Mountain Adventure Holidays
Learn to cross country ski in Norway, the true homeland of Nordic skiing. Venabu is the perfect cross country ski area, set on the edge of the Rondane National Park with views to the mountains. Our family run hotel is something of a legend in Norwegian ski lore with a long history of skiing. The trip offers top quality instruction which will get you gliding in good style through this stunning winter landscape. Our hotel is situated in the middle of the Venabygdsfjell plateau, a snow-sure area with fantastic nature, a stable climate, great skiing trails and a range of other winter activities if you want to opt out for a day. The perfect base!
WARNING: Be prepared to adopt the Norwegian way of doing things and 'relax'. This is without doubt a great week for unwinding, whilst playing in the 'white stuff'.
This evening your ski instructor, who will be a fully qualified BASI Nordic Ski Instructor, will meet you at your hotel to have dinner with you. Due to the Norwegian tradition of eating early, normally around 1830hrs, we find that it is often more relaxing for your instructor to give you a full briefing the following morning.
With regard to travel please refer to the Arrival & Departure section which is under 'Trip Information'.
Every morning enjoy a leisurely beautifully displayed Norwegian buffet style breakfast. We will then head for the ski room to prepare for our day.
We love the atmosphere in the ski/waxing room as everyone chats about the day ahead, and discusses which wax to apply to give the best performance. Be prepared for lots of tales of derring-do and adventures from the day before as we mingle with the other guests and the locals.
With our skis ready for action we head for the tracks and a day of learning and exploring around the stunning landscape around Venabu. Our instructor will lead you through achievable exercises introducing you to the art of 'classic style' cross country skiing, what we call 'diagonal stride'. Day by day we add to this technique giving you the confidence and ability to travel on progressively longer tours out and back from our hotel.
Venabu offers everything we love about Norway. With 140 kms (87.5 miles) of trails to explore we have plenty to choose from, and with a variety of terrain from birch woodlands, to plateau, and mountains, we can choose the best tracks for the weather on the day. The main trails are flat or gently undulating, and are the perfect training ground for beginners and racers alike.
Our ski teachers know that we all learn at different rates and it's our job to ensure that everyone makes the most out of their 6 days of skiing with us and progresses at their individual pace. Each ski day can easily be adapted to different levels of 'new to nordic' skier.
We take a picnic lunch with us if the weather is good, and if it is chilly we may opt to enjoy lunch in the hotel lounge, where you can take advantage of the free teas and coffees. If you feel the need for extra energy for the afternoon ski you might indulge in the traditional Norwegian waffle, with jam and cream. After lunch we head back out for more fresh air and ski time, but our approach in the afternoon is usually quite leisurely as we like you to have time to relax and enjoy consolidating your new found skills and technique.
By mid-afternoon we are ready to head for our hotel, and the chance to relax in the sauna, or just enjoy the lounge area with its views to the mountains. It is a holiday after all!
Today you will transfer from your hotel to Ringebu station for the train journey to Oslo airport. Many of our guests opt to spend an extra night in Oslo to enjoy this cosmopolitan city. You could, of course, choose to begin with a night in Oslo at the start of your journey.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, characterful, family run accommodation. In most cases we have known the management for many years, and it’s like visiting old friends. Our suggested accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking. We have given details of our favoured hotel and the one we intend to use below. If unavailable we will book alternative accommodation of similar standard.
The trip fee is based on two people sharing a room. If you are travelling on your own your booking will be based on a twin bedroom sharing with someone of the same gender, what we call a 'twin' is two single beds in one bedroom. All rooms are en suite with shower, and toilet, and are non-smoking.
However, on this trip, single rooms are available on request, but will incur a supplementary fee. We recommend booking as early as possible to secure a single room as these are always limited in number. Please contact us for details.
Depending on availability at the time of booking your accommodation will be at the Venabu Fjellhotel or the Spidsbergseter Hotel. Both hotels are built in the typical Norwegian style, are family-run and enjoy a very relaxed and hospitable atmosphere. Venabu Fjellhotel is now Eco Certified, receiving an award from the Norwegian Government which recognises the work the hotel is doing to towards becoming a sustainable destination.
At both hotels the food is excellent and there is always a good selection of vegetables, salad and vegetarian options. We have opted for ‘self-made’ packed lunches everyday so we have complete flexibility with plans for our skiing day; lunches are made from the breakfast buffet, in the Norwegian tradition – a chance to experiment with all sorts of tasty sandwich fillings!
Venabu always captures the hearts of those who stay there. It is a simple hotel built in typical Norwegian style, family-run and with a very relaxed and hospitable atmosphere. It is without doubt the 'atmosphere' at Venabu that our guests love. A true cross country ski hotel where everyone 'lives and breathes' Nordic skiing. The meals are a highlight of the week, copious Norwegian style meals for both breakfast and dinner. Venabu is now Eco Certified, receiving an award from the Norwegian Government which recognises the work the hotel is doing to towards becoming a sustainable destination.
Facilities include a superb dining room, with views to the Rondane Mountains, a bar, saunas, dedicated space for yoga/pilates classes, a fitness room, and TV lounge. There is also a large ski waxing room with ski hire and shop, as well as a souvenir shop. All rooms are en suite with shower, and toilet and are non-smoking.
Rooms at the Venabu Fjellhotel come in two categories with the East Wing being the standard rooms (included in our price) or rooms in the newer West Wing which are larger, but normally have twin beds rather than a double bed. If you are interested in upgrading, for which there will be a supplementary fee, then do contact us for prices.
The Spidsbergseter Hotel has a great 'ski' atmosphere along with very comfortable rooms, lovely facilities including; a spa with swimming pool, jacuzzi and saunas. The dining room serves delicious meals making good use of local produce. Breakfasts are served Norwegian buffet style with much to choose from. The decor is traditional Norwegian featuring wood, and natural products.
The hotel has a 'cafe' which is open all day for coffee and cakes. Adjacent is a gift shop with a wide range of Norwegian products, and cross country ski waxes, and clothing. It is possible to organise optional extras here such as husky dog sledding. The hotel also has a cosy 'waxing' room for preparing our skis each morning, where hot fruit juice is free to guests.
Norway is easily reached with various international airlines offering direct flights from the UK and elsewhere in Europe to Oslo Gardermoen airport. Flights can also be taken to Torp airport, but please note you will need to allow enough time to transfer to Oslo Gardermoen for your train journey north.
The train station at Oslo Gardermoen is located inside the airport terminal and is just a few minutes from the arrivals area. It makes connecting to your train for your journey to Ringebu very easy. On your arrival day a transfer from Ringebu train station to your hotel is included in your trip cost, and also from your hotel back to Ringebu on your departure day.
Arriving
If you are arriving to Norway via Oslo you have the choice of either taking the hotel bus or public train north to the fabulous landscape of Venabu.
If travelling by train you will need a ticket from Oslo to Ringebu where you will meet a private taxi car/ small bus to take you to Venabu (this taxi is included in the trip price). The train journey is a delight in itself offering great views of the Norwegian countryside. The trains are modern and comfortable and have drinks facilities, and free wifi.
Tickets are easily purchased on line at Vy.no and if you book in advance there is a considerable discount. You can choose to collect tickets on the train or have them sent to your phone which makes taking the train north very easy. You should aim to catch the 1429 hrs train from Oslo Gardermoen (Lufthavn) airport to Ringebu, arriving at Ringebu at 1705 hrs.
The private hotel bus leaves Oslo Gardermoen (Lufthavn) airport only on Saturdays and goes direct to Venabu Fjellhotel. The bus corresponds with the SK804 flight from London Heathrow arriving at 1345hrs. Information for the bus platform number is given between 1330-1350 hrs at the bus information desk in the arrival area and aims to leave at 1430 hrs. If you would like to take the bus please contact us for availability. The cost of the bus is 280 NOK one-way (approximately £22).
Travelling to Oslo by Train: There are options for rail travel to Norway from all major European cities. For example from the UK you can overnight in Copenhagen, Denmark, however, there are many possibilities.
The easiest way to book is via www.raileurope.com or www.thetrainline.com. If you're travelling from the UK or US then take a look at the multi-day pass travel system provided by Eurail.
If you would like to book each stage as an individual journey then using the UK to Copenhagen, Denmark, as an example here is how.
Travel from London, England, to Brussels, Belgium using the Eurostar www.eurostar.com, these tickets can be purchased up to 6 months ahead of your travel date. From here you can book a train from Brussels, Belgium to Gothenburg, in Sweden, (Gotëborg) adding a stopover in Copenhagen, Denmark. For this you can use the German Railway website int.bahn.de. A full day on the train sees you arriving in Copenhagen for an evening walk around the city before dinner if you would like to use this as a stop over.
The final leg of your journey is from Gothenburg Central Station, in Sweden, to Oslo, Norway, and this can be booked using Vy the Norwegian rail network website www.vy.no.
All the trains have Wi-Fi, charging points and a restaurant car.
Departing
Trains or buses are expected to depart Ringebu at 0917 hrs, arriving at Oslo airport at 1301hrs, and a second train leaving Ringebu at 1133hrs, arriving at 1432 hrs.
The return airport bus leaves Venabu every Saturday at 0915hrs from hotel and aims to be at the airport by 1300 hrs. The cost of the bus is 280 NOK one-way (approximately £22).
Please ensure you book your ticket early as the trains can be fully booked and you will not be permitted to travel.
You can, of course, take alternative trains both on the arrival and departure days but this may incur a small supplement if it requires a special journey by the hotel taxi and is out with the hours of the group transfer.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Winter temperatures in Scandinavia are 'according to the locals' warmer in recent years than previously which is why we now run trips in the months of January, and February, as well as March and April. Even in January when the daylight hours are short we find that we have more than enough time for skiing. We have never yet had guests feeling they were losing out in terms of ski hours by booking in January or February. There is a special pleasure to starting your ski day in the sunrise, and skiing back with the sunset.
Historically temperatures in December have averaged -8°Celsius (17.4°F), in January -9.7°Celsius (14.5°F), in February -9.2°Celsius (15.4°F), in March -6.6°Celsius (20.1°F), and in April -2.3°Celsius (27.9°).
We have found over the years that these temperatures have not been unpleasant nor have any guests had problems dealing with the weather as it is generally a 'dry' cold, and of course this helps create great snow and therefore great ski tracks. If we do experience a cold snap where temperatures drop then we ensure that everyone is appropriately clothed and kitted out for the ski day. In this respect energy snacks and a thermos with a hot drink are a great comfort!
King Bore - 'King of Winter' from Nordic mythology says he can't promise anything, but in Venabu they begin to prepare the tracks as soon as they have enough snow in December and continue until mid-April or after Easter. Venabu has a good reputation as a 'snow sure' venue, and we have found that to be true. It offers 140 kms ( 87.5 miles) of prepared trails in varied mountain terrain, with summits up to 1400m (4592ft).
We use 'classic' style cross-country track skis for this trip. At Venabu the skis from the hotel are all fitted with BC NNN bindings (Back Country New Nordic Norm Bindings) and are 'waxless' skis, sometimes called 'fishscale' with metal edges which are more effective for snowploughing and control of speed.
Please make a note of your equipment hire in your Account area. We require your height, weight, normal shoe size (your everyday shoe size and not your personal adjustment for wearing boots) and the measurement of your height from the floor to your armpits for ski pole hire. Your instructor will help you organise your ski equipment once you arrive at Venabu.
We include the cost of the ski hire in your trip fee. There is no charge for using the ski tracks in Norway, and therefore no ski pass is required.
Your safety while skiing is our top priority. All skiers are requested to adhere to the Code of Conduct published by the International Ski Federation, or FIS. The aim is to make you, the skier, aware of how to avoid risks, take responsibility and act thoughtfully while on the cross-country ski tracks.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you will encounter and accommodation you will be staying in.
You require clothing that allows freedom of movement, and mobility. Warm leggings or trousers that are made of a stretch fabric are best. Layers are ideal for your upper body as they allow you to adjust your temperature. Alpine ski clothing is not appropriate as it is too bulky, too warm, and restricts movement.
Equipment
This trip uses metal-edged ‘classic’ style track skis. If you are bringing your own skis they must fit in the tracks, so should be a maximum of 66mm at their widest point. You can use track skis which are 'waxing', 'fishscale' or 'skintec'. You can also use track skis without a metal edge, or half metal edge. If in doubt about the suitability of your own skis please contact us.
Skis, boots, and poles - can be hired at the start of the trip. The cost of hire is indicated in 'Trip Information'. If you are intending to hire you must inform us as soon as possible as equipment must be booked in advance. The type of ski supplied by the hire shop is provided in the 'Ski Rental' section of the Trip Information page.
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £175.
We go to great lengths to work with first class ski instructors who are passionate about their work.
Your ski instructor will be a BASI qualified, or equivalent, Nordic Ski Instructor. BASI is the British Association of Snowsport Instructors and is one of Europe's leading examining boards for those choosing a career in snow sports. For some countries your ski instructor will hold the national qualification required for the country you are visiting. All are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
In the majority of cases your instructor will also be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting.
Please note your instructor has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
For this trip where you are centre-based, in other words where you are staying in the same accommodation all week, you are welcome to bring whatever luggage you require. However, please note that not all the hotels we use have elevators. This means you may need to carry your luggage to your bedroom and this might involve climbing several flights of stairs. We would suggest that luggage with wheels is generally a good idea.
On this trip your lunches are included in your trip fee. In Norway it is traditional to make up your own packed lunch from the breakfast ingredients. Breakfast is normally a buffet with a large range of food on offer with more than enough interesting items to prepare a tasty sandwich. You will be supplied with paper to wrap them in. You can also ask to have a thermos flask filled with a hot drink. On some of the days at Venabu we may return for a late sit-down lunch in the restaurant, although this will depend on our ski plans for the day.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
New European Travel Regulations from mid 2025
If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays you may be impacted by a significant change to travel regulations expected to be in place from the middle of 2025. The new EITAS scheme will start operating this year and, whilst a start date is not yet confirmed, it is likely to affect our summer holidays in 2025 and any winter holiday thereafter. As your holiday approaches we recommend that you check for updates on the website HERE.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
There are various outdoor and indoor activities available at Venabu Fjellhotel. You can book a horse sleigh ride, go husky dog sledding, or join a guided snowshoe tour. There are also yoga classes, and various other sessions available such as massage. You can use the sauna for free, and the hotel gym. If you want a day out you could ask the hotel to arrange a transfer to Ringebu station and travel to the Olympic town of Lillehammer for the day. Please note that optional activities are not included in your trip fee, and can be booked and paid for directly with the hotel. Many of our guests find that the only optional activity they find time to do is to relax for hours by the lounge fire enjoying the free tea and coffee facilities!
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. In this respect due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. All the trips being sold by Tracks and Trails are organised by Tracks and Trails, but you may find guests from other companies on your trip. Partners are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements. We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same price package. If you have any questions about this policy contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 11 Jan - Sat 18 Jan Code: VEN1 |
Price: £1735 | Full | |
|
Sat 25 Jan - Sat 01 Feb Code: VEN4 |
Price: £1735 | Limited availability | Book |
|
Sat 15 Feb - Sat 22 Feb Code: VEN2 |
Price: £1950 | Full | |
|
Sat 08 Mar - Sat 15 Mar Code: VEN3 |
Price: £2050 | Spaces available | Book |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 10 Jan - Sat 17 Jan Code: VEN1 |
Price: £1805 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 24 Jan - Sat 31 Jan Code: VEN2 |
Price: £1805 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 14 Feb - Sat 21 Feb Code: VEN3 |
Price: £2030 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 07 Mar - Sat 14 Mar Code: VEN4 |
Price: £2135 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £1735 |
| Holiday Type | Cross Country Ski Instruction |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 1200m (3936ft) |
| Countries Visited | Norway |
| Meet In | Ringebu, Norway |
