OUTDOOR LIFE - BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
Climbing in Northern Italy and skiing in Lofoten
Do you dream of magnificent views? Of reaching spectacular and airy mountain peaks? Do you want to ski down a silky smooth, untouched mountainside with powder snow? Season pass in Sogndal Ski Center.
This is what you will learn:
Fall:
Expeditions with tent and sleeping bag
Establishing basecamp
Glacier course
Map and compass
First Aid
Master challenging weather conditions
Surfing in Hoddevika
Climbing
Top rope and lead certificate
Summit peaks
Spring:
Top tour course. Basic & advanced
Avalanche course. Basic & advanced
Using the transmitter/receiver
Avalanche hazard assessment
Trip planning
First Aid
Winter outdoor life
Ski technique
Freeskiing course
Community and achievement
Outdoor life at a folk high school is not just about challenging yourself physically, but also about creating memories for life with new friends. Sleeping outside in a tent and sharing meals around the campfire creates a unique sense of community.
Before the snow arrives, we use our feet to reach the peaks of Western Norway. Trips vary from day hikes with light packs to longer expeditions with tents and sleeping bags, where we establish basecamp and explore the surroundings. You will also participate in glacier courses to gain access to more inaccessible peaks. An important part of the year will also be climbing and bouldering, both outdoors and indoors, where you'll learn rope skills, belaying techniques and about climbing equipment.
You will gain knowledge about maps and compasses, first aid, tent life, and learn to cope with demanding weather conditions. Throughout the year you will constantly practice this, both in theory and practice. In the fall we travel on a surfing trip to Hoddevika, and we prepare ourselves both physically and mentally for the challenges of winter through training.
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Ice bathing
Sport climbing
Bouldering
Glacier hikes and courses
Summit tours trekking
61 degrees north
Basic outdoor life trip with orientation, campfire and overnight stay outdoors
Solo trip
Tents and campcraft
Basecamp with tents and summit trips in Jostedalen
Trail running
Hiking trips
Surf trip to Hoddevika
First aid course
Study trip to Southern Europe where we will climb, hike and test trail running.
Summit tours
When winter and spring arrive, the focus is on ski touring. We start by honing your skiing skills at the ski resort, and you get a thorough introduction to avalanche awareness. You'll learn about snow profiles and safe travel in the winter mountains, both with randonee skis and splitboard, so you're ready for the mountains in all conditions.
Sogndal is known for its fantastic snow, with raw forest skiing, jumps and drops, as well as long, flowing descents. When spring arrives, and the snow turns to soft slush, we explore both the spring slopes and enjoy the last few rides before the snow melts. Spring in Sogn is unique. The apple trees are blossoming by the fjord, while the mountain peaks are still covered in snow. The day often starts with a sunny ski tour in the mountains, before finishing with a refreshing swim in the fjord. This combination of winter and spring makes Sogndal a unique place for skiing.
On some tours, we start early to catch the first rays of sunshine. The ride up is just as important as the descent, and we value the whole experience. The class becomes a team, where we build skills and learn to face new challenges. Reaching the summit together creates an uplifting experience of community and achievement.
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Summitting on skis
Skiing in the groomers
Ski week in Hemsedal
Snow cave bivouack
Avalanche course
Study trip for two weeks to Lofoten with skiing and ski touring
Overnight winter camping
Study trips
Study trip autumn: From European cities to the mountains of Arco
On this journey, we travel through several countries by train and boat - an adventurous way to explore Europe.
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Along the way, we visit both vibrant cities and quieter mountain areas, and have the opportunity to get to know both local culture and nature.
We start our journey by train through Germany and Austria, arriving in the charming Alpine town of Innsbruck. Here we have time to explore the mountains on foot and with climbing equipment, before travelling on to Arco in northern Italy – known for its climbing environment and scenic surroundings.
In Arco we will spend several days developing our skills in climbing, mountaineering and Via Ferrata. We are also planning a day trip to the Dolomites, where we will challenge ourselves on aerial routes in one of Europe's most iconic mountain regions.
The trip is suitable for those who want to learn more about climbing and outdoor life, while experiencing varied nature and being part of an inclusive community. You do not need any prior knowledge of climbing – just curiosity, courage and a desire to be part of an extraordinary journey.
Study trip spring: Skiing in Lofoten
One of the year's major highlights is the study trip to Lofoten. Great ski tours from mountain to sea await. Here you will experience the unique landscape Lofoten is known for.
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One of the highlights of the year for the class is the study trip to Lofoten, where we use everything we have learned throughout the year. Spectacular ski tours from the mountains to the sea await, where we get to experience the unique landscape Lofoten is known for. We go on longer ski tours in challenging terrain, use maps and compasses, assess avalanche danger, and put theory into practice. There will also be climbing, and climbing in Lofoten in the winter offers unique challenges.
The trip is not just about skiing – we also get to try Lofoten fishing, and if we are lucky, we get to experience the Northern Lights.
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 (windproof and waterproof – must withstand rough use)
Shell pants (windproof and waterproof – must withstand rough use)
Hiking pants
Hat (preferably wool)
Buff (preferably in wool)
Wool mittens
2 sets of wool underwear
Gloves, preferably slightly insulated (you can buy inexpensive ones at Biltema, Felleskjøpet or similar)
A warm mid-layer, such as a wool sweater, down jacket or Primaloft jacket
Workout clothes and sneakers for both indoor and outdoor use (an old t-shirt and clothes that are comfortable to move in will suffice)
Mountain boots or shoes with high ankle
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Hiking and outdoor activities
Daypack approx. 40L
Backpack approx. 70L
Sleeping pad
Sleeping bag
Sleeping bag liner
Plate, cup and cutlery for hiking
Thermos
Headlamp (simple type is enough)
Map folder & compass (360°)
Knife
Travel & practical
Travel insurance
European Health Insurance Card
Passport
Simple bicycle for use in the local area
Bicycle helmet
Winter equipment (most needed after Christmas)
Shell mittens
Warm down jacket or wool sweater
Ski boots
Randoneeskis or splitboard
Climbing skins
Telescopic poles
Ski helmet
Good sunglasses & ski goggles
Avalanche detector (transmitter/receiver – remember calibration)
Snow shovel
Snow probe
Ski crampons
Teacher Outdoor life Ski touring:
Frida Isungset
Frida has a one-year degree in sports, and furthered her education with a bachelor's degree in outdoor life and a master's degree in pedagogy. She is also a certified NF avalanche instructor and NF glacier instructor, as well as an activity leader in kayaking. In addition, she has been an IVSI instructor in alpine skiing and a climbing instructor.
Frida is our fresh breath of air and serves up happy songs, piano playing and a good atmosphere! She is tenacious, and for her, outdoor life is life. She is more concerned with the trip itself than the destination and enjoys what life has to offer. She is passionate about recycling and the environment, festivals in the mountains and sing-alongs. She skis, and offers music listening and dancing.
