Everybody’s heard of the Alpine Haute Route, but very few know that there’s also a Norwegian one. And you know what, that’s great—more untouched slopes for us! Passing through the Jotunheimen mountains and the eponymous national park, this is an awesome hut-to-hut ski tour, perfect for any passionate backcountry lover. What’s even cooler is that we’ll cover eight glaciers and summit some really notable peaks, including Galdhøpiggen, Norway’s highest mountain, and Glittertind, the second-highest peak. With an IFMGA guide, cozy huts booked, and meals covered, all you have to do is seize the moment and go ski touring in the land of the Vikings!
Ski through the Jotunheimen National Park, enjoying views of majestic mountains, expansive glaciers, and serene valleys
Summit Norway’s two highest peaks, along with five additional peaks soaring beyond the 2,000-meter mark
Warm up in cozy mountain lodges after a day on the slopes, enjoying three-course meals in great company
Get ready for a 6-day backcountry ski tour along the Haute Route that goes through the stunning Jotunheimen mountains. Led by an experienced IFMGA guide, summit the highest Norwegian peaks, traverse eight glaciers, and unwind in cozy mountain lodges. With accommodation, meals, and ground transportation provided, immerse yourself in the breathtaking mountain landscapes of Norway on this unforgettable adventure.
The itinerary outlined below assumes favorable weather conditions. In case of adverse weather, the itinerary will be modified.
Arrive by 7pm at Gjendesheim lodge. Meet your guide and fellow skiers and do a gear check. After that, enjoy a dinner in great company before retreating to your bed.
Meals: Dinner
On the first skiing day, your group will embark on a thrilling journey covering approximately 9.3 miles (15 km) with an altitude gain of 3937 ft (1,200 meters). The day unfolds with a scenic car ride to Krossbu, marking the beginning of an ascent over Leirbrean to Bjørnebreen and Storbjørn (7,290 ft / 2,222 m). Traverse the Smørstabbre massif, where portions of the adventure lead through a glacier. The specific route may vary, influenced by weather and overall conditions.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Weather permitting, this stage offers a longer day in the mountains, possibly including the mighty Galdhøpiggen (8,097 ft / 2,468 m) and up to three other 2000-meter peaks. The shortest alternative covers approximately 11.8 miles (19 km) with a cumulative elevation gain of 3,937 ft (1,600 meters). A challenging day is on the horizon. In case of adverse weather conditions, a direct route to Bukkeholsbandet from Leirvassbu becomes the alternative.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Spanning around 10.6 miles (17 km) with an altitude gain of 3,609 ft (1,100 m), the day promises an adventurous climb over Norway’s second-highest peak, the mighty Glittertind. The journey begins from Spiterstulen and Visdalen, with a prolonged uphill climb and a subsequent descent leading to an overnight stay at the renowned Glitterheim.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Prepare for a demanding day covering approximately 14.9 miles (24 km) with an elevation gain of 3,937 ft (1,600 m). The primary objective is to summit Store Surtnigssue at 2,368 meters, ranking as Norway’s 7th highest peak. Anticipate significant ascent and occasional longer transportation segments throughout this challenging day.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Concluding the adventure, the final day navigates through the glacier massif of Smørstabbren. Ascend to Bjørnbreen Glacier and the summit of Mt. Storebjørn before returning to Sognefjellsroad for a convenient bus pickup. After covering approximately 9.3 miles (15 km) with a 3,937 ft (1,200 meters) ascent, get transferred back to Gjendesheim Lodge and bid farewell to the breathtaking landscapes of this memorable journey.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
What you get on this adventure:
*Double rooms are available for an added fee, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
What’s not included:
To fully enjoy the backcountry skiing tour along the Jotunheimen Haute Route, participants need excellent skiing skills, the ability to control descents, and a good physical condition. The tour involves varying difficulty levels, including some unavoidable steep slopes, variable snow conditions, and skiing on glaciers with potential avalanche terrain. With up to 5,570 ft (1,700 m) ascent and 15 miles (24 km) daily, participants must be physically fit and experienced in steep skiing on different snow conditions. Familiarity with ice axe and crampons is essential.
This tour is designed for experienced backcountry skiers. If you’ve never engaged in backcountry skiing or lack extensive experience in steep and varied terrains, this tour may not be suitable. It involves navigating glaciers, potentially dangerous avalanche terrain, and demanding snow conditions. Beginners are encouraged to gain substantial backcountry skiing experience, including proficiency in steep skiing, use of ice axe, and familiarity with crampons, before considering participation. Safety and enjoyment are paramount, making prior experience crucial for all participants.
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
For clothes, we recommend bringing:
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
Even though it’s recommended to bring your own, equipment can be rented from your guide during booking. You can rent touring skis, boots, poles, crampons, ice axe, and avalanche equipment. You can rent the equipment separately or choose one comprehensive package.
Group sizes and prices:
Ski touring along the Jotunheimen Haute Route can be arranged for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to the Gjendesheim lodge near the town of Otta, where the tour starts, most people fly into Oslo Airport. From there, we recommend renting a car. The ride between Oslo and Gjendesheim lodge will take you around 4 hours. You will meet your guide at the lodge in the evening of Day 1.
Participants should cover all their bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.
Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to.
If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
A 50% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 2 months (60 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
