Cross country skiing and hiking holidays for solo travellers
Active holidays for solo travellers at Venabu
Active holidays for solo travellers – no need to compromise
At Venabu we have cross-country skiing and hiking holidays to suit a variety of interests, so there is no need to compromise. Our range of holidays, summer and winter, give you choice and plenty of options. And so you are likely to meet people with similar interests and passions.
Hiking holidays
Venabu’s hiking holidays – share you adventure with like-minded travellers
Each of our hiking holidays has a theme and hikes at a consistent grade throughout the holiday. Discover Norway on Foot: enjoy moderate mountain walks while absorbing the beauty and culture of rural life in Norway. Challenge yourself with long mountain days in remote, spectacular places on our Norwegian National Parks holiday. Explore Wild Reindeer Country and immerse yourself in the tranquillity of wild places. In the autumn the mountains are alive with the reds, gold and orange of the autumn leaves. This is a fantastic time for hiking and we offer our Autumn Colours Walking holiday for just one week to make the most of this beautiful season.
Our holidays at each grade give hikers experiences of wild nature and unspoilt landscapes with the convenience and comfort of a mountain hotel base.
Cross Country Skiing Holidays
Cross country skiing holidays as a solo traveller
Whether your aim is to learn a new winter sport, explore the magical winter landscape on cross country skis or develop more athletic skiing, we have the holiday for you.
Choice
Those new to cross country skiing have the choice of our Classic Cross Country Ski holiday or the “Learn Cross Country Skiing” course. These are different styles of holiday: the Classic focuses on cross-country ski tours, and the Learn to Ski course on developing a solid foundation of technique, whilst also enjoying great skiing. More experienced skiers can choose between our Classic holiday, our unique Become a Better Skier course and our Nordic Off Track Ski Holiday.
Flexibility
Venabu’s range of ski holidays is designed to be inclusive and offer fantastic experiences to most levels of skier. Our Classic holiday is particularly flexible with at least two groups going out each day, and more during busy times. We keep the ski group sizes small. This means that everyone can ski at their happy level, and you are welcome to swap between suitable groups during the week.
The couples and families who join our Classic ski holiday often include skiers of different abilities; guests may be the only member of their party in a ski group. This encourages an easy mixing of guests during the week. Our guides and instructors create a good group atmosphere, responsive to the needs of group members.
Plenty of activities beside skiing or hiking
After skiing, we offer yoga classes which are relaxing and restorative. If you would like some further quiet time why not treat yourself to a massage?
In the winter there are dogsledding tours, horsedrawn sleigh rides and a weekly snowshoe tour for a complete change of activity. There is beer tasting too!
During the week we have evening talks and slideshows: Lars Tvete talks about the cultural and natural history of the area and Line Tvete, the hotel manager, gives a talk and slideshow about her solo cycle trip from Venabu to India. Here at Venabu, we understand the needs of the solo traveller!
“Thank you again for a very warm and welcoming week!”
I very much hope to be back”.
Margaret (The Netherlands)
Convivial mealtimes where the conversation flows
Venabu is well-known for its delicious and plentiful food. At mealtimes, guests are seated with others on the same holiday or course. Conversation flows easily as you share tales of your adventures and achievements.
Every Wednesday evening we serve our special menu for: "A Taste of Norwegian Tradition". This meal is about enjoying local dishes and wonderful flavours, and it is more than that too. Your host will share stories around Norwegian food traditions and culture. Many of these are even more local, from Gudbrandsdalen itself.
Much of the food we serve is sourced locally from small, independent businesses and this as an important part of our commitment to sustainability.
The opportunity to make long-lasting friendships
About 40% of our guests are solo travellers and this percentage is higher on our ski courses. We also have returning guests who have made friends on previous holidays and now book together to meet up for their cross-country skiing.
There for you if the unexpected happens
Many guests describe the sense of becoming part of the Venabu family. The attention that we give to all our guests means that should anything unexpected happen we will be there for you.
Smooth travel, easy logisitics
Venabu is an easily accessible three and a half hours north of Oslo, twenty minutes from the main trainline connecting Oslo and Trondheim.
Norway’s travel infrastructure is well organised and runs smoothly. Oslo airport is small and well-run. The railway station is in the same building, about a three minute walk from arrivals. Most Norwegians speak fluent English, particularly people working in transport, and much of the signage is in English as well as Norwegian.
For a hassle-free option in winter Venabu organises a direct airport bus each Saturday during the main winter season. Alternatively, we run a minibus shuttle to and from Ringebu station which is twenty minutes from the hotel. These services must be booked in advance.
A solo traveller, only alone when you choose to be…
“A piece of paradise”
Beata (UK)
“Great walks”
Annemarie (The Netherlands)
“Brilliant”
Ava and Christine (UK)
“A special place!”
Janet (USA)