CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AT RONDABLIKK

8 days at GBP1,119 including flights
Tripcode: CXR

Countries Visited: Norway

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Ailsa Lawton

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AT RONDABLIKK
Written March 2009
This was a return visit, had a great time and would go again
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The views at the top of the hills and all round
What did you think of your group leader?
Ingrid was brilliant, a very good instructor and guide, she had a lot of local knowledge and was able to light a fire anywhere!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Try the Hot chocolate and Cinnamon buns
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Can't wait to go Cross Country skiing again!
Alan Keen

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AT RONDABLIKK
Written March 2009
Great location, views, hotel, food and guiding. Only thing that just prevents five stars is need to ski quite a way to get much variation in trails, and the way back to the Hotel is uphill. Maybe that's nitpicking. Would say 5* for beginners weeks.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Just being amidst so much snow - taking lunch around a wood fire outside or in the tepee.
Dogsledding.
What did you think of your group leader?
One of the best I have been with on any trip of any kind. Confidence-inspiring, fun and an excellent teacher.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Not specific to this trip, but as always it's worth getting fit before you go.
Take advantage of the food. I did and still lost three pounds!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A satisfying and memorable trip. Hard work but fun, rewarded by just enough luxury. The experience of being 'out there' balanced with interesting local culture.
Nigel Davies

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AT RONDABLIKK
Written March 2008
My second time at Rondablikk, and there were a few other returnees, so it's a popular place to go back to. The weather was much more changeable than before so made for more challenging skiing conditions, especially when the tracks are covered by new snow. I went looking to improve my skiing, and the conditions and coach certainly made me realise that ambition.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The highlight – as on the first trip – was on the last day, when we skied from Hovringen back to Rondablikk, a trip of roughly 30km. Starting above the treeline the route climbs for a couple of kilometres, then flattens out and snakes between huge bluffs on either side, forming a wind tunnel, so pray the wind is behind you! Thankfully for us it was, and the best moment was standing tall with arms outstretched, being blown along by the wind, enough to elicit some American-style whoops of joy (luckily no-one was around to hear). The snow, sculpted by the wind, made stunning patterns and textures, and the scenery is breathtaking.
What did you think of your group leader?
I found Heathley to be a very good leader, combining tips and instruction out on the tracks with video analysis of technique later, as well as instructional dvds that gave me a mental image of the correct technique to (try and) copy the next day out on the snow. I feel my skiing has improved a lot in the week I was there. Having said that, probably a bit too much time was spent in the hotel conference room watching these dvds when I'd rather have been downstairs in the bar enjoying a beer with the others, but then, considering the price of a beer in Norway …
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Rondablikk's a wonderful place to start learning cross-country skiing, and great to go back to. If you can find time to snow-shoe to Sukker-Toppen, the mountain that looks down on the hotel, it's worth the effort (I just hope it's not so windy when you do it.) Take a head torch for a bit of night-skiing, and clear/yellow glasses for the not-so-sunny/snowy days.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
You won't believe how much food you tuck away. When making your lunch, grab a couple of tubes of the chocolate spread, great to just squeeze into your mouth while out skiing. And peel oranges first before going out for the day, it's easier at the breakfast table than out on the trail with cold hands. And finally, if you want to take hot chocolate in your thermos rather than tea or coffee, there's a small shop in Ruststugusetra (the cinnamon bun shop) that sells hot chocolate powder, 10 sachets for about 30Kr, much cheaper than asking for it in the hotel.

Enjoy!
Jeremy Robinson

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AT RONDABLIKK
Written March 2008
Wonderful holiday. Exactly what I was expecting - and more! Great administration, endless supply of food, high standard of equipment..........Views were amazing and area very peaceful. There is a great buzz in the hotel and you can be as social or reclusive as you like with spacious rooms. Is also a taxidermists mecca (see photos!). Only down side is that there is no formal qualification for the course - something maybe worth pushing exodus for? So rather than a course I'd call it a holiday, albeit a great holiday.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The 30km trip on final day - much of the journey high in the mountains and due to the weather conditions we were virtually ski touring!
What did you think of your group leader?
Great! Used video as a training technique and rather than being over bearing just let us crack on with it!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring booze - it's v v v expensive!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Don't forget warm clothing but also layers so you can strip off as you will warm up quickly!
The hotel has wireless internet but no actual internet computers so bring your own laptops!
Ailsa Lawton

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AT RONDABLIKK
Written March 2008
Wonderful holiday with an excellent instructor, would recommend it to anyone wanting to try cross country skiing.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting to grips with the skills needed and being able to explore the area.
What did you think of your group leader?
The instructor was excellent, he was enthusiastic, patient and skilled. Could not fault him.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared to have a few bruises and tired muscles. it is a all body workout, but well worth it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Brilliant, can't wait to go again
Andrew Carter

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AT RONDABLIKK
Written January 2008
Cross country skiing holiday in Rondablik exceded all our expectations. We loved it. We had travelled to Norway several times during the summer but had never seen the country in winter or tried skiing for that matter. We were already sold on the magnificence of Norway. Seeing it in winter was truly special for us.The ambience in the hotel was marvelous and the food was plentiful. Considering that Norway can be very expensive , the trip overall was excellent value.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
At the age of 55 , learning a new skill - cross country skiiing was challenging. However the instruction was excellent and the group - many of whom were experienced alpine skiiers - were really supportive. My confidence grew along with my skill as the week went on. At the end of the week Christine and I were able to go out on a 12 kilometre cross country trip on undulating terrain where the temperature was -15C in the wind with drifting snow. The setting , we were reminded , was much more remote than southeren locations. We liked it that way!
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was friendly , considerate , patient and clearly dedicated to the activity. His enthusiasm came across clearly. He had exacting standards, was meticulous in his approach and encouraged us to attain them.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't expect cheap booze and raucous partying. Don't expect access to places to spend money. Some fitness training beforehand would probably be wise
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The only downside was when SAS changed the time of our return flight which would have made it impossible to make our onward connection to get home on the same day. Changing to an earlier flight incurred the full cost. This was unfair. I was a tad disappointed that Exodus was unable to effect any form of concession to us for this additional expense. This is the factor which inhibbits me from giving the trip the best possible rating.