Join us on a 5-day alpine ski trip in Jotunheimen and experience some of the most beautiful mountain scenery Norway has to offer. This is Norway's answer to the Haute Route Alpine classic.
This is a tough trip with long day stages and up to 12-1300 meters of altitude each day. The main goal is an alpine skiing experience through the heart of Jotunheimen.
Surtningssue, Glittertind, Bukkeholsbandet and Storebjørn are all big summits we will aim for on this trip. There are several different route variants along the way, and we will constantly assess the stages based on weather and conditions. Although the goal is to cross Jotunheimen from east to west, we cannot guarantee that it can be completed in its entirety every time. This is one of the risks of going on such a trip, in contrast to a "peak trip weekend" where you have a lot of leeway to choose trips each day based on weather and conditions.
Plan it your way
Want this trip just for your group? Or got something different in mind? We've got you.
You will meet the guide and the rest of the group at Gjendesheim DNT hut and have dinner at 20:00 / 8 PM and a briefing for the trip. We get a good night's sleep before the adventure begins.
You will meet the guide and the rest of the group at Gjendesheim DNT hut and have dinner at 20:00 / 8 PM and a briefing for the trip. We get a good night's sleep before the adventure begins.
After a good breakfast at Gjendesheim, we get ready to finally start the trip through Jotunheimen. This first day is a solid stage and we head towords Bessvatnet and Veslfjellet, where we hope to have a nice descent if conditions allow. In bad weather, we go directly across Gjende to Memurubu along the marked trail. Once at Memurubu, we eat a well deserved dinner and recharge for the next few days ahead of us. Note: there are no shower facilities at Memurubu in winter.
After a good breakfast at Gjendesheim, we get ready to finally start the trip through Jotunheimen. This first day is a solid stage and we head towords Bessvatnet and Veslfjellet, where we hope to have a nice descent if conditions allow. In bad weather, we go directly across Gjende to Memurubu along the marked trail. Once at Memurubu, we eat a well deserved dinner and recharge for the next few days ahead of us. Note: there are no shower facilities at Memurubu in winter.
This stage is relatively long, and today we can pick out several 2000 meter peaks if the weather is with us. We follow the summer route over Raudhamarn to the top of Surtningsue 2368 m above sea level. From here we follow the ridge north where we can climb 2,000 meter peaks, before we end up at Søre Veotinden. There are several options for descending, one of them is down Styggehøbrean down into Veodalen and down to Glitterheim. In bad weather, we follow the branched route from Memurubu to Glitterheim. This is one of the heaviest stages of the trip where we ascend several summits and have multiple skis to skins transitions throughout the day.
This stage is relatively long, and today we can pick out several 2000 meter peaks if the weather is with us. We follow the summer route over Raudhamarn to the top of Surtningsue 2368 m above sea level. From here we follow the ridge north where we can climb 2,000 meter peaks, before we end up at Søre Veotinden. There are several options for descending, one of them is down Styggehøbrean down into Veodalen and down to Glitterheim. In bad weather, we follow the branched route from Memurubu to Glitterheim. This is one of the heaviest stages of the trip where we ascend several summits and have multiple skis to skins transitions throughout the day.
Today we may be a little tired after yesterday's trip, so it is good that we have a shorter stage ahead of us. We climb Glittertind 2465 m above sea level, Norway's second highest mountain. We go up the normal route to the top, where we have a great view and we can overlook Galdhøpiggen. We ski down towards Spiterstulen in the west, to the bottom of Steindalen, from here over Skautkampen and down to Spiterstulen. In bad weather, we follow a branched route.
Today we may be a little tired after yesterday's trip, so it is good that we have a shorter stage ahead of us. We climb Glittertind 2465 m above sea level, Norway's second highest mountain. We go up the normal route to the top, where we have a great view and we can overlook Galdhøpiggen. We ski down towards Spiterstulen in the west, to the bottom of Steindalen, from here over Skautkampen and down to Spiterstulen. In bad weather, we follow a branched route.
Today we head towards Bukkeholsbandet and if the weather permits we can take a trip to Nørdre Bukkeholstindan - where we can get a fantastic view of some of Jotunheimen's most iconic peaks. Then we ski down in a southern direction to Leirvatnet before we are finally down at Leirvassbu.
Today we head towards Bukkeholsbandet and if the weather permits we can take a trip to Nørdre Bukkeholstindan - where we can get a fantastic view of some of Jotunheimen's most iconic peaks. Then we ski down in a southern direction to Leirvatnet before we are finally down at Leirvassbu.
We will wake up at the wonderful Leirvassbu, enjoy the view and take on the last day of the trip. It's a little sad, but at the same time a fantastic accomplishment. We are going to take a last trip up to Storebjørn 2222 m.a.s.l. We will follow the normal route from Leirvassbu up, and on through Bjørnskaret and down to Leirbrean and on to Krossbu. If the weather is bad, we can follow the valley from Leirvassbu out to the road. At Krossbu, we are picked up by a minibus and head back to Gjendesheim where we started the trip.
We will wake up at the wonderful Leirvassbu, enjoy the view and take on the last day of the trip. It's a little sad, but at the same time a fantastic accomplishment. We are going to take a last trip up to Storebjørn 2222 m.a.s.l. We will follow the normal route from Leirvassbu up, and on through Bjørnskaret and down to Leirbrean and on to Krossbu. If the weather is bad, we can follow the valley from Leirvassbu out to the road. At Krossbu, we are picked up by a minibus and head back to Gjendesheim where we started the trip.
You will meet the guide and the rest of the group at Gjendesheim DNT hut and have dinner at 20:00 / 8 PM and a briefing for the trip. We get a good night's sleep before the adventure begins.
After a good breakfast at Gjendesheim, we get ready to finally start the trip through Jotunheimen. This first day is a solid stage and we head towords Bessvatnet and Veslfjellet, where we hope to have a nice descent if conditions allow. In bad weather, we go directly across Gjende to Memurubu along the marked trail. Once at Memurubu, we eat a well deserved dinner and recharge for the next few days ahead of us. Note: there are no shower facilities at Memurubu in winter.
This stage is relatively long, and today we can pick out several 2000 meter peaks if the weather is with us. We follow the summer route over Raudhamarn to the top of Surtningsue 2368 m above sea level. From here we follow the ridge north where we can climb 2,000 meter peaks, before we end up at Søre Veotinden. There are several options for descending, one of them is down Styggehøbrean down into Veodalen and down to Glitterheim. In bad weather, we follow the branched route from Memurubu to Glitterheim. This is one of the heaviest stages of the trip where we ascend several summits and have multiple skis to skins transitions throughout the day.
Today we may be a little tired after yesterday's trip, so it is good that we have a shorter stage ahead of us. We climb Glittertind 2465 m above sea level, Norway's second highest mountain. We go up the normal route to the top, where we have a great view and we can overlook Galdhøpiggen. We ski down towards Spiterstulen in the west, to the bottom of Steindalen, from here over Skautkampen and down to Spiterstulen. In bad weather, we follow a branched route.
Today we head towards Bukkeholsbandet and if the weather permits we can take a trip to Nørdre Bukkeholstindan - where we can get a fantastic view of some of Jotunheimen's most iconic peaks. Then we ski down in a southern direction to Leirvatnet before we are finally down at Leirvassbu.
We will wake up at the wonderful Leirvassbu, enjoy the view and take on the last day of the trip. It's a little sad, but at the same time a fantastic accomplishment. We are going to take a last trip up to Storebjørn 2222 m.a.s.l. We will follow the normal route from Leirvassbu up, and on through Bjørnskaret and down to Leirbrean and on to Krossbu. If the weather is bad, we can follow the valley from Leirvassbu out to the road. At Krossbu, we are picked up by a minibus and head back to Gjendesheim where we started the trip.
You can take the train or bus to Otta. Let us know if you need a lift from Otta Station to Gjendesheim.
Reservation
We reserve the right to change prices. The day by day program is a guideline and changes may occur. You can refer to our general travel conditions for more information.
On all our trips, we require you to have full health and accident insurance which will also cover any emergency transport home. Read more about travel insurance.
Here you have to be ready for a real challenge! The trips are often longer than at lower levels. Along the way, it will be both physically and mentally demanding, and that requires you to be prepared for this. You should engage in targeted training well in advance of departure, and you must prepare well.
Simple accommodations, such as cabins or guesthouses, often with multi-bed rooms. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with a shared bathroom.
Activities/trips with some risk. Certain incidents may occur, and they may be of such a nature that they may require professional help.
This tour requires good physical fitness, good skiing skills and general mountain experience. You must be able to master descents in varying snow conditions and terrain with a steepness of approx. 35-40 degrees in some sections. The tour has long stages of 8-12 hours and up to 1,500 meters of altitude each day, 5 days in a row. Therefore, the Haute Route Jotunheimen is best suited for skiers. If you want to do the trip with a splitboard, a private tour is recommended. Please contact us if you are interested in a private tour.
You must be experienced in backcountry skiing and be used to long stages over several days in a row to be able to take part in this tour. Participants must bring crampons and an ice ax and have experience in using these tools. Like all other summit tours, you also need to have and know how to use an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe.You must carry everything you need for 5 days in your rucksack for the entire trip.
We will stay in mountain cabins in Jotunheimen in 4-person rooms. It is possible to pay for bed linens and towels at the cabins so that you don't have to carry sheets and a towel on the trip. Tick this in the booking form or get in touch with us to set this option up.
The easiest way to reach Gjendesheim is by car. Parking will be available on-site at Gjendesheim.
Trains and buses also run to Otta Station. Please check www.vy.com for timetables and fares. Get in touch if you need assistance with transport from Otta to Gjendesheim.
This list is intended as a guideline, so that we have what we need regardless of the weather we get on the trip. Remember that you can also get used outdoor equipment that works perfectly. Get in touch if you have any questions. TIP: We recommend that you have the most important equipment in your hand luggage, for example hiking boots and gore-tex jacket/trousers.
High enough to reach above the boot shaft is reccommended.
Fleece or wool.
Down or synthetic insulation, featuring a hood and ideally long enough to cover the butt.
Gore-Tex or similar. Must have a decent hood, and hold out wind and rain. Should have space for midlayers underneath. Ventilation under the arms is recommended.
Gore-Tex or similar. Must be waterproof and windproof, zips for ventilation are recommended.
Hat or headband
30-40 liters or more with attachments for skies and ice axe.
Remember new/extra batteries.
High SPF, 30-50. Remember chapstick for lips and nose.
For protection against cold wind and snow.
Randonee skis, not splitboard. Make sure your bindings fits your boots.
Make sure these fit your skis.
Make sure they fit your ski boots.
Make sure these fit your skis and bindings.
With new batteries.
Small, light and in aluminum (not plastic).
We recommend a small and light alpine harness. For example Petzl Altitude or Tour or Black Diamond Colouir.
To attach skis to backpack if necessary.
One sling, 120 cm
0,5-1,0 liter
We recommend wool underwear for both men and women. Wool sportstop is recommended for women.
Thin, ultra light.
Warm hat for cold days.
Warm ski mittens/gloves.
Personal medicines and, for example, band-aids, blister plaster, sports tape, throat lozenges, nasal drops, Paracetamol/Ibuprofen, stomach regulators, etc.
We need to know about all medicines you are taking, in case something happens.
Tooth brush, tooth paste, small towel, ear plugs, wet wipes, biodegradable soap, etc.
For example Nalgene bottles with wide mouth. 1-2 liters.
The equipment list is intended as a guideline so that we can cope with whatever we encounter on the trip, but at the same time, be careful with the weight. We think you should include the things on the list, but not much more.
The pack should be as light as possible, not only so that you can carry it but to avoid blisters, to improve skiing technique which reduces the risk of injury, and after five days of touring the pack might feel heavy enough even if it seemed light when packed.
The bag should not be heavier than 10-12 kg. Expect to have to carry some common equipment, max 1 kg.
Avalanche equipment (transmitter/receiver, search pole, and shovel) is mandatory on this trip.
It is possible to rent bed linens and towels at the cabins you don't have to carry the extra weight. Tick this in the booking form or get in touch with us to set this option up.
One of Norway's best ski touring destinations
An unforgettable adventure in Northern Norway
World-class skiing and architecture
"This was a fantastic trip. we had an excellent guide - Are Aarsland Reed -- with the right blend of guidance, safety & motivation. The scenery is incredible - I highly recommend this trip through Norrona and Are as a guide"
– Mike K, 2023