Are you ready for a classic ski expedition this spring? Just one last trip before the summer comes? Then our spring ski trip from Finse to Hardanger is the perfect option for you. We go from Finse, via Demmevasshytta and to Hardanger, a route that offers great contrasts and spectacular nature experiences.
Highlights
- Accommodation at Finse 1222
- Skiing over the majestic Hardangerjøkulen Glacier
- Accommodation at Demmevasshytta, one of the most remote, and isolated cabins in the Norwegian Tourist Association's cabin network
- Skiing from winter to spring during the descent down Simadalen Valley\
- Hardanger in full bloom!
We start the trip at Finse, the Bergen Railway's highest elevated station, spend the night at Finse 1222, before we cross the Hardangerjøkulen Glacier the next day, going in the direction of Demmevasshytta - one of the Norwegian Tourist Association's most spectacular and isolated accommodations. Then finally, on the last day of the trip, we go down the Simadalen Valley where Hardanger in full spring bloom welcomes us.
May is a fantastic month for a last ski trip of the season and together with our local guide we get to experience great contrasts as we go from the snow-clad Hardangervidda Mountain Plateu to the green-clad Simadalen Valley, which lies at the inner end of the Hardangerfjord. When we get to Simadalen Valley, the most adventorous participants in the group can end the trip with a swim in the roaring river that flows down the valley. There are few, if any trips that will give you such a wide range of experiences as this one, and in such a short time. We welcome you to join this magnificent trip the upcoming spring!
Physical level and risk
So that you can have a good experience, it is important that you choose a trip that suits your ability level. The scales for physical requirements and risk are general. Therefore, it is important that you read more about the difficulty of the specific trip under “Details”. This will help you to gain an understanding of the level required and the risks involved for each specific trip.
Read more about physical requirements and risk here.
Physical: 3
On these trips, some of the stages are demanding. On level 3 mountain hikes, there are often some long stages, and / or a demanding summit push where it can get cold. You must stand up to reach the goal, and have a good training basis and good health before departure. We sleep in tents and / or in cabins and hotels, but you do not have to have experience with tent life to participate. If the trip includes activities such as kayaking, cycling, climbing, glacier, skiing / mountaineering, it is an advantage to have experience with this activity. Read more about the grading on our trips here
Risk: 3
Activities / trips with some risk. Some incidents may occur, and they may be of such a nature that they require professional help. Read more about the grading on our trips here
What's included
- All accommodations
- All meals as described in the day to day program
- Local guide
- Transportation from Simadalen Valley and back to Ustaoset train station
See more of what's included under the "details" tab.
Contact
Questions about the trip? Don't hesitate to contact our project leader below, or contact our office here.
Eirik B. Zwart-Nilsen
eirik@hvitserk.com +47 23213080
Details
Difficulty
Level 3 out of 6. Please read more about our level of difficulty here.
This is a fairly tough skiing trip with two long ski days, which depending on route and snow conditions are between 15 and 20 kilometers in lenght. On the lap from Demmevasshytta to Simadalen Valley there is a steep descent where we will go by foot on the trail (if the snow has melted), or in a snow-covered valley side down to the bottom of the valley, approx. 900 meters of descent in 2 kilometers.
Safety
Norrøna Hvitserk Adventure places great emphasis on safety. If an accident occurs, know that you will get help quickly. We have 24h emergency preparedness at our office when someone is on a trip, so Norrøna Hvitserk Adventure can always be contacted if something happens during the trip. We demand that our local partners also place great emphasis on high levels of experience and understanding of our products.
Our guides are trained in first aid and have a selection of medicines and first aid equipment for necessary treatment in the field. Norrøna Hvitserk Adventure also has a collaboration with Turlegen.no who can be contacted if you need medical advice.
NB - If you are on regular medication, have known allergies, or the like, you must always bring your personal medication with you.
What to bring?
Take a look at the equipment list by clicking on "Equipment list" in the menu above. On this trip, you have to carry your own backpack so it is important to pack as lightly as possible.
How to get there?
It is only possible to reach Finse 1222 by train. All trains on the Bergen Railway stop at Finse. You can buy tickets at www.vy.no. If you are coming from Oslo, it may be worthwhile to drive to Ustaoset or Geilo, leave the car there, and take the train for the last stretch to Finse.
Accommodation
We spend the nights at Finse 1222 and Demmevasshytta during the trip. At Finse 1222, the guests will be divided into two-bed rooms together with one of the same sex, while at Demmevasshytta we will spend the night in multi-bed rooms (bring a sleeping bag). Demmevashytta has quite limited standard so we prepare shared dinner and shared breakfast during our stay here.
Luggage
Since you have to carry your own backpack, we recommend packing as lightly as possible so that you do not carry too many kilos. This is very important for a successful trip. Use a backpack that you have used on a trip like this before, which also has a good hip belt. Remember windproof and waterproof clothing. Remember to also leave some room in your backpack for the food we will need to carry to Demmevasshytta. This will be divided equally on all participants.
Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip. Norrøna Hvitserk Adventure is not responsible for any trip delays, injury, illness, loss of belongings, family emergencies, natural events, or other unforeseen issues that may hinder your ability to complete a trip with us.
Norrøna Hvitserk Adventure is an adventure holiday company, and with an active holiday, there is always a risk of something as simple as a twisted ankle to keep you from your vacation. With trip insurance, your flights, hotels, and travel costs can be covered if an unforeseen emergency hinders you from joining our tour, as well as coverage to fly home if necessary.
By purchasing travel insurance ahead of time, you can protect your trip and yourself from issues that prevent you from traveling, and rest easy to enjoy your vacation.
Languages
This is a trip popular with Norwegians, so the main language is Norwegian, but the guide will speak English if there are some international participants booked on the trip.
Changes may occur
We reserve the right to make changes to the program, and the price. The day-to-day program is indicative, and changes may occur. Please have a look at our terms and conditions.
Price includes
- Accommodation at Finse 1222
- Accommodation at Demmevasshytta
- Meals as described in the day to day program
- Transportation from Simadalen Valley and back to Ustaoset train station
- Local guide
Price does not include
- Transportation to Finse at the start of the trip, and from Ustaoset on the final day
- Drinks at Finse 1222
- Any additional accommodation before- or after the trip
- Personal equipment
- Cancellation- and travel insurance
- Unforeseen expenses due to delays because of weather- or safety considerations
Other information
If it is close to departure and the trip is fully booked, please contact us. Maybe you will be able to join the trip anyway.
Day by day
day
1
Meet up at Finse
We meet at Finse 1222 in the evening. The afternoon trains from Oslo and Bergen arrive just in time for dinner. Finse can only be reached by train (or ski...!) in winter, and if you don't take the train from Oslo, there are good parking options at Ustaoset and Geilo, where you can take the train the last stretch into Finse. After dinner, we go through the trip program together and get ready for tomorrow.
day
2
From Finse to Demmevasshytta
We get up early, eat a good breakfast and pack lunch. After we have distributed the food we will bring to Demmevasshytta, we strap on our skis and cross Lake Finsevatnet. Today's lap continues over the Hardangerjøkulen Glacier and to Demmevasshytta. We eat lunch along the way. Demmevasshytta is spectacularly located on a mountain shelf above the Rembesdalsskåkji glacier arm. On arrival, we fire up the oven, relax a bit, before cooking a delicious dinner in the evening.
day
3
From Demmevasshytta to Hardanger
We make breakfast together at the cabin and find a safe route over the glacier. From here, the trip goes from a white winter landscape in the direction of the bright green Simadalen Valley and the Hardangerfjord. Today's ski trip goes from 1311 m.a.s.l. down to the fjord, and is approximately 15 kilometers long. There are some steep parts down the Simadalen Valley that we go on foot, so remember to bring sturdy hiking boots for this. In Simadalen Valley we are met by our mine bus which takes us back, first past Vøringsfossen Waterfall and then across Hardangervidda to Ustaoset. The trip ends here, and we expect to catch the train departures from Ustaoset after 18.30.
Equipment List
Take a good look at this list, and make sure you bring everything you need. We encourage you to use what you have for this trip, and purchase items if you're missing something important on the list below.
Layering is extremely important in a variable climate like Norway. This list will guide you through the essentials. Remember the Norwegian saying "There is no bad weather, only bad gear", and prepare appropriately for any weather. You can read about the weather where you're traveling here.
Please contact us at hvitserk@norrona.com if you have any questions and check out our gear page to learn more.
We always recommend wool in the Norwegian Mountains, but if you already have synthetic layers and don't want to buy new ones, synthetic is okay.
