BACKCOUNTRY SKI TOUR – BEGINNER to INTERMEDIATE

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Join us winter 2021 for an exclusive backcountry day tour through the incredible mountains surrounding Voss. Whether you are a local beginner looking for a guide, a fellow Norwegian venturing to Voss for the first time, or an international group of friends looking for an unforgettable winter adventure, Outdoor Norway has you covered.

Our local guides will have two objectives on every trip: providing you with the best possible experience, and keeping you safe. This is why we recommend being able to ski or ride moderate resort blue runs if you plan on touring with Outdoor Norway. This will allow us to craft a well-rounded experience with vertical in bowls, glades, and tree terrain. This type of touring requires only a moderate fitness level.

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING OVERVIEW

Backcountry Skiing, sometimes referred to as Alpine Touring, is skiing on unmarked or unpatrolled areas outside of ski resort boundaries. Most often, backcountry ski-areas are secluded, untouched parts of nature, which require long uphill hikes in order to get to the top of each run. To effectively hike through snow, a specialized tour binding is required. Such bindings are hinged so that the heel stays unattached while walking uphill, much like a cross-country set up, but then lock in place when ready for descent. Climbing skins are also a necessity, which attach to the bottom of skis and are used to prevent the skier from sliding backwards. Climbing up with skins is referred to as “skinning”.

Backcountry touring for snowboarders use to be much more challenging before the invention of the splitboard. Also fixed with special bindings and skins, these are snowboards that can be split in half in order to make for an assent on ‘skis’, only to be locked back in place when ready to descend.

Off-piste skiing is typically done off the main groomed runs of ski resorts, yet still uses the lifts to get back to the top each time. Backcountry skiing differs in that it takes place completely outside of ski resorts. The exception is that occasionally skiers will use the lift once to access the initial backcountry terrain.

DATES & DESTINATIONS

Our beginner backcountry excursions are available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, in the months of February, March and April. We will determine where the ski tour will take place 48-hours before the assigned departure time. Our decision will be based on the group’s wishes, as well as the weather, snow conditions and avalanche forecast. You will find the list of possible destinations listed below.

• Mount Oksen (Hardangerfjord)
• Raundalen Mountains
• Vikafjell

There are few other hidden gems in the area and we do not make it public at web or social platforms. After your booking is made our staff will contact you 48 hrs before the tour to discuss the better options for the date set. ;)

Tours will normally start at 8:30am and end around 4pm. During the late winter and spring seasons, tours may be extended due to the increased amount of daylight hours. The meeting point will always be in Voss. Pick-ups for those staying outside of Voss can be arranged upon special request.

PRICES

•  1 person: 1.500/day per person

Private guide

Are you a group of 3 or more persons or you simply want to be sure that your guide will adjust the trip and pace according to your specific wishes? Book your private guide!

Prices start at 4.500kr per day. Price per person decreases as group size increases. Prices are listed in NOK (Norwegian Kroner) and are based on the hire of one guide per group.

•  Up to 3 people: 4.500/day per group
• 4 people: 5.500/day per group
• 5 people: 6.000/day per group
• 6 people: 6.500/day per group

For safety reasons, our guide ratio is 6 persons per group. If two or more guides need to be booked, each group will receive a 5% discount.
If an overnight trip is chosen an additional NOK 2.000 will be added per guide to cover accommodation costs.

INCLUDED

• Private guide
• Transportation (from Voss town)

NOT INCLUDED

• Lunch, beverages and snacks
• Avalanche safety kit (transceiver, shovel, probe and backpack) You can rental this with us.
• Lift tickets (should you want to ski near the local resort)
• Accident/travel insurance (one which specifically covers skiing)
• Transportation costs if staying at a location outside of Voss town.
• Equipment, clothing, or rental fees

GEAR REQUIREMENTS

If you’re in need of equipment see our rental offers table below or please contact our staff to discuss the rental options in our area. Otherwise, minimum gear requirements include:

• Skis with walk bindings (alpine touring, Telemark or split-board set up)
• Climbing skins (to use under the skis for hiking up)
• Ski boots, poles & helmet
• Avalanche safety kit (transceiver, shovel, probe)
• Personal backpack (all the items above you can rental this with us, prices below)
• Shell jacket with hood (water & windproof)
• Shell pants or bibs
• Down or synthetic jacket
• Mid-layer sweater or vest (if its too cold)
• Base layers, wool is best
• Gloves, hat, socks, goggles & sunglasses for the hiking up if is a sunny day

Ready to get your backcountry adventure started? Send an email to [email protected] with your requested date(s) and we will get back to you within 24 hours!

Looking for even more adventure? If you would prefer a 9-day ski holiday across Western Norway’s Fjord Region, please check our Norway Ski Road Trip!