Snowkiting Course on the Hardangervidda Plateau

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What you get in this adventure:

• A certified IPGA Polar Guide with extensive knowledge of the area
• A 4-day guided polar expedition, in addition to 2 days of prep, travel, and optional activities
• During the expedition, the meals have been prepared in advance in dehydrated form
• All the logistical gear you need

All of the logistical equipment and some of the personal technical equipment will be provided by your guiding service, including:

• GPS & location beacon
• Pulkas (sled) with large storage bag
• Draw harness
• Snowkiting equipment — bring your own if you have it
• Ski poles
• Tents
• Tent brush
• Snow pegs
• Insulating mattress
• Self-inflating mattress
• Pool sleeping bag
• Snow shovels
• Rope
• Carabiners
• Ice axe
• General parts and repair kit
• Ski mask
• Fur collar
• Cooking fire & fuel
• Eating utensils
• 2L isothermal water bottle

If you have your own equipment, feel free to bring it.

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

Personal equipment:

• Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 35L bag)
• Solid waterproof bag or backpack (60-70 L)
• High-quality sunglasses
• Sewing kit with needles, thread, buttons, safety pins
• High-index sunscreen and lip balm
• Headlamp like Petzl® + spare batteries
• Toiletries (2 toilet-paper rolls, biodegradable wipes, pee bottle)
• Any prescription you require and a first-aid kit
• Food you can eat on-the-go
• Camera — optional

Clothing list:

• Waterproof jacket like Gore-Tex®
• Face mask (neoprene works best)
• Waterproof over-trousers like Gore-Tex®
• Thick fleece jacket
• Sweatshirt or thin micro-fleece jacket
• Fleece pants
• Long-sleeve, thermal t-shirts
• Thermal tights
• Warm socks
• Thermal balaclava
• Fleece balaclava
• Fleece neck scarf
• Thermal gloves
• Fleece gloves
• Thick wool mittens
• Fur-lined mittens
• Over-gloves
• Extreme planet polar boots + Madshus skis + climbing skins (rentals available)

This list will be finalized and clarified while preparing for departure with guide Dixie Dansercoer.

Day 1:

• Arrival at Oslo airport, where you’ll meet your guide
• Transfer to Haugastøl near the Hardangervidda Plateau
• An adventure briefing
• Spend the night at a hotel

Day 2:

• Today is preparation day
• You’ll go through an equipment and gear inspection
• After a gear check, you’ll learn the basic drills of kite skiing

Day 3:

• Your lessons begin on the Hardangervidda Plateau
• After one last equipment review, you’ll start working on coordinating your skis to your sail
• You’ll cover wind direction, speed control, advancing while pulling a pulka-sled and avoiding ski-kite incidents
• Dixie will end the lessons for today by sharing practical tips for camping in extreme conditions
• Spend the night in a tent you set up yourself

Days 4-5:

• For the next two days, you’ll be practicing your runs and maneuvers, as well improving techniques
• You’ll spend the night of the fourth day in a tent and on your last day in a hotel

Day 6:

• As your adventure comes to an end, you’ll travel back to Oslo, where you’ll say goodbye to your guide

This program is rated intermediate to challenging due to the extreme environmental conditions, as well as the high fitness level required. No previous kite skills are necessary, but it will help you immensely. Each participant is responsible for applying safety rules, their equipment and its upkeep, setting up camp and preparing meals.

This polar environment, a reflection of the Far North, is unforgiving. For security reasons, your guide reserves the right to cancel or shorten the expedition, modify the program according to weather forecasts, snow conditions, and based on the physical or psychological form of the participants, without notice. Any disability or medical problem (even minor) must be reported upon registration. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the cancellation or the
interruption of the expedition. No refund can be made on these grounds.

This six-day snowkiting course will challenge you both physically and mentally, thus you need to have an excellent fitness level. You can expect to spend anywhere from 5-7 hours a day practicing techniques in extreme temperatures well below freezing. That said, your safety is your guide’s top priority and they’ll make sure you master all the snowkiting techniques you need for this adventure.

The minimum age requirement for this course is 16 years old. If your party has teens younger than 16, contact us prior to booking.

• Rates for the Polar Expedition Training on Hardangervidda are $3,300 per person
• Group sizes are usually between 4-8 people per guide

An important skill needed for enjoying polar regions is flexibility. This applies to dealing with weather and ice conditions, as well. Preparation is key. Your guide will make sure you’re properly equipped prior to the expedition. Rest assured you’re in good hands. Your guide has extensive knowledge of the area and climate. They’ll know just what to do if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

It’s highly recommended you cover all your bases with travel and medical insurance. Serious accidents can happen in polar environments. We recommend insurance to avoid paying out of pocket for costly medical expenses. And as we’ve recently seen, travel plans can be abruptly halted, so it’s a good idea to have cancellation insurance that also covers lost baggage. It’s tried and tested, and it works.

If you have not taken out insurance with Expeditions Unlimited, specify your registration, the name of your insurance company, policy number and the telephone number. Expeditions Unlimited offers insurance with the European Insurance, Contract n°304243. Details are available upon request or downloadable from www.tamera.fr.

The percentages include the full cost of travel, including airline taxes. In summary, Expeditions Unlimited offer three additional insurance formulas:

• Sherpa Insurance (1.7% of the cost of the journey): for medical expenses, research, repatriation and trip interruption
• Zen Insurance (4.0% of the cost of the journey): insurance in case of theft and loss of luggage
• Zen CB Insurance (2.8% of the cost of the journey): for clients paying for their trip with a credit card and already offering insurance coverage even restricted.

All policies regarding cancellation, rescheduling and trip insurance will be clearly laid out by your guide prior to booking your adventure. Contact us if you’d like more information on a specific adventure.

You’ll meet your guide in Oslo, Norway. From there, you’ll travel to Haugastøl, near the Hardangervidda Plateau. At the end of your course, you’ll be transported back to Oslo.