OVERVIEW

Advanced Tour Skating – Early Season & Challenging Ice

This advanced tour skating course is designed for experienced tour skaters who want to become more self-reliant and confident skaters.  The course is deliberately organised early in the season to provide experience with thinner ice.

Through ice-based discovery learning, practical exercises and a brief digital classroom component, we will develop the skills needed to assess changing conditions, make sound decisions and adapt our plans as the ice and weather develop.

The course will focus on developing individual skills to:

  • Planning and selecting routes before departure, with an assessment of the expected level of difficulty.

  • Continuous risk assessment while skating to identify hazards, assess transitions, and recognise changes in safety margins.

  • Skating technique and strategy adapted to thin, rough, wet, broken or otherwise challenging ice

  • Decision-making and risk management, including when to alter the route or turn back.

  • Group management and communication when conditions become more complex

  • Self-reliance and problem-solving in unexpected situations

  • Rescue techniques for more advanced situations (optional, depending on conditions)

This course is intended for skaters who already have experience with tour skating, including basic ice assessment, trip planning, skating technique and have trained self-and buddy-rescue procedures. Participants should also be able to skate longer distances at a steady pace. The goal is not simply to skate more challenging ice, but to develop the knowledge, judgement and practical skills to deal with changing conditions more independently and safely.

Rather than following a predetermined route, the course will use the ice we encounter as our classroom. Conditions will determine where we skate, what we practise, and which challenges we work with. The exact locations and itinerary will remain flexible, with the course moving to suitable opportunities within approximately four hours’ driving distance of Oslo Airport. Participants should therefore plan for flexible or mobile accommodation (campervan or winter camping) rather than using Oslo as a fixed base.

The next course is scheduled 5-6 December 2026

 
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PRICES

The course fee is 3150 NOK. Equipment is available for rent: boots, skates that can be clicked in and out, ice poles, ice studs, safety line, crotch strap for a backpack and a waterproof bag. The boots are warm, comfortable and have ankle support. Use of drysuits for the rescue-exercises is included in the price. Meals are not included.

GRADE

This course is intended for skaters who already have experience with tour skating, including basic ice assessment, trip planning, skating technique and have trained self-and buddy-rescue procedures. Participants should also be able to skate longer distances at a steady pace.

GROUP SIZE AND GUIDES

The group is limited to 6 persons so that we can tailor our programme to your previous experience and individual goals.

DURATION

There are two days in this course, preceded by 2h digital webinar.

LOCATION

To maximize learning, the course utilizes different lakes and parts of fjords that are located within a 4 hour driving range from Oslo

WEATHER CONDITIONS

In bad weather, the arranged activity will continue regardless. If the weather conditions are dangerous or if there is insufficient ice, the instructor will cancel the activity. If no alternative is found, Norvantur will refund the registration.

SAFETY

Our outdoor activities have a minimal risk to our participants. At Norvantur, we are trained to assess the risks and trained in rescue techniques and first aid. Severe or extreme conditions are not part of our program.

CANCELLATION

In case of cancellation by the participant, we charge cancellation costs. These cancellation costs depend on the number of days remaining until the start of the activity. Participants cannot claim compensation in case of cancellation due to ‘force majeure’. In case of cancellation of the activity by Norvantur, the full registration sum will always be refunded. For safety reasons it may be necessary to change the program during the activity.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Persons who order an activity from Norvantur agree to the terms and conditions.