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Norway by lowcost flight: skiing, ice skateing, ice climbing

There is the tip for a cheap shorter trip to Norway for skiing and other winter sports what I have got today via Skype from my friend Mysak who returned recently from there back to London where he lives. I have checked Internet and have found quite good return flights from Prague to Oslo e.g. from 4th till 8th February 2009 by Norwegian airlines for 95 GBP (2850 CZK, 110 EUR).

Specifically he recommended me the resort Hemsedal, about 220 km north west from Oslo. There should be excellent downhill skiing, but also skating and/or remarkable ice climbing. The flights are to Thorp (Oslo-Thorp) or Oslo (Gardemoen). The way from Oslo by car takes about 3-4 hours. From Thorp it is about an hour further. Or you can go to another resort Rjukan with similar possibilities (where climbing should be a bit better, in spite of the skiing is said a bit better in Hemsedal). The distance to Rjukan is same from both airports also about 3-4 hours.

Skiing in Hemsedal, Norway

Car renting for 11 days cost about £400 included gasoline. Mysak worried drivers to look out at elks especially in mornings. You can also go without car renting from airport to Oslo by train and then by bus to Hemsedal. If you find accommodation just there, car is not necessary, there is local ski bus in the area.

Skating in Hemsedal, Norway

Mysak found accommodation for two persons this trip quite cheap (it was on top Christmas season) for £ 310 (9300 CZK, 360 EUR) entire term. You can book accommodation directly on www.hemsedal.com, but there offers entire weeks. But in the area is a plenty of hotels, apartments, camps with chalets, so with a bit of good luck you can find good place. There is said no problem with communication in English in email and also locally, generally in entire Norway.

Hemsedal, Norway

Beta about the area is on the mentioned site www.hemsedal.com. The situ of the pistas is on www.skistar.com/hemsedal/.

Skiing costs are about 340 NOK (about 1000 CZK, 38 EUR) for ski renting and 340 (1000 CZK, 38 EUR) for lift per day. In more days it would be cheaper per day. There are also telemark skis for rent available.

The ice skates are also available for rent, at least the speed ones. My friends had their own ice axes, crampons, ropes etc for ice climbing, but some climbing is promoted on local webs so probably this stuff could be also available for rent.

So what do you mean about Mysak’s tip?

Although this winter I am in mood to travel somewhere to warmer weather and I have planed my trip to Norway for some of next summers, but the tip seamed me quite interesting. The photos, that Mysak took there, are attractive. And what about you, will you fly?