Loipers Norway holiday plans for 2021/22

After the void left by the Covid restrictions of last year, we now have no less than 3 club trips to Norway over the winter and early Spring (dates are on the Events Page). The first is a trip in late February to Hovringen followed by an optional week of hut touring in the Rondane. Then in subsequent weeks we will be back at Dalseter, as part of the popular GB Nordic Season run by John Mordue, and then at Venabu. Those two weeks can easily be combined by taking the bus from Dalseter to Vinstra and the hotel transfer to Venabu.

Neil Waters already has a small group lined up for the trip to Hovringen, including Paramjeet and Peter and Alison. They are teaming up with Dan Morgan of Classic Adventures and staying at the Høvringen Høgfjellshotell. The hotel looks good and is costing only £750 for 7 nights accommodation, including full board and guiding. Hotel website here. Dan and others will be giving guiding and tuition to beginners and intermediate skiers. Loipers can either opt in or do their own day tours.  Dan Morgan has provided a dossier on the trip – see this link. Our intrepid Loiper group will be staying on for a week of hut touring trip in the Rondane.

Neil and others have already booked flights from Edinburgh on February 18th and will probably stay in an airport hotel overnight before getting a train to Otta and then an onward minibus to Høvringen on 19th February.

The GB Nordic season at Dalseter is back for March 2022 after being cancelled last year for Covid. Tyneside Loipers have been going for several years. It is a lovely hotel with an excellent range of prepared ski tracks and also lots of off-track terrain topping out at 1500 metres. Each day, there are a range of guided ski tours on offer (with Snowsport-England- or BASI-qualified guides). Or you can just do your own thing. The hotel also has a swimming pool and sauna to wind down after skiing. And there is a superb buffet lunch for anyone coming back to the hotel at lunchtime. Check out the details on this information flyer and the Dalseter website. Vivienne has already booked the first week of the GB Nordic season (week beginning 27th February) and is acting as coordinator for Loiper participants.

Venabu hotel is on the edge of The Rondane (Norway’s first National Park). It also has a good ski area with lots of prepared tracks and lots of good off-track skiing too. The terrain is a little gentler (less steep). The hotel has a great reputation for gourmet food. It also has a programme of guided day tours ‘ski safari’ (details to be confirmed). Lots more info on the Venabu website. A number of Loipers have already booked for the Venabu week 5th to 12th March. Contact Nuala for more details on travel and booking via Exodus/Headwater (details here) or book directly with the hotel. Booking with the hotel and arranging your own flights (or train!) is somewhat cheaper but booking the full package with Exodus means will give you more security if the holiday is cancelled due to Covid.

Access to Dalseter is usually by train to Vinstra and a local bus which meets the train. Venabu will arrange transfers from Oslo Gardemoen airport and can also be reached by train. Travel from Dalseter to Venabu can easily be arranged for those doing both weeks.

Anyone wanting to have some high level technique coaching should also think about the Snowsport England week at Nordseter (20th to 27th March). It is a fairly intense week with top UK coaches – but also fun, and highly recommended by those of us who have done it in previous years. Details here. Contact Gwenda to let her know you are interested.