Canadian seeks more advice on ski tour in Norway

[Calypso]

Hi,

I posted this in the Summer and it was suggested I post during in the ski season, when there are more skiiers likely in the forum. As you can tell, I don't speak or write norwegian.

I'm a telemarker that lives near the Canadian Rockies in Alberta Canada and have felt the call to pay homage to the Motherland of telemarking! The call to Norway has always been strong - I suspect I was a Viking in my other past life.

I'm trying to plan a ski trip for winter 2009. Am also posting on the northamerica teletips forum. Preliminary advice indicates I can still hit winter conditions in March and take advantage of longer daylight to a degree. Commercial travel guidebooks aren't overly helpful for planning a winter holiday I've been surfing the Web, however getting a bit frustrated, it seems all the good ski information is in Norwegian, which I can't read. - not interested in spring skiing. Hunting for as much powder where ever possible. I realize every place and winter is a crap shoot. Don't know about you guys but high avalanche conditions this winter have taken lives and forced a lot of us to resort skiing.

I'm likely looking at about close to 3 weeks stay. Essentially looking at the following criteria:

- backcountry ski touring based out of a hut/hotel or some half decent accomodations (with or without cooking facilities as long as we can get fed somewhere). Not overly interested in doing hut to hut, although willing to consider a small circuit where could base day tours from.

- looking at likely hiring ski guides, however, the group I'll likely pull together are all experienced skiers and would be able to do self guided. From some of the photos I've seen so far, the terrain does not look too complex and some people have suggested lends itself to self guided if we tap local knowledge

- likely only able to see a few key areas in Norway. I've decided the Lyngen Alps in the arctic circle is on the top of the list if not too cost prohibitive.

- would like to intersperse with some cultural activities nearby (It seems alot of these attractions are not open in winter particularly outside of large city centres)

- looking for some ice climbing and nordic ski opportunities

- group skiing ability is intermediate to advanced telemarkers and alpine touring experience, conservative risk takers, that tend to enjoy the touring as much as the turns

Sounds like Tromso has potential to base out of.

I have found a local guiding company called Didaventure that operates in the Jostedalen near the Lustrafjorden, the photos and videos show high potential - Can anyone comment on this - anybody skiied here or know of these guides?

Jutenheimen is nearby, but I don't have a good sense if it's better for nordic skiing or backcountry turns.

Someone proposed Kirketaket in Isfjorden in your west coast. Looks lovely however further investigation suggests a 4 hour slog to summit and descent on windblown crust Hmmm. Looks like it's meant more as a tour than getting good turns. Any comments?

I have more questions about nordic skiing, which I will put in another posting. Thanks ahead time if anyone can help me.

As the Canadians say....Thanks a lot eh!

[Gjest Srx (Ron)]

You might find some information in english here.

http://www.lyngenalp.no/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=87&Itemid=51〈=en

[syrre]

Hi Calypso,

Here you'll find info in English on several Norwegian spots:

http://www.skiinfo.no/?product.skiinfo.CHANGE_USER_TLD=NO&CSL=en

As you see, medio April and you still have places with 400cm...

March should never be a problem!

I'll be happy to answer any Qs.

Best of Luck!

[gullah]

Hi there,

Not sure how much you are willing to pay, but check this link out: http://www.turtagro.no/english/

I have only been there later than March, but send them an e-mail.

This hotel is in the middle of a great area for ski touring.

In May there is a big ski touring festival there called "High camp". Several hundred other people loving ski touring. Lectures, gudied trips, social happenings. Maybe not your favourite?

Good luck