CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: KVITAVATN

8 days from GBP999 to GBP1,099 including flights
Tripcode: CXK

Countries Visited: Norway

Essential Information

Trip Profile

6 days guided cross-country skiing. Multi-grade track and off-track skiing.

Price Includes

Return flights from Heathrow to Oslo with SAS or BA; airport transfers (for group flights only)
7 nights full board accommodation
6 days cross-country skiing guiding/instruction
One cross-country leader per grade

Optional Activities:
Downhill skiing at Gaustablikk, including evening skiing on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Self-guided snowshoeing or skiing
Ice-climbing with local guide
Sightseeing in Rjukan

Accommodation

Kvitavatn Fjellstoge

A warm welcome awaits at the traditional-style Fjellstoge.The main building has a cosy lounge and a large dining room with spectacular views of Gausta, as well as free Wi-Fi. Standard accommodation is in good quality 3 or 4 bunk rooms with washbasin, located in a separate building, known as Arne's House. The shower, sauna, toilets and drying room are shared. There are a small number of 2 bunk rooms available on request, for a supplement, and stylish twin bedded rooms with private facilities (supplement payable) in an adjacent building, known locally as Odd's House.

Food

All meals included.

Reality Check

Activity Details Cross-country skiing or Nordic Skiing is becoming one of the most popular winter sports. Using longer, thinner and lighter skis than downhill with bindings that let you lift your heel, we explore the winter landscapes away from the confines of the alpine pistes. Cross-country skiing can be undertaken on prepared tracks (loipe) or, as with this trip, off-track, allowing the group to explore the winter landscape. At Kvitavatn we offer two grades of skiing each week except where stated, ranging from beginner grades to more advanced skiers, dependent on the week. For at least 4 of the 6 days skiing you will be on full day tours, returning only at the end of the day's skiing.

Your safety All active winter holidays involve some element of risk; from something as simple as slipping on icy pavements, to the possibility of injuries sustained as a result of the activities themselves. While we do all we can to minimize any dangers, participants must be prepared to accept some risk as part of the holiday. Unlike downhill skiing, where falls can happen at speed, most cross-country falls happen at slow speeds or from an almost static position, causing no injury. Although it is very rare, some falls do lead to injury, overall cross-country skiing is a safe sport to take part in, if properly instructed.

Grade 1 Beginners. Recommended for beginners or those who feel the need to improve basic techniques. We teach you the essentials and explore gently undulating terrain on and off track. More experienced skiers are welcome, but please be aware that the pace will be set for the beginners. Towards the end of the holiday you might ski 10 - 15km or more a day, at a gentle pace.

Grade 2 Intermediates and confident beginners. Aimed at those who have enjoyed a Grade 1 holiday, grasped the snowplough and now want to improve technique. We ski a little more quickly and over more challenging terrain. Acceptable for newcomers to cross-country skiing but you should be very fit and have experience of other sports that develop balance like ice skating, roller-skating or downhill skiing. There will be a mixture of on and off-track skiing.

Grade 2+ Intermediates (unsuitable for beginners). On these holidays there is not enough flat terrain for us to accept beginners. Suitable for clients who have done a couple of weeks with us, have developed their snowplough and can cope fairly confidently with undulating tracks.

Grade 3 Advanced. Choose this level if you can tackle ups and downs competently, manage a controlled snowplough descent, and if you want to ski at a lively pace. You should also be able to get up swiftly and easily by yourself after a fall. Mix of track and off-track skiing.

Grade 4 Strenuous. Be prepared for long, steep ascents and descents, and for off-track skiing over variable snow. You need good fitness, stamina and sound and controlled technique. Climbing skins might be needed on some days.

On most weeks there are 2 grades of instruction, except where stated.

Normal group size and age

Average max group size: 14 persons per leader. Minimum age 14.

Icons explained

The vast majority of Exodus adventures are adult group holidays. Groups are always small in size. We strongly believe that this adherence to small groups means a better experience for all; more time with your guide, less waiting around and a reduced impact on the communities and environments visited.
Each group is generally made up of like-minded travellers - with singles, couples and friends all joining in together. All these trips are suitable for single travellers, but if you prefer to travel with clients booking individually, please see our Solo Departures page.

At certain centres we have two leaders running two grades at the same time, allowing skiers to move between grades during the week. Multigrade weeks are a great option if you are slightly unsure of your level, or like to ski at different intensities on different days, or if you are a couple who ski at different levels.

Cross-country skiing: will involve intensive instruction, and our groups are carefully graded to ensure participants have similar levels of experience.
Cross-country ski grades: 1 Beginners | 2 Intermediates (suitable for confident beginners) | 2+ Intermediates (not suitable for beginners) | 3 Advanced | 4 Strenuous | and for Cross-country Skating levels: 1 Beginners | 2 Intermediates - For full explanations of Cross-Country Grading and Levels please see below or check here to view the full Winter Grades page.

Winter Activities: It's about seeking out alternative ways to have fun in unspoilt locations, you won't find standard skiing or snowboarding breaks here.

Grade 1 Beginners. Recommended for beginners, or those who feel the need to improve basic techniques. We teach you the essentials and explore gently undulating terrain. All or most skiing is on prepared tracks (loipe). More experienced skiers are welcome, but the pace will be set for the beginners. Towards the end of the holiday you might ski 10-15km or more a day, at a gentle pace. Throughout the week you will be taught how to snowplough and different techniques to have you gliding along the tracks in no time.

Grade 2 Intermediates and confident beginners. A mix of flat and hillier terrain. Grade 2 weeks are for people who have enjoyed a Grade 1 holiday, grasped the snowplough and now want to improve technique. We ski a little more quickly and over more challenging ground than on a grade 1 trip.
Acceptable for newcomers to cross-country skiing, but you should be very fit and have experience of ther sports that develop balance - ice-skating, roller-skating or downhill skiing. Most of the skiing will be on tracks but there may be some off-track skiing.

Grade 2+Intermediates (unsuitable for beginners). On these holidays we will be skiing on some steeper terrain. Suitable for clients who have done a couple of weeks with us, have developed their snowplough and can cope fairly confidently with undulating tracks. Also suitable for those wishing to progress onto a skating week.

Grade 3 Advanced. Choose this level if you can tackle ‘ups and downs’ competently, manage a controlled snowplough descent, and if you want to ski at a lively pace. You should also be able to get up swiftly and easily by yourself after a fall. The mix of track and off-track skiing varies.

Grade 4 Strenuous Be prepared for long, steep ascents and descents, and for off-track skiing over variable snow. You need good fitness, stamina and sound and controlled technique. Climbing skins will be needed on some days.