Polar Expedition Training

Overview

Book now »

A starting point for learning the skills necessary to ski to the Poles or across Greenland

Introduction

The winters in Norway are fantastic, with 2-3 metres of snow and magical light effects (but we can’t guarantee seeing the Northern Lights!)

Join us in the Norwegian mountains of Golsfjellet near Hemsedal, to learn all about the skills you need to enjoy the snow and the mountains, and also to spend three nights out in tents. This part of Norway, North of Finse, is well known for plenty of snow and very good conditions for winter training.

This is the ideal trip for those who have never used cross country skis or slept outdoors in winter conditions before now. You’ll also have the opportunity to make snow shelters. It is a great introduction to taking part in a full-scale ski expedition in the future.

Start pointint: Oslo, Norway
Grade: 2A

Experience Required

No previous cross country skiing or camping experience necessary to join this trip. You need to be reasonably fit (for example, a regular hillwalker able to carry a day rucksack for approximately 5-6 hours). Endurance exercise is generally better preparation than one hour in the gym-type of training. The fitter you are the more you are likely to get out of the trip.

Share this on Facebook

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	Meeting in		Availability
2027 dates to be announced — Please register your interest

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Norway on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• International flights from London to Oslo (unless joining ‘Land Only’)
• Airport transfer bus to/from Oslo Gardermoen airport - Hemsedal (approx. 3.5 hours)
• 4 nights in the cabin
• 3 nights in a tent
• All meals from arrival at the cabin, including expedition food
• Loan of mountain skis, boots, ski poles
• All leader costs (1 guide per 8 team members)
• All communal equipment, e.g. tents, stoves, sledges, shovels, emergency communications and medical kit
• Jagged Globe kit bag

What the price does not include

• Personal clothing (an equipment and clothing list will be sent to you on receipt of your booking deposit)
• Sleeping bag (rated to -25C) and mat (sleeping bag can be hired)
• Excess baggage charges
• Bar bills and laundry
• Travel insurance
• Optional trips
• Single Room Supplement - subject to availability
• Tips

*Single room available on request, depending on availability.

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1:	Travel to course base in Norway Fly to Norway. Road transfer into the mountains. We will be staying the first three nights and the last night in the log cabin. Evening meal and briefing.
Day 2:	Introductory day Introduction to use of personal clothing, how to avoid cold weather injurie and then we’re outside for our first cross country skiing session - our goal is to teach you how to ski on cross country skis and be able to use the equipment in a correct and energy-saving way. Lunch back at the cabin before a short ski tour. Evening: how to avoid cold weather injuries.
Day 3:	Start ski expedition This morning we cover various aspects of winter camping: setting up and taking down tents, and the use of the stove burners. Back to the cabin for lunch, before setting off on our first journey taking with us our pulks (sledge) but at this stage they're not fully laden! In the evening, we start to prepare the equipment ready for our three nights out on expedition.
Day 4 - 6:	Ski expedition Ski journey on and off tracks the next four days on Golsfjellet mountain area: we will practice winter navigation as we go – using the sun, wind, snow and the GPS/compass We won’t travel far, however, on the first day before we set up camp for the night. On one of the days, we will stop and set up camp a little earlier in the afternoon before learning about and building a variety of snow shelters. Evening: information about the importance of correct nutrition – what to eat and drink, and how often, whilst on ski expeditions. On Day 7 complete our journey back to the fjellstue.
Day 7:	Complete our journey back to the cabin with time to improve our downhill technique using 'freeheel' skis. We sort out all of the equipment and then time for a well-earned shower, our final dinner, and an evening presentation 'What next?' regarding future trips and expeditions.
Day 8:	Travel home Morning airport bus transfer back to Oslo Gardermoen airport for onwards travel home the same day.

Photos & Videos

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Reports & Reviews

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• “A fantastic introduction to ski travel in polar environments that inspires me to do more.” AP, Polar Expedition Training - Mar '17