Sharpen your winter skills during this adventure week designed for active nature lovers. Stay 6 nights in a cosy hotel room or comfortable log cabin at Rondane River Lodge and enjoy days packed with activities in the Norwegian mountains. The program includes a snowshoeing hike to a mountain top with avalanche course, a backcountry skiing introduction, full day dogsledding, a musk ox safari and a 2 days expedition to a wilderness cabin to spend the night. Relax in our wood-fired sauna when returning from your adventures and savour delicious home-made meals in the cosy restaurant.
Young adults from the age of 15 with an active mindset are welcome to join this package.
This program is just an example and can be tailormade according to your wishes.
Day 1: arrival in winter wonderland
The hosts welcome you at Rondane River Lodge and inform you about the week program. For sure you will be charmed instantly by the cosy lodge and the snowy forest around. Relax in your comfortable hotel room or traditional log cabin and enjoy a home-made 3 courses welcome dinner in the restaurant.
Day 2: snowshoe hike to a mountain top with avalanche course
After a delicious breakfast and preparing your lunch package, we spend a whole day snowshoe hiking. You will be explained the technique and set-off for a guided 6-7 hours hike. Depending on the level of the group and the weather conditions, we try to reach a mountain top with panoramic views over the Rondane National Park. You will also get familiar with the use of tranceiver, shovel and probe during a basic avalanche course.
Day 3: dogsled safari in Jotunheimen national park
Today you drive over a scenic route to the neighboring Jotunheimen National Park for a full day dogsled safari. Upon arrival at the dogyard, you will be enthousiastically greeted by your new furry friends. After some basic instructions on how to handle the sled and gathering the dogs, you set-off for a 3-4 hours tour through snow covered forests and into the higher mountains of Jotunheimen. This is an experience simply not to be missed. Each participant will have is own dogsled and there will be stopped for a wilderness lunch on the way.
Day 4: backcountry skiing
Rondane National Park has unlimited possibilities for backcountry skiing. This is the oldest form of skiing, once developed in Norway to cross the vast plateaus. These slightly wider skis offer more stability than cross country skis and skins can be attached for extra grip when going up- or downhill. The technique is surprisingly easy and previous experience with skiing is not necessary. The destination will be chosen depending on the weather and abilities of the group, but expect about 4 hours of skiing in hilly terrain. Halfway we enjoy a tasty wilderness lunch in the middle of nowhere. Those who want can pull a sled/pulk to get used to the extra weight.
Day 5: musk ox safari in Dovrefjell national park
The iconic musk ox has its natural habitat in Dovrefjell National Park. It can be easily searched from Hjerkinn, about a one hour drive from Rondane River Lodge along the national tourist route Rondanevegen with its several impressive viewpoints. Accompanied by a local guide from Dovre Lesja, your chances to find the musk ox will be significantly increased. There are good opportunities to spot also snow grouse, arctic fox and maybe even a flock of wild reindeer. Snowhoes will be used during the musk ox safari which takes about 3 to 5 hours depending on the location of animals.
Day 6-7: backcountry ski expedition to a wilderness cabin
Prepare yourself for a 2-days expedition with snowshoes or backcountry ski’s (preference to be indicated when booking). Take only what’s essential and be ready to carry some food and common stuff as well. Then you set-off for an expedition straight through the Rondane National Park to a remote mountain cabin. The standard is quite simple (shared rooms and limited sanitary facilities) but you will definitely enjoy the authentic feeling. Everyone helps with heating the cabin and preparing the meals. After breakfast you return to Rondane River Lodge. Time to relax your muscles in the wood-fired sauna and to enjoy a home-made farewell dinner at the restaurant.
Day 8: departure
Time to say goodbye to the Norwegian mountains.
Included:
6 nights in a cosy log cabin or hotel room
Linen/towels and final cleaning
1 night at a simple wilderness cabin (including linen or a sleeping bag)
3 courses welcome and farewell dinner
Daily breakfast (hotel room) or first breakfast (log cabin)
6-7 hours guided snowshoe hike with wilderness lunch
3-4 hours dogsled safari with wilderness lunch
3-4 hours backcountry skiing with wilderness lunch
3-5 hours musk ox safari
2 days expedition with snowshoes or backcountry skis including simple meals
All sports equipment needed for the various activities
One time private use of the wood-fired sauna upon return of the expedition
Prices 2023/2024:
2 persons in standard double room = 20.050 NOK per person
2 persons in a superior double room = 21.100 NOK per person
2 persons in a small log cabin = 19.785 NOK per person
3 persons in a big log cabin = 16.355 NOK per person
4 persons in a big log cabin = 14.175 NOK per person
5 persons in a big log cabin = 12.870 NOK per person
6 persons in a big log cabin = 12.190 NOK per person
Dogs are welcome in a log cabin for 100 NOK per night.
Optional:
Extra meals
Optional activities
Rent of thermal dresses and winter boots
Use of the hot-tub in combination with sauna = 1500 NOK
Travel insurance
Christmas/New Year:
When booking this package during Christmas and New Year you can sign up for our festive 5 courses dinner on Christmas or New Year’s eve. Weather permitting there will be a celebration outside around the open fire with gløgg (glühwein) and you can bake your own bread. Children are welcome to join a short torch hike around the lodge.
Price = 890 NOK per adult and 535 NOK per child 3-11 years old
Transport:
We recommend to fly to Oslo Gardermoen Airport. Here you can pick-up a rental car and drive to Rondane River Lodge in about 3-4 hours. Alternatively you can also take the train to Atna where we can pick you up for 900 NOK one way (up to 8 persons). It’s also possible to come by ferry from mainland Europe with your own car. Make sure your car is winter proof and has winter tires / snow chains in that case. Please take into account there will be extra transfer costs for the different activities when not having a rental or private car at your disposal. Contact us for more information about transfer prices.
Clothing:
We recommend to bring winter sports clothing and to dress in layers as much as possible. For sure it can be freezing cold, but you might also get very warm while being active outdoors. Thermal underwear in merino wool is the best investment in order to stay comfortable in all kind of weather circumstances. And don’t forget a pair of sturdy/waterproof hiking or snow boots.
It’s also possible to rent winter dresses (400 NOK per week) and boots (300 NOK per week) from us. Please inform us about the required sizes in advance.
Participants:
This program can be offered on request throughout the winter season for a minimum of 2 persons.
Deposit:
When booking for this trip, a 30% deposit is payable upon confirmation. This deposit is non-refundable unless the program would be cancelled from our side due to insufficient snow.
Contact us for prices, availability or a tailor made offer.
