Itinerary

Accommodation

Trip Information

• Arrival & Departure

  Arrival

  Norway is easily reached, with various international airlines offering direct flights from the UK and Europe to Oslo Gardermoen airport. Flights can also be taken to Torp, but note you will need to allow enough time to transfer to Oslo Gardermoen for your train journey north to Lillehammer.

  The train station at Gardermoen is located inside the airport terminal (lufthavn) and is just a few minutes from the arrivals area. It makes connecting to your train for your journey to Lillehammer very easy.

  Tickets are easily purchased online at Vy.no and if you book in advance there is a considerable discount for the return journey. Trains run throughout the day.

  On arrival at Lillehammer you can take a taxi or a bus to Sjusjøen, or use the group transfer which is included in your trip fee and will meet the train arriving at 1610hrs. There are trains throughout the day, from early morning until late in the evening, between Oslo airport and Lillehammer. 

  The bus route from/to Lillehammer/Rustad Hotel is number 501 which goes from in front of the train station. Tickets can be bought on the bus or via the Innlandstrafikk app which is less expensive. Bus timetables can be checked at Innlandstrafikk.

  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.

   

  Departure

  Today you will transfer to Lillehammer by either taxi or bus. If there are several people all wanting to be at Lillehammer railway station then we will help co-ordinate this so that you can share the taxi cost, otherwise the group transfer included in your fee will be to meet the train departing from Lillehammer at 0907 hrs, and arriving at the airport at 1101hrs. There are trains throughout the day, from early morning until late in the evening, between Lillehammer and Oslo airport. 

  Please ensure you reserve your train ticket as early as possible. The trains can be fully booked and you will not be permitted to travel.

  Bus Information between Lillehammer and Rustad Hotel: If you arrive early or would to leave later than the advertised group transfer you can take the public bus. The bus times are listed below. The final timetable is yet to be published, but our hotel states these are the expected bus times.

  Lillehammer-Rustad Hotel:

  1120hrs (main road)

  1320 hrs (to the hotel)

  1520 hrs (main road)

  1900 hrs (to the hotel)

  The hotel is 600m from the main road and it can be a tricky hike with snow and lots of luggage.

  Rustad Hotel-Lillehammer (from the hotel):

  1009hrs

  1209hrs

  1609hrs

  Please check all travel arrangements with us before you book your flights and trains. Please contact us if you wish to confirm details. 

   

• Insurance

  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 weather in Scandinavia

  Winter temperatures in Scandinavia are 'according to the locals' becoming warmer, which is why we now run trips in the months of January, and February, as well as the traditional ski touring months of 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°). Clearly there is the potential for temperatures to drop much lower, but rarely lower than  -15°C (5°F).

  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! 

  If you are booked on one of our 'Advanced' or 'Challenging' point-to-point journeys and we experience very cold temperatures eg -15°Celsius (5°F) then we would expect you to be able to be efficient and keep moving and to manage your comfort.

• Snow Conditions

  Rustad Hotell & Fjellstue is located on Lake Sjusjøen, 18 km (11.25 miles) from Lillehammer, 830 m (2722ft) above sea level. In general the ski trails around Sjusjøen have snow from late November/early December which makes the area a centre for national ski teams who travel from around the world to train in early season. In December many teams will train in the stadium at Sjusjøen as they prepare for the first race meet of the winter. 

   

• Skis and Ski Pass

  We use 'classic' style cross country track skis for this trip. You can choose to bring your own, however do check with us first to ensure they are the correct type of ski and boot and are suitable. At Sjusjøen we do things the Norwegian way, and our hire skis from the hotel are 'waxing' skis, which provides a great opportunity to learn the art of waxing. Your instructor will provide daily waxing sessions to ensure you get the best out of the skis. Grip waxes are the traditional way of travelling on skis, and give greater glide than 'fishscales'. Don't be confused by all of this, just ask your instructor! We are always delighted to help you enjoy the whole Nordic experience. If you own 'fishscales' or 'skintec' skis it is quite acceptable for you to use them.

  Your instructor will help with organising ski rental on the morning of your first ski day at Sjusjøen. Note the hire skis at Sjusjøen are NOT metal edged which is why it is appropriate for you to bring your own 'classic' non metal-edged track skis. The total ski hire is 750 NOK for 6 days. Make your payment directly to the rental shop at the hotel (credit cards are accepted). To ensure we get the correct sizes equipment hire is arranged in advance. Make note of your equipment hire on our booking form. We will need to know your height, weight, normal shoe size (you must give us your everyday shoe size and not your personal adjustment for wearing boots) and the measurement of your height up to your armpits for ski pole hire. In Norway it is not necessary to purchase a ski pass as there is no charge to use the tracks. 

• FIS Code of Conduct for Cross Country Skiers

  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. 

  • Respect for others
    A cross-country skier must ski in such a manner that he/she does not endanger or
    prejudice others.
  • Respect for signs, direction and running style
    Trail marking signs must be respected on any trail marked with an indicated
    direction. A skier shall proceed only in that indicated direction and ski in the
    indicated running style.
  • Choice of trails and tracks
    On cross-country trails with more than one packed track, a skier should choose
    the right-hand track. Skiers in groups must keep in the right track behind each other. With free
    running style, skiers shall keep to their right-hand-side of the trail.
  • Overtaking
    A skier is permitted to overtake and pass another skier to the left or right. A skier ahead is not obliged to give way to an overtaking skier, but should allow a faster skier to pass whenever this is possible.
  • Encounter
    Cross-country skiers meeting while skiing opposite directions shall keep to their
    right. A descending skier has priority.
  • Poles
    A cross-country skier shall make the utmost effort to keep his poles close to his/her
    body when near another skier.
  • Control of speed
    A cross-country skier, and especially going downhill, shall always adapt his/her
    speed to personal ability and to the prevailing terrain and visibility and to the
    traffic on the course. Every skier should keep a safe distance from the skiers ahead. As a last resort, an intentional fall should be used to avoid collision.
  • Keeping trails and tracks clear
    A skier who stops must leave the trail. In the case of a fall, he/she shall clear the trail
    without delay.
  • Accident
    In case of an accident, everyone should render assistance.
  • Identification
    Everybody at an accident, whether witnesses, responsible parties or not, must
    establish their identity. 
• Kit List

  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. 

  Equipment

  This trip uses ‘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 with 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. 

  • Wax Cork and Ski Scraper - only if using 'waxing' skis, these can be bought at the hire shop
  • Ski ties - to hold your skis together, useful but not essential
  • Waxes - if required, these will be supplied by Tracks and Trails
  • Rucksack - 25 to 30 litres with waist and chest strap. You need space to carry your kit, and an item of group kit
  • Rucksack waterproof cover or liner to keep contents dry
  • Water container - 1 litre, drink tubes and bottles stowed on the outside of your rucksack usually freeze in winter
  • Whistle
  • Head torch - plus spare batteries as we may be skiing after dark

  Clothing 

  • Waterproof jacket - essential, this must keep you dry during a day of continuous snowfall or at least as dry as any waterproof jacket ever keeps you!
  • Waterproof trousers - in case of heavy snowfall
  • Trousers - lightweight, windproof and warm 
  • Thermal top - long sleeves
  • Thin fleece - long sleeves
  • Waistcoat - fleece/wind stopper 
  • Gloves x 2 (one thick and one thin)
  • Over-mittens for colder days can be useful
  • Warm hat
  • Sun hat
  • Head/ear band 
  • Duvet jacket (or second warm layer)
  • Scarf or 'Buff' for neck
  • Socks - 2 or 3 pairs

  Comfort

  • Lip salve
  • Sunscreen - essential
  • Sunglasses - essential
  • Goggles - or Nordic Ski Visor
  • Snack bars/chocolate
  • Tissues - we recommend biodegradable bags to dispose of rubbish
  • Anti-bacterial hand wash

  Personal First Aid

  • Personal medication 
  • Blister plasters (e.g. Compeed)
  • Painkillers/anti-inflammatory
  • Glucose tablets/Energy gel
  • 2 x Rehydration sachets - eg Dioralyte
  • Throat lozenges
  • Antiseptic cream/spray

  Documentation 

  • Mountain Rescue/Ski Insurance documents - compulsory
  • Passport
  • Credit card
  • Cash - Norwegian Kroner
  • GHIC - if travelling from UK for medical cover

  Additional Items

  • Attire for New Years Eve - there is no requirement to 'dress up', but our guests usually like to make a special effort on the 31 December. It really is up to you whether to stay 'casual' or to dress 'smart'.
  • Slippers for use at accommodation
  • Clothing for use at accommodation
  • Hair dryer if required (it is not standard for Norwegian hotels to provide one)
  • Travel Kettle if required (it is not standard for Norwegian hotels to provide one)
  • Swimwear for when sauna is available
  • Camera/ Book/Music
  • Toiletries – soap/shower gel; not all accommodation supplies these
  • Ear plugs - if room sharing
  • Small thermos for hot drinks
  • Short gaiters for snowy days

  **Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**

  Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit

   

• Group 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.

• Size of Group

  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.

• Single Supplements

  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 a single room. For December 2024 we only have one single room available, and it has now been taken. The rooms which we use for twins are 'junior suites' to give more space to those sharing, they feature a balcony, kettle, fridge and usually have a sofa. You can view the rooms here.

• Your Ski Instructor

  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. 

• Trip Grading

  These holidays are designed for those who can confidently get on their skis and go! You should already have done multi-day journeys on cross-country skis and enjoy spending the day travelling from point to point while carrying a small daypack. We would expect you to be able to ski at a steady pace over a variety of terrain and snow conditions, including icy tracks when necessary. As a minimum we expect you to have good control of speed and direction, and have a very effective snowplough. You should be familiar with the colour coding system for trails, and be able to assure us you can ski ‘red’ tracks with confidence. On any point-to-point journey we can expect to deal with a variety of weather from heavy snowfall to strong winds, and for this reason we expect a degree of self-sufficiency in terms of keeping yourself warm, and dry. It is possible that these tours may encounter sections of 'untracked' snow or old prepared trails, therefore making the distance covered more strenuous. Further tuition will be given at these stages if required. You should be at a very good fitness level and be able to ski approximately 6-7 hours and cover 20 (12.5 miles) – 35 km(18.7 miles) per day.

  However, due to the shorter daylight hours at New Year we usually ski for about 5 hrs per day on this trip, and cover around 20 km (12.5 miles).

• Luggage

  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.

• Lunches

  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. 

• Itinerary Statistics

  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. 

• Currency

  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.

  There are currency exchange facilities/banks in Oslo Airport or you can obtain Norwegian Kroner prior to your arrival. Credit cards will be accepted in the hotels. Oslo airport has a left luggage store available if needed. You can find more details for left luggage here.

• Food and Water

  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. 

• Passport and Visas

  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. 

• Electricity and Plugs

  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. 

• Tipping your Guide/Instructor

  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. 

• Health

  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. 

• Care for the Environment

  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.

• No Surcharge Guaranteed

  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. 

• Our Partners

  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.