Club cross country ski trip to Beitostolen, Norway

Sunday 21 January - Sunday 28 January 2024 [cancelled]

Trip status at 1/9

Due to the low volume of interest, this trip is not going ahead - but the December Beitostolen trip is confirmed.  As this page contains a lot of useful information it remains live.

About this Club trip

This trip offers varied, recreational skiing for intermediate/improver and advanced skiers at Beitostolen, one of the best areas for track skiing in Norway, on the edge of the Jotunheimen mountains. There are 170 km of cross-country skiing tracks in the area to explore including marked off track routes and 5 km floodlit trail.

Conditions in Norway this time of year are very snow sure. Daytime temperatures are typically -5C to -12C during the day with sunrise at approx 0910 and sunset 1600. The light fades very gradually and there are well lit roads / ski tracks on the return to town.

You book your own flights, transfer and accommodation and meet up with other members daily to plan and ski together.

Who this cross country ski trip is for

It’s for LRNSC members who are competent skiers, and those wishing to join the Club - you must have a reasonable level of fitness in order to get the best from the area, plus the ability to make a controlled descent safely using an effective snowplough in the hilly/undulating terrain.  It is not recommended for novice skiers.

On previous trips numbers have allowed slower and faster groups, each choosing different routes within their capabilities, and the organiser helping to ensure that all groups contain skiers who have knowledge of the area and that their plans are realistic.

No coaching is planned, although there is a local ski school if needed.

If we are unable to secure enough participants the club reserves the right to cancel the trip.

About the cross country skiing

There is fairly flat terrain close to the town but this is very limited compared to the track system as a whole.  Track maintenance is of a good standard but higher tracks are somewhat exposed, subject to wind blown snow and can be very firm, so not all routes are viable every day.

As always with Norway, real time information on the tracks is available and we check this, plus weather conditions, before making plans and taking into account skier abilities/preferences. The organiser has skied in the area several times and can advise on routes.

Here’s an overview of the track system:

• The area near the town to the south has mostly flat tracks and a ski stadium practice area used for biathlon, plus a short, very hilly, challenging World Cup circuit in the forest.
• The area to the west/north west has undulating terrain leading to the viewpoint for local landmark the Bitihorn (above pic) and a variety of tracks beyond.
• The high mountain plateau to the north and east contains the largest part of the track network, with extensive undulating terrain well above the treeline, up to ~1150m.  There are outstanding views of the Jotunheim mountains & lakes, uniquely Norwegian scenery, which is very different from the Alps. Access involves a large height gain from the town at 850-900m, with a significant descent by whatever route, but we aim to take all climbs at an easy pace.
• The Raudalen downhill ski area lies further south, involving a steep descent to gain access, leading to flat tracks and then a long gradual climb to another mountain plateau.  
• Several unmanned but open huts are available for stops on the track system.
• Equipment hire is available locally and is of a high standard.
• For those wishing to sample off track touring the equipment can also be hired and straightforward terrain not far from town offers an excellent chance to do this, starting initially in the track system.

About Beitostolen

Beitostolen is compact and has three supermarkets, restaurants, bars, ski shops etc. Accommodation is excellent value for money by Norwegian standards. The Kronor is also quite weak at present, keeping costs down.

The town is accessed by bus or car.

For non-Nordic skiing partners other activities are available – downhill skiing, hiking, snowshoeing.

Transport

Participants need to book their own flights, transfers and accommodation once the trip is confirmed. As an alternative, a Crystalski package previously used by the club is also now available, with more restrictive flight/accommodation options, but cost effective if the Radisson hotel option is preferred.

Flights to Oslo Gardermoen
At time of writing [4/23] there are 3 possible direct flights which arrive in time for the only daily direct bus transfer which leaves the airport at 1705.

• BA from LHR arriving 1025
• Norwegian from LGW arriving 1545
• SAS from LHR arriving 1330

There is also BA from LHR arriving 1605 but this does not allow for flight delays or hold ups for baggage and at passport control.

NB If you’re taking your own skis and need a hold bag too, SAS and Norwegian charge much less than BA for your 2nd item of hold luggage.

Those opting for earlier flights could get the train to Oslo Central (23 mins), walk to Oslo Central Bus Station (5 mins) and catch an earlier bus – see timings below. Alternatively members could explore Oslo (Ski bag storage is available at Oslo Central rail station). Travelling on Fri/Sat is also possible, staying in Oslo or at the airport – taking an early bus on Sunday and arriving around 1400 in time for a ski.

The return direct transfer bus arrives Oslo Gardermoen at 1421 on Sunday, so any flight home after 1630 is viable:

• Norwegian to LGW leaves 1640 & 1845
• BA to LHR leaves 1650
• SAS to LHR leaves 1700 & 2010.

Transfer Oslo Gardermoen to Beitostolen by Valdresekspressen (express bus)

• Recommended direct bus NW163 leaves 1705 from the airport (stand 100m from arrivals exit), arriving 2047.
• Recommended return direct bus NW163 leaves Beitostolen at 1045 and arrives 1421.

Advance booking required for all buses via : https://www.nor-way.no/  NB: bus timings are based on 2023 – booking for 2024 is not open yet. The organiser will advise when it is, likely around Sept, but in the past timings have not changed much year to year. Cost : approx £40 each way.

NB the direct bus runs once a day only on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Otherwise the indirect bus NW161 leaves Oslo Central Bus Station at 1020, 1220, 1700, 2005 and takes 3 hours 45m.

Accommodation

(Based on 2023 costs converted at 12.9 NOK)

You book your preferred accommodation - members have stayed at all of the options and they are of a good standard. As on previous trips participants socialise and plan the next day by getting together after dinner.

There are various options offered by the central booking website - if you click on the “BOOK NA” in the top RH corner of the webpage and input dates, it should come up with available accommodations – easier than clicking on each individually.

Sunday to Sunday bookings are not a problem and it’s often possible to book Friday to Sunday, or Saturday to Sunday.

TOWN LAYOUT – Ski hire, tourist info, plus one large supermarket are all at the North (N) end of the main street, near the Radisson Hotel, which acts as central reception for the resort. It takes about 10 mins to walk the length of the main street. There is another supermarket half way down and another at the bottom.

Hotel option - The Radisson, modern, highly recommended if hotel facilities are required. However, outside of a tour package it is expensive. Costs : approx. £120 per night for single B&B. Dinner approx £30 extra. The other hotel, Bergo, is recommended only for its self catering apartments.

Crystalski option only – see website but looks good value all-in.

Self catering options (LEILIGHETER in Norwegian)

• Bitihorn apartments – at the N end, basic but inexpensive. You may need to input “Bitihorn” into the search function, if it doesn’t come up automatically. Studio recommended for singles – the mini studio is too small.
• Gjestegaarden apartments – at the N end, very modern & highly recommended, mid priced.
• Bergo apartments – at the N end, modern, mid priced. NB some have complained of late noise from the public bar at the Radisson Hotel end of the building, so check where it is - opt for middle/far end. 
• Hovi cabins - large, well equipped, higher priced wooden cabins at the middle of the main street.
• Knuts-hyttegrend – various wooden cabins incl 1 Bed. Inexpensive for cabins. At the S end of main street. Books direct only - https://knuts-hyttegrend.no/ or Booking.com in English. Check-in until 2200.

More options on the website. Costs : £400-700 per week single occupancy, with plenty at the lower end of this range. Crystalski option only – see website but current offer is Bergo / Hovi only, at no price advantage over separate booking.

Remember to select cleaning/linen, as these are extra. It’s possible to eat in a restaurant, or get takeaways (e.g. pizza) – but members have found it economical to self cater.

All except Knuts are directly booked with the resort website (in Norwegian but easy to use) or email booking@beitostolen.com - they respond to email/phone enquiries in English, plus booking confirmations are in English.

The Radisson Hotel reception (open 24/7) holds all keys for centrally booked rentals except Knuts-Hytte, which has its own reception building in front of the huts.

Other Expenses to budget for  

Ski hire if needed. Track use is free of charge.

Covid-19 Rules

The trip will be run in accordance with English and Norwegian regulations and guidance in force at the time. You can see the latest information from Gov.uk here   https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/norway/entry-requirements   From Norway here : https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/koronavirus-covid-19/travel-to-norway

Medical/travel insurance

Everyone on the trip is recommended to have their own travel insurance policy. For medical treatment you are recommended to take either your EHIC card (these remain valid unless expired), or the new GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) issued by Gov.uk.

What to do next

Due to the low volume of interest, this trip is not going ahead - but the December Beitostolen trip is confirmed.

Any questions?

Please contact the Greg Clack the organiser.

Photos of the area by Greg Clack and Keith Michael.