February 7, 2021
Cross-country Skiing: Kamben
from $2,099.00
Enjoy the well-marked cross country skiing trails around Kamben in central
Norway
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Reviews 12 Reviews5/5
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Skiing
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Winter
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Activity Level Multi-Level
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Group Size Small Group
All about the Cross-country Skiing: Kamben.
In central Norway, to the north of the town of Gol, lies Kamben, beautifully situated on an undulating plateau dotted with birch and conifer forests. Visitors have been enjoying cross-country skiing on the Golsfjellet for many years and the well-marked trails around Kamben offer possibilities for skiers of all levels. The nearby nursery slope is ideal for practising basic skills and snowplough technique. To the north routes take us to Oset, with its traditional stave church, here we can follow the loipe through wooded snow glades before joining the banks of the river Tislei. A gradual climb to the north-west brings us up onto Golsfjell proper, with six summits over 1000m. Each one has a magnificent view over the mountains of the Jotunheim National Park to the north-east and the Hardangervidda to the south-west. On at least one of these outings, we will call at the hotel’s own cabin in the mountains for lunch by the fire.
The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
* All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners included
* All accommodation
* Airport transfers (at designated times)
* Skies, boots and poles
Tour leader throughout
What is not included in this tour?
- Flights
- Single Accommodation (available on request, inquire for supplement)
Highlights
- Beautiful Norwegian winter landscape
- Wide choice of trails and terrain
- Wonderful hospitality
- 7 nights hotel accommodation
- 5 days guided cross-country skiing
- Cross-country skis boots and poles included
- Group normally 4 to 14, plus leader
- Travel by train and private minibus
Where you stay
Hotel
7 nights at the Kamben Hoyfjellshotell
The Kamben Hoyfjellshotell has been owned and run by the Glimme family for three generations, and continues to give our groups the warmest of welcomes. Situated on the tree line, at a height of 1000m it has panoramic views over the plateau and the mountains beyond. Built in 1922, the hotel retains many original features, though all bedrooms have shower and WC. There is a sauna with separate sessions for men and women. The food is excellent and the meal arrangement is for dinner, buffet breakfast and self-made packed lunch.
Eating and Drinking
Breakfast, packed lunch and evening meals are included.
The food provided includes ample buffet breakfasts, from which you make up your packed lunch, remember to bring a thermos flask to take hot coffee, tea or hot blackcurrant.
Dinner will consist of four courses, water is served at the table, alcohol is charged separately (see below). Vegetarians are extremely well catered for. Alcohol is not included at dinner.
Approximate prices are as follows: Bottled beer NOK 48, dark beer NOK 65, glass of wine NOK 65, bottle of wine NOK 350, soft drinks NOK 35.
Clients are permitted to bring their own alcohol, but this can only be consumed in your own room, due to licencing laws in Norway.
Cross-country skiing or Nordic Skiing is becoming one of the most popular winter sports. Using longer, thinner and lighter skis than downhill with bindings that let you lift your heel, we explore the winter landscapes away from the confines of the alpine pistes. Cross-country skiing can be undertaken on prepared tracks (loipe) as on this trip or off-track, allowing the group to explore the winter landscape.
At Kamben we offer two grades of skiing on different weeks, ranging from improver to intermediate grade. For at least 4 of the 6 days skiing, you will be on full day tours, returning only at the end of the day’s skiing. Breakaway offers cross-country skiing tours to suit a wide range of technical and physical levels. Our cross-country skiing grades reflect both the level of physical fitness required and the level of skiing experience required. They are comparable to the activity levels we use on our snowshoeing, cycling, activity and trekking holidays, however, we believe a slightly different system is required, due to the tuition we provide on our holidays. This sets our cross-country skiing holidays apart, as we tend not to need to teach people how to ride a bike or walk. The aim remains to create groups of similar ability and fitness. Our descriptions are below, however, feel free to call and speak to an expert if you are unsure which grade or type of holiday will suit you best. At Kamben we offer grades:
Grade 2 Improvers Equivalent Activity Level – Moderate, level 3. These weeks are ideal for those who have enjoyed at least one grade 1 holiday and grasped the basics. They offer tuition to refresh and improve technique and typically will ski a little further than Grade 1 weeks, and over more varied terrain. In some cases, these weeks are acceptable for newcomers to cross-country skiing. Beginners on these weeks should be very fit and proficient in sports that develop balance. Please contact us if you wish to book a Grade 2 holiday but have not skied before.
Grade 3 Intermediates Equivalent Activity Level- Moderate, Level 3. A grade 3 week is ideal for those looking to push on, tackle some slightly steeper terrain and cover more ground each day. Typical groups will have a few weeks skiing behind them, be very comfortable with the basics and happy on longer day tours. There will still be tuition on these weeks, at the required level.
Overall Rating
5/5
Winter wonderland
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Hearing my skis and poles squeaking in the cold crisp snow, such a lovely sound.What did you think of your group leader?
Albert the ski lead was good company and very gentle with his organisational skills. He organised routes each day to cover different areas. These routes also took into account the weather conditions, to enable the clients to see Kamben at its very best. He produced a couple of night time quizzes to satisfy the competitive streak amongst us. He sorted out my broken kit and differentiated the day when there was a need.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Only concern was the quality of the ski equipment and lack of promised snow shoes.Is there anything else you would like to add?
Label your flask before you go. Amazing how many silver coloured flasks there are at breakfast! Sauna was available everyday foc. Drinks....beer was reasonably priced for Norway (£5-7) per small glass. Wine expensive (£35 per bottle). Hot drinks only available free at breakfast and evening meal, at any other time the room was charged.Cross country skiing at its best
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Arriving at a grillhytte for a lunch break with views to the mountains bathed in glorious sunshine.What did you think of your group leader?
Albert was friendly, knowledgeable and supportive. Although we had a wide range of skiing ability, he drew us together as a group and enabled a flexible programme to accommodate us all.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The exchange rate for Krone is best from an ATM in Oslo airport, but in practice you will need very little cash. Cards are widely accepted, even on the train.Is there anything else you would like to add?
Although we had discussed this with Exodus beforehand, we overestimated our skill and found the grade 3 challenging at times. However, there were plenty of loipe appropriate for all levels.A skiing holiday with all the positives
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Helped by good snow conditions and great guiding, the 2 long routes we covered on blue sky days are in my all-time top 10%, and every day was enjoyable.What did you think of your group leader?
Albert Callewaert had a great understanding of what the group members needed and wanted. I felt he was always 100% committed to the group.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Think about coming on this trip especially if you haven't yet skied in Norway. It's all on track and even has an occasional cafe, while still offering the beautiful landscapes that are unique to Norway.Is there anything else you would like to add?
The hotel is definitely the best I’ve stayed in on ski trips, particularly for the food but also for the traditional bedrooms and the good atmosphere. The train travel from Oslo was a bonus.fab break in the snowy norwegian mountains
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
being high when it was sunny to have stunning viewsWhat did you think of your group leader?
excellent ,Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
go the transport arrangements are a bit long winded with a train transfer so you have to manage all your luggage and wait for the trainKamben
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Descents from the PlateauWhat did you think of your group leader?
Albert designed a superb week of activities suiting each one of us and keeping us within grade 2 but also having one or two challenges. Also very good host at dinners in the eveningsDo you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for potentially harsh Norwegian conditions irrespective of when you come but we had beautiful sunny weather - a rare bonus!Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just to say what a lovely hotel at Kamben excellent food and so nice to meet such a lot of lovely Norwegian families enjoying their pre Easter holidays