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.
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Ascend alpine peaks over 2000 m
Go on a 12-day field trip to southern Europe with a focus on climbing.
Bouldering at different sites, indoors and outdoors
Climb on various crags around Western Norway.
Try multipitch climbing on towering mountain walls.
Glacier course
Ice climb on a glacier and experience blue ice
Participate in "61 degrees north"
Running in steep and technical mountain terrain: Cloud running.
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!
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Go on a summit trip in Sogn and Sunnmøre
Participate in a 3-day trip to Hemsedal, together with the whole school.
Complete avalanche courses with practical training in safe travel and risk assessment in the winter mountains.
Go on ski touring trips in varied terrain with a focus on technique and safety.
Go on long ski trips with overnight stays in mountain cabins.
Travel on a 12-day study trip to Austria, including a multi-day cabin-to-cabin tour in alpine terrain. Climb peaks well over 3000m.
Explore lift-based off-piste skiing in the Alps and in Norway.
Ice climb on natural ice formations.
Study trips
Study trip autumn: Climbing in Corsica
Join us on a journey to one of Southern Europe's most beautiful climbing destinations, Corsica.
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Corsica is a fantastic place for climbing , and this study tour offers many days filled with lots of climbing in spectacular surroundings . Here you will climb solid cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean , surrounded by high mountains and beautiful nature - a truly unique experience.
We visit famous climbing areas like Lumio , where there are routes for all levels – from beginners to experienced climbers.
The trip also includes nice walks , rest days exploring the local area and time to swim, rock climb and enjoy the nature around us.
In addition to the climbing, we place great emphasis on community, with good food , pleasant evenings and socializing. The climate and surroundings make Corsica truly a perfect destination for climbing.
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.
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The trip takes us over glaciers, and we get to experience fantastic skiing on the way down. Each evening, we retreat to cozy mountain huts, where we enjoy good food and rest before planning the next day's route.
This trip gives you the opportunity to use everything you have learned throughout the year. We use crampons, ice axes and ropes to secure ourselves safely through the varied terrain.
This will be a trip with great views, exciting challenges and many new experiences in the mountains.
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.
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• Shell jacket and shell pants (windproof and waterproof – or rainwear)
• Hiking pants
• Hat and scarf (preferably wool)
• Wool mittens
• Wool underwear
• A warm mid-layer (wool sweater, Primaloft or down jacket)
• Workout clothes and sneakers (indoor and outdoor)
• High-ankle mountain boots
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Climbing equipment
Sport climbing harness
Climbing boots (not too tight)
Climbing helmet
Rope brake + carabiner (Edelrid Jul 2, Mammut Smart etc.)
3 screw carabiners + 2 without screw lock
Card sling (if you have one)
Outdoor equipment
Daypack approx. 40L (preferably with helmet mount and space for ice axe)
Sleeping pad + sleeping bag (3-season if you have one)
Drinking bottle & thermos
Headlamp (simple version is enough)
Map folder & compass (360°)
Writing materials
First aid kit (sports tape, chafing plasters, individual pack, painkillers)
Windproof mittens, warm down jacket / thick wool sweater
Travel & practical
Travel insurance
European Health Insurance Card
Passport
Backpack or bag for travel
Simple bike + bike helmet
Ski equipment (after Christmas)
Ski boots
Randonee skis + traps
Telescopic poles
Ski helmet, sunglasses & ski goggles
Avalanche detector (transmitter/receiver, calibrated annually)
Snow shovel & search pole
Ski crampons
Sleeping bag liner
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
