Photo: Cathrine Dokken
The Classic Backcountry Skiing Round Trip in Jotunheimen
8 Days | Guided | Winter | Backcountry Skiing | Jotunheimen
Join us for an 8-day guided ski wintertour through Jotunheimen National Park. Ski across frozen lake Gjende, pass Norway’s highest peaks, and stay in cozy mountain lodges like Leirvassbu and Glitterheim. Suitable for medium to skilled skiers, this unforgettable adventure includes transport from/to Oslo, offering a seamless and safe way to experience Norway’s stunning winter landscapes.
Highlights
- The classic lodge to lodge winter route
- Backcountry skiing in Jotunheimen
- Experience cozy accommodation
Included
- Transport (Bus from/to Oslo)
- Guide
- 7 x Accommodation incl. breakfast
- 7 x Packed lunch and dinner
- Map and detailed tour description
- Beeswax wrap
Season and Price 2025
Date:
23 March 2025 to 30 March 2025
Other departures on request
Participants*: Min. 4, max. 8
Price:
Adult (double room): NOK 29.500
Single room suppl. NOK 2.800
Children (12 – 17 yrs): NOK 28.200
What to expect
Explore “The Classic Route” in Jotunheimen National Park, Norway’s highest mountain range. This roundtrip starts from Gjendesheim and highlights the region’s best features. Our meticulously designed 8-day guided backcountry skiing tour offers an unforgettable experience. Stay in iconic, cozy cabins and relax after days spent skiing along well-marked, yet unprepared tracks through valleys and over frozen lakes, surrounded by breathtaking winter scenery.
This guided tour is suitable for beginners with good endurance and advanced skiers capable of skiing for six consecutive days. The distances range from 10 to 22 km, with up to 700 meters of climbing each day. While good winter weather makes this a dream adventure, changing conditions with deep snow, poor visibility, and strong winds can turn it into a challenge. Our guide will help you navigate these conditions, but be prepared to push beyond your comfort zone.
Map
Below you will find practical information about this trip.
Cannot find what you are looking for? See our frequently asked questions page, or send us an email – we will help you!
Day to day
Your Guide
Simon Michalowicz
Norway and the typical Scandinavian “Friluftsliv” are Simons great passions. Originally from Germany he lives now in the Valdres area. Twice he has crossed the country on foot, from the southern tip at Cape Lindesnes to the North Cape, and has written a successful book in German language about his journey, titled Norwegen der Länge nach (Norway from End to End). In his lectures, he takes the audience along on his tours, and he also shares his experiences in magazines, on his social media channels, and in his blog, where he writes about both large and small adventures in the North. Altogether, Simon has spent more than a year in the Norwegian mountains, both in summer and winter, and has grown to appreciate and love long-distance hiking in Norway year-round. Extended trekking tours are his specialty, and he draws from a wealth of experience in long-distance hiking in Norway, which he enjoys sharing on tours with others. Simon lives and works in Fagernes, in the heart of Valdres, Norway, with some of the highlights of the Norwegian mountain landscape right on his doorstep.
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!
*Min. amount participants
Disclaimer for Tour Cancellation Due to Insufficient Participants
Jotunheimen Travel reserves the right to cancel scheduled tours up to 30 days before departure if the minimum required number of participants is not met. In such cases, all confirmed participants will receive a full refund or the option to rebook on an alternative tour or date, subject to availability. We recommend travel insurance to cover any additional expenses that may arise due to this cancellation policy. Read our Terms and Conditions here.
Add-on
Ski package rental (5 days): NOK 3.300
Including boots, backcountry 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
General notice about necessary experience
Embarking on a multi-day backcountry ski tour is achievable for anyone in normal to good shape and who is eager to learn skiing and be active outdoors in winter. Beginners can quickly pick up backcountry skiing, and since backcountry skiing tours often have few technical challenges, most people can even complete more demanding trips with a guide.
However, winter conditions can make any tour more demanding than it appears in sunny, picturesque winter photos. Be prepared for tough weather, including strong (head-) winds and deep snow, which can make the cold feel very uncomfortable.
With the right preparation, including the knowledge of the correct use of equipment (that can be conveyed by a guide), these challenges can be managed, transforming a tough winter tour into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Guide
Our guide is an expert in the region with a background in guiding and backcountry skiing. The guide is experienced to be outdoors in any kind of winter conditions. You can fulfil your dream winter holiday by following the guides tracks, so that it is ensured that you enjoy your time safely!
Participants
We require a minimum of 4 guests to guarantee the departure. We will inform you of the booking status, and if there are not enough guests, we may cancel the departure up to one month in advance. The maximum number of guests is 8.
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.
Memurubu Turisthytte
Memurubu is a tourist hut at the end or start of the famous Besseggen hiking trail. Memurubu is originally an old mountain pasture dating back to 1872, but has had tourists for just as long. Cows are still grazing around the tourist hut, which lies at the mouth of the river Muru in the valley Memurudalen. In 1880, three young Englishmen went on a hunting and fishing trip and had camp in Memurubu. Two years later, they published a book about their experiences. It was published anonymously in London in 1882, and they called it “Three on Norway. By two of them.”
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.
Leirvassbu DNT-cabin
Leirvassbu stands out for its stunning location in the heart of Jotunheimen National Park, surrounded by towering mountains, glaciers, and crystal-clear lakes. The hut offers a cozy and comfortable retreat for hikers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts, with excellent food and accommodations. Leirvassbu is also a hub for guided tours and outdoor activities, such as glacier walks and summit hikes, making it a perfect base for exploring the wilderness of Norway.
Spiterstulen Turisthytte
Spiterstulen is a mountain hut located in Jotunheimen National Park, Norway, and is known for its stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and peaks, as well as being a popular starting point for hikers climbing Galdhøpiggen, the highest mountain in Norway.
Glitterheim DNT-cabin
Glitterheim is a Norwegian mountain lodge situated in a scenic location and accessible only by hiking or skiing. It offers stunning views, a peaceful atmosphere, and a unique experience for those seeking adventure in nature.
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 and your thermos 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.
Diffuculty
Hard
Daily Distance: up to 30 kilometres
Ascent: up to 1500 ascent meter
Terrain: Well-marked winter routes that can include longer daily distances with a big amount of ascent metres
On these trips, we spend a lot of time in demanding terrain, and there might be long ascents and descents. The daily stages are usually around 6-8 hours with long distances on several consecutive days with limited opportunities to drop out.
Therefore, trips classified with hard are not recommended for beginners. You need sufficient winter outdoor experience, a good physical shape and good backcountry skiing skills to ensure a safe and enjoyable tour!
General notice about necessary experience
Embarking on a multi-day backcountry ski tour is achievable for anyone in normal to good shape and who is eager to learn skiing and be active outdoors in winter. Beginners can quickly pick up backcountry skiing, and since backcountry skiing tours often have few technical challenges, most people can even complete more demanding trips with a guide.
However, winter conditions can make any tour more demanding than it appears in sunny, picturesque winter photos. Be prepared for tough weather, including strong (head-) winds and deep snow, which can make the cold feel very uncomfortable.
With the right preparation, including the knowledge of the correct use of equipment (that can be conveyed by a guide), these challenges can be managed, transforming a tough winter tour into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Backcountry Skis and Ski tracks
We recommend backcountry skis with steel edges. For an easy use under all conditions, we recommend waxless skis in combination with short skins for going easy on uphill sections.
The trails you will follow are well-marked with branch sticks (so called “kvister”) placed every 20 meters. These tracks are not groomed like cross-country trails. Sometimes, you may find firm tracks when skiers have used the tracks, but in cases of snowfall and wind, the tracks may disappear. Using backcountry skis, which are wider than cross-country skis, is essential for a good skiing experience under these conditions.
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.
You will travel eco-friendly by train to Otta, from where we will pick you up and drive you into Jotunheimen and the start destination Gjendesheim.
You may also like
Experience Jotunheimen with us!