Ski Norway 2020 Sjusjøen /Oslo March 14-24
+ Post-Trip option: Venabu/Oslo March 22-30
+ Ski the Norwegian Birkebeiner + WorldloppetRaces March 20 and 21,2020
It has been more than twenty years since we made our first “Ski Norway” trip to Sjusjøen and the Norwegian Birkebeiner Race. Little did we know in 1996 that this would become an annual trip. Why do we come back to the same place year after year? The short answer is: “Why kill a good thing”.
Accommodations
A full week at our favorite 4th generation family owned Mountain Lodge. Known for their food and perfect skiing. Meals are big buffet style Norwegian breakfasts, trail lunches and 3-course evening dinners.
Accommodations are in double rooms with private bathrooms. The comfortable sitting areas feature two fire places and beautiful antique furniture – great areas for evening conversations, games or just curling up with a book. If that does not appeal to you there is always the well-equipped indoor waxing room – also a good place for socializing - or the two saunas.
Skiing is Right from the Door
Sjusjøen has been voted the “#1 Cross Country Skiing destination in Norway”. A network of 300+ km of groomed trails offers unlimited possibilities for all levels of skiers.
Snow conditions are stable, and March is the best month for skiing in Norway. The days are longer, the sun warmer, yet the snow usually remains dry. Many of the trails are above the timberline offering spectacular views. The forested trails in the lower areas offer shelter from the elements on cold and windy days.
Other things to do
Sjusjøen Village has a grocery store, a nice ski shop, a couple of coffee shops and a bar. You will also find dog sledding in the area and snow shoeing can be done almost everywhere. For more serious shopping and to visit museums you may want to go to Lillehammer. Link: www.Lillehammer.no.
There is frequent bus service between Sjusjøen and Lillehammer during the day but none at night.
Skiing the Birkebeiner Races:
You now have several choices participating in these popular Worldloppet events www.worldloppet.com
To register go to: https://birkebeiner.no/en/registration
• Birkebeinerrennet (Main Race)54K CL: Saturday March 21, 2020 (WL gold)
• Skate Birken - 54K FS: Friday March 20, 2020 (WL gold)
• Tour Birken - 54 K FS: Friday March 20, 2020 (WL gold)
• Tour Birken - 27K FS: Friday March 20, 2020 (WL silver)
• Inga Låmi – 30K CL (Women’s race): Saturday March 14, 2020 (WL silver) *
> * Note: *Requires earlier departure from the US
Post Trip Option -Venabu/Oslo March 22-30, 2020
Transfer directly to Venabu from Sjusjøen on March 22, plus spend two days in Oslo at the end of your trip.
Venabu is a Mountain Lodge located on a mountain plateau at 950 meters.on the east side of The Gudbrandsdalen Valley and just south of Rondane National Park. Outside the door is a network of 140K of machine groomed trails with choices of easy short loops and longer tours climbing up 1500 meters. You may have the opportunity to venture into Rondane National Park where the trails are staked-in only (not machine groomed). Venabu offers (for a fee) guided Ski Safaris into the Park, back country skis at Venabu, guided snow shoeing tours to the spectacular ice falls at “Myfallet”. Accommodations: simple and comfortable rooms with private bathrooms (heated floors).
Meals are: Traditional Big Norwegian breakfast. Make your own Trail Lunch from the breakfast buffet. The evening Buffet Dinners are a fabulous spread of traditional Norwegian dishes with locally sourced ingredients.
The atmosphere is cozy with comfortable lounging areas for reading, games, listen to piano music, socializing and dancing. Two saunas, exercise room, TV room and a well-equipped and staffed ski waxing room.
Venabu is more remote than Sjusjøen.
Approximate Itinerary
3/14, 2020 Depart from MSP for Oslo, Norway.
3/15 -Sun Arrive at OSL (Gardermoen Airport). Travel by our Motor-Coach for the approximately 2.5-hour drive to Sjusjøen
3/15-3/22 At Sjusjøen, ski to your hearts delight on the 300K+ network of perfectly groomed ski trails.
- Link for the Sjusjøen area trails https://skisporet.no/setView/61.1548318/10.6992245/11/norges_grunnkart
- Check out dog sledding or go to Lillehammer to visit museums or do some shopping. Bus or ski down and bus back.
3/20 & 3/21 Birkebeiner Race days. Race, watch the races or ski on many side trails; n
3/22-Sun Breakfast, then private Motor Coach travel to Oslo.
3/22-3/24 OSLO: Hotel centrally located down-town walking distance of popular sights. Explore Oslo based on your own interests.
3/24 Return to the US. (Sjusjøen/Oslo Group). Catch “Flybussen” (The Airport bus) right outside hotel--runs every 20 min.
OR
3/22 Transfer to Venabu for the Optional 2ND week of your Norway Adventure
3/22-3/28 Explore Venabufjellet and the Rondane National Park area for another aspect of your Norwegian skiing experience.
After an exhilarating day in the wilderness return to the warmth of the hotel for hot tea, a sauna and relaxation.
After fabulous buffet dinner, social gatherings, lectures, piano music and dancing or curl up with a book or play games.
3/28 (Sat) Transfer to Oslo. Mode of transfer will depend on the size of the Venabu group.
3/28-30 OSLO: Hotel centrally located down-town walking distance of popular sights. Explore Oslo based on your own interests.
3/30 Return to the US. (Sjusjøen/Venabu/Oslo group). Catch “Flybussen” (The Airport bus) outside hotel--runs every 20 min.
Terms and Conditions
Costs and Payment Schedule (subject to 2020 airfare and accommodation prices)
1) Sjusjoen/Oslo. 3/14-3/24, 2020: Approximately US$ 3,000 (+ taxes /surcharges at the time of ticketing)
The Estimated Cost includes airfare MSP-Oslo-MSP, group transfer OSL Airport- Sjusjöen – Oslo,
seven night’s accommodations w/big buffet breakfasts, trail lunch and dinners while at Sjusjöen,
two night’s hotel accommodation w/breakfast in Oslo.
2) Sjusjoen/Venabu/Oslo. 3/14-3/30, 2020: Approximately US$ 4,000 (+ taxes/surcharges at the time of ticketing)
The Estimated Cost includes airfare MSP-Oslo-MSP, group transfer OSL airport- Sjusjöen -Venabu -Oslo, seven night’s accommodations w/ buffet breakfasts, trail lunch and dinners at Sjusjöen, six nights’ accommodation w buffet breakfasts, trail lunch and dinners at Venabu, two night’s hotel accommodation w/breakfast in Oslo.
Notes: Not included in the Trip Costs are: Airport bus from Oslo to the airport, Airport/custom taxes, airline imposed surcharges, luggage fees, travel insurance premium, cost of passports, all items of a personal nature including wine, beer, liquor, soda, mineral water, room service, laundry, telephone/faxes, local transportation unless stated, race registrations and race transportation, optional sightseeing excursions and entrance fees, additional costs related to airline delays and cancellations. Extraordinary costs related to emergency, accidents and cancelled or delayed flights are the sole responsibility of the participant and/or their travel insurance plan.
All prices are based on double occupancy. If you are traveling by yourself, we will match you with a room- mate if possible.
Note: This is a North Star Ski Touring Club (NSSTC) sponsored trip and a $20 membership is required.
If you are not already a member you may purchase the membership on line at www.North-Stars.org
Payment Schedule/Terms and Conditions:
1) Sjusjoen/Oslo 3/14-3/24/2020
Deposit: $500/person due with registration
$1,200 installment due by 9/30/2019
Balance due by 1/10/2020 (you will receive an invoice for the balance).
2) Sjusjoen/Venabu/ Oslo 3/14-3/30/2020
Deposit: $1,000/person due with registration
$1,200 installment due by 9/30/19
Balance due by 1/10/20 (you will receive an invoice for the balance).
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
Cancellation prior to 9/30/2019: Full Refund
Cancellation 10/1/2019 -1/10/2020 $ 1,700 is NON-refundable.
Cancellation after 1/10/2020: No Refund
FFI Please contact Solveig Olson: Phone 612-770-7440 or E-mail solveigjolson@gmail.com
Travel Insurance Strongly Recommended
We strongly recommend you purchase trip insurance before leaving the US. Remember, you may at times be away from roads and medical facilities. Minor injuries could become expensive if you need help getting to a doctor or hospital. Unused accommodations and other costs are contracted for in advance and not refundable when cancelled at a late date. Check your own health and home owner’s policy to learn what they cover, and then compare different travel insurance plans. Here are some E-Mail addresses and phone numbers to get you started. We do not endorse any insurance company over another. Do your homework and read the fine print! Please NOTE. Some insurance companies may have a clause that preexisting medical conditions are excluded unless you purchase your insurance within 7 days of your initial deposit
Access America1-800-284-8300 www.accessamerica.com
Travel Guard1-800-826-4919 www.travelguard.com
Travelex1-888-407-5404 www.travelex.com
Passport and /Visa.
You will need a valid passport that does not expire till six months after your return.
There are no Visa requirements for US citizens visiting Norway.
Baggage
Luggage charges and weight limitations are constantly changing and may vary for different airlines. Please check the airlines web site for the latest policy when we get close to departure.
FFI: Please contact Solveig Olson: Phone 612-770-7440 or E-mail solveigjolson@gmail.com