Enjoy the true magic of winter during our winter explorer week designed for active couples and families. Stay 7 nights in a cozy hotel room or comfortable log cabin at Rondane River Lodge whilst exploring 3 different national parks in the heart of Norway: Rondane, Jotunheimen and Dovrefjell. A wide selection of activities is included such as snowshoeing, dogsledding, ice fishing, backcountry skiing and a musk ox safari. Relax in our wood-fired sauna when returning from your day adventure and savour delicious home-made meals in the cosy restaurant.
Also young kids 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.
Day 2: snowshoe hike to a mountain top
It’s time to try out snowshoe hiking. You will be explained the technique and set-off for a guided circa 4 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. We also look for traces of wild animals such as moose and wild reindeer. When lucky we might even be able to see them. Half way we stop for a tasty wilderness lunch around the open fire. Feel free to use the snowshoe equipment further the rest of the day. Young kids can eventually be pulled in a sled/pulk during this activity.
Day 3: dogsled safari in Jotunheimen national park
You drive over a scenic route to the neighboring Jotunheimen National Park for a 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 2 hours tour through snow covered forests and into the mountains. This is an experience simply not to be missed. You share the sled with 2 persons: one is the driver while the other is the passenger. Young kids will be packed in a sleeping bag to stay warm.
Day 4: ice fishing and local culture
Today will be spent at one of the frozen lakes around Rondane River Lodge. Here you get familiar with another favorite outdoor activity for Norwegians: ice fishing. Try your luck and bring your catch back to the lodge where the lady of the house will be happy to prepare it for you. In the afternoon you visit the local goat farm. You can try milking a goat yourself before tasting the different cheeses at the local cheese factory. We end our cultural program by visiting Sollia church, one of the best preserved wooden churches in Norway.
Day 5: 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. It’s not very technical and previous experience with skiing is not necessary. The destination will be chosen depending on the weather and abilities of the group. Halfway we enjoy a tasty wilderness lunch in the middle of nowhere. Young kids can eventually be pulled in a sled/pulk.
Day 6: 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. This activity is suitable for kids from 8 years old and can be replaced when travelling with younger children. What about an idyllic horse sleigh ride with panoramic views over the mountains for example?
Day 7: the choice is yours
Today the choice is all yours. Try some more snowshoeing on your own, go cross country skiing on the Venabu plateau or make use of the kicksledges and toboggan run at the lodge. Weather permitting you can go ice skating on the nearby lake while winter sports enthousiasts can drive to Kvitfjell in just one hour. It’s home to the longest alpine skiing slope in Norway which was used during the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Winter Games. Or always dreamed about skiing the powder outside the slopes and want to feel confident? Get yourself familiar with beacon, probe and shovel during an avalanche course. Last but not least also a snowmobile safari next to the Swedish border could be tempting of course.
Day 8: departure
Time to say goodbye to the Norwegian mountains.
Included:
7 nights in a cosy log cabin or hotel room
Daily breakfast when staying in a hotel room
4 hours guided snowshoe hike with wilderness lunch
2 hours dogsled safari
3 hours ice fishing course with wilderness lunch
2 hours cultural program with local cheese tasting
4 hours backcountry skiing with wilderness lunch
3-5 hours musk ox safari
All sports equipment needed for the various activities
One time private use of the wood-fired sauna during the week
Prices 2024/2025:
2 persons in standard double room = 14.740 NOK per person
2 persons in a superior double room = 15.790 NOK per person
2 persons in a small log cabin = 14.040 NOK per person
3 persons in a big log cabin = 11.585 NOK per person
4 persons in a big log cabin = 9.830 NOK per person
5 persons in a big log cabin = 8.775 NOK per person
6 persons in a big log cabin = 8.075 NOK per person
Dogs are welcome in a log cabin for 125 NOK per night.
Optional:
Half board when staying in a hotel room = 4375 NOK per adult and 2625 NOK per child 3-11 years old
Half board when staying in a log cabin = 5250 NOK per adult and 3150 NOK per child 3-11 years old
Linen and final cleaning when staying in a log cabin
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 = 990 NOK per adult and 595 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 (500 NOK per week) and boots (400 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.
