Exclusive Gusty Girls cross country ski, snowshoe and yoga retreat
Created for improvers and adventurers!
Take on longer distances and tour the Nordic wilderness
Get expert coaching in a small group
Stay in a cosy Norwegian mountain hotel - with sauna, bar and sledges!
Learn to drive your own team of huskies
A chance to see the Northern Lights…
Full board - including a special Norwegian tasting menu
All equipment hire, coaching, accommodation, transfers and food included
What to Expect
Join Gutsy Girls on our week-long retreat in Norway, tailored for those looking to progress in their cross country ski journey. Set against the backdrop of Norway's pristine snow-covered landscapes, this trip offers the perfect blend of skill development, exploration, and relaxation.
Whether you've experienced beginner cross country ski holidays and yearn to cover longer distances, or are at an intermediate level and keen to sharpen your skills, this cross country ski holiday fits the bill. Explore the snowy terrains of Norway while improving your techniques under the guidance of our expert instructors.
With a group size of up to 12 guests and 2 dedicated instructors, our retreat ensures tailored coaching to match your skills. Our daily excursions range from 15km - 30 km across diverse terrains, integrating skill-building workshops amidst our exploration. While we do focus on improving skills and will cover longer distances, the emphasis is also on enjoying the stunning landscapes and the company of fellow skiers.
Our retreat offers more than just skiing. Experience a day of snowshoeing to a frozen waterfall, take the reins of your own husky team, and enjoy a peaceful candlelit horse sleigh ride across snowy landscapes. As each adventurous day wraps up, find balance with yoga sessions and unwind in traditional saunas, a perfect blend of activity and relaxation on this active winter retreat.
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• Minimum experience of 3 full days cross country skiing.
• Able to snow plough both in and out of the track.
• Able to move effectively in and out of the tracks.
• Confident in managing speed and direction during downhill skiing.
• Comfortable with skiing distances of 15 km to 30 km in a day.
• Good to high level of fitness
Important to note: Previous alpine/downhill skiing is not enough to join this trip, you must join a beginner cross country ski trip to learn the technique.
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This trip is rated moderate
You take part in medium to high-intensity cardio exercise 3 times a week, for around 45 minutes each time.
What That Might Look Like
Your weekly routine regularly includes activities like running, HIIT sessions, crossfit, cycling, or spin classes. While you don’t need to be a world-class athlete or breaking records, you're accustomed to workouts that raise your heart rate and leave you breathing heavily for about 45 minutes each time.
Engaging in low-intensity activities, like walking, yoga, and pilates will be beneficial, but these alone won't be enough to meet the cardio demands of this trip.
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Duration: Daily, you'll be active for 6-7 hours, mostly on full day tours.
Distance: We'll cover between 15km and 30km daily.
Group size: There'll be up to 12 guests and 2 instructors. On some days the groups may be split, offering longer distances or more technique focused sessions.
Tracks: Over the week, you’ll ski mainly in tracks but we may venture off track for some of the adventures!
Coaching: You’ll receive great coaching while exploring! It’s not a bootcamp, but you will learn new skills and refine your technique.
Falling: You’re likely to take a few tumbles skiing, though these falls are generally softer than in alpine skiing, you’ll need to be comfortable with the idea of falling!
Consecutive Activity: This trip involves several days of consecutive skiing, which can be tiring.
If you have any questions about this, please do get in touch, we're happy to help!
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If you've been with us for the 4 or 7-night sessions, think back to those experiences to see if this trip is right for you.
Movement & Technique: Did you feel you grasped the basics well? Did you start to shift your weight from one foot to the other? Were there times you felt a smooth glide?
Downhill & Speed Control: Were you comfortable picking up speed on descents? Did you feel in control of your speed as you went downhill?
Handling Slopes: Even if your snowplough stop wasn't perfect, were you willing to try steep downhills, knowing there's a risk of falling?
Distance Comfort: How did you feel about the longer distances, up to 20 km? Did those days feel good?
The Itinerary
Please take this itinerary as a guide; we might change the order we do things depending on conditions on the day and wishes of the group!
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Your adventure will begin with us once you arrive at Ringebu train station. Fly into Oslo on a morning flight and hop on a train to Ringebu; a beautiful scenic route through snow covered landscapes. We’ll connect you up with all those on the trip, so you’ll likely have someone to travel with.
In the evening we will have dinner at the hotel followed by a short briefing and ski boot fitting!
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After breakfast, we’ll warm up and recap our technique on a morning ski tour.
Heading back to the hotel for a packed lunch by the fire, before heading out for a second ski tour!
In the evening, there’ll be a relaxing yoga session and time for a sauna before dinner is served.
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After breakfast, we’ll head out on a longer tour, mostly on tracks. The terrain will do most of the teaching, alongside some expert coaching to progress our uphill and downhill technique. We will also progress to tackling some sections of off track.
This afternoon you learn to be a husky musher and drive your own dog sled team through the nordic landscapes!
In the evening there’ll be another yoga session and a delicious 3 course dinner.
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After starting the day with a good breakfast, we’ll start a full day ski tour with a greater emphasis on off track technique and in a new and more remote area.
A relaxing yoga and sauna session will once again feature this afternoon at the hotel before we are treated to a delicious Norwegian feast.
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Today’s adventure willl be a whole day snowshoeing across the glorious snowy scenery with packed lunch around a fire!
In the afternoon you’ll have another yoga session before dinner.
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After a hearty breakfast, we’ll be heading jumping in a transfer to a new section of the national park.
Today we’ll aim to build our ascent by taking in a peak and really feel the results of our progression!
Followed by a relaxing yoga session and dinner.
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Again, after breakfast we’ll head off on a longer off track adventure in a more remote area - potentially a 25km A to B section of the world renowned Trollløyp!
And as it’s our last night, we’ll enjoy a farewell aperitif before dinner is served.
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After breakfast, we’ll have a free morning to relax at the hotel - or you could choose to ski and explore the trails independently until your transfer to the train station in Ringebu.
Depending on the timings of your flight, you may be able to squeeze in an afternoon exploring Oslo!
2025 Dates
Sun 26 January - Sun 2 February
Sun 16 March - Sun 23 March
PRICE
Twin Ensuite Room £2050
Private Ensuite Room £2250
WHAT'S INCLUDED
7 nights accommodation in mountain hotel
5 full days of cross country skiing
Cross country ski lessons and guiding from expert instructor
1 full day snow shoe tour
5 yoga sessions
Dog sledding experience (1h) Please note that this will be replaced by another activity or more skiing if there isn’t enough snow for this.
Breakfast and lunch buffets and 3 course dinners.
Free coffee and teas in lounge at all times
Pre dinner aperitif on the final evening
Transfers to and from Ringebu at the start and end of trip
Ski hire and waxes for skiing
Transfers for skiing
Expert ski guides
Gutsy Girl host
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Flights
Train tickets (approx £25 each way)
Drinks
Travel Insurance
Personal clothing / gear (check the link below!)
Cross Country Clothing Guide here
Check out our packing list here
-
• Minimum experience of 3 full days cross country skiing.
• Able to snow plough both in and out of the track.
• Able to move effectively in and out of the tracks.
• Confident in managing speed and direction during downhill skiing.
• Comfortable with skiing distances of 15 to 35 km in a day.
• Good to high level of fitness
Important to note: Previous alpine/downhill skiing is not enough to join this trip, you must join a beginner cross country ski trip to learn the technique.
-
Fitness Requirements
You take part in medium to high-intensity cardio exercise 3 times a week, for around 45 minutes each time.
What That Might Look Like
Your weekly routine regularly includes activities like running, HIIT sessions, crossfit, cycling, or spin classes. While you don’t need to be a world-class athlete or breaking records, you're accustomed to workouts that raise your heart rate and leave you breathing heavily for about 45 minutes each time.
Engaging in low-intensity activities, like walking, yoga, and pilates will be beneficial, but these alone won't be enough to meet the cardio demands of this trip.
-
Duration: Daily, you'll be active for 6-7 hours, mostly on full day tours.
Distance: We'll cover between 15km and 30km daily.
Group size: There'll be up to 12 guests and 2 instructors. On some days the groups may be split, offering longer distances or more technique focused sessions.
Tracks: Over the week, you’ll ski mainly in tracks but we may venture off track for some of the adventures!
Coaching: You’ll receive great coaching while exploring! It’s not a bootcamp, but you will learn new skills and refine your technique.
Falling: You’re likely to take a few tumbles skiing, though these falls are generally softer than in alpine skiing, you’ll need to be comfortable with the idea of falling!
Consecutive Activity: This trip involves several days of consecutive skiing, which can be tiring.
If you have any questions about this, please do get in touch, we're happy to help!
Register interest for 2025
Keep updated for our winter 2025 trip dates!
PACKING LIST
The weather is likely to be cold and changeable.
Of course we cannot predict the weather on any given week, but temperatures around -10°C are considered perfect for cross country skiing, and we may sometimes have temperatures of more like -20°C. This sounds cold, however, for most of the winter in Norway it is a “dry” cold which tends to feel less cold than “damp” cold. You do need enough clothes to stay warm and comfortable though!
Please read our blog post for more information on what we recommend you wear whilst cross country skiing!
WE PROVIDE
Cross country skis
Ski boots
Ski poles
YOU WILL NEED
Cross country ski kit:
25 litre backpack
Base layers (a selection)
Long johns
Fleece
A breathable, waterproof/water resistant shell jacket
Soft shell type fitted trousers or leggings (windproof, water repellent, breathable)
A warm packable insulated jacket
A selection of socks of different thicknesses to help you get the best fit in your hire boots (wool is best)
Sunglasses
Warm hat
Buff (you might want two - one for your neck, one as a headband)
Cross country ski gloves (2 pairs, ideally, in case one gets wet)
Glove liners and/or disposable hand warmers if you suffer from cold hands
Waterproof trousers
Off the skis:
Yoga wear
Casual evening clothes
Night wear
Toiletries
Swimwear for the sauna if you wish (Norwegians will happily go nude!)
Towel
Sunscreen (high factor)
Any prescription medication
Compeed or moleskin for blisters, just in case!
Waterproof shoes/snow boots
Thermos so you can take hot drinks out on the trails
Slippers for the hotel
Snow boots
Other Stuff
Camera
Dry bags for inside your day pack to keep stuff dry
Waterproof case for your phone might be handy
Snacks