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Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
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We had a fantastic week of brilliant sunshine. We were largely off track ski ing and the area is wild and beautiful. Once off track we rarely saw another skier. We saw more animal than human tracks. We warmed up outside every morning to the amusement of the locals and then stretched in the evening before taking a sauna.
Reaching the summit of the 'Eagle's Nipple' on skis.
Mary and Ilse were fantastic. Experienced knowledgable and patient they couldn't do enough for us.
Even if you have never been on skis if you are reasonably fir you will be off track skinning in a couple of days.
Fantastic holiday – lovely hostel (the nightly sauna I am still missing), outstanding instruction/leaders, and a great group of people
Ilse's instruction
Both were excellent
Go! A few hints for packing though: the flight times are great, but the day of the trip out means no planned lunch break - so take something with you (though you can pick stuff up at oslo airport). DO pack gaiters, a sit mat, a thermos (even if you don't want a tea or coffee when you are out skiing, a warm drink goes down well). You really don't need much cash - the hostel takes cards now, and you can run a tab.
The food is great and plentiful at the hostel. The daily stretching sessions, and then sauna visits were great, and beneficial, at the end of the day.
This Exodus trip cannot be faulted…it was absolutely brilliant! The organisation from start to finish was smooth running; the location was perfect, providing on and off track skiing in beautiful Norwegian countryside; the accommodation was spotlessly clean and comfortable, with amazing views towards the mountain; and the food was simply delicious! In fact, we loved it so much, we’re going back this year!
Seeing people of all ages and ability getting out to enjoy xc skiing; also, seeing Ilse (our group leader) effortlessly perform Telemark turns!
Ilse was fabulous! She is an excellent coach, who showed a high level of care towards us all, whilst helping us to progress our xc skiing skills throughout the week, at our own differing levels. She has a great sense of humour and is good fun to spend time with. As newcomers to xc skiing, our enjoyment of this trip was definitely enhanced by her and the way that she led the week.
Go for it! If you are new to xc skiing, this would be an excellent introduction and would give you plentiful opportunity to explore on/off track, in beautiful surroundings. Equally, it is a fabulous place for the more experienced skier.
You might want to plan a few days, on your return, to rest!
A great place for both xc beginners and advanced, many options for both on and off track skiing. Excellent leaders who know the place very well and can help inexperienced skiers like me have a great taste of wild Norway in winter.
Off track skiing in fresh snow.
Excellent.
Be reasonably fit !
Excellent holiday, great location,
First time skiing off track, great to get to the otherwise inaccessible and hidden surprises.
Both Mary and Ilsa were excellent leaders, enthusiastic and were good instructors.
Expect bruises!
Great holiday will look to do it again
Have X-C skied in many parts of world, but after over 35 years still keep returning to Kvitåvatn because of the variety and excellence of the terrain and possible tours. Ski trails much improved for skaters this year, while snow conditions were wonderful in the mountains. New management and rebuild of part of original lodge both settling nicely. Ski hire and the ski preparation areas excellent as always. Food very good this year (copious smoked salmon every day!). Had to replace some ageing ski boots; the shop in nearby Rjukan -easily visited using free bus service – helpful and very well stocked.
Superb descents on even surfaces and perfect snow during days touring in the mountains. Dawn light on Gausta (the nearby mountain) on a day of perfect weather. The first cup of (free) coffee after a seven-hour tour!
Ilse and Mary are always cheerful and enthusiastic, and provide excellent teaching for novices and experts alike. They always seem to be able to find some decent snow, even if the conditions are less than ideal. Evening 'entertainments' first-rate for the newcomers who need to know about waxing and safety in the mountains. Whole group this year very cheerful and friendly.
If you are unsure of whether you will like Cross-Country skiing, try it here: if you don't take to it, it is very easy to hire downhill equipment, snowshoes, or take in the history of the area by visiting the local museum, which celebrates the "Heroes of Telemark". Plenty of photo-opportunities and, this year, surprisingly plentiful bird life.
Our kids, both now in their 20's, learned to ski at Kvitåvatn when they were 9 and 7 and are now skilled in winter outdoor travel. The lodge (owned by a Danish Orienteering Club) is full of young Danes learning to ski as soon as they can walk. It would be great if the lower age limit could be reduced, at last for some of the trips, to permit other Brits to bring their youngsters.
This was my first experience of cross country skiing – the location combined with excellent instruction was recommended by a friend. I found it a good mix of challenge in a very supportive atmosphere and loved journeying through the varied landscape. The food was excellent, as was the instruction from experienced leaders combined with lots of laughter.
The conditions were particularly challenging for cross country skiing and finding some lovely soft snow to move through was wonderful. At times I felt challenged but the support of both the group and leaders really helped me along. Skiing with like minded individuals with a sense of fun lead to lots of laughter and a sense of achievement.
Ilse took the lead in the first few days and was superb. She always had a positive outlook and comment - even when you were upended in the snow! Her sense of fun shone throughout and without her support and coaching I would not have achieved half as much as I did. Mary then took over with her knowledge of both wildlife and the area added to the work started by Ilse. I am particularly enjoying the excellent photos taken by both leaders which bring back happy memories of the trip.
Merino base layers are excellent. A thermos flask and sit mat are all important for a lunch break in the snow. It is well worth working on your fitness especially for sojourns uphill.
Give it a go you are never to old too learn a new skill and I gained so much inspiration from older members of the party. Any doubts whether this was the holiday for me were dispelled in the first few days and if you love mountain country then take the plunge you will not regret it. I certainly would return to work on my novice skills as a cross country skier
As I have experienced previously this is a great place to come with excellant leaders
Hard to pick any one but certain moments stand out such as nearly being blown over by the wind and managing to remain upright on my skiis but mostly it is about the lovely scenery and great off track skiing which makes a great change from the European loipe
Both Isle and Mary are excellant leaders and put in so much work into making it a great trip for everyone whatever level of skier you are.
Good to bring a bottle of something alcoholic from duty free. Vegetarians don't worry as the food is excellant. No need to bring any extras.
Another outstanding trip to Kvitavatn, fantastic instruction, superb skiing and brilliant food, not to mention the New Year Party.
I went back to Kvitavatn for a second time to try and get myself properly mobile on cross country skis. Last year I spent most of my time sitting in snow drifts or crashing, but this year I found my feet from day one and just grew in confidence. I have 4 inspirational moments - the first time we completed the 5km Orange Track including the terrifying "vertical" downhill without crashing; a similar moment with a bigger hill on the red 15km track; Finally mastering the art of herring boning and being upwardly mobile as well as downwardly; and last but not least climbing and successfully descending Mount Ornenipa on skis.
Albert (first 3 days) was really helpful and gave me space to find my feet and explore technique a bit in a way that I wasn't confident enough to do last year. Ilse (last 3 days) was as brilliant as ever. In particular in letting me go up Ornenipa and supporting me physically and emotionally getting down again with an injury. She knows exactly when to praise and when to push, and the evening stretching and talks were great.
Be as fit as you can before you go, you'll have much more fun if you aren't huffing and puffing. Also be honest about what you can and can't do, but throw yourself in. I was useless first time but comfortable in the grade 2 group second time even though I really struggled throughout last time.Be prepared to be gregarious - you may be sharing a room with 3 total strangers in close (though comfortable) quarters, and the showers are communal too. Kvitavatn is very quiet so not the place to go if you are looking for a lot of nightlife, but the skiing both in tracks and off track is brilliant.
I'd recommend this trip to anyone wanting to get going with cross country skiing, I've had a thoroughly good time over New Year for 2 years in a row.
An entertaining, inspirational and challenging week in beautiful wilderness.
Standing in a deserted stretch of ski track with nobody else around, the wind was howling, the sky was blue and I was panting. I felt alive!
Both group leaders, Mary and Ilse, were patient and knew exactly when to push us and when to hold back, providing just the right levels of instruction.
Bring a flask so you can have a hot drink at lunchtime. Haribo were a welcome treat too. Have a crack at it. Cross-country skiing is not scary or impossible. It's surprisingly easy to pick up after day one. Don't get frustrated, just try to smile and laugh at yourself.
Every once in a while it's good to challenge yourself, do something different and learn a new skill. If you feel like you're stuck in a rut, sign up for this trip and shake things up. You'll come home feeling a whole lot better, your lungs will feel bigger and you'll have a glow in your rosy cheeks.
