About

The mountain ridge with the summits of Rasletinden (2105 m.a.s.l.) and Kalvehøgde (2208 m.a.s.l.) is one of the most popular mountain ski tours in eastern Jotunheimen. Both range among Norway's easiest 2000-meter-summits, also with skis. Starting point is the high mountain plateau of Valdresflye (road 51). This tour can be done with either back-country or randonnée skiing equipment.

The trip to Rasletinden is about 9-10 km one way, with an elevation gain of a little more than 700 meters.

Season: Spring, from the opening of road 51 approx. in early April through May or as long as there's snow. Be aware of road 51 being closed at night (8pm to 8am) throughout April and often well into May. You can check the updated information on the road status here (in Norwegian, please use Google translate as the detailed road information is not published in English).

From the highest point of the road over Valdresflye start west over the plateau and make a northern turn uphill into the Steindalen valley. Follow the valley bottom (keep clear of mountain sides prone to avalanches) into the enclosed basin Raslet, with the Rasletinden massif to the north and the hillside down to Lake Bydin to the south. Keep going until you're approx. right north of Søre Kalvehølotinden. Then turn north and ascend onto the saddle between Rasletinden on the right and Mugna on the left. This ascend is the steepest of the entire tour. Criss cross, choosing a route to your liking and keeping to where it is least steep. From the saddle (watch out for the abyss to the north!) you have an impressive view down into the glacier filled basin between Rasletinden and Munken, to the west towards Kalvehøgdene and Torfinnstindane and to the north to the summits on the other side of the Leirungsdalen valley. Turn right (north-east) towards the summit of Rasletinden. Most skiers will be comfortable to keep the skis on all the way to the summit. 

Follow roughly the same route downhill, choosing the inclination after your skills and liking while keeping clear of terrain prone to avalanches. The last two kilometers over the Valdresflye plateau you may need to skate and push yourself foward with your poles in order to avoid putting your ski skins back on.

If you wish for a longer tour, you can continue west from the saddle towards Kalvehøgde. There are several summit points on the massif, and you will encounter a couple of narrow passages that might feel exposed in icy snow conditions. 

Please be aware that avalanches can occur in hillsides with inclinations lower than 30 degrees and that it is you who is responsible for making the right choices.

Safety: Rasletinden on skis is an off-piste mountain ski tour. Read our safety information here before you set out.