Do you have a desire to lower the threshold for going on a winter trip in the high mountains?

On our winter course at Hardangervidda, we will teach you everything you need to know to travel safely in the winter mountains.

Norway is a mecca when it comes to the potential for wonderful experiences in nature during winter. We Norwegians have great respect for the mountains, and that's good, but sometimes it can put an end to great nature experiences.

At Pure Madness we are passionate about lowering the threshold to experience what nature has to offer during winter. In safe forms, with a focus on mastery and as much learning as possible. We provide thorough instruction on everything that is important to know, while you get to practice it yourself.

Location

Hardangervidda is a wonderful place to train to be equipped to cope with everything nature throws your way.

We meet at Haugastøl and together we agree on the route ahead. We look at maps and weather reports, and you get to practice setting up a sensible route choice using the information available the day before we set off on skis.

Haugastøl is easily accessible from both east and west. It is accessible by both train and car. And we have the opportunity to be very flexible with regard to weather and road conditions.

We hope you have both the desire and the opportunity to join us on a fantastic hiking experience on Hardangervidda, where learning, mastery and great nature experiences are the focus.

What will I learn?

• Route and planning
• Use of map and compass, brief introduction to GPS
• Tent setup and tent routines
• Primus firing and general maintenance
• Clothing for a trip in the winter mountains
• General information about the sledge and how best to organize the sled
• Various skiing techniques
• Risk assessments
• What do you do if something goes wrong? First aid and safety

Program

Dag 1:

Meet up at Haugastøl station by 15:00. For those arriving by car, it is possible to park at the train station at Haugastøl. We gather at Haugastøl Tourist Center to get to know each other a little better and get something to eat.

Before we make a plan for the next few days skiing. We look at maps, weather reports and discuss potential route choices. Avalanche risk is also a point that we must visit, since it definitely has the potential to limit route options.

You will receive all the information you need, and the chance to choose the route you think makes the most sense. We go straight to the point!

We will also go through clothing for the next few days and any other things you may be wondering about before we set off on a trip with wild snow under the skis. After planning, we move out again to distribute equipment and set up camp. We also have a brief introduction to primus heating, before crawling into the sleeping bag for a good night's sleep.

Day 2:

We start the day with a good cup of coffee/tea and breakfast before we pack up and move on to the next camp. We set up the next camp well before the sun goes down and spend plenty of time practicing choosing a campsite, camp routines, tent setup. In the evening we have dinner together and talk about the day in general. This is also a great opportunity to talk about tent routines in general. What is wise and less wise. What is effective and less effective. We also share impressions from the day, and take a round of questions and thoughts before crawling back into the bag.

Day 3:

New day, new opportunities, new triumphs! We continue with fresh courage and get through the last points on the learning plan for the course. And we move in the direction of Haugastøl again. And if weather and road conditions permit, we will find a nice camp near the tourist center at Haugastøl. So that we can take a trip indoors to talk about what we have experienced so far and have a little extra fun on the last evening as a team.

Day 4:

This day is used to possibly go over things we didn't have time for in the field, or if there are things someone wants to repeat. It is important to remember that this program is designed to give an insight into what a winter course will look like. We must always be prepared that there may be changes in the programme, especially in terms of weather and road conditions.

We finish by organizing and packing up equipment before going our separate ways, with lots of new lessons learned and new trip plans swirling in our heads. Now you are ready for new adventures!

The train to Oslo leaves at 14:51 and the train to Bergen leaves at 16:00

If anyone would like to stay for several days on the trip, you are of course welcome to do so.

Please also let us know if there are things that are not on the program that you would like to go through. And it is also possible to extend it by an extra day, or two, if there is someone who wants an introduction to topics not covered on the course.

We are flexible and can tailor arrangement for those who wish to do so!

Other information:

We reserve the right to cancel the course if there are too few bookings.

There must be a minimum of six participants to complete the course. If there are 8 or more participants, there will be 2 guides on the course.

The guide on this course will be Christian Iversen Styve

When signing up for our Greenland tour in May 2023, you will receive NOK 2,000 off the Greenland tour.

This sum will be deducted from the final invoice for the Greenland trip.

Who is this course suitable for?

You don't need any previous experience with winter outdoor activities other than a normal level of skill in skiing. It is also an advantage if you are in normal physical shape. That you are used to day trips in the mountains with relatively light packing. If you want to explore what winter outdoor life has to offer, this course is absolutely perfect for you. After completing the course, you can be sure that you will be able to explore further on your own. We can promise you an unforgettable long weekend at Hardangervidda with lots of walking pleasure and a feeling of mastery. We are very much looking forward to taking you on a trip!

How do I get there?

There are trains from both Oslo and Bergen arriving at 14:50. It is also perfectly possible to drive a car. We are going to recommend that in that case you should try to drive together to the mountains. We can coordinate this on a later occasion when we have more insight into who may be driving.

If you are coming from the west, we would definitely recommend the train. Since the chance of a closed road over the mountain is always present.

Return by train on Sunday will be at 16:00 to Bergen, and Oslo at 14:51.

You order train tickets on VY after it has been confirmed that the course will be completed.

Do you have any questions?

Do you have questions about the course, or other related matters. Do not hesitate to contact us!

christian@pure-madness.com