OUTDOOR LIFE - BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
Climbing in Italy and skiing in Lofoten
Do you dream of magnificent views? Of reaching spectacular and airy mountain peaks? Do you want to ski on a silky, untouched mountainside with powder snow?
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 is about more than reaching the top. When we hike together, camp, cook outdoors, and share long days in the mountains, we get to know each other well. On hikes, we depend on each other, and community becomes an important part of the year.
Before the snow comes, we spend a lot of time in the mountains. We go on top hikes in Western Norway, from day hikes with a light backpack to longer trips with a tent and base camp. You learn to plan trips, use a map and compass, cook outdoors and make good choices when the weather and conditions change.
Climbing is an important part of the fall, and we climb a lot both indoors and outdoors. You can try your hand at various climbing areas, bouldering and climbing in Sognahallen. Along the way, you will learn about belaying, rope use, equipment and climbing techniques, and will be given challenges that suit your level. On the glacier course, you will also learn how to travel safely on a glacier, go in a rope formation and use crampons and an ice axe.
Autumn also offers surfing in Hoddevika, and many days of varied outdoor activities. Through the hikes and climbing you get to try new things, challenge yourself and gradually become safer and more independent outdoors.
-
Basic outdoor activities
We start with basic skills such as orienteering, campfires, outdoor cooking, camping and sleeping in tents.61 degrees north
A joint team building project for the entire school, with collaboration, activities and challenges across the curriculum.Hiking and mountaineering tours on foot
We use our legs to explore the mountains around Sogndal and other places in Western Norway, from shorter trips to long days in the mountains.Tent team trip
Plan and carry out a trip together with others, with responsibility for, among other things, camp, food and route selection.Basecamp in Jostedalen
We establish a camp with tents and use it as a starting point for summit hikes and several days in the mountains.Glacier hike and glacier course
You will learn how to travel safely on a glacier with crampons, ice axe and rope.Sport climbing
You will learn belaying, rope use and climbing techniques and will get many hours of climbing both indoors and outdoors.Bouldering
We work on technique, strength and problem solving on short climbing problems without ropes.Surf trip to Hoddevika
We travel to Stad to surf and experience a completely different side of outdoor life in Western Norway.First aid course
You will learn what to do if someone gets injured or needs help while you are on a trip.Solo trip
Spend time alone outside and gain experience in trusting your own skills and judgment.Ice bathing
Challenge yourself in cold water with the rest of the group.Study trip to Southern Europe
We travel through Europe and experience new mountain areas with climbing, hiking and trail running.
Summit tours
When winter comes, the focus is on top-level skiing. We start by developing our skiing skills in the ski center, before spending more and more time in the mountains around Sogndal. You will have many days on randonee skis or splitboarding, in varied terrain and in different snow conditions.
Avalanche knowledge, snow understanding, trip planning and buddy rescue are an important part of the teaching. You will learn about terrain selection, snow profiles and how weather and temperature affect the snow cover. We use this knowledge on trips, where we assess the conditions and make good choices together.
Sogndal gives us many different ski days throughout the winter. We can find powder and forest skiing when the snow is light, and long descents from the high mountains when the conditions are right. Some days we start early to catch the first rays of sunshine. The hike up is an important part of the experience, and we spend time on both route selection, assessments and being on the hike together.
When spring comes, we get the best of both seasons. There is still snow in the high mountains, while the fjord turns green and the apple trees begin to bloom. We can ski in spring snow one day and climb outside or swim in the fjord the next.
Throughout the winter and spring you gain more and more experience and become safer and more independent in the mountains. At the same time, we do this together. We go up together, help each other when the going gets tough and share both the mastery at the top and the skiing back down.
-
Top ski tours
Throughout the winter you will have many days of cross-country skiing or splitboarding in the mountains around Sogndal, with varied terrain and different snow conditions.Avalanche course
You will learn about snow, avalanche terrain, buddy rescue and how we assess weather, snow and conditions before and during the trip.Overnight camping trip in winter
Experience the winter mountains over several days and learn how to set up camp and stay warm, dry and safe when it's cold.Snow cave tour
We build our own snow cave and spend the night in it, while you learn more about winter outdoor activities.Ski week in Hemsedal
The entire school travels to Hemsedal for a ski week, with three days of skiing and fellowship across the curriculum.Two weeks in Lofoten
On the study trip to Lofoten, we use what we have learned throughout the winter, with summit hikes and skiing between mountains and sea.
Study trips
Study trip fall : Climbing in Italy
On this journey, we travel through several countries by train and boat - an adventurous way to explore Europe.
-
We start the journey by train through Germany and Austria, before arriving in Innsbruck. Here we spend time in the mountains, both on foot and with climbing equipment, before continuing across the border to Arco in northern Italy.
Arco is known for its great climbing environment, and here we will have several days of climbing outdoors. We will build on what we have learned at home in Sogndal, try new routes and develop ourselves as climbers. There will also be mountain hikes and Via Ferrata.
We are planning a day trip to the Dolomites, where we will experience a completely different mountain landscape and challenge ourselves on airy routes.
Along the way, we also have time to experience the places we visit. We travel through several countries, visiting both cities and mountainous areas, and get to know a bit of the culture and life along the way.
The study trip gives us the opportunity to use what we have learned throughout the fall in new surroundings. We climb, hike in the mountains, try new challenges and spend many days on the road together.
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.
-
In the winter we travel north to Lofoten, where we will stay and ski for two weeks. On the way north we take the Hurtigruten along the Norwegian coast, and the journey becomes part of the experience before we arrive in Lofoten. Here the mountains rise straight up from the sea, and we get to experience summit hikes in a landscape that is quite different from back home in Sogndal.
The days are planned according to weather, snow and avalanche conditions. We go on randonee skis or splitboards and use what we have learned throughout the winter about avalanches, terrain selection, trip planning and safe travel in the mountains. When conditions are right, we get long ski days with views of the ocean, beaches and small fishing villages.
Lofoten gives us the opportunity to encounter new types of terrain and use our experiences in new surroundings. Here, the summit trips are both about the skiing and the entire trip, from the planning in the morning to the assessments we make on the way up and the experience of reaching the summit together.
Two weeks in Lofoten also gives us plenty of time for life between trips. We live together, cook, plan the next ski day and get to know both the area and each other better.
The study trip will be an opportunity to gather much of what we have worked on throughout the winter. We will put our knowledge into practice, get many days skiing and share great experiences in the mountains together.
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.
-
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
-
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.
