Photo: Cathrine Dokken

4-Day Self-guided Backcountry Ski Tour in Jotunheimen National Park

4 days, self-guided

Enjoy a 4-day self-guided backcountry ski tour that immerses you in the remote wilderness of Jotunheimen National Park. Though short, this adventure takes you from Gjendesheim to Eidsbugarden, offering experienced skiers stunning landscapes and well-marked trails. Navigate independently through pristine nature for an unforgettable journey. Easily accessible from Oslo or Bergen.

 

Highlights

  • Backcountry skiing in Jotunheimen
  • Experience cozy accommodation
  • Snowcoach ride

Included

  • Bus transport from/to Oslo
  • 3x Accommodation incl. breakfast
  • 3x Packed lunch and dinner
  • Snowcoach ride
  • Luggage transport (from the start in Gjendesheim to the end in Fondsbu)
  • Map and detailed tour description
  • Beeswax wrap

Season and Price 2025

April– daily arrivals

First arrival day: 03.04.2025
Last arrival day: 20.04.2025

Price:
1 person in doubbelroom:
NOK  11.900

Single room supplement:
NOK 1.400

Children 12 – 17 years
NOK 10.300 

Map

Below you will find practical information about this trip.
Can not find what you are looking for? See our frequently asked questions page, or send us an email – we will help you!

Day to day

Day 1: Transport from Oslo to Gjendesheim

Transport

Bus, Valdresekspressen from Oslo to Gjendesheim

Start your adventure with a morning bus from Oslo. Enjoy a scenic 4-hour journey through the winter wonderland of Valdres, gradually ascending to the majestic mountains of Jotunheimen. En route, you’ll traverse Valdresflye, Norway’s second highest road.

Possible hike: Testtour arround Gjendesheim

Accommodation: Gjendesheim DNT cabin

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Backcountry Skiing Gjendesheim to Gjendebu

Activity: Backcountry Skiing Gjendesheim to Gjendebu

Time: 5-6 hours, Distance: 20 kilometers, ↑ 100 meters

Today marks the beginning of your Jotunheimen crossing. Ski across the frozen Gjende Lake, following the marked track all the way to Gjendebu. In between, you can stop at the cabin Memurubu, to enjoy a coffee, tea or chocolate before you head further.  The flat skiing route offers stunning views of towering, steep mountains in an awe-inspiring natural setting.

Accommodation: Gjendebu DNT cabin

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

 

 

Dag 3: Backcountry skiing Gjendebu – Eidsbugarden

Activity: Backcountry skiing Gjendebu – Eidsbugarden

Time: 5-6 hours, Distance: 17 kilometers, ↑ 610 meters

Today’s journey takes you away from Gjende Lake and up into the mountains. With a climb of about 500 altitude meters, this day will be more challenging, yet equally rewarding, requiring you to utilize your skiing skills to navigate the stunning mountain terrain. After a while, you’ll descend to Bygdin Lake, heading towards your final overnight stay at Eidsbugarden.

Accommodation: Fondsbu DNT cabin

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

Day 4: Departure day to Oslo or Bergen

Snowcoaches to Tyin

Depart the remote village of Eidsbugarden in a historical Bombardier snowcoach, heading to the next road where your bus awaits.

 Bus to Oslo

After almost a week in the mountains, enjoy a comfortable ride back to civilization.

Alternative: Want to visit Bergen? Opt for the bus to Bergen instead of Oslo. You can even combine this transfer with a fjord cruise to Bergen. Contact us for more information.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch

Practical information

Below you will find practical information about this trip.
Can not find what you are looking for? See our frequently asked questions page, or send us an email – we will help you!

 

Add-on

Go to Bergen instead of Oslo
NOK 150

You can choose to end your trip in Bergen instead of Oslo. Then you will skip the last cruise to Bygdin and take the bus from your last accommodation.

Ski rental (4 days)
NOK 2.450

incl. Boots, Backcountry-ski (wax or no-wax ski), poles

Extra night in Oslo
Price on request

If you are interested to see the capital of Norway, or your flight is arriving late, you can ad one extra night in Oslo, including breakfast. You can also ad it on the end of the trip.

    Important details

    To fully enjoy your backcountry ski adventure in the mountainous areas, it’s important to dress appropriately for the weather conditions and local temperatures. For a comfortable and enjoyable experience, we recommend wearing warm, waterproof clothing, and sunscreen and sunglasses.

    Luggage transport

    We will send your luggage from cabin to cabin, so you only need to bring a daypack.

     

    Accommodation

    Gjendesheim DNT-cabin
    Gjendesheim Turisthytte has a history dating back to 1878, ten years after DnT was established. The hut is run by DNT and is located in the heart of the Norwegian mountains. Across the water from the restaurant you will see some old log cabins, one of them is Jo Gjende´s cabin. Jo Gjende (1794 – 27 February 1884) was a Norwegian outdoorsman and freethinker. He is believed to have been the model for Henrik Ibsen´s Peer Gynt. A famous photo of Jo is in the picture book.

    Gjendebu DNT-cabin
    At 990 m.a.s.l. at the west end of Gjende Lake, you will find Gjendebu totally remote except for access by hiking or boat. The DNT accommodation consists of several cabins and a main house with a beautiful dining room, with good local food – This is the oldest cabin of DNT, built in 1871.

    Fondsbu DNT-cabin
    Fondsbu is located in beautiful Eidsbugarden. The cottage is widely known for its good atmosphere, hosts, and great location. A popular place for hikers.Traditional mountain hotel with large swimming pool, restaurant, lovely lobby area with large fireplace.

    Meals

    At the mountain lodges, we provide delicious meals to fuel your all-day adventures. Breakfast is served as a buffet, where you can also prepare a packed lunch for the day. In the evening, enjoy a 2-3-course dinner. Please inform us of any dietary requirements. Water is always available for free, and alcoholic and other beverages can be purchased on-site.

    Route

    Our selected daily hikes are well-marked, and you will meet other hikers. The trails are narrow, often rocky, and sometimes you need to cross rivers and streams. Therefore, we recommend ankle-height mountain boots and hiking poles.

    You will receive a physical map and gpx files from us on arrival and a detailed tour description for orientation

     

    Diffuculty

    Medium

    Necessary Experience

    Winter conditions can vary greatly, ranging from warm, pleasant weather with sunshine to sudden storms, poor visibility, cold, and heavy snowfalls that make skiing very demanding. Therefore, it is crucial to know how to handle such conditions.

    We do not recommend this backcountry ski tour for beginners. Participants must have substantial outdoor experience, including proficiency with the necessary equipment, and be able to use a GPS, map, and compass. Additionally, maintaining composure in difficult weather is essential.

    If you lack this experience, we suggest opting for our guided backcountry ski tour, where you can feel safe and enjoy the journey, even on bad weather days.

    Equipmentlist

    When you book with us, we’ll provide you with a packing list to ensure you have all the necessary clothing and gear.

    Transport

    Travel green by using public transport.

    Experience the convenience of choosing from various departure times and travel destinations along our express bus routes. Share your travel plans with us, and we’ll take care of the arrangements, ensuring a stress-free experience for you.

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