Cross country skiing in Norway
“This week-long small group vacation is perfect for couples and solo skiers, with experienced instructors to help you find your feet in some stunning scenery. ”
Highlights
Oslo | Kvitavatn | Norwegian wilderness | Free Day | 6 days cross-country skiing |
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Vacation type
Small group vacation
Small group travel is not large group travel scaled down. It is modelled on independent travel – but with the advantage of a group leader to take care of the itinerary, accommodation and tickets, and dealing with the language. It’s easy to tick off the big sights independently – but finding those one-off experiences, local festivals, traveling markets and secret viewpoints is almost impossible for someone without the insider knowledge gained from years in the field. If you’re heading off on a gap year your, perhaps – but for those with a two-week vacation, a small group tour will save valuable planning time.The leaders are not guides – they’re not there to shepherd you around. Instead, they’ll let you know which local restaurant serves great value food – without running the risk of travelers’ tummy. They’ll allow you to avoid hour-long queues at train stations and attractions.
We like to think of small group travel as the Goldilocks option. It is independent travel without the fuss, worry and bunk beds – and organised travel without the coaches. And it’s cheaper than a tailor made tour. It’s sits somewhere in the middle – and we think it’s just about right.
What are the main benefits?
Big experiencesHave big, life-enriching experiences that would be impossible to organise without lots of time and insider knowledge.
Simplicity
Make the most of your vacation time by letting someone else do the hard work and boring logistics!
Peace of mind
Small group tours take care of the security aspects – and provide a safety net should anything unexpected happen.
Who is it ideal for?
Travelers who are short of timeIf you don’t have three months to spend exploring, small groups trips let you cover more ground in less time. Your days are not spent queuing for tickets or finding hotels – so you can squeeze more into your vacation.
Solo travelers who’d like company
Likeminded travel companions plus peace of mind for those traveling alone. Single supplements are usually available – providing privacy if you want it.
Less confident travelers
Stray from the tourist trail without worrying about getting lost, and meet local people without dealing with the language barrier.
Mythbuster
“I won’t get any privacy!”Couples and friends have private rooms, and you can choose to eat alone or not. Single supplements give solo travelers their own room.
“There won’t be any free time”
Free mornings or afternoons let you explore on your own, or just relax.
“The accommodation will be basic”
Trips are as high or low end as you like. Though off the beaten track destinations won’t have luxury hotels, this is all part of the adventure.
“I won’t like the other travelers!”
Tour operators try to create groups with a similar demographic – age, families, activity levels... Chances are, you’ll even make new friends.
“Will we be following an umbrella?”
No.
Meet a group Leader
Name: Valerie ParkinsonStory: The first British woman to climb Manaslu, Valerie climbed Everest for her 50th birthday. She’s spent fourteen Christmas Days trekking to Everest Base Camp, and is involved insetting up Responsible Tourism initiatives in the Himalayas.
Meet a local guide
Name: Roshan FernandoStory: Roshan has led over 130 trips – he adores showing travelers around Sri Lanka. He won the company Leader Award in 2010, but his career highlight was working on their Tsunami Project – which earned him a responsible tourism award.
Responsible tourism
Responsible tourism: Cross country skiing in Norway
UK office
It all starts at home so we have first worked to reduce our carbon footprint in our UK offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies in place, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
Leaders & local suppliers
Our accommodation occupies a unique setting overlooking a frozen lake with magnificent Mount Gausta as the backdrop. Environmental policies in place at Kvitavatn Fjellstoge include recycling waste materials, energy saving with night heating, requesting suppliers limit cardboard and the number of deliveries, as well as recent upgrades to the refrigeration and freezer system in order to save water. Towels are only changed mid-week upon request and cleaning materials are ecologically friendly where possible.
Group size
We operate small group tours that have a low impact on the communities we visit and we always ensure our operations do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. This allows us to stay in unique and characterful accommodation that would not have benefitted from tourism due to their limited size.
Activity
Our selection of alternative winter activities seeks to make the most of the natural environment in its pristine state, rather than changing it. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and dogsledding are best suited to remote wilderness areas and the development of these alternatives is key to the long-term survival of many mountain communities.
Our cross-country skiing vacations in general avoid large alpine ski areas, and are less dependent on snow cannons, graded pistes and ski lifts, creating significantly less environmental impact than alpine skiing vacations. Using skis that are longer and lighter than alpine skis, our cross-country day tours explore the magical scenery and tranquillity of the natural winter environments. Journeys further afield may utilise public transport and the local economy benefits from our groups purchasing supplies and ski hire directly.
8 Reviews of Cross country skiing in Norway
4 out of 5 stars
In depth story review
“Although I hoped Norway was going to have some great scenery nothing prepared me for how beautiful it actually was.”
Learn more about this itinerary in Responsible Travel's interview with Rebecca Malcolm, a traveler on this tripRead full interview
Reviewed on 16 Jan 2010 by Linda White
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The scenery In Norway is beautiful especially after having a meter of snow the day before we arrived. It made the cross - country skiing area very beautiful.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Get yourself very fit, you use different muscles for cross - country skiing.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes a local guide Ingrid who was excellent.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Very good an excellent group of people.
Reviewed on 23 Feb 2009 by Ellen Tarquinio
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The place and the people that participated on the trip. The instruction from Ilsa was excellent, the lodge was very clean and well kept and hte food was first class.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring more outdoor gear then is on the list. Gaitors are critical, but are not included on the list. Also, this is backcountry skiing or alpine touring, not cross country.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The vacation did use a local lodge and there was little impact on the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
the vacation was excellent. The only downside was that people were not screened for fitness level of skill and that held back the other participants.
Reviewed on 09 Mar 2008 by Catherine Harris
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The friendliness and expertise of the leaders, the scenery and plenty of good food.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take gaters. They’re not on the kit list but you will need them for any off track. Bring your own alcohol. You don't need to bring your own tea or coffee. There is no day off on the 8 day trip. There is a free ski bus down to Rukjan if you want to visit the town. Bring a packed lunch for the flight out.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The centre was very environmentally aware, recycling and minimising food waste, double doors to minimise heat loss.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent vacation, great location, great staff. Brilliant off track skiing. Friendly people, family atmosphere.
Reviewed on 25 Mar 2006 by Nigel Davies
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The 30km ski trip on the fifth day breath-taking scenery, and constantly changing extremely exhausting but tremendously rewarding.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Book an extra week, so you can build on the introduction to the sport from the first week.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, I expect so.
4. Any other comments?
Ingrid, the instructor, was fantastic. Excellent at her job, she took time out for everyone, so we all benefited from first-person instruction, though part of a 14-strong group. She's simply marvellous! The snow conditions and weather were perfect, and the trails varied and interesting. The hotel was great, very friendly staff and very comfortable, and the food was plentiful and well prepared. And yes, I will be going back! 5 stars, I can't find any faults with the vacation.
Reviewed on 01 Apr 2006 by Giuseppe Molinari
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Literally, going to the hell! "hellvete" in Norwegian are broad, deep pits carved out in gorges where streams flow; in winter they become a fantastic cathedral of rock and ice and you can reach their bottom.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Achieve some sound competence in cross country skiing, learn how to wax or bring your own no-wax skis.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, indeed.
4. Any other comments?
Probably this operator underrated the technical difficulties of a trip to Espedalen valley; it is not enough to state "a week two course, not for beginners". For bold and gallant Britons, this means that when you can tell the tip from the tail of your skis... go cats go! In a more modest continental mood it means that you should have a minimum of experience in ski touring as well (see the last day trip). Another British company rates Espedalen grade 3 on a scale from 1 to 4.
Reviewed on 25 Mar 2006 by Jane Bellinger
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Perfect blue skies and soft powdery virgin snow - irresistible scenery with enough exercise to warrant the gargantuan suppers!
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Norway is expensive. Consider bringing a bottle for a late nightcap in your room. Also bring an extra pair of gloves as hands are the most likely to get wet and cold.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Local cafes were used and a local dog musher, but the vacation was all inclusive so not much need to buy locally. Low impact travel by skis.
4. Any other comments?
The pool and sauna were an asset for weary limbs. The dogsled trip was a worthwhile investment for some novel and exciting travel.
Reviewed on 18 Feb 2006 by Lindsay Easton
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It's really difficult to pick out an individual event on moment. It was a accumulation of things.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be fit! Take plenty to read.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
It undoubtedly benefited local people, in that it provided employment, and I suspect that the Norwegian Exchequer has a shrine to "Foreign tourists who buy the occasional beer", possibly in the shape of a small hospital or airport paid for by our taxes. As to minimising environmental impact, frankly no, it is impossible to imagine that people flying 500 miles to spend days schlepping through forests on tracks which are renewed every day by heavy machinery is exactly environmentally friendly, but conversely the fact that we did it gives the forest environment a financial value, which regrettably is the only thing that gives it, and the animals etc that live in it, any hope for future.
4. Any other comments?
I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year.
Reviewed on 11 Jan 2006 by Julie Gilson
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Learning to cross country ski and the Norwegian countryside.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
To travel with this operator.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Difficult to know.
4. Any other comments?
Our guide (Ingrid) made the vacation - she was wonderful.
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