Jotunheimen Haute Route: Hut-to-Hut Ski Touring in Norway

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, IFMGA guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 5 days of backcountry ski touring along the Jotunheimen Haute Route
    • Accommodation in mountain huts in dormitories*
    • All meals during the tour (breakfasts, packed lunches, and three-course dinners)
    • All transportation during the tour

  *Double rooms are available for an added fee, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  What’s not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Alcohol, beverages, and snacks
    • Transportation to Gjendesheim lodge
    • Travel and medical/rescue insurance
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  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.

• What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

  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.

• What do I need to bring?

  For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

  • • Skis (can be rented)
    • Ski helmet
    • Lightweight, touring bindings
    • Ski strap
    • Ski crampons and climbing skins (need to be a light setup)
    • Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
    • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
      • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
      • Lightweight snow shovel
      • Avalanche probe

  For clothes, we recommend bringing:

  • • Wool or synthetic socks and liner socks
    • Light fleece or wool sweater
    • Wind and waterproof breathable shell — Jacket and pants( feks Gore tex)
    • Warm insulated jacket — down or synthetic
    • Long underwear top and bottoms — synthetic or wool
    • Warm hat
    • Brimmed cap for sun protection
    • Face warmer — scarf, neck tube or balaclava (optional)
    • Light gloves — wool, synthetic or leather
    • Insulated gloves or mitts with waterproof outer shell
    • Spare gloves or mitts

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Baypack (40-50 L)
    • Sunglasses
    • Ski goggles
    • Sunscreen and lip cream (SPF 30+)
    • Head lamp with good batteries
    • Insulated water bottle or thermos (1-2 L)
    • Personal blister kit (i.e: Leukotape-P and Compeed/Second Skin blister pads)
    • Sleeping bag liner
    • Personal medication
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

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• Can I rent equipment?

  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 age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this group adventure, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate.
    • The cost is per person and doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

  Ski touring along the Jotunheimen Haute Route can be arranged for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.

  If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  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.

• Safety measures in Jotunheimen NP, Norway

  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!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits
  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations
  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.