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 activities in the Westland nature
At Friluftsliv Norge we follow the seasons and use the nature around us. Autumn starts with kayaking and wetsuits before we pack the tent and head out on a trip to the Sognefjord. We go hiking, fishing and learn the basics you need to enjoy being outdoors for several days.
Eventually, the trip moves to the glaciers. Here you learn to travel safely in ropes and use crampons and ice axes. We climb both indoors and outdoors, and travel to the coast to surf. As the days get shorter, there will also be time for campfire evenings, cooking outside and trips where the pace is a little slower.
When winter comes, we get out our mountain skis. We go on both short and longer ski trips with backpacks and sleds, and spend the night in tents and cabins. You learn to build and sleep in a snow cave, and when conditions allow, we explore a blue ice cave under Jostedalsbreen glacier.
When spring comes, we will have new opportunities again. We will gradually replace skis with canoes, climbing equipment and hiking boots and continue to use the mountains, forests and fjords around us.
Throughout the year you will learn to thrive outdoors in changing weather and through different seasons. You do not need much previous experience. We build on your level, and the goal is for you to become safer and more independent on trips, while also learning how important cooperation is when we are out together.
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Kayak and wetsuit
You will learn basic paddling techniques and safety before we go on a kayak trip on the Sognefjord.Basic outdoor activities
You will learn orientation with a map and compass, trip planning, camping, campfires and outdoor cooking.Tent life and overnight trip
We go on trips with tents and sleeping bags and learn how to establish a good camp and enjoy being outdoors for several days.Mountain hikes and fishing
We explore the mountains around Sogndal and other places in Western Norway, with both day trips and longer hikes.Glacier course
You will learn how to travel safely on a glacier, go in a rope formation and use crampons and an ice axe.Climbing and bouldering
We climb both indoors and outdoors. You will learn about belaying, equipment and climbing techniques and can take a steep pass.Surfing in Hoddevika
We travel to Stad and try surfing in Hoddevika.Cabin to cabin
We go on a trip from cabin to cabin in Breheimen or Jotunheimen and experience several days together in the mountains.Solo day
You get to spend time alone outside and use the skills you have learned throughout the fall.First aid
You will learn what to do if someone gets injured or needs help on a trip.
Experience more, together with others
Throughout the year we explore some of the most exciting outdoor areas in Norway. We travel as sustainably as possible and spend plenty of time in the places we visit. There will be camping trips, cabin to cabin trips, nights out, campfire evenings and many days where we have everything we need with us in our backpacks.
We use, among other things, Jotunheimen, Breheimen, Jostedalsbreen and the mountains and fjords around Sogndal. You also get to help plan trips and use what you have learned to take on more and more responsibility along the way.
One of the highlights of the year is the study trip to Lofoten. Here the mountains meet the sea, and we spend our days outdoors in a landscape that is different from back home in Sogndal. We explore the area on foot, visit small fishing villages and get the chance to try our luck at fishing.
Outdoor Life Norway is about getting to know more of Norway, but also about becoming more confident in creating your own experiences. Throughout the year, you learn to plan, collaborate and take responsibility, and gain experience that you can use on your own trips.
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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 fall : Western Norway
On this study tour we explore more of Western Norway, with fjords, mountains and some of Norway's most famous hiking destinations. We travel from place to place, go on both short and long mountain hikes and stay in cabins, campsites and tents along the way.
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On this study tour we explore Western Norway, with fjords, mountains, cabins and some of the most famous hiking destinations in Norway. We travel around over several days and combine mountain hikes, boat trips and overnight stays in different places.
Along the way we go on both short and long hikes. We can visit famous hiking destinations such as Preikestolen and Trolltunga, walk along the fjords and take a trip up some of the many mountains we encounter on the way. Some days will be long, with many kilometers and meters of elevation gain, while other days have a slower pace.
We stay in cabins and campsites, and parts of the trip can also be done in tents. We cook together, pack what we need and gain experience in being on a trip for several days and moving from place to place.
We want to travel as sustainably as possible and use boats, ferries and other means of transport along the way. The journey itself becomes part of the experience, and we get to see a lot of Western Norway along the way.
During the trip you will also use much of what we work on at the school. Trip planning, orientation, equipment, cooperation and assessment of weather and conditions are put into practice when we are on a trip over several days.
It will be a varied trip with lots of outdoor activities, long days outdoors and many experiences together. At the same time, we will get to know Western Norway better and see how much it is actually possible to experience without traveling far from home.
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
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
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!
