– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Jotunheimen Norway — Land of the Giants

by Lou Dawson May 14, 2015
written by Lou Dawson May 14, 2015
A big thanks to Onx backcountry for making these post happen. Check out the Onx mapping app for your next backcountry adventure and click here to use the app to support your local avalanche forecasters

The biggest mountains in Norway, invitation from Marker-Volkl. How could I resist?

Not much internet here at the backcountry road-end berg of Spiterstulen (though the hut does have a swimming pool). I’ll have to do more detailed blogging later. But yes, I’m here, in Norway, ski touring. Pinch me.

We are in a hut complex called Spiterstulen.

Currently we are in a hut complex called Spiterstulen (indicated by arrow), at the foot of Norway’s highest peak. This is an amazing place with incredible potential for high touring. Prior, alpine ski touring was not the tradition. That’s changing with promotion of ‘Jotunheimen Haute Route,’ which is the fulcrum my trip is swinging on. Weather is not totally cooperating, but we’ll do what we can. Lisa isn’t here at the moment, we plan on meeting soon for more exploration north of here.

Highest peak in Norway is just out of photo to right.

Highest peak in Norway is just out of photo to right.

At the end of the day, the rear end beer is pretty good. Definitely joked about, though those jokes shall remain available for others to post in other places.

At the end of the day, the rear end beer is pretty good. Definitely joked about, though those jokes shall remain available for others to post in other places.

View out the hut window this evening.

View out the hut window this evening.

As our trip progresses I’ll be on the case with more reports, including museum visits in Oslo. For now, priority is to ski the Jotunheimen as much as weather permits!

First views of Jotunheimen during drive from Oslo Norway.

First views of Jotunheimen during drive from Oslo Norway.

16 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Ride Captain Ride, on your Mystery Ship
next post
Guess That Pastry — Norway

16 comments

Brian Mohr April 30, 2015 - 9:49 pm

Beautiful region! Enjoy it Lou. Looking forward to your reports. Happy spring.

JRD May 1, 2015 - 4:06 am

Check out Lofoten or Sunnmøre if you get the chance! Excellent skiing on steep mountains next to amazing fjords.

Wookie May 4, 2015 - 4:54 am

I’ve enjoyed the skiing in Norway a few times now….becoming much more widely known, which has its pluses and minuses.
I find it to be one of the greatest places to go touring with my wife, or a mixed group. The mountains are not massive, but since the treeline is at 40 meters or something, its all alpine. Makes for great high-alpine touring, but without the long slogs.
There is a great feeling of adventure, but the highly subsidized economies of Norway’s far north provide all the European comforts in miniformat.
Only downside is the ten Euro beers. I bought a round for my guys last year and it cost me nearly 150 Euros! But the duty free in Oslo or Copenhagen is a solution – as is making friends with locals that brew their own beer!
Snowpack information is quite meager – but Seth Hobby at Northern Alpine Guides out of Kabelvag has been changing that, as well as the influx of foreign skiers and a new interest in alpine touring among the Norwegians as well.
A great place to ski!

Lou Dawson 2 May 4, 2015 - 5:07 am

Got done with 5 days in Jotunheiman Mountains. Finally have a real keyboard for writing. Reports coming. We’ll be here a few more weeks so lot’s more to report… Actually staying next to Norway’s only metal edged alpine ski factory last night and perhaps tonight (eviski.com). Thanks for reading everyone! Wookie, the Jotunheiman classify as massive by my definition, but yes they’re not Mt. Blanc or Denali. All alpine, not a tree in sight once you’re up there. Lou

hegge May 4, 2015 - 10:49 am

Nice with a report from Norway! I spent a week of ski touring in Romsdalen (Roms valley) in the beginning of April. There’s a lot of easy accessible ski touring around Åndalsnes and Isfjorden.

Endre Hals (EVI) makes some nice custom lightweight skis, have you planned a report from his factory?

Terrance May 4, 2015 - 1:06 pm

What about Asnes skis?

Lou Dawson 2 May 4, 2015 - 1:38 pm

I am 25 feet from Evi having a beer with Endre.

He assures me his company is the only making steel edged skis in Norway.

Asnes closed their Norway factory some time ago. Some of their skis are possibly made in Sweden, others elsewhere.

Lou

Terrance May 4, 2015 - 2:55 pm

Great! Ask him about his SIG and REDWOOD for PNW skiing.

Lou Dawson 2 May 5, 2015 - 12:22 am

Reports coming. Preparing blog posts while on the road is always slower. Lou

etto May 5, 2015 - 10:05 am

You were very lucky Lou! The May 1 weekend was fantastic in Jotunheimen, not often the weather is so good for so many consecutive days. And the snow was fabulous, 20cm powder on the north faces! More people out than I’ve ever seen there before.

If you are staying on visit High camp at the Turtagrø hotel. Norway’s biggest skitouring festival.

etto May 5, 2015 - 10:17 am

If you have more time in Norway also check out Romsdalen and Sogndal, both on the west coast.

(There are still some other Norwegian ski brands, but none of them do manufacturing in Norway anymore. Check out SGN skis from Sogndal)

If it’s of any interest you could also visit Morgedal in Telemark, the cradle of (modern) skiing.

Adam U May 5, 2015 - 11:12 am

‘Twas a great trip! I’m looking forward to seeing more of your photos since my camera is still somewhere in Oslo. Argh!

Lou Dawson 2 May 5, 2015 - 12:21 pm

Hi Adam, I’ve got some posts coming soon but have to finish up the Mount Hayes coverage first. My Jotunheimen will be a bit meager on the photos since I was carrying a junker camera. It’s the one that should have been left in Oslo! Sorry to hear about yours, that’s a total drag.

Was wonderful to meet you and spend some time in the mountains with you.

Best wishes for the oceanography you’re doing next, sounds “interesting” to say the least.

All you guys were very impressive, and thanks for putting up with the old mountaineer!

Lou

Erik May 6, 2015 - 5:50 am

Avalanche bulletins and snowpack information in Norway is available here:
http://www.varsom.no/en/Snow-avalanche/

Daily updates!

The Norwegian Avalanche Centre

Thomas D May 8, 2015 - 3:45 am

A great time to come to Noway to ski! Fonna glacier ski resort is closed to day due to huge snow dump! https://www.facebook.com/visitfonna

Enjoy.

john May 15, 2015 - 5:35 am

Jotunheimen is great spring skiing but imo Lyngen alps were way way better. Lofoten I found overrated for skiing but beautiful landscapes. The Norges have been ski touring forever just on cross country skis. Stop in Lom and hit up the famous Bakery it’s a must stop on your way back to Oslo.

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • TZed on The Ski Trab Deep Look: Ski Trab Magico.2 Skis, Titan Vario.2 Binding, and Branded Mohair Skins
  • ioan on The Ski Trab Deep Look: Ski Trab Magico.2 Skis, Titan Vario.2 Binding, and Branded Mohair Skins
  • Jim Milstein on The Ski Trab Deep Look: Ski Trab Magico.2 Skis, Titan Vario.2 Binding, and Branded Mohair Skins
  • aemono on Photo Story: Gear Explosion Event Horizon
  • OR on Springtime Primer: Securing Skis/Splitboard to a Bike Frame

Gear Reviews

  • The Ski Trab Deep Look: Ski Trab Magico.2 Skis, Titan Vario.2 Binding, and Branded Mohair Skins

    May 13, 2022
  • BCA’s FLOAT E2 25: The Alpride E2 Side of the Equation

    April 29, 2022
  • BCA’s FLOAT E2 25: The Pack Side of the Equation

    April 27, 2022

Trip Reports

  • Techniques and considerations for ski mountaineering on glaciers

    February 16, 2022
  • Making the Most out of the Alaska Range

    February 14, 2022
  • Emergency Layers for Backcountry Travel

    February 7, 2022

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Totally Deep Podcast 99: Big Geography with Roman Dial and Alex Lee

    April 20, 2022
  • TOTALLY DEEP PODCAST 98: Live at the EMGT with Cam Smith

    April 12, 2022
  • TOTALLY DEEP PODCAST 97: Talk of Gear for Next Year

    March 23, 2022

Tips & Tricks

  • Fueling For Ski Touring

    May 3, 2022
  • The “New Math” for Sheltering from the Storm

    May 2, 2022
  • A Simple Ski Crampon Mod

    April 21, 2022

Ski Touring Stories

  • Backscratchers in My Brain

    April 6, 2022
  • Blessing of the Freeheelers & Bon Voyage Grand Traversers

    April 2, 2022
  • Mentorship On My Mind

    March 31, 2022

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Mount Sanford from the Road

May 9, 2022

Techniques and considerations for ski mountaineering...

February 16, 2022

Making the Most out of the...

February 14, 2022