SKI AND CLIMBING

Climbing in Southern Europe and Skiing in the Alps

Would you like to spend many days skiing in powder snow, climbing cliffs and mountains, and summiting alpine peaks as a bonus?

Season pass in Sogndal Ski Center.

This is what you will learn:

Fall:

  • Learn climbing skills for real here

  • Lead climbing and multipitch

  • Bouldering and climbing technique

  • Alpine ski touring in Jotunheimen

  • Mountain rescue, rappelling, and safety

  • Knots and climbing equipment

  • Glacier climbing and glacier course

  • Introduction to trad climbing

  • Climbing on various cliffs

  • Training

Spring:

  • Alpine peaks and summit trips

  • Use of crampons and ice axe in combination with skis

  • Avalanche course

  • Learn about snow profiles

  • Safe travel in the winter mountains

  • Ice climbing on frozen waterfalls

  • Trip planning and navigating in the mountains

  • Finding untouched powder runs

  • Planning and executing trips in unfamiliar terrain

  • Rescue, use of emergency bivouac

Top-class climbing

Sogndal is a climbing paradise, both indoors and outside! The Kvam climbing area, also known as "the crag that has everything", offers exciting challenges right outside the door. In the Sogndal hall you'll find a large and beautiful climbing wall, as well as a brand new bouldering facility - perfect for both beginners and experienced climbers. We do a lot of climbing here, at all levels.

The school year starts with a climbing course where you learn everything from belaying and top-rope climbing to lead climbing and multi-pitch climbing. The Kvam climbing area has over 500 routes, and we visit several exciting climbing areas around Sogn.

Throughout the autumn, we prepare for a study trip focusing on climbing. In Southern Europe, we climb on various rock formations, and you will quickly become a better climber. Safety is always a priority, and after this semester, you will be equipped to be an independent climber, ready to seek adventures on your own around the world.

A ski Eldorado

By choosing Sogndal, you're choosing a school that is exceptionally well situated for winter ski touring. In the winter, the mountains around Sogndal are transformed into a skiing paradise. A short drive from the school you can experience untouched powder. The mountains here are known for being snow-sure, and you'll get to know one of Norway's best areas for randonee skiing. High mountain areas such as Hurrungane, Jostedalen and Breheimen are also nearby.

Throughout the winter, the focus is on randonee and summit tours. You'll learn how to travel safely in the mountains with training in snow profiles, avalanche hazards, trip planning and the use of maps. The avalanche course teaches you how to use equipment such as a transmitter/receiver, search probe and shovel. You'll also learn how to assess snow conditions and interpret weather forecasts to avoid dangerous situations.

Welcome to a true winter paradise for those who dream of an everyday life filled with summit tours and lots of powder!

Study trips

Study trip fall : Climbing in Corsica

Join us on a journey to one of Southern Europe's most beautiful climbing destinations, Corsica.

Study trip spring: Skiing in the Alps – Austria

We travel to the Alps, specifically Austria, where an unforgettable hut-to-hut trip awaits. Here we will climb some of the area's highest and most impressive peaks.

Equipment list 

If you are missing equipment, we advise you to wait to make purchases until you arrive in Sogndal. You will receive advice and tips from us on what equipment is smart to have. If you want to buy equipment before you arrive, feel free to contact the program teacher for advice and tips.

Climbing equipment is personal, and it is important that you acquire equipment that is both practical and safe. We can help you with this if you are missing something.

In the winter, we will be out in the snow and on the ice, and then you need clothes and skis. That means randonnée skis, which are skis with bindings for walking uphill. Alternatively, you can use telemark skis with a walking function for ski touring.

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.

Teacher ski and climbing:

Hendrik Lapp

Hendrik has a master's degree in sports with a specialization in outdoor sports and coaching studies from the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences (NIH). He is also a trained peak guide from Nortind, a qualification that provides extensive knowledge of mountain and climbing guidance at the highest international level. He is a member of the alpine mountain rescue group NARG.

He is certified as a ski instructor level 1 and has previously been a member of the national orienteering team. In addition, he has a background as a toolmaker and pursues his passion as a hobby furniture maker.

He's the one you want to have with you in the snowstorm, or be belayed by on the climbing wall. With extensive knowledge and experience, he is confident and competent in everything to do with snow and mountains.

hendrik@sogndal.fhs.no | 995 39 267