Mountain Adventure Holidays
On this trip we explore the Sjodalen Valley in the Jotunheim mountain range which is home to the highest mountains in Norway. We divide our week between three mountain lodges which offer great food and characterful accommodation as we make our way southwards into the mountains. The area has a rich natural heritage and is home to various species such as brown bears, lynx and sometimes to the occasional wolf passing through.
This trip is for Advanced skiers and differs from our Intermediate version of the trip in that we will ski further on our day trips. We also expect you to be comfortable skiing on narrow tracks in forested terrain and to enjoy exploring. To view the Intermediate trip click here.
We gather at the railway station at Otta, Norway, where a private transfer will take us to the remote lodge at Lemonsjøen. Your guide will meet you at approximately 1830 hrs to discuss the itinerary and answer any questions you may have.
Folklore has it that in the 1820's a travelling Scotsman enjoyed a summer at a farmhouse near the lake. He loved drinking lemonade, and had large amounts of lemons transported to the valley. When his summer was over he threw the unused lemons into the lake which thereafter became know as Lemonsjøen, which means Lemon Lake. For further information on travelling to Otta refer to the notes on 'Arrival & Departure' in the Trip Information section.
Our base for the first three days is Lemonsjøen, or Lemon Lake, which is in the middle of 150 km (94 miles) cross-country ski tracks. Whether exploring the lake side trails or the mountains it makes a great place to spend a few days and find your ski legs. We will aim to complete three different circuits which can all be done from the door of the lodge. We ski through birch woods, remote hamlets, and explore the high mountain area to the west above Lake Tesse which has stunning views to the Rondane and deeper into the Jotunheim. After our ski days we come back to cosy cabins to sit by the fire, or in the sauna. Our hosts at Lemonsjøen Fjellstue always provide a warm welcome and the food is excellent.
You should be at a very good fitness level and be able to ski approximately 6-7 hours and cover up to 20–25 km (12.5-21.8 miles) per day. The distance skied will depend on the tracks that have been prepared that day, and the weather conditions. If conditions are difficult the distance will be considerably less. It is easy to sit out a day if you wish to relax by the fire.
This morning we head to the south, and we quickly begin a long descent through the birch trees that is guaranteed to wake us up, quickly covering distance as we make our way to our next destination. After our exhilarating descent we have gentler terrain and then after the camping area at Randsverk it is welcome to the world of skidoo-made ski tracks! The skidoo has to make the tracks rather than the full-sized trail groomer simply because the trails through the woodland are narrow and only a skidoo can get through. It is great to see the 'locals' all working together to link up the ski trails along this valley. For Advanced skiers it is a great opportunity to work on your technique and to enjoy what is sometimes a roller coaster of ups and downs. As always when we transfer to the next accommodation your luggage will be taken by vehicle and you only ski with a light daypack.
Distance: 20.8km (13 miles) Ascent: 390 m (1279 ft) Descent: 395 m (1295 ft) Duration: 6 hrs
This morning we say goodbye to the rustic cabins of Sjodalen and begin our journey to Bessheim. The skiing today is more open, less woodland, and if the weather is good we hope to enjoy views of the Jotunheim peaks. For many the highlight of this week is skiing across the lake to Bessheim and we will encourage you to spend time in the lead so that you can enjoy the feeling of the wilderness ahead. Our lake crossing can be spectacular with the wind and light blowing snow across the lake creating a wonderful atmospheric ski journey. Knowing that we have a lovely mountain lodge at the end, with a sauna, and great food, is a good incentive to keep a steady pace. Our hosts Bjorn and Kari are very welcoming, and no doubt you will be quizzed about your journey. We will spend two nights at Besshiem.
Distance: 23.1km (14.4 miles) Ascent: 465 m (1525 ft) Descent: 375 m (1230ft) Duration: 6h15
Our goal today is to do a circuit to the south of Bessheim. Bjorn, when he is not cooking your meals, is busy cutting tracks for skiers, and we will chat with him in the morning about where to go depending on wind direction and snow conditions. Basically, we have our own personal track cutter and tracks that run from the hotel door. There are various options from the lodge, but we aim to pass by Gjendesheim DNT hut at the end of Gjende Lake directly below the world famous Bessegen Ridge which is a hugely popular hiking route in the summer months. This area is also home to one of our off-track Nordic trips and seeing the terrain may entice you to consider off-track as your next challenge. Today marks our final ski in the 'Land of the Giants'.
We depart this morning with a transfer from our accommodation at Bessheim to the railway station at Otta, Norway, where you can catch the train to Olso and elsewhere. Refer to the notes under 'Arrival & Departure' in the Trip Information section for further details.
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.
On all of our trips we aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, comfortable, characterful, family run accommodation. We take time to research, update and view the best options available to us on every trip. Detailed below are the hotels we use on this trip. The trip fees are based on two people sharing a room; what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. However, on many of our trips single rooms are available on request for a supplementary fee, subject to early booking.
On this point-to-point trip we spend four nights at Lemonsjø Fjellstue, one night at Sjodalen Cabins, and two nights at Bessheim Fjellstue. At Lemonsjø you will either be in the main building or in the cosy cabins which have a living area and an open fire. These two bedroom cabins will involve sharing one shower and toilet per cabin. This is the same at Sjodalen where cabins are used and there are shared facilities. At Bessheim you will have private en suite bedrooms for the last two nights. If you would like a cabin entirely to yourself then do ask about a supplement and if one is available we can give you a quote.
Lemonsjø is a traditional family run mountain lodge where our hosts Mari and Tor-Iva await us. This brother and sister team have taken over the family business and provide cosy accommodation and good food. The cafe is frequently visited by locals and visitors to the area. There is a sauna to ease any muscles.
The accommodation will be in wooden cabins in the grounds of the Fjellstue. In general there will be two bedrooms per cabin with a living space and open fire. There will be a shower and toilet shared by the two bedrooms. If you wish a cabin to yourself contact us for the supplement. This is only possible with early booking.
Sjodalen is a collection of traditional cabins in the birch woods. The cabins are beside the beautiful river Sjoa, in a quiet spot where it is easy to forget about everyday life. The cabins have two bedrooms in each, and there is a shared bathroom. All cabins have a terrace in front where you can enjoy the evening air.
You can expect a warm welcome from Kari and Bjørn at Bessheim Fjellstue. Bessheim has provided shelter for mountain lovers since the last half of the 1800s, when the original Kari Storvik started offering accommodation and food to hikers at her sæter, the Norwegian word for a summer farm. She built the first main building at Bessheim in 1890. Since then the sæter has evolved into a modern lodge in Jotunheimen. The rooms have en suite facilities and are decorated in mountain style.
The hosts at Bessheim today are Kari Lund and Bjørn Ekerbakke. Kari grew up at Nordgard Storvik in Vågå. Bessheim was originally the sæter of Nordgard Storvik. When she grew up her grandparents Kari and Knut Lund were running Bessheim. In 2005 Kari and her cousin Ragnhild Sjurgard took over the business and collaborated until Ragnhild started as a farmer in 2016.
Bjørn has been part of the business since 2011. He is from Skammestein in Valdres and is a trained chef. He has been working in mountain tourism for several years and ran Haugseter Mountain Lodge before he came to Bessheim.
Arrival
To reach the start of the tour in Norway you will travel north by train from Oslo to the town of Otta. Tickets are easily booked on line, with reduced prices available if booked in advance at Norwegian Trains.
Plan to take the train departing Oslo Sentrum at 1402 hrs to Otta, or the train from Gardermoen Airport which leaves at 1429hrs. Timetables are yet to be published, but the train normally arrives in Otta at 1735 hrs. The route is likely to be on the Departure Board as the line to Trondheim S. At Otta you will be collected by a private taxi, and driven to your accommodation which will take between 0h50 to 1h15 depending on road conditions.
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.
Travelling to Oslo by Air: You can either fly to Oslo Gardermoen Airport which then has connections from the airport building to Otta by rail. Or fly to Torp which is about 1h45 from Oslo by public transport. Buses run from Torp to Gardermoen Airport every hour which allows you to connect to the train to Otta.
Departure
At the end of the trip we have included a transfer back to Otta station, where you can then take a bus and train to Oslo. The 0835 bus from Otta to Lillehammer, followed by the 1111 train from Lillehammer arrives at Oslo Gardermoen Airport at 1300. We would suggest booking flights out from the airport from 1500.
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' 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.
In Norway there is no ski pass to buy, the tracks are free to everyone. With regard to the skis for this trip we use 'classic' style track skis. They do NOT have a metal edge. The skis are the new generation of ''skintec' skis and are Madshus and are mounted with a Rottefella NNN binding. The cost of hire for skis, boots and poles for six days will be 920 NOK for 2025.
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.
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, but we would advise a maximum of 60mm. 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 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 and Ski Pass' 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**
Medium sized kitbag – you must be able to lift your luggage as not all hotels have elevators. Your luggage will be transported by taxi and therefore we ask that you restrict your luggage to ONE item.
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 £450.
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.
On this trip you will have full luggage support. Your luggage will be transported to the next hotel on our route and you only need to ski with a small rucksack with essential items. Note we recommend one medium-sized kitbag per person, and a bag with wheels is always a good option. We will be staying in three different locations, and you will need to be able to carry your own bag to your bedroom.
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.
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.
We have, due to demand, opened up a second set of dates for this trip which is shown below as Trip Code JXA2. There will be two groups of skiers enjoying this week parallel to each other. Each group will have its own Ski Instructor to ensure our ratios for instruction and guiding are maintained. Having the two groups also allows the flexility of skiers moving between the groups if it is found they are better suited to the pace of one group or the other, ensuring a more enjoyable ski experience. You will have two excellent highly qualified professional Nordic Ski Instructors working this trip.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 15 Feb - Sat 22 Feb Code: JXA2 |
Price: £2295 | Limited availability | Book |
|
Sat 15 Feb - Sat 22 Feb Code: JXA1 |
Price: £2295 | Full |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 14 Feb - Sat 21 Feb Code: JXA1 |
Price: £2385 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £2295 |
| Holiday Type | Point to Point Track Skiing |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 1485m (4870ft) |
| Countries Visited | Norway |
| Meet In | Otta, Norway |
