Introduction to Nordic Telemark Skiing 29.01.11 - 05.02.11

THE COURSE:

INTRODUCTION TO NORDIC TELEMARK SKIING 2901-0502 2011

General: The course will be held in Norway the home of Telemark skiing and will be suitable for Nordic x-country skiers/ski tourers who, have either attended the Woodlore  Nordic Skiing course, The Heroes of Telemark expedition, or have proven appropriate experience and skills relevant to this particular course.

 Criteria; Candidates should be competent Nordic skiers who are confident with their general Nordic downhill techniques. Candidates should also have some basic winter skills and experience of winter travel in a mountainous environment plus self-reliance with good self-discipline.  

 The course is unique in that it is the only one of its type organised and run by an outdoor centre for UK nationals which specialises in using the Telemark technique in mountainous terrain (Back-country skiing) and without excessive use of a groomed downhill slope. We want to take Telemark skiing back to its roots; to this end part of the course will be spent “Off-piste” practising Telemark skills in a natural environment in the local Telemark Mountains. To round off for what should be an inspiring course we will spend the last 2 nights in Morgedal close to the family home of Sondre Norheim. We will experience practising Telemark turns in exactly the same areas used by this great Norwegian ski pioneer of over 170 years ago. (Away from ski-lifts and civilisation)

 The course will be conducted in 3 phases

 General:

 THE COURSE WILL BE HELD IN SOUTHERN NORWAY AND LAST 7 DAYS. THERE WILL BE A VERY SHORT REVISION PHASE OF NORDIC SKIING SKILLS IN THE SETESDAL VALLEY WHICH LIES 60 KILOMETRES NORTH OF KRISTIANSAND. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY AN INTENSE TEACHING PHASE OF TELEMARK TECHNIQUE LASTING 3 DAYS AT RAULAND SKI CENTRE IN WEST TELEMARK WHICH INCLUDES A MOUNTAIN DAY TOUR; THE COURSE WILL END WITH A 2 NIGHT STAY AT MORGEDAL IN TELEMARK THE BIRTHPLACE OF SONDRE NORHEIM.

Phase 1: Our base will be at our Nordic skiing centre at the Joint Services Training Centre Evjemoen in the Setesdal valley southern Norway. Participants will revise their x-country and downhill skiing skills with formal instruction by our highly qualified and experienced Nordic Telemark ski instructor. The instructor is also a fully qualified mountain guide and all training will be carried out in a controlled teaching environment on prepared x-country ski tracks and off-piste areas. Mountain ski-touring equipment with full length metal edges will be provided and used for this phase. This period is a vital ingredient in preparing all participants for the second phase “Introduction to Nordic Telemark” skiing teaching phase at Rauland ski centre in Telemark. 

Phase 2: This phase will last 3 nights and will be held in the Rauland region of western Telemark. (3.5 hours from Evjemoen) here, participants will take part in an intense 3 day period of learning a new skill with our highly experienced Telemark instructor. Most of the Instruction will take place at the Rauland ski centre just 3 kilometres from the village of Rauland. We will have well groomed slopes to learn a new skill and ideal Nordic touring terrain for classic, back country/off-piste skiing. At least 1 full day will be given to a mountain ski touring day at the end of this phase so that participants can utilise and practice their Telemarking skills in a natural mountainous environment. Accommodation will be self-catering log cabins with all facilities. With the Hardanger vidda as a back-drop we are guaranteed ideal snow conditions both on and off-piste.

Phase 3: We finish off this course by travelling the short drive to Morgedal the birthplace of Sondre Norheim. SN was the founder of the Telemark turn over 170 years ago. Using the comfortable Morgedal hotel as our base (All food supplied) we will use Sondre Norheims local areas to practice our Telemark turns and experience at first hand the culture and ski terrain at the birthplace of this unique Norwegian ski pioneer.

 EQUIPMENT:

First phase; mountain ski touring skis with metal edges from JSTC Evjemoen.

Second phase; Telemark equipment from RAULAND ski centre; specially designed Telemark skis, binding and boots.

Third phase; Telemark equipment from Morgedal ski senter

ACCOMMODATION:

First phase: At JSTC Evjemoen; there will be single rooms for everyone with full use of all facilities available. Full board b/fast, packed lunch, and evening meal.

Second phase: self-catering accommodation in tradition Norwegian log cabin close to Rauland ski centre. It is likely that the course will have a very large cabin or 2 small cabins depending on availability. (2 persons sharing a twin-bedded room)

Third phase:  Double rooms (Twin beds) at Morgedal tourist hotel; breakfast/packed lunch/evening meal provided.

 TRANSPORT:

Transport will be provided throughout. (JSTC minibus)  

COST PER PERSON:

Kr 10, 950, - per person MAX 10 PERSONS (minimum 8)

This is what is included:

• Airport transfers to and from Kristiansand
• Transport to ski areas throughout
• Full board accommodation at Evjemoen Norwegian b/fast/packed lunch/evening meal) single rooms + linen and shared bathroom
• Self-catering log cabin accommodation plus linen (Twin bedded rooms) at Rauland ski centre in Telemark
• Ski touring equipment at JSTC Evjemoen
• Telemark equipment at Rauland ski centre and at Morgedal
• Full board accommodation at Morgedal hotel in Morgedal west Telemark
• Qualified Telemark instructor and mountain guide throughout
• Entry to the Ski Museum at Morgedal
• Local Telemark guide at Morgedal
• Telemark diplomas

Flights are not included, so you will need to arrange these yourself once you receive the recommended flight details from us. Please ensure that you have a full valid passport and EHIC card when you travel.

Nordic Intermediate Ski Touring 1. 05.02.11 - 12.02.11
Nordic Intermediate Ski Touring 2. 02.04.11 - 09.04.11

The course:

General: There will be 2 Nordic Intermediate ski touring courses of one week duration at JSTC Evjemoen in 2011.The course will be held in Norway the home of Nordic Ski touring and one of the last wildernesses in northern Europe. The course is suitable for Nordic x-country skiers/ski tourers who have attended a previous JSTC Nordic ski course, (Or UK/Scandinavian/Alps) equivalent), The Heroes of Telemark expedition with Woodlore Ltd or have proven appropriate experience and skills relevant to this particular course.

Criteria; Candidates should be competent Nordic skiers who are confident with their general Nordic x-country skiing skills. Candidates should also have some basic winter skills and experience of winter travel in a mountainous environment, plus be self-reliance with good self-discipline.

The aim of the course is to give students a wider general knowledge of ski touring in a high mountain environment, improve personal winter skills, (Avalanche/intro to snow holing) and obtain a good working knowledge of the Norwegian hytte system. The course will also give a good insight into how an expedition is carried out and planned regarding route planning and safety factors.  

The course will be conducted in 3 phases

General:

The course will be held in southern Norway and last 7 days. There will be a very short revision phase of Nordic skiing skills at our base at JSTC Evjemoen in the Setesdal valley which lies 60 kilometres north of Kristiansand. This will be followed by an expedition in the Setesdal Mountains an area situated on the edge of the Hardanger Vidda. (4 hrs by minibus) the group will use Norwegian tourist log cabins for the first three nights and sleep in a snow hole on the last night. The expedition will finish at Hovden a major alpine centre at the northern tip of the Setesdal valley. From there we will be transported back to Evjemoen to a hot shower and comfortable accommodation. That evening an end of course dinner will be held and students will receive a course diploma.

Phase 1: Our base will be at our Nordic skiing centre at the Joint Services Training Centre Evjemoen (JSTC Evjemoen) in the Setesdal valley southern Norway. Participants will revise their x-country and Nordic downhill skiing skills with formal instruction by our highly qualified and experienced Nordic ski instructor. The instructor is also a fully qualified mountain leader/guide and all training will be carried out in a controlled teaching environment on prepared x-country ski tracks and off-piste areas. Mountain ski-touring equipment with full length metal edges will be provided for the week. This period is a vital ingredient in preparing all participants for the second phase “A ski touring expedition in the Setesdal Mountains”. 

Phase 2: This phase will last 4 nights and will be held in the northern Setesdal mountain region bordering the Hardanger Vidda. It was in this area that some of the filming took place for the Ray Mears acclaimed documentary “The Real Heroes of Telemark”. (4 hours from Evjemoen) Participants will spend the first night at Haukeliseter tourist hytte before setting out on a four day/3 night expedition. We will be using self-catering log cabins with a last night in a snow hole. With the Hardanger vidda as a back-drop and guaranteed snow conditions this will be a memorable course for all those taking part.

Phase 3: Immediately after coming off the hill we will be collected by the centre minibus and transported back to Evjemoen to comfortable accommodation and a hot shower.  The group will then spend the rest of the afternoon recovering and de-kit. Later the same evening we will have an end of course dinner and receive a course diploma. 

EQUIPMENT:

Mountain ski touring skis with metal edges, appropriate mountain touring boots and poles are provided throughout. (Plus wax).

ACCOMMODATION:

First phase: At JSTC Evjemoen; there will be single rooms for everyone with full use of all facilities available. Full board b/fast, packed lunch, and evening meal.

Second phase: Full board at the Haukeliseter mountain lodge (Evening meal/breakfast/lunch packet) followed by 2 nights in self-catering log cabins in the Setesdal mountains. The last night will be in a snow hole.

Third phase:  Single rooms at JSTC Evjemoen with evening meal and breakfast provided.

TRANSPORT:

Transport will be provided throughout. (JSTC minibus). 

COST PER PERSON:

Kr 10, 500, - per person MAX 10 PERSONS (minimum 8)

Further details of these courses can be obtained by contacting Brian Desmond at briandes@frisurf.no