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 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?

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 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!