Back country skiing

Valdres is one of Norway's most attractive winter destinations, and that also applies to trips into the back country. The snow arrives normally in November/December, but the season for back country trips lasts from approx. mid February to March/April, when the days grow longer and the lakes are frozen solid. Some years it's still possible to go back country skiing among Jotunheimen's peaks in May and even June.    

Popular starting points are:
* The high mountain plateau Valdresflye (1389 m.a.s.l.). It is accessible from approx. beginning of April when road 51 across Valdresflye opens (please note that the road will be closed at night from 8pm-8am at least until the beginning of May). From here, Rasletinden and the Kalvehøgde massif are the most popular tour targets, but it is also very beautiful to ski towards the mountains Store Nuten and Gråhøe to the east.   

* Bygdin, which is accessible by car from approx. mid February. From here, marked back country skiing routes lead towards Yksendalsbu, Torfinnsbu and Gjendesheim. Bitihorn is a nice mountain top for ski touring that under good conditions is manageable on back-country skis.  

* Road 53 from Tyinkrysset to Årdal is open all year through (please note that during blizzards the road can close temporarily on short notice). Along the road, marked back country skiing routes start towards Fondsbu, Tomashelleren, Yksendalsbu and Slettningsbu. From the alpine skiing centre at Tyinkrysset, a groomed cross-country skiing track leads to the cabin Sulebu. For well trained skiers it is possible to reach the mountains Suletinden and Sulefjellet on a day trip via Sulebu, at least later in the season when the days grow longer. 

* Road 252 from Tyin to Eidsbugarden is closed during winter. If you don't want to ski in, you can use the snow coach service that runs from the middle of February until Easter. From Fondsbu/Eidsbugarden there are several nice marked loop trails for day trips and also good ski touring possibilities. DNT-routes lead towards Skogadalsbøen, Olavsbu, Gjendebu, Torfinnsbu and Yksendalsbu.

* From the winter parking lot past Yddin (at the end of the winter open part of the road that exits from road 51 at Heggenes) the marked winter route leads to Storeskag and from there, several routes lead further into the Langsua National Park. 

Before you head out, please read our safety advice for trips outside marked routes.

The winter routes marked by the DNT and the huts in the mountains open approx. in the middle of February. From the route network that stretches across Valdres and Jotunheimen, the neighbouring regions can be accessed: The Langsua/Peer-Gynt region to the south-east, Skarvheimen to the south-west and Breheimen to the north-west. For self-serviced and unserviced huts you need DNT's standard key and a membership. It is available at the tourist offices in Fagernes (membership and keys) and Beitostølen (keys only). You can also sign your membership online.