moderate temperatures, while down or thicker synthetic layers work well for very cold days.
Outer Layer (Weather Protection)
Ski Jacket: A waterproof and windproof ski jacket with insulation or as a shell, depending on conditions and personal preference. Look for features like a snow skirt, adjustable hood, and ventilation zippers.
Ski Trousers / Salopettes: Waterproof and breathable ski salopettes. Insulated options work well for colder days, while shell pants are better for layering and flexibility.
Accessories
Goggles: Choose a pair with UV protection and an anti-fog coating to protect your eyes from snow glare.
Neck Gaiter or Buff: Protects your neck and face from wind and cold.
Gloves or Mittens: Insulated, waterproof gloves or mittens are crucial. Mittens tend to be warmer, but gloves offer more dexterity.
Beanie or Hat: Wear under your helmet if conditions are especially cold.
Additional Tips
Hand Warmers: Small, disposable hand warmers are a nice backup on extra-cold days.
Layering Flexibility: Be prepared to adjust layers depending on the temperature and your activity level.
Since Nordic alpine conditions can be very cold and windy, these layers will help you stay comfortable and prepared for any temperature swings on the mountain.
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We will supply you with all the kayaking equipment and clothing you'll need, including dry pants / trousers and a compatible jacket. These are waterproof trousers made of breathable fabric, with built in feet that allow them to be used like flexible, lightweight waders. They have jacket compatible waist bands to create a two-piece drysuit which will keep you warm and dry for the day.
Under this, you should wear thermal base layers and a midlayer.
We do not recommend wearing anything of cotton, as this cools you down when wet. Make sure you have enough layers and changes of clothes to keep you warm and dry.
We will provide neoprene mittens and boots, we recommend merino wool glove liners and socks to keep warm!
You will need a beanie and buff.
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Yes! You can find a detailed packing list here.
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Yes, bring a small daypack (around 20-25L) for essentials like water, snacks, and extra layers. A lightweight dry bag is also recommended to keep things dry during activities.
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We provide all the necessary equipment for skiing and kayaking. You will need ski goggles and your own winter walking boots.
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Gutsy Girls and their providers in Norway don’t rent out ski clothing directly.
However you can rent ski clothing and equipment from Adventure Kit Hire. Gutsy Girls guests get 10% off rental clothing - drop us an email for the code!
Other
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The weather in Tyin can vary and temperatures vary from month to month. While Norway gets cold, it's a dry cold that often doesn’t feel quite as harsh as long as you’re wrapped up warm. Be prepared for snow, wind or sunshine, depending on the season.
An up to date weather forecast can be found in your customer booking portal.
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Most places in Norway, including the hotel and ski resort, accept credit or debit cards, so there’s no need to carry cash. If you'd like, you can bring a small amount of local currency for personal expenses, but it’s not needed.
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There is no upper age limit for our adventures - we have women up to 70 years old join us.
The Gutsy Girls community is filled with fun, friendly and supportive women from 18-70+. We never ask your age, just that you are up for an adventure!
As a rough guide, most Gutsy Girls guests are 24-60 years old, with around 60% in their 30s-40s. After a day learning to cross-country ski, snowshoeing to peaks for incredible views or exploring remote locations by dog sled, everyone’s ages become irrelevant as you bond over shared experiences.
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Absolutely! Many of our participants join solo, and it’s a great way to meet new, like-minded friends. We’ll connect you with other guests via a WhatsApp group before the trip.
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Whenever possible we use female instructors and guides, however we cannot always guarantee this, simply because there are fewer female instructors available!
Our first priority is to work with the most highly experienced and considerate instructors and guides, who are patient, friendly and as passionate as we are about building women’s confidence in the outdoors.
We keep a close eye on the feedback our guides receive from our guests as we believe that overall this is more important than their gender. We sincerely hope that as more women are introduced to adventure sports and activities, the amount of female guides and instructors in our industry will increase.
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If the weather affects the planned activities, we will adjust the itinerary as needed. Safety is our top priority, and we always have backup options for indoor or alternative activities.
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Our itineraries are never set in stone. Our guides will often swap things around to make the most of the given weather conditions on each day and taking the current forecast into account.
Please be flexible with our guides who work hard to ensure we are able to have adventures and stay safe at the same time.