OUTDOOR LIFE NORWAY SPRING
Lofoten
Would you like to spend six months in the world's wildest, most rugged and most beautiful classroom? We've picked the best Norwegian outdoor activities have to offer.
This is what you will learn:
Spring:
Cooperation and community
Mountain skiing
Mastery in various weather conditions
Winter mountain hike with tent
Cabin-to-cabin tours
Establishing basecamp
Map and compass
First Aid
Ice climbing
Surfing
Trip planning
Winter outdoor life
Snow cave bivouack
Experience more, together with others
At Friluftsliv Norge Vår you get to experience Norwegian outdoor life throughout the winter and spring. We use mountains, snow, forests, fjords and coast as classrooms, and you get to try many different things together with others who enjoy being outdoors.
You don't need much previous experience. Through trips and courses you will learn new skills and gradually become safer and more independent outdoors.
Winter outdoor life
Winter gives us many different experiences. We go mountain skiing , both on day trips and longer backpacking trips, and learn technique and how to move in varied winter terrain. We spend the night in tents and cabins, establish base camps and learn how to stay warm, dry and safe when it's cold.
You will learn orientation with a map and compass, trip planning, first aid and safe travel in the winter mountains . We will build and spend the night in a snow cave , try ice climbing and, when conditions allow, explore a blue ice cave under the Jostedalsbreen glacier .
Throughout the winter you will experience how weather, snow and cold affect our trips, and learn to make good choices and cooperate with others when we are out together.
From winter mountains to spring
One of the great things about the spring semester in Sogndal is following nature through the seasons. When winter lets go, outdoor activities also change. The days get longer, the snow retreats and we get new opportunities to use the mountains, forests and fjords around us.
Throughout the semester we alternate between camping trips, cabin-to-cabin trips, mountain skiing, ice climbing, snow caving and campfire life . Some days are long and challenging, while others allow time to cook outside, light a campfire and have some quality time together.
Experience Lofoten
One of the highlights is the study trip to Lofoten . Here the mountains meet the sea, and we spend the days outdoors in a landscape that is different from back home in Sogndal. We explore the area on foot, experience small fishing villages and life along the coast, and get the opportunity to try our luck at fishing.
We travel sustainably and use the trip to explore more of Norway, with a focus on traveling in a way that takes care of the nature around us.
Throughout the spring you will gain many different experiences outdoors, while learning to cooperate, take responsibility and be a good hiking buddy. The goal is for you to end the semester safer and more independent on your hike , with knowledge and experience that you can use on your own hikes.
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Winter outdoor activities
You will learn how to stay warm, dry and safe and how to plan your trip according to weather and winter conditions.Mountain skiing and telemark skiing
We go on both short and longer ski trips and work on ski technique and telemark turns in varied terrain.Avalanche knowledge
You will learn about snow, avalanche terrain and safe travel in the winter mountains.Winter trip with tent and sled
We pack what we need and go on a trip over several days, with overnight stays in the winter mountains.Snow cave
We build our own snow cave and spend the night in it.Blue Ice Cave
When conditions permit, we explore a blue ice cave under Jostedalsbreen glacier.Basecamp
We establish a base camp and use it as a starting point for several days of trips and activities.Study trip to Lofoten
We travel north and experience outdoor life between mountains and sea, explore the area on foot, visit small fishing villages and get the opportunity to try our luck at fishing.Canoeing and spring outdoor activities
When the snow retreats, we get out our canoes, climbing equipment, and hiking boots and use nature in new ways.Collaboration and community
Throughout the year you will learn to cooperate, take responsibility and be a good hiking buddy, and gradually become safer and more independent outdoors.
Study trips
Study trip spring: Lofoten
The journey to Lofoten is part of the experience. We head north, part of the way with Hurtigruten, and have plenty of time to experience mountains, sea and coastal life. In Lofoten, mountain hikes, fishing, fishermen's cabins and many days out together await.
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On the study trip to Lofoten we will have plenty of time to experience northern Norwegian nature, outdoor life and coastal culture. The journey itself is also part of the experience. We travel north through large parts of Norway, and parts of the journey is with Hurtigruten along the Norwegian coast.
In Lofoten we fill our days with mountain hikes, fishing and various outdoor activities. We go out to sea on a fishing trip, explore different parts of the archipelago and get to know the coastal culture and life in the north better. Along the way we also visit local places and learn more about the history and culture of the area.
Some days we go on longer hikes in the mountains, and parts of the trip may also involve overnight stays in a cabin. The weather in Lofoten can change quickly, and we may encounter sun, wind, snow and hail. This gives us good experience in planning and being out in different weather conditions.
We stay together along the way, including in fishermen's cabins. After the day's activities, we cook, play cards, chat and relax together. We spend a lot of time together, both on trips and in the evenings.
If the conditions are right, we may also be lucky and experience the Northern Lights over the mountains.
Lofoten gives us many days of mountains, sea and outdoor activities, but also the opportunity to get to know a part of Norway where nature, fishing and coastal culture are closely intertwined.
Equipment list
For an active year with outdoor life in challenging West Norway nature, you need some equipment.
The overview below covers what you should have in terms of personal equipment. Remember that old, good equipment is often just as useful as the latest model, so look in the attic or borrow from your family or friends!
Included in the price, all students at Sogndal Folk High School receive a training card at the Sports Center with access to all facilities.
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Shell jacket
Shell pants
Hiking pants
Gaiters
Mountain boots or shoes with high ankle
Beanie
Buff / scarf
Thick wool sweater
Down jacket
2 sets of wool underwear
Wool mittens
Shell mittens
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Hiking and outdoor activities
Daypack approx. 40L (preferably with attachment for helmet/ice axe, can be used on skis)
Backpack approx. 70L
Sleeping pad
Sleeping bag (comfort down to -20 °C, possibly two sleeping bags inside each other)
Sleeping bag liner
Plate, cup & cutlery
Thermos & drinking bottle that can withstand boiling water (e.g. Nalgene)
Headlamp (simple type)
Map folder & compass (360°)
Knife
Sunglasses & sunscreen
Travel & practical
Travel insurance
Passport
Winter equipment
Shell mittens
Warm down jacket or thick wool sweater
Ski boots
Mountain skiing
Climbing skins
Telescopic poles
Ski helmet
Snow shovel & search pole
Sunglasses & ski goggles
Outdoor education teacher Norway:
Eric Hansen
Eirik, our world-renowned river paddler. He is so good it's almost unbelievable! In addition, he is incredibly enthusiastic and makes everything cozy, safe, exciting and challenging all at the same time.
Eirik loves to share what he knows, and meets students at their level. Whether you are trying something for the first time or already have a lot of experience, he makes you feel mastery and want to learn more. With Eirik on tour, it is rarely boring!
