RONDABLIKK SKILLS WEEK

Day 1
Fly from Heathrow to Oslo Gardermoen. Transfer by road to Rondablikk (approx. 4 hours).

Day 2 - 7
Cross-country skiing
We prefer not to specify in advance where we will ski each day. This is to enhance the flexibility and adapt to weather and snow conditions and to some extent the ability of each group. When choosing routes, the leader's priority will be to take in a full variety of scenery and to ensure that participants become better and more confident skiers as the week progresses. The possibilities included are below. In terms of instruction, our week should progress along the following lines:
The first two or three days will be spent concentrating on establishing and improving on the basics, using the circuits closer to the hotel, involving mastering changes in gradients, snowplough technique for stopping and so on. Your leader will have access to a video camera with which to film segments of your day. This will usually be done twice, once early in the week and once later on, to give a good indication of progress. The group will have the chance to see and review these clips in an evening presentation. The skiing will all be on track, expanding your routes as the week goes on. Our leader also lays on other evening presentations, including slideshows, giving feedback on the groups progress but also showcasing the local area and wildlife.
Possible routes
Around Lake Furusjôen. Just over a kilometre from our hotel, the frozen lake offers good flat trails for beginners. On its southern shore are many attractive log cabins, mostly used by Norwegian families. The other shores are wilder, with fewer cabins. We are likely to see other cross-country skiers on the lake itself or on the 'lôype' or track that circles it.
The valleys to the east. A couple of kilometres east of our hotel, starts a long and wide valley that divides the Rondane massif from a smaller range topped by the peak Grähôa (1431 m.) In the middle of the valley rises the mountain Flakkshôa, a long narrow twin-peaked wedge of rock that reaches almost 1100 m. A tour in this area may be possible later in the week, making our own tracks through the snow we will glide in and out of forests and through some very scenic countryside. Part of our trail follows the Peer Gynt Path, named after the character in Ibsen's play - who was based on a real and notoriously boastful hunter from the Rondane area.
The Kringsaeter fells. From the north-western shore of Lake Furusjôen the ground rises steadily to about 1150 m. Only advanced skiers will reach these more distant mountain trails with unbeatable views of the high tops of the Rondane and Jotunheim ranges.
The Tjôrnsaeter fells. These hills rise to the south-east of Rondablikk and their summits reach about 1300 m. A good ski-trail follows their western flank, sometimes staying among trees, sometimes out on the open fell.
There is one free day, (normally taken on Day 5 of the holiday). Try dogsledding with local Musher Kurt Stolpestad (see extra expenses in Trip Notes for prices). Alternatively you can use either the snowshoes or the cross-country skis at the hotel. Any excursions using these will be unguided, and clients should take careful advice on routes and possible weather conditions.

Day 8
Transfer to Oslo. Fly from Oslo to Heathrow.