Cross-country skiing tour Bygdin-Beitostølen via Båtskaret
About
Cross-country skiing tour in groomed tracks from the winter holidays to Easter.
This tour is recommended in combination with the transport services between Beitostølen and Bygdin, either with Valdresekspressen (choose Beitostølen, Øystre Slidre, Oppland and Bygdin, Vang, Innlandet as departure and destination points) or Bygdin Fjellhotel's own transport service.
Tour details:
From Bygdin via the saddle Båtskaret and via Blue 7, Blue 2 and Green 1 to Beitestølsvegen, approx. 700 m below the centre of Beitostølen.
Distance: 13.5 km
Elevation difference: 305 m up and 437 m down
Estimated duration: Approx. 1.5-2 hours under good track conditions without breaks
This tour is for experienced skiers. It includes a long, steep downhill section that can be very demanding under difiicult conditions.
Directions and tour description
Take the bus Valdresekspressen from Beitostølen (bus stop at the bottom station of the ski lift in the town centre) to Bygdin. At Bygdin Høifieldshotel they serve really good waffles and lunch dishes in beautiful mountain nature. After a stop here you can start your skiing journey back to Beitostølen.
The ski tour starts along track Red 10 right outside the door. It crosses over the road and then towards the southern shoreline of Lake Vinstre. After 2.7 km you reach the crossing with Red 2. Turn right here and follow Red 2 south uphill onto the saddle Båtskaret. From here, there's a steep and potentially demanding downhill run with a phantastic view, crossing road 51 and continuing to Smørkoll. At Båtskardstølane you pass the warming hut Båtskardbue. Please ski very carefully and stop to enjoy the view and concentrate on the skiing while enjoying the run!
At Smørkoll, you reach the crossing with Blue 7 which you follow straight ahead, slightly uphill towards Garli. In the "four-armed" intersection between Blue 7 and 3, turn right and keep enjoying the now more moderate downhill run. In the next crossing, you meet Blue 2. It can be followed either way until either intersection with Green 1, but the slightly shorter route turns left here and meets Green 1 750 m ahead. Turn right in either intersection and follow Green 1 downhill (watch out for uphill traffic) through montane birch forest to Beitestølsvegen and along the road side the last 700 m slightly uphill back to Beitostølen centre.
This tour will provide great vistas in phantastic high mountain terrain without being too difficult, but it can be exposed for strong winds. Carry a day pack with extra clothing, a warm beverage in a thermos bottle and extra food/chocolate in case the weather turns or the conditions are tough and you use more time than estimated.
We suggest that you purchase the cross-country skiing map for Beitostølen that is available at the tourist office and sports stores.
The grooming status can be checked in real time on www.skisporet.no. Also, remember to check the weather forecast before you head out!
