Cross-Country Skiing in Venabu

Name: Cross-Country Skiing in Venabu
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.5 (12 reviews)

12 reviews

Activity Level

Multi-Level

Activity

Winter

Overview

This is one of our most popular cross-country skiing holidays with Headwater guests returning year after year.

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.

Key Information

Trip Code: K07NV
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: Norway

What's Included

All meals
All accommodation (see accommodation section)
Standard Airport transfers
Ski excursions
Tour leader throughout
Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
Cross-country ski , poles, boot hire and maps
One yoga or pilates session

6 days of Winter

Highlights

Enjoy cross-country skiing in remote wilderness
Ski safari weeks: all departures between 2nd March - 9th March 2024 inclusive (payable locally and subject to minimum numbers)
A snow-sure resort with skiing from the hotel doorstep
Sample traditional Norwegian dishes

Itinerary

First Destination: Venabu
Next Destination: Venabu

Meals included:Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:None

First Destination: Venabu
Next Destination: Venabu

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

Meals included: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

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

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Another day of cross-county skiing, either independently or on one of our ski tours.
Comfortable Hotel

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

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

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we transfer to Oslo Airport.

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.

Call us on 0203 733 5948

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Accommodation

Venabu Fjellhotel

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.

Essential Information

This trip is operated by our sister company, Headwater, who offer more flexibility, so you can ski as much or as little as you like. There are some subtle differences between the way Exodus and Headwater trips run which may appeal to you:

Minimum age: children over the age of 6 are welcome to join but children under 16 are not included on the group lessons and excursions. Lessons can be booked and paid for locally.
Minimum group size of 6: departures are subject to a minimum group size of 6 in order to run, although occasionally a ‘small group’ may run and a supplement may apply.
Sole travellers: if travelling on your own a compulsory single supplement will apply (unless stated otherwise – look out for dates where there is no charge for single rooms).
Group leader/evenings: the hotel’s ski guides will ski with you in the morning, yet they may not join you in the evenings; Customers are seated together on one table but if you prefer to have a separate table please just inform the hotel. The hotel will also help you to arrange other activities.
Insurance: insurance details are required at the time of booking.

Cross-country skiing is an increasingly popular winter pastime. Compared to those used for downhill, the skis are longer, thinner and lighter with bindings that allow you to lift up your heel. Most cross-country skiing is undertaken on prepared tracks (loipe) covering flat and hillier terrain enabling you to explore the winter landscapes away from the confines of the alpine piste. Guided ski tours are usually in the mornings, arriving back before lunch so that the afternoon can be spent for people requiring extra tuition or shorter tours. Please note that ski tours will be shared with other guests staying at the Venabu Fjellhotel (non Exodus and Headwater clients).

The area is one of the best in Norway for cross-country skiing, both for families and for those who enjoy a challenge. All weeks are suitable for beginner to intermediate grade cross-country skiers; the weeks from 2nd March – 9th March 2024 inclusive are also suitable for advanced skiers (please see below).

Beginners and Intermediate:
The Venabu Fjellhotel will provide two to three ski guides each week (depending on group size) to cater for different ability levels; these tours are shared with other clients from Venabu Fjellhotel and are suitable for beginners to intermediate.

There will be an accompanied ski tour every day (excluding the free day – usually Wednesday and the arrival/departure day, usually Saturday). You can switch between groups mid-week as you progress. The first two days (usually Sun and Mon) are a chance for beginners to learn the basic technique and for intermediate and advanced skiers to find their ski legs again, as well as for the ski guides to assess your ability and group you accordingly. There will be optional ski tours every day, except Wednesday which you can join as you please. On Wednesday snowshoe tours will be offered.

Advanced:
Departures between 2nd March – 9th March 2024 inclusive, in addition to the normal cross-country skiing programme optional ski safaris will be available for more advanced skiers which can be booked and paid for locally (subject to minimum numbers).

These guided ski safari tours are entirely optional and comprise roughly 50% off-track skiing, covering 20-30km over 6-8hours, enabling you to reach more remote areas.

Travelling flight inclusive from London: 8 days

The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary.

Flights from London

We normally use the scheduled services of SAS or British Airways (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.

Travelling land only: 8 days starting and ending in Venabu

Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Venabu in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before departure.

Norway

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Norway. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

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.

Venabu is a snow sure destination. It is situated at 932m and the maximum height in which we ski is at 1200m. The average snow depths varies from 70cm – 120cm. Winter temperatures in Venabu can be cold (as low as minus 15/20°C or more), particularly between mid-December and mid-February, and whilst you won’t feel this as much when exercising, you must bring appropriate clothing and equipment to keep you warm and comfortable.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

Reviews

A superb location for sampling the delights of winter in Norway. The hotel was authentically Norwegian - lots of wood and candles, excellent smoked/marinaded/baked fish and meat, with a few veggie options, mouth-watering desserts (several of us "bagged" our faves before the earlybirds - aka The Germans - scraped the...

Most Inspirational Moment

The slideshow from Lars on Venabu and the mountains gave us a bigger picture of the area and the Norwegian buffet on Wednesdays was delightful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Robert, Richard and Siobhan went the extra mile to help us, both on and off the skis. Robert was excellent at tailoring the routes to the changing conditions, Richard was the waxing guru and his wife Siobhan mentored us newbies like a Pro.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Practice your balance! Yoga or Pilates are good. XC skis are a lot more nervous than downhill and tip you off far more frequently, forwards and backwards as well as sidewards. If the snow is soft it's OK but it got icy towards the end of our stay and my coccyx hasn't forgiven me yet.

Added February 2014

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: VENABU

This is a great location to get away from the daily frustrations of work, commuting etc. The location is absolutely stunning when the sun is out. This holiday is suitable for cross country skiiers of all levels from beginners to more advanced.

Most Inspirational Moment

We had a week when it snowed a lot so the most inspirational moment was the day we had sun and could finally get an idea of the beautiful mountain location all around. We were lucky enough to spot with Robert, the local ski guide, a herd of reindeer moving up the mountain, they were far away but still exciting!

Thoughts on Group Leader

There was no group leader on this trip, however, the hotel has two great ski guides who take out the hotel guests on cross country ski tours. Wenche and Robert are very nice and open to any questions someone may have, it was a pleasure spending time skiing with them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some fun days in the snow regardless of weather, even if it snows during the week the surroundings are magical.

Suggestions

I think I will come back to Venau at some point, it was a great holiday!

Added February 2014

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: VENABU

It was very nice hotel with excellent food, bus connection to the airport is comfortable. Our ski instructor are all very helpful and nice. Feeling like going again next year :)

Added March 2013

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: VENABU

Excellent, professional and friendly set up, with comprehensive tuition and guiding. The full board option is very good value for money in what can be an eye-wateringly expensive (in GBP terms) country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Placing my skis in the parallel tracks and realising that I can glide; Heading out on my own in the afternoon round the hotel and finally 'getting' the rhythm right; Snowshoeing through the woods and coming out onto a viewpoint over the frozen waterfall.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Not really a group leader as such (it's managed by the hotel) but Robert and his team of giudes / instructors were really friendly, helpful and patient. Instruction and tours were tailored to the group experience, with alternatives offered and there were extra training sessions in the afternoons focusing on specific skills, if you wanted to practise.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want a drink in the evenings, bring some duty free with you and don't expect alpine style apres ski!

Suggestions

Really enjoyable holiday, good value with all the food included, great fun.

Added March 2013

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: VENABU

This is an excellent mountain hotel. There is plenty of variety from new to x-country ski to off track mountain skiing

Thoughts on Group Leader

Although there is no resident Exodus rep the hotel guides (Robert and Wenka pronounced Venka) made us very welcome. They are both skilled skiers and knowledgable about the tracks and mountain terrain.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The brochure understates the ski potential by a long way. The hotel Ski Safari trips are worth the holiday in their own right.The leaders were able to accomodate guest with litterally no x-country ski experiance to those of us with 30 years skiing.This hotel is also the start and finish point for some DNT hut to hut routes so for those who would like longer trips there are DNT huts within easy day skiing

Suggestions

As with every where in Norway alcohol is expensive by UK standards (at least N of England and Scotland).The tradational Norweigan buffet mid week will not be to every ones taste and tradationally they are not as veggie as many UK veggies would like. The horse, whale and raw fish dishes are intersting to try. More familiar reindeer, beef and lamb dishes were popular.Fish eating veggies are well catered for with a different fish every evening, there were also pure veggie options with chick peas and beans on the cold buffet.

Read all reviews

Cross-Country Skiing in Venabu

Activity Level

Activity

Overview

This is one of our most popular cross-country skiing holidays with Headwater guests returning year after year.

Key Information

What's Included

6 days of Winter

Highlights

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.

Book Your Flights With Us

Accommodation

Venabu Fjellhotel

Essential Information

Norway

Reviews

Best Holiday Ever

Most Inspirational Moment

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

venabu cross country skiing

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Lovely area, great Hotel, excellent food and great gudes

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Alison - Venabu Cross Country skiing

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Off track at Venabu

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

Delicious Norway

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: VENABU

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: VENABU

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: VENABU

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: VENABU

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

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