Cross-Country Skiing in Venabu
8 Days Starting and ending in Venabu
Visiting: Norway
Tour operator:
Tour code:
K07NV
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 30
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
It is based in central Norway, on the edge of the Rondane National Park and the Gudbrandsdalen Valley, just north of Lillehammer. The landscape is dramatic and full of contrasts from spectacular gorges and snow-capped peaks to pretty fells and valleys that extend as far as the eye can see. It's far enough north to have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights too, especially in December and January, and throughout the winter there are spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
It has always been traditional to travel on skis here, so it's perfect for cross-country skiing, and the guides at Venabu will help you get started. All weeks are suitable for beginners to intermediates. If you are a fit and experienced cross-country skier the hotel offers ski safaris on selected dates - the ski safaris are suitable for advanced skiers only; payable locally, subject to minimum numbers.
You can also try dog sledding, snowshoeing or go on a torch-lit, horse-drawn sleigh ride (payable locally). The hotel also offers yoga, pilates and mindfulness classes along with sports and relaxation massages. During the week you might like to take the train to Lillehammer, where there are several fascinating museums of Norwegian history, Olympic history and Norwegian culture, plus several art galleries. You can also try tobogganing here too.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Venabu
Meals Included: Dinner
A private bus is sent from the hotel to Oslo Airport which collects all clients and transfers to Venabu (3hrs) in time for dinner. We recommend all clients arrive in time to join the group transfer. We have a brief introduction to the hotel and the ski room with briefing about the week's programme and equipment given to clients.
Comfortable Hotel
Day 2 : Morning Tuition With Our Local Instructors. The Afternoon Is Free To Practise On Your Own
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The first two days are usually to help learn the principles of gliding on snow, and extra tuition is available on selected departures. Tuition is given by our local ski guide in the morning, followed by a short ski tour in the local area before returning for late lunch (at 2-3 pm). The late afternoon is free for independent skiing. Maps are provided so you won't get lost.
Comfortable Hotel
Day 3 : Cross-Country Ski Tour With Tuition.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we head out on another ski tour around Venabu, our guide will observe what we have mastered and see where techniques can be improved. During the ski tour there will be further tuition to help us improve on what we have learnt. The late afternoon is free for independent practice and you can also book extra private lessons with one of the local instructors (paid locally). On one afternoon there will also be a group lesson with focus on hill techniques available (booked and paid locally).
Comfortable Hotel
Day 4 : Ski Tour With Our Instructors. Choose Between Shorter Or Longer Tours. You Can Also Ski Independently.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Another day of cross-county skiing, either independently or on one of our ski tours.
Comfortable Hotel
Day 5 : Wednesday Is A Free Day, When Most Guests Choose To Take Part In The Snowshoeing Tour (Payable Locally).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wednesday is a free day, when most guests choose to take part in the snowshoeing tour (payable locally). Equipment is provided and it is a great way to relax and enjoy the peaceful surrounds of the Norwegian forest. Alternatively you may choose to head out and ski independently. Remember maps are provided so you won't get lost.
Comfortable Hotel
Day 6 - 7 : Ski Independently Or With The Group On One Of Our Ski Tours.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
For the last two days of the week we ski out with our guides to explore the beautiful Norwegian landscape. Afternoons are free to travel further as your confidence grows.
Comfortable Hotel
Day 8 : End Venabu
After breakfast, we transfer to Oslo Airport.
What's Included
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Meals
5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners. -
All meals
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All accommodation (see accommodation section)
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Standard Airport transfers
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Ski excursions
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Tour leader throughout
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Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
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Cross-country ski , poles, boot hire and maps
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One yoga or pilates session
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
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Private ski tuition
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Snowshoeing excursion
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Sleigh rides and Dogsledding
Food
All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included.
The healthy yet hearty, homemade food is traditional Norwegian cuisine, with most of the food sourced from local suppliers. Vegetarians are particularly well catered for here. Breakfast is a continental buffet with the highlight being the selection of tasty local cheeses. You can have the choice of a buffet lunch with a hot option or a picnic lunch to have whilst you take in the spectacular scenery. Dinner will be a 3-course set dinner, with a special 'A taste of Norwegian Tradition' meal on Wednesday with accompanying talk from your host about the food served.
For New Year’s Eve champagne and a special four-course meal with cheese and dessert buffet will be served.
Accommodation
The Venabu Fjellhotel has been run by the friendly Tvete family for over 50 years, and owing to its traditional charm and quiet location, it is a relaxing place to stay. There are 20 standard rooms housed within the east wing, or if you prefer you can upgrade (for a supplement) to one of the more spacious 36 superior west wing rooms. The hotel's saunas and ski waxing centre are free for everyone to use. There’s also a bar, a games room (table tennis, pool, etc), a TV room, craft shop and two spacious sitting rooms with open fireplaces.
2022 saw the Tvete family celebrating 75 years of running Venabu Fjellhotel! Birgit and Arvid Tvete built the hotel from scratch, choosing the original plot because of its tremendous views. It has developed into a friendly, relaxing 'home from home' in a fabulous setting. The dining room affords glorious panoramic views out across the mountains.
Yoga:
One yoga session is held most days either in the morning or in the evening, typically 5 days a week. You are entitled to one complimentary session during your stay. After this, additional sessions are payable locally.
Room Upgrades:
Room upgrades may be available on request for a supplement. Please enquire at the time of booking for further details and prices.
Check out our Q&As
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes,Standard Airport transfers
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes
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What is the maximum group size?
30
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Minimum 8 years children can go on this tour.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
No visa required for British passport holders.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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