Cross-Country Skiing Holidays, Tours & Courses
Tel: +44 (0)1969 663388
Norway is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Norwegians are justly proud of their homeland, making maximum use of its natural wilderness areas throughout the summer and winter. It is a country of only 4.5 million people inhabiting an area of 385,000 sq kms. Only 3% of this area is suitable for cultivation, though 25% of the country is covered in forest. From north to south it stretches for about 1752 kms and it has an amazing 2650 kms of coastline. Much of the country is north of the Arctic Circle and sees little daylight during the winter.
Skiing has its roots in Norway and therefore, not surprisingly, most Norwegians spend much of the winter skiing in one form or another. The season can start as early as October and continue right through until the following May (or all the year round on some glaciers).
For more information on Norway:
www.visitnorway.com (opens in new browser window)
Gala is situated 950 metres above sea level in the Gudbrandsdal valley with stunning views of both the Rondane and Jotunheimen National Parks. It offers activities for all ages and has an extensive network of Cross-Country Skiing tracks as well as downhill slopes. It sits on the Peer Gynt Trail and is linked to Skeikampen and Fefor by ski tracks.It is one of the oldest and most traditional Norwegian tourist areas.
For further information on the Gålå area:
www.gala.no (opens in new browser window)
One of the best ski areas in Norway can be found around Lillehammer , where the 1994 Winter Olympic Games were held. It has a selection of outstanding winter sports facilities and boasts one of the best Cross-Country Skiing arenas in Europe . It is a lively, attractive town with an international flavour and some excellent restaurants. The villages of Sjusjøen and Nordseter, which are located above Lillehammer , and where Nordic Challenge Schools' Courses are run, were originally mountain farming areas, but now play host to a huge number of skiers from all over the world from November to May.
For more information on Lillehammer:
www.lillehammerturist.no (opens in new browser window)
Hint: select the GB flag at top left of the home page to view the site in English
Venabu is located in the municipality of Ringebu, 3000 ft above sea level. It is on the mountain road between the main valleys of Gudbrandsdalen and Østerdalen, just south of the Rondane National Park some 80 kms north east of Lillehammer. The mountain area is called Venabygdsfjellet and is part of Ringebufjellet.
The Venabu Fjellhotell lies in the middle of the Venabygdsfjell plateau, south of the Rondane National park, It's a snow-sure area with fantastic nature, stable climate & great skiing trails. The area has 140 kms of marked & prepared trails in varied mountain terrain with summits up to 1400m. The area is one of the best in Norway for cross-country skiing, both for families and those who enjoy a challenge.
The first snowfalls are usually at the end of October and trails are prepared as soon as possible. Updated information on snow conditions and tracks is posted on the hotel's web site daily from 1st November. The full winter season in Venabu starts around the 20th December and runs until the end April. The average snow depth varies from 70cm to 120cm.