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Types of Skiing Explained: Alpine, Nordic, Touring & SkateNorway
Dec - Jan
Learn cross-country skiing in Norway’s mountains, building up to full-day trails. Fjord kayaking and a mountain lodge with riverside sauna.
Beginner
Moderate
A Little Luxury
From
£2,100
(USD $3,297.00)
New to skis? Perfect
Never tried winter sports? Cross-country skiing is a brilliant way in. You’ll see real progress in just a few days, plus it’s easier on the knees than downhill skiing.
Each day the trails get more ambitious as your skills grow. You’ll start with easy lakeside routes, building up to full-day wilderness expeditions by the end of the week. Your instructor works with you on technique, building confidence and stamina along the way. Mid-week you’ll also swap skis for kayaks for a paddle on Norway’s longest fjord.
You’ll stay at a modern lodge with a riverside sauna that literally hangs over the Begna River. Hearty dinners packed with local mountain ingredients, small groups, yoga with ridiculous views.
An active agenda
No hidden costs
Small-group lessons and guided tours with experienced instructors
Paddling Sognefjord, Norway's longest and deepest fjord
Cross-country skis, boots, and poles
Stretch and strengthen after long days on the trails
Wind down with panoramic mountain views
Mountain hotel with great views
Breakfasts, packed lunches and three-course dinners
Ski instructors, kayaking guide and your Gutsy Girls host
Pick-up and drop-off at Tyinkrysset bus station
Activity Overview
New to winter sports? Cross-country skiing is where you should start. The learning curve is much faster than downhill skiing, so you’ll make quick progress over just a few days, and it’s easier on the knees too.
Each day we’ll explore wilderness areas and improve your technique. It’s a great full-body workout, and you’ll access incredible remote locations that most people never see. Ski and boot hire, expert tuition, and experienced instructors are all included – our itineraries are designed to build your cross-country skills and help you get the most out of your holiday with us.
Activity Overview
Mid-week, we swap skis for paddles and head to Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, Sognefjord. It’s a different kind of challenge that rests your ski legs while your upper body does a bit more work.
Paddle between towering mountains, surrounded by the kind of landscape that makes Norway legendary, then warm up in the nearby sauna. No kayaking experience needed, our guides will teach you the moves. For those who want, there’s also an option to embrace your inner polar bear and take a dip in the winter-cold fjord.
Activity Overview
Practice your warrior pose with mountain views. After long days on snowy trails, stretch and strengthen with our yoga sessions. We work with local yoga instructors who understand what cross-country skiing does to your body and what you need to recover. This isn’t Instagram yoga, it’s functional stretching that means you’ll be ready to ski again the next day.
Activity Overview
After a long day in the mountains, head to the riverside sauna. Perched beside the Begna river with Mt. Skørsnøse dominating the view, this is where tired legs recover and minds switch off as you feel your muscles unknot.
The Destination
Your Adventure Starts Here
Travel by bus to Tyinkrysset, where our transfer will meet you for the short drive to the hotel.
Settle in and get to know your fellow adventurers over a three course dinner.
Tuck into the breakfast buffet and pack a lunch for later. There's a yoga session on the top floor, where the mountain views are something else. Then it's time to get fitted with your ski equipment and make sure everything's sitting right.
Head out to the beginner trails and test your new kit. Your instructor will cover the basics and get you comfortable on skis before you try different terrain.
Back to the hotel for a three-course dinner.
After breakfast, head to Lake Otrøvatnet where the trails are beginner-friendly and the scenery's stunning. Your instructor will walk you through technique in more detail, then you'll put it into practice as you ski around the lake.
Stop somewhere scenic for your packed lunch. Afterwards, head to the hotel's riverside sauna to loosen up tired muscles.
Enjoy a delicious three-course dinner at the hotel.
Meet your instructor after breakfast where you’ll look at maps and snow conditions to decide the best route for your trip today. Then it’s out for a longer day on the trails.
Finish your ski, then return to the hotel for an afternoon yoga session to stretch it all out.
Chill out in the hotel, then tuck into dinner at the hotel.
After breakfast, take the transfer to Sognefjord for a day kayaking. It’s Norway’s deepest and longest fjord, although we won’t be paddling all of it, don’t worry!
Warm up in a sauna by the fjord and if you're feeling brave, take a dip in the icy waters too.
Refuel with a three-course dinner at the hotel, then rest up before getting back on your skis tomorrow.
Start the day with breakfast and a yoga session, then head out to practice skiing uphill and downhill. Your guide will teach you the technique. Then hit the trails for a day skiing into the wilderness.
Complete your route, then head back to the hotel.
Meet the group for a shorter cross-country tour with headlamps (or in the evening sun if you're here later in winter), followed by dinner.
Your last day, so make it count. After breakfast, head out for a longer cross-country trip in the mountains. Your instructor will pick the route based on conditions.
Stop along the route for lunch around a fire, then finish skiing. Back to the hotel there's one last session in the sauna.
Enjoy a delicious three-course farewell dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast, make your packed lunch, then transfer to Tyinkrysset for your bus home.
Rest & Refuel
A traditional mountain hotel, with views for days over the snow-covered landscapes. The rooms are spacious, there’s a yoga studio, sauna, bar and lounge with an open fire.
1 of 2
Enjoy a buffet breakfast, packed lunches and three course dinners - the food is unbeatable here. All dietary requirements are catered for, plus you’ll get the chance to taste test some local Norwegian dishes.
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The Essentials
| Accommodation |
A Little Luxury A cosy mountain lodge with a spectacular riverside sauna, and mountain views. It’s comfortable, welcoming and positioned perfectly for accessing the cross-country trail network.
|
|---|---|
| Food |
All meals are included, from dinner on arrival to lunch on departure. If you have a severe allergy, please get in touch before you book.
|
| Fitness Level |
2
Moderate Cross-country skiing works like running with skis on. The long flat sections and uphill climbs demand real cardiovascular effort, and you’ll be doing six to seven hours of it daily across 8-15km of terrain. Sessions are split into morning and afternoon most days, but the distances stack up over consecutive days, so a solid fitness base matters. If you’re doing medium to high-intensity cardio three or more times a week with exercise like running, cycling, HIIT and spin classes, you’ll handle this well. You'll Need to Be
|
| Skill Level |
1
Beginner No cross-country skiing experience needed. While some downhill skiing experience helps on the slopes, skinny skis with a loose heel are a different beast entirely, so you’ll still be learning from scratch. Beginner is the skill level. It’s not an easy trip. Check the Fitness Level above. Not sure what level you are? Our Trip Rating Guide explains how we score fitness and skill. |
| Packing List |
Below is an indication of the specialist items you will need, and might have to invest in before your adventure! For a full list of what you’ll need to bring, check out the trip guide. We Provide
You'll Need
|
| Travel |
The meeting point for this trip is Tyinkrysset bus stop. Alternative routes and travel information are in our trip guide. |
| Not Included |
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| Trip Code |
NORFILXCSB |
The Answers
Nope, this trip is designed for beginners. Our instructors teach you progressively, from basics on day one to full-day wilderness routes by the end. The learning curve is faster than downhill skiing, and you’ll see real progress over the week.
You need decent fitness. We’ll be skiing 6-7 hours daily, covering up to 15km per day by the end of the week. Cross-country skiing feels like “running with skis on” – uphill climbs and long flat sections that get your heart pumping. If you’re doing cardio (gym, running, cycling) three times per week, you’ll be fine.
If you enjoy physical challenges, don’t mind taking tumbles, and are comfortable with speed and gliding, you’ll love this. If sliding downhill makes you nervous, this isn’t your sport. Even experienced downhill skiers start fresh here as cross-country is completely different.
Cross-country skis, boots, and poles are all included. You just need to bring your clothing layers and determination.
All equipment (kayak, paddle, dry suit, buoyancy aid), expert guides, and a sauna session in sauna right by the fjord. There’s also optional fjord swimming for the (very) brave. No kayaking experience is needed.
Yes, bring a small daypack (around 25L) for water, snacks, and extra layers. Pack an insulated jacket for rest stops and spare gloves – wet gloves mean cold hands.
Fly into Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) or Bergen (BGO). Both have a direct Vy express bus to Tyinkrysset, where we collect you.
From Oslo it’s around four and a half hours on the direct airport bus, or you can take a quick local train into the city and pick up a bus from there, which run more often through the day. From Bergen the bus takes around five hours and ten minutes from the bus station, plus a short light rail or airport coach to reach it.
Book bus tickets at vy.no/en. Full details, including return times, are in the trip guide.
Yes. We collect you from Tyinkrysset bus station on arrival day and drop you back there on departure day. The transfer runs at fixed times, so please book your buses to fit them. If you arrive or depart outside these times, a private transfer between the bus stop and the hotel can be arranged for approximately NOK 80 (£6/€7) per person each way, a 5 to 10 minute drive.
We will collect you from Tyinkrysset bus stop on arrival day and drop you back on the last day of the trip. You are responsible for getting yourself to Tyinkrysset.
The group transfer is included in your trip package. There is no discount if you choose not to use it.
Temperatures vary but expect proper winter conditions. Norway gets cold, but it’s a dry cold that doesn’t feel as harsh if you’re layered correctly. Be prepared for snow, wind, or sunshine. Check the forecast in your customer portal closer to departure.
Our itineraries are never set in stone. Guides swap things around to make the most of weather conditions and the forecast. Please be flexible, they work hard to ensure we have the best adventure while staying safe.
No. Most places accept cards, including the hotel and resort. You can bring a small amount of local currency for personal expenses and tips for your guide and host if you want, but it’s not needed.
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