Overview
Hemsedal, located in south-central Norway, has become a popular destination for ice climbing. It is often referred to as the “cradle of Norwegian ice climbing”, as this is where ice climbing started in Norway in the 1970’s. The are more than 100 established routes, from single pitch test pieces to multi pitch classics, all in a relatively compact area. These include a couple of Norway’s best know routes, Hydnefossen and Grotenutbekken. This is an area not to be missed! If that’s not enough then if you need a rest day there’s even a great local ski area.
As this is a private course we are able to tailor each day, and the week, to your individual aims and aspirations. So whether you want to learn to ice climb, learn to independently lead ice climbs or be guided up classic routes every day – we can make it happen. The course will be delivered at a maximum ratio of one instructor to two clients which enables us to be very flexible therefore allowing us to head out each day and climb wherever the conditions are best. The majority of climbing will be in the WI grade 2 to 4 range (Scottish Grade III to V).
To get a flavour of what ice climbing in Norway is like then check out this great short video, by Cragcloud, showcasing just some of Hemsedals amazing icefalls:
Course Ratio
Maximum Client to Instructor Ratio: 2:1
We run this course with a maximum of two clients to one instructor. Our low ratios ensure you receive personalised coaching, allowing you to maximise your learning and enjoyment during your course.
Course Duration & Dates
This is an eight-day trip, with five climbing days and a rest (ski?) day:
-
Saturday 1st February – Saturday 8th February 2025 – TAKING BOOKINGS
-
Saturday 1st March – Saturday 8th March 2025 – TAKING BOOKINGS
Price
1 person £3,495
2 people £1,750 per person
The prices listed above include 5 days of ice climbing instruction/guiding, 7 nights of accommodation and in country transport.
Please note – for our 1:2 ratio course we require a £250 deposit per person and for our 1:1 ratio course we require a £500 deposit to secure your place. The remainder of the course fee can be paid in one go, or instalments, but is due no later than 12 weeks prior to the course start date.
Any ice climbing trip to Norway is never going to be cheap, but with over 200 single and multi-pitch ice climbs (20m – 400m long) that are reliably in condition and are often only a short walk from the car then it is always well worth it! We run ice climbing trips to Rjukan every winter and it never disappoints, so whether your keen to tackle your first ice climbs, be guided up classics or get to grips with leading on ice then there really isn’t a better place to go.
Course Content
This is a private course which is run at either a 1:1 or 1:2 instructor to client ratio, as this allows us to offer three different course options:
-
Introduction to Ice Climbing
-
Learn to Lead Ice Climbs
-
Guided Classics
Once you have chosen your course option we will then tailor it to your own abilities and aspirations thus ensuring you receive exactly the right course for you. We will choose the content of each day to make the best use of the prevailing conditions, as well as the aspirations and fitness of the team. As such it isn’t possible to provide a definitive programme for the day/week, however, the trip will roughly follow the format below:
Day 1 – Fly to Oslo, Norway. Transfer to Hemesdal, settle in to accommodation, and sort kit
Day 2 – Intro/Recap ice climbing
Day 3 – Coached/Guided ice climbing
Day 4 – Coached/Guided ice climbing
Day 5 – Rest Day, or there is the option to go walking, snowshoeing, or skiing if keen
Day 6 – Coached/Guided ice climbing
Day 7 – Coached/Guided ice climbing
Day 8 – Transfer to Oslo, Fly Home
How do I get there?
Rjukan is roughly a three hour drive away from Oslo (Gardermoen Airport) which has good air links to Manchester, London, Edinburgh and other regional UK airports. We will be flying out on a Saturday and returning the following Saturday as this allows you to choose direct flights from the widest range of possible airports in the UK. Flights cost around £175, return. Feel free to fly from which ever airport you prefer, all we ask is that you arrive no later than 5pm (local time) at Oslo Gardermoen Airport on the first day of your course. In country we’ll use a hire car, and your instructor will drive and provide you with a transfer from the airport to Rjukan (3 hours), and back, as well driving you out to each days climbing location.
What about accommodation?
We will be staying in a warm and comfortable chalet, located right at the heart of the ice climbing area, near the centre of the town. The rooms will be shared. There is a self-catering kitchen, and usually we’ll put together a kitty for buying food, and all contribute to the cooking and washing up. However if you’d prefer to cook on your own, or eat out every night then that’s no problem either.
Who will my instructor be?
Your instructor for the week will be an WMCI (formerly called MIC)holder (the UK’s highest qualification for teaching winter/ice climbing and mountaineering) and a member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors and they will have a vast wealth of experience teaching, and guiding, ice climbing.
