Cross country skiing holidays at Venabu

Cross country skiing holidays in stunning Norwegian nature

Venabu Fjellhotell and Cabins sit up on a mountain plateau on the edge of the spectacular Rondane National Park. The scenery is stunning and the snow record is good. The extensive network of ski tracks makes this one of the best cross country ski areas in Norway. Our winter ski season extends from December into April.

Explore our winter wonderland on your skis

We offer a range of cross country skiing holidays and courses. Our Classic Cross Country Ski Holiday suits skiers from beginner to intermediate, taking you out on beautiful ski tours to explore the area.

NEW for 2024 we are offering an Introduction to Nordic Off Track Skiing Holiday for intermediate skiers who would like to develop their skills and experience off track. This holiday will combine expert ski coaching and stunning guided off track tours, all designed to to build technique and confidence off track.

Our Off Track Nordic Ski Holiday for experienced skiers, offer day-long ski tours away from the prepared tracks into some of the more adventurous terrain accessible on nordic skis. Read more about the grades of our cross country ski holidays.

Beginners are welcome!

Guests new to cross country skiing have a choice of two holidays and plenty of dates at Venabu. We offer these two different holidays for beginners because we find that our guests enjoy different styles of holiday and learning.

On our Classic Cross Country Ski Holiday you can learn the fundamentals of cross country skiing and soon be out skiing on tours. On this holiday there is either ski instruction or guiding on five mornings.

For beginners on this holiday there are lessons on the Sunday and Monday mornings and also the Monday afternoon. Guests not taking part in the lessons join our guided ski tours on those mornings. On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings there are guided ski tours for everyone, at their level.

On Wednesdays there is no guiding included in the programme, however, we offer an optional snowshoe tour. We have found that guests welcome this change of activity midweek. The exact day for the optional snowshoe tour (you may also choose to ski independently or rest!) remains flexible to take account of the weather and snow conditions. Later in the season experienced skiers can choose to join an off track nordic ski tour.

Our Learn to Cross Country Ski weeks are ski holidays for beginners with instruction daily, on six days. The programme differs from the Classic Ski Holiday and there is more information below.

Cross country ski courses

Our Learn to Cross Country Ski weeks are cross country ski courses for beginners with a relaxed holiday style. The programme comprises six full days: morning and afternoon, of ski teaching and tours. These holidays have a greater focus on learning and developing ski fundamentals, than our Classic Holidays, which are also suitable for beginners.

Become a Better Skier! This course is designed for guests who have a foundation of cross country skiing, and who enjoy learning and developing their skiing. These courses offer a high standard of ski coaching in a relaxed, friendly group environment.

This Learn to Cross Country Ski and Become a Better Skier! weeks are taught by experienced BASI (British Association of Snowsport Instructors) qualified nordic instructors. Your instructor will use a variety of teaching styles during the week, from more formal lessons to “coaching on the move” during ski tours. There is also plenty of time to consolidate your learning while skiing with your instructor and exploring the beautiful ski area here at Venabu.

Relax with our warm hospitality

Whether you are a group of friends, a couple, a family or a solo traveller, Venabu Fjellhotell and Cabins create a friendly, warm atmosphere for your cross country ski holiday. To complete your Norwegian winter holiday you may like to add winter activities such as dogsledding, a romantic horsedrawn sleigh ride or a snowshoe tour – we offer all these at Venabu. In addition to the outdoor activities, we have a weekly programme of yoga classes and sports and relaxation masssages available: enjoy a well-rounded holiday that will leave you feeling refreshed and re-energised.

With cross country skiing holidays at Venabu you can progress from your first time on skis to expeditions to tell your friends about.

Venabu holds Norway´s Ecolighthouse sustainability award. We are easily accessible from Oslo and Trondheim.

Venabu’s cross country skiing holidays

Two cross country skiers, skiing classic style
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Become a better skier!

Cross country ski course

8 days | intermediate to advanced

Do you enjoy learning and want to Become a Better Skier? Join us on our innovative cross country ski course. These courses combine expert ski and movement coaching with a fun, supportive group atmosphere. Six full days of skiing and much more.

2024 dates:

20th – 27th January 2024

10th – 17th February 2024

 

Female cross country skier, wearing red, smiles at the camera
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Learn cross country skiing!

A holiday for those new to cross country skiing

8 days | beginner

Our NEW cross country ski holiday with instruction. This week is aimed at guests who are new to cross country skiing. Develop a great foundation for your cross country skiiing right from the start with British Association of Snowsport Instructor (BASI) qualified instructors.

2024 dates:

13th – 20th January 2024

3rd – 10th February 2024

16th – 23rd March 2024

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Venabu’s classic cross country ski holiday

8 days | beginner to intermediate | december into april

Enjoy cross country skiing in a Norwegian winter wonderland with our experienced guides and instructors. Our holidays run throughout the winter season, from December into April. Suitable for all levels of skier from beginners to intermediate.

Beginners are welcome! There are lessons for beginners included in the holiday. Relax and enjoy your holiday as our guides show you the best of the beautiful Venabygdsfjellet plateau. There are also plenty of other winter activities happening such as dogsledding and horse drawn sleigh rides.

Our guided cross country ski tours run on five days with one day free, midweek. On the free day we offer a guided snowshoe tour, ski lessons and coaching.

Winter 23/24 dates:

Weekly holidays from 23rd December 2023

Group of nordic skiers offtrack
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Introduction to off track nordic ski holiday

8 days | intermediate

Explore further into the mountains and enjoy longer days out, this holiday will give you the skills and experience for new adventures on your skis. Expert ski coaching and guided nordic ski tours on six days, returning to our comfortable hotel after skiing every day. This holiday suits guests who have a good foundation of cross country ski technique, good fitness and an adventurous spirit. It is a great choice for guests who would like to explore nordic skiing away from the prepared trails, without staying in remote cabins.

2024 dates:

24th February – 2nd March 2024

Book this holiday before 15th November 2023 and save 10% with our special offer.

We will be offering off track nordic day tours in the weeks 2nd – 9th March and 9th – 16th March 2024.

 

A male cross country skier skies towards the camera

Skiing is part of who we are

Venabu has a long-established tradition of cross country ski holidays. Sharing this magnificent mountain area and superb nature with our guests has been an important part of Venabu’s ethos since the beginning. We continue to build on this history. Many of our guests return year after year to enjoy their cross country ski holiday with us. Why not join them and discover cross country skiing in one of the most beautiful ski areas in Norway?

Cross country skiing to remember

Ski in – ski out, skiing on your doorstep

Venabu and the surrounding mountain plateau are at approximately 950m asl. There are 140kms of prepared trails and the skiing starts on our doorstep.
To the north you can join the long distance ski trail, the Trolløype. This trail connects the Rondane National Park to the Winter Olympic town of Lillehammer.

Excellent cross country ski terrain, well signposted ski tracks

The plateau makes for excellent cross country ski terrain with well signed trails. There is plenty of variety. One day you can be skiing in the vast open areas of wild reindeer country. The next day in the forest. There are friendly, flatter areas and mountain tops, all accessible on the prepared tracks. The scenery is spectacular.

Experienced and qualified guides and instructors

Our team of guides and instructors have many years of experience and love to share their enthusiasm for skiing with our guests. Both Norwegian and International, all our guides speak English fluently. We have Nordic instructors qualified with the British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI) and the Norwegian Ski School (DNS) on our team.

Beautiful ski journeys and the comfort of our hotel

You may enjoy the pleasure of ski journeys through a beautiful winter landscape – the glide of the skis helping you to cover more ground. Or you may be someone who wants to discover cross country skiing’s unique combination of athletic effort with technical skill. Whatever your kind of cross country ski holiday, at Venabu you can enjoy the best of Norwegian nature and the comfort of our hotel.

Cross country skiing in Norway

Cross country skiing makes a great active winter holiday. Cross country skiing in Norway gives you fantastic ski conditions. Venabu gives you ski journeys in an accessible and beautiful mountain area.

Venabygdsfjellet has a good snow record. Typically, the snow arrives in October or November and we can ski as late as May. Our holiday season lasts from mid/late December until after Easter. Winter temperatures can be low, and conditions are dry, giving great skiing. With good clothing you can be comfortable while active outside. In Norway, unlike in the Alps, temperatures tend not to fluctuate very much during the day. This means that for most of the winter we don’t experience melt-freeze conditions, keeping the snow in lovely ski condition. This gives the heavenly ‘Blue Extra days’, ski conditions loved by cross country enthusiasts.

Because Venabu sits on a high plateau we have direct  sunlight throughout the winter. Even at midwinter, with the shortest days, the sun rises above the horizon so we have plenty of time for skiing. Midwinter light is very beautiful with red, pink and gold bathing the snow and mountains. You may be fortunate and see the Northern Lights. The Tvete family chose the location well when they decided to build Venabu!

All this makes Norway and Venabu a special cross country ski destination. Many guests return year after year, becoming part of the extended ‘Venabu family’. Join us!

What is cross country skiing? Will it suit me?

Cross country skiing is a wonderful way to explore the winter landscape. It makes a great active winter holiday, read more in our “Frequently asked questions on cross country skiing”.

Two cross country skiers, skiing classic style

“Fantastic teaching!”

“Thank you we had a truly spectacular week with you – fantastic teaching, amazing weather and wonderful hospitality. We will definitely be back again!”

Hannah, Damon, Edan and Anouk, UK

your accomodation

Venabu makes your holiday special

Venabu Fjellhotell

Aerial view of Venabu Fjellhotell in autumn
Venabu is owned and run by the Tvete family. Along with their staff, they create a warm, hospitable atmosphere so that you can relax and unwind.

Venabu cabins

People sit in the lounge of Haugbu cabin
Venabu has eight traditional log cabins available to rent. Our cabins are thoughtfully designed and well-equipped to a high standard. They offer relaxed accommodation for those who prefer their own space. All the opportunities and services offered by the hotel are available and just a few minutes’ walk away.

Winter activities for everyone

There are plenty of winter activities on offer at Venabu: snowshoe tours, dog sledding, horse drawn sleigh rides, and yoga classes. Every week there are evening talks about a range of interesting subjects including local culture and history.

You can also let go and unwind, we have two saunas and relaxation and sports massage are available.

“A piece of paradise”

“A piece of paradise, I wish I lived here. Thank you so much I will be back!!”

Beata (UK)

“Wonderful time”

“Thank you for providing us with a wonderful time and such happy memories.”

Martin and Annie (UK)

“Wonderful visit”

“Thank you to everyone at Venabu for yet another wonderful visit …. We will return!!”

Anne and Chris (UK)

“A special place!”

“Thanks for the wonderful stay. Food delicious, rooms great and good entertainment.”

Janet (USA)