Nordic Backcountry Skiing in the Heart of Jotunheimen with Guide

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.

Go to Bergen instead of Oslo
NOK 350

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 (5 days)
NOKcoming soon

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.

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

For backcountry skiing trips you need to take the luggage you need during the trip on you own. The luggage you need for travelling to and from the start/end of the trip can be stored at the starting point or will be brought to the final accommodation of your trip.

Fondsbu DNT Mountain Lodge

Located in Eidsbugarden, on the western end of Lake Bygdin at 1,065 m.a.s.l., the cabin was originally established in 1932 with the name “Den Glade vandrer” (“The happy wanderer”) but then bought by DNT in 1993 and renamed as Fondsbu. The area where the cabin lies has been popular since 1868, thanks to the work of Norwegian author Vinje – the same who baptised the area of Jotunheimen and had a cabin next to the Fondsbu lodge.

The mountain lodge is a very popular place for mountain lovers and widely known for its good atmosphere, longtime host and great location.  Some would it call coming home when staying there. The food that is served in Fondsbu is tasty and made from locally sourced ingredients.

When staying in Fondsbu you will probably meet the host Solbjørg who is running the lodge for more than 20 years now. She is well known as Mother Fondsbu and will give you a warm welcome upon arrival. She knows the area around Fondsbu very well and if you need any kind of advice – just ask her!

Fondsbu can be reached during summer season by the M/B Bithorn boat that operates on lake Bygdin or by bus or car and of course by one of the many hiking trails that lead to Eidsbugarden. In wintertime Fondbus is only accessible by ski or by one of the historical “beltebil” snowcoaches that operate from Tyin and back again on a regular base.

Olavsbu DNT Cabin

Olavsbu is a self-service DNT cabin beautifully located in the heart of Jotunheimen, surrounded by majestic mountains and untouched wilderness. It is a popular stop on longer hiking and skiing routes between Fondsbu, Gjendebu, and Leirvassbu. The cabin offers simple but cozy accommodation with bunk beds, kitchen equipment, and a wood stove. With only basic electricity and without mobile coverage, you’ll experience true wilderness. Olavsbu is ideal for hikers and skiers seeking peace, nature, and a traditional mountain cabin adventure in Norway’s mountains.

Gjendebu DNT Mountain Lodge

The oldest among the DNT lodges, Gjendebu has been constructed in 1868 (10 months before the founding of DNT) and active since 1871; placed on the shores of lake Gjende (which gave inspiration for the name of the hut). Gjendebu has an advantageous position, with an entire array of DNT cabins and multiple summer tours to neighboring lodges and cabins and some famous and spectacular hikes like Besseggen, Bukkelægeret or Svartdalen or just around the corner. It is accessible both in summer on foot or by boat and in winter on ski. Being so remote with no direct road connection and no mobile phone coverage, the atmosphere in Gjendebu is really relaxed and without the rush of hectic everyday life.

During the last years the cabin has been refurbished but without losing its traditional character. Great hospitality, tasty food and a lodge that is located in one of the best places in Jotunheimen are the highlights that you will soon recognize and appreciate once you have been there!

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.

Medium

Daily Distance: 10 to 20 kilometres
Ascent: up to 1000 ascent meter
Terrain: Well-marked winter routes where longer sections can collect ascent meters over a longer distance

On these ski stages there can be long ascents and descents. The tours are usually around 4-7 hours with a remarkable number of kilometres. It can include longer up- and downhills, which require that you are in good physical shape and have basic backcountry skiing skills.

Note: Please keep in mind, that the difficulty level can be more demanding and higher on a multi-day tour than stated. The daily stages are rated to the stated general classification – but being out on tours like this for multiple days may change the level to higher levels since the cumulated exhaustion can increase over several days without resting day. Please get in contact with us if you are not sure about your personal level.

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.

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

Travel green by using public transport.

You will travel with our buses from Oslo (or Bergen) to Jotunheimen. This eco-friendly and comfortable mode of transport ensures a pleasant journey. Our bus drivers are available to assist you with reaching your destination and answering any questions you may have. All buses are equipped with USB/C ports, comfortable seats, toilets, and WiFi.

There are several departure times to choose from. Please contact us with your travel needs.