OUTDOOR LIFE NORWAY
Western Norway and Lofoten
Do you want to spend a year in the world's wildest, rawest, and most beautiful classroom? We have hand-picked the best of Norwegian outdoor life and will experience the enormous diversity Norway has to offer through trips throughout the year.
This is what you will learn:
Fall:
Glacier course
Campfire atmosphere and cooking over a campfire
Kayak
Camping and bivouacking in different outdoor environments
Climbing (indoor and outdoor)
Top rope and lead certificate
Solo 24 hours out in nature
Surfing
First Aid
Trip planning
Spring:
Cooperation and community
Mastery in various weather conditions
Expeditions with tent and sleeping bag
Establishing basecamp
Map and compass
Winter outdoor life
Avalanche awareness and safe travel in the winter mountains
Overnight stay in a snow cave
Mountain skiing
Telemark turns and skiing technique
Outdoor life in Western Norway's nature
Fall offers endless opportunities in Norway. We start by getting our kayak certification, pack the tent and go kayaking in Norway's longest fjord, the Sognefjord. Then we head to the mountains for both hiking and fishing. You'll also get to experience glacier climbing with crampons and ice axes. When the days get shorter, we enjoy bonfires, surfing on Jæren and climbing - both indoors and outside.
When winter arrives, we embark on varied ski tours – sometimes with a daypack, other times with a large pack – where we experience everything from building and sleeping in snow caves to exploring magical blue ice caves. When spring takes hold and the snow melts, we swap skis for canoes and climbing gear, and end the season with a solo night under a starlit sky that you will not soon forget.
Throughout the year, it's about learning how to thrive in nature regardless of the weather. We provide you with a solid and versatile introduction to outdoor life, where both individual skills and collaboration are in focus. Whether you are experienced or a beginner, you will be challenged, develop, and create strong bonds with your fellow hikers.
Experience more, together with others
We will focus on getting to know some of the most spectacular wilderness areas in Norway. Traveling sustainably and focusing on seeing a lot with a low environmental impact. There will be good conversations around the campfire, nights under open skies, cabin trips and tent/bivouack trips.
There will be Jotunheimen, Lofoten, Jostedalsbreen and much more. There will be room to carry out your dream trip in Norway, and you as a student will help determine this.
As a highlight, we travel to adventurous Lofoten, where we encounter a landscape that must be experienced to be understood. Here, the Northern Lights dance across the sky on clear winter evenings, and the small, colorful fishing villages lie like pearls along the wild coast. Perhaps you will try your luck at fishing as the locals have done for generations – or simply enjoy the tranquility and the spectacular view of the mountains that plunge straight into the sea.
This will be a year with countless magical experiences in Norway.
Study trips
Study trip autumn: Western Norway
We embark on a road trip through Western Norway, where we travel to Preikestolen and surf at Jæren.
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We go on a road trip through Western Norway and set course for Lysebotn to climb Kjeragbolten.
Our next stop is Preikestolen, where we experience the spectacular views of the Lysefjord. We continue to Jæren for surfing on the popular beaches, before heading to Odda to prepare for the hike to Trolltunga; the "Troll-tongue".
Study trip spring: Lofoten
Experience Lofoten, a journey filled with northern lights, dramatic mountains, and white beaches! This trip combines cod fishing, bonfire atmosphere, and unique experiences.
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Join us on a fantastic trip to Lofoten, where the Northern Lights, steep mountains, white beaches and magical sunsets await! We'll experience fishing for atlantic cod, eagle safaris, bonfires and all the wonderful things nature has to offer.
We naturally take the most environmentally friendly travel route, so that we can enjoy not only the destination, but also the unique experiences along the way.
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 pass at the Sports Center with access to all facilities, and a lift pass at Sogndal Ski Center.
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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
Simple bike for the local area (on asphalt) + helmet
(if you have a long way to travel, we will help with this at school)
Winter equipment
Warm down jacket or thick wool sweater
Ski boots
Mountain skiing
Climbing skins
Telescopic poles
Ski helmet
Snow shovel & search pole
Sunglasses & ski goggles
Teacher Outdoor Activities Norway
Martin Buch Larsen
Martin is a skilled carpenter with a bachelor's degree in nature, culture, and outdoor guidance from the University College of Southeast Norway. He has also completed a one-year program in social sciences. In addition, he has specialized in snow avalanche forecasting at Prescott College, and alpine skiing at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. Martin is also an NMGI-certified bike instructor at level 1, and he runs an organic smallholding, where he combines his passion for nature and sustainable agriculture.
Martin is very committed and good at seeing solutions, often with his guitar in one hand. Cycling and skiing were the reason he ended up in Sogndal, but the reasons for staying are completely different. If you need tips for the local winter route, ask Martin.
martin@sogndal.fhs.no 97657451
