Improvers Cross Country Ski Weekend in Norway

Norway

Jan

Take your cross-country skiing to the next level in the Norwegian mountains. Snowy tracks, expert coaching and yoga for tired legs.

2

Improver

2

Moderate

Home Comforts

Home Comforts

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From 

£1,495

(USD $2,347.15)

Improvers Cross Country Ski Weekend in Norway hero

Take your skiing off-track

Level up your cross-country skiing

Got a few days of cross-country skiing behind you and want to go further? This improvers’ weekend in Norway’s Rondane mountains picks up where your first trip left off. You’ll sharpen your technique, then leave the groomed trails for your first go at off-track skiing across open plateau, covering real distance and reaching snow most skiers never see.

Back at our family-run mountain hotel, there’s yoga for tired legs, an evening in a lakeside sauna and an ice dip for the brave, and three-course Norwegian dinners to refuel.

No Hidden Costs

What's Included In Your Adventure

3 Days Cross-Country Skiing

A technique refresh, full-day tours and an intro to off-track skiing

3 Yoga Sessions

Post-ski recovery flows to stretch out tired legs

Ice Dip & Lakeside Session

Drop into the lake through the ice, then thaw out in the lakeside sauna

Indoor Sauna Access

Warm up the traditional Norwegian way

4 Nights Accommodation

Family-run mountain hotel with panoramic views and trails from the door

All Meals

Breakfasts, packed lunches and three-course Norwegian dinners

An Expert Team

A qualified cross-country ski instructor and your Gutsy Girls host

Group Transfers

Pick-up and drop-off at Ringebu train station, with direct trains from Oslo Airport

Cross-Country Skiing

Yoga

Ice Dip and Sauna

Activity Overview

Cross-Country Skiing

You’ve already done a week or so on skinny skis, now it’s about going further and wilder. You’ll start with a refresher to sharpen up your ski skills, before heading off the prepared tracks for the first time.
Off-track skiing opens up open plateaus and untouched snow that most people never reach. Even using the tracks, the days on this trip will be longer and the terrain more varied, so by the end you’ll be covering real distances and skiing ground you couldn’t have on day one.

All ski equipment hire, expert tuition and experienced guides are included.

  • Ski, boot and pole hire
  • Technique coaching pitched at improvers
  • Your introduction to off-track skiing
  • Access straight into Rondane National Park

Activity Overview

Yoga

Stretch out any aches with three yoga classes designed for post-skiing recovery. Trust us, your legs will thank you for it.

If you’ve never stepped on a yoga mat before, don’t worry. The sessions cater to all levels with an expert teacher who will adapt poses to suit the group.

  • Yoga mats and all equipment included
  • Well-equipped studio
  • Expert teacher who adapts to all levels

Activity Overview

Ice Dip and Sauna

Lower yourself into the lake through a hole cut in the ice, then get straight into the lakeside sauna to warm back up. It will knock the breath out of you for a few seconds, but then you’ll feel brilliant (we promise!). Optional, but worth doing at least once.

The indoor sauna is yours for the rest of the trip, as often as you like.

  • Ice dip and lakeside sauna session
  • Unlimited use of the indoor sauna during open hours
  • A true Norwegian tradition

Home for the holiday

Accommodation & Food

We're based in a traditional, family-run mountain hotel with cosy rooms and big views across the snow. You can ski straight from the front door into the national park, so there's no time spent driving to a start point.

As well as private and twin ensuite rooms, there’s a yoga studio for post-ski stretches, a sauna, bar, and comfortable lounge with an open fire and free tea and coffee - everything you need after long days out in the mountains.

1 of 2

Cozy Norway cabin living room with fireplace, armchairs and warm light for a cross country ski and yoga stay

Fuel up with hearty breakfasts, packed lunches on the trails, and three-course dinners showcasing the best of Norwegian cuisine.

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Plate of food with roasted meat, vegetables and berry dessert on a table with candles and bread

Availability

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The Essentials

Everything you need to know

Accommodation
Home Comforts

Home Comforts

Home Comforts. A traditional, family-run mountain hotel with private and shared ensuite rooms, a restaurant, sauna, bar, lounge and yoga studio.

  • lounge
    Lounge
  • wifi
    WiFi
  • sauna-room
    Sauna
  • cocktail
    Bar
Food

We accommodate most dietary requirements with advance notice, but if you have a severe allergy, please get in touch before you book.

  • gluten
    Gluten free
  • milk
    Lactose free
  • nut
    Nut free
  • cheese
    Vegetarian
  • vegan
    Vegan
Difficulty Level
2

Moderate

At improver level you’ll cover roughly 14–20km a day across tracks and off-track terrain, with six to seven hours of activity split between technique sessions and longer tours.

You already know what the sport takes, so the main thing is arriving with the fitness to back it up. If you’re doing cardio three or more times a week – running, cycling, HIIT or spin – you’ll handle this well.

Not sure if this is the level for you? Visit our Difficulty Guide.

You'll Need to Be

  • Doing medium to high-intensity cardio three or more times a week
  • Comfortable with the challenge of skiing off prepared tracks on variable snow
  • Ready for consecutive active days - there are no rest days
  • Able to hold your technique together over longer distances
Skill Level
2

Improver

A minimum of 5–10 days of cross-country skiing experience is required to join this trip. If you haven’t tried it yet, or you’re coming from a downhill background, start with our beginner trip instead; cross-country skis with a loose heel are a different beast entirely.

Not sure what level you are? Visit our Difficulty Guide.

You'll Need to Be

  • Snow plough confidently to control speed and stop
  • Move in and out of the tracks comfortably
  • Manage speed and direction on downhills and have uphill climbing skills
  • Ski longer distances without losing your technique
Packing List

This list is an indication of the specialist items you will need, and might need to invest in before your adventure!

For a full list of what you’ll need to bring, check out the trip guide.

We Provide

  • Cross-country skis
  • Ski boots
  • Ski poles

You'll Need

  • Base layers
  • A breathable, waterproof shell jacket
  • Soft shell winter hiking trousers
  • A warm packable insulated or down jacket
  • Hiking boots or snow boots
Travel

The meeting point for this trip is Ringebu train station. Alternative routes and travel information are in our Trip Guide.

Not Included
  • Flights
  • Train tickets (approx £30 each way)
  • Drinks
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips
Trip Code

NORVENXCIM7

Include this code in any message and we’ll know exactly which trip you mean.

We’ve got you covered

What You're Wondering

Do I need cross-country skiing experience?

Yes. This is an improvers trip, so you need at least 5–10 days of cross-country skiing behind you. Downhill experience doesn’t count. If you’re new to cross-country skiing, start with our beginner weekend or week first.

How is this different from the beginner trip?

It’s the same mountains, but you’ll be approaching them at a different level. You skip learning the basics and go straight into a technique refresh, before trying off-track skiing and longer full-day tours. This trip is for women who’ve caught the bug and want to go further and learn more.

How fit do I need to be?

It’s rated moderate. You’ll ski six to seven hours on active days, covering 14–20km on and off the tracks, sometimes further where conditions allow, with no rest days. Train by doing cardio two or three times a week (running, cycling, HIIT or spin) and you’ll be ready.

What is off-track skiing?

Off-track skiing means you’ll head off the prepared, groomed tracks and out onto open mountain terrain. The snow is variable and there’s no set line to follow, so you have to read the landscape yourself. It’s a big step up from a beginner trip, and opens up ground most people never reach.

What ski kit is provided?

We provide cross-country skis, boots and poles. You bring your own layers and will know what works from previous trips. A full packing list is in the trip guide.

How do I get to the trip start point?

Fly into Oslo Gardermoen (OSL), then take the train to Ringebu station (around 2.5 hours). We’ll meet you at Ringebu and drive you the last 20 minutes to the hotel. Train tickets aren’t included (roughly £30 each way) and you book them yourself – see below.

What time trains should I book?

On vy.no/en or sj.no, search Oslo Lufthavn (Airport) to Ringebu for your travel date, then book the train that arrives at Ringebu in time for our transfer:

  • Arrival day: the 14:29 or 16:28 train arriving 16:53 or 18:49
  • Departure day: the 09:56 or 12:06 train from Ringebu.

The journey is roughly 2.5 hours and it’s a direct, scenic run with no changes to worry about.

What time is the transfer?

Our transfer runs between Ringebu station and the hotel on arrival and departure days.

  • Pickup: to meet trains arriving at 16:53 or 18:49 (18:35 Sat)
  • Drop-off: in time for the 09:56 or 12:06 trains

Our transfers runs on a fixed schedule. If you miss it, you’ll need to arrange your own way to the hotel. This is why we ask everyone to have travel insurance covering delays and missed connections – it’s non-negotiable on our trips.

How do I book my train?

Book directly at vy.no/en or sj.no. Tickets go on sale 60–90 days before travel, so make sure to set a reminder in your calendar. Budget around £30 each way.

Is the itinerary flexible?

Yes. Mountain weather can be unpredictable, so our guides adjust the daily plan to give you the best and safest skiing. You’ll still get your full adventure.

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