Internationale groepsreis Cross-country Skiing: Mosstrond

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: MOSSTROND

Snow, snow, snow, trees and tops. Excellent food and accomodation. 

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Being able to stay upright (most of the time) in the wonderful snow conditions. It had been two years since my last ski trip, but its like riding a bike you don't forget how but you may wobble at first. Getting back at dusk after a long day knowing there was tea and cake waiting. Setting off across the lake in a blizzard on the last day, re-enacting Scotts trip to the pole (without the ponies)!

What did you think of your group leader?

The three leaders on site were all very knowledgeable about the area and able to adapt the group makeup and routes taken to suit the groups capabilities and the weather conditions. 

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Make sure you have a basic grasp of cross country skiing before you go, tutition is limited. But most slopes are wide, gentle and when there is 2 metres of soft new snow, very forgiving.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Don't go to Mosstrand to lose weight, the food is too good!

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: MOSSTROND

You know it is not going to be your ordinary ski holiday when you step out of your minibus in the dark, sit down on a piece of foam rubber on a trailer on the back of the skidoo and are whisked into nothingness at a temperature of around minus fifteen. Come morning, after sleep in a comfortable bunk, nothingness reveals itself as frozen lake surrounded by mountains that look like cumulous clouds, everything white apart from wavering charcoal strokes of birch trees. And it's all yours to ski - a real adventure.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The summit of Falcon's Ridge. A challenging ski up and an eye-watering ski down. Also the daily return to tea and cake. We'd ski home across the lake to 'our' island speculating what sort of cake today.

What did you think of your group leader?

Phillip is great, a ski enthusiast to his fingertips who knows the area practically rock by rock and tree by tree.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

You do need to be fit. Six hours a day on ski, going up or down most of the time. It is more demanding than downhill.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Take a couple of books and a bottle of Scotch. You may not finish the books but (with a little help from your friends) you will probably finish the Scotch.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: MOSSTROND

Wonderful 'out of the way' location. Real sense of what cross-country skiing in Norway is about

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Reaching the top of a mountain

What did you think of your group leader?

Good

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Be flexible and go with the flow.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: MOSSTROND

Classic totally off-piste skiing, making our own tracks through the woods and up to higher open ground and summits.  Great views to Gausta to the south and up Mósvatn to the north, fabulous descents in deep powder, finding our own way through the trees.  Remote - saw only one other person all week!Food was excellent, especially the vegetarian meals which were the best we've had in Norway.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Sunrises over Gausta at breakfast time.  Great last day tour up to Lacksanuten summit, sunbathing on the top at lunch in spite of a cold start and a wonderful descent into the woods in the afternoon. 

What did you think of your group leader?

Philip knows the area intimately and can tailor routes to the skills of all the party and the weather conditions.  Bjorn played a major role picking the specific routes and giving technical tips.  Optional telemarking coaching session mid-week. Leaders obviously knew exactly what they were doing.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Mósstrond is quite remote - no shop or bar at the hut (so bring your own!).  All bedding and towels provided.  A great centre if you enjoy the empty wide-open spaces.  The Turisthytte has all mod cons. Lots of potential for longer days later in the season.  All routes start with a (relatively) short ski across the lake; there can be a cool breeze.  Make sure you take spare warm clothing for lunch stops. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Good to see Exodus running off-track holidays again!  The area has huge scope for touring at high grades. 

Mosstrond Turisthytte

My 4th trip to Mosstrand and I enjoy it more every time I go. The skiing is off track and in some of the most spectacular scenery you will see; often you see no-one else the whole week you are there. The host Philip & his team of family and friends make the whole experience like you are staying in a relatives house with friends around. The team guide you during the day and eat/socialise with you for all 3 meals. The meals are also prepared by the team fresh that day and using local ingredients and dishes. Once you have visited you will find it difficult to go anywhere else. I'm already planning next year's trip. Rob Milner

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Scenery Feeling part of the 'family'.

What did you think of your group leader?

The team are extremely relaxed and want everyone to enjoy their trip regardless of capability

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Go

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Mosstrond

This was my third visit to Mosstrond. Snow conditions were excellent - deep powder and little wind. A good mix of days bagging peaks, leading up to the magnificent Magnusgronutane which hadn't been climbed by an Exodus group for about 4 years (due to snow conditions), with sporty descents through birch woods. Philip and Maiken Yatman treated us like family and Neil led us each day and shared his knowledge of the history of this part of Telemark. I was sad to leave .... but hope to be back.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Wednesday, 10 February started with a parhelion at breakfast. We watched the 'second sun' and rainbows for about 30 minutes and then the 'glitter' falling through the rays of the sun. The day was cold and magical ice crystals had grown everywhere. The air was so clear that day we also got views of Gausta without its hat of clouds!

What did you think of your group leader?

Neil led us most days and Philip led us on one day. Both are perfect gentlemen, knowledgeable about the area (history, community) as well as being thoroughly familiar with the terrain. Neil was able to bring out our hidden skiing talents and we were all swooping down the slopes in style (mostly thanks to the snow conditions). He was able to tailor each day's skiing programme to suit the adventurous or more laid back among us. He encouraged us to stretch ourselves and certainly helped me get my confidence on skis back.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Mosstrond is not a place for beginners. You require a certain amount of fitness and a few miles under your skis of experience, certainly if you want to go up high. If you love swishing down through birch trees, getting high for the views and are prepared for a few stretches across lakes (where the temperature can be a few degrees colder, there is more wind and could be tricky if there is not much snow on top of the ice) then you will love it.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Mosstrond turisthytte is a very comfortable and special place with a comfy lounge, books, photos of the area. You feel like you're a guest in someone's home. I'm vegetarian and had great food all week with more variety than I would cook for myself. Meiken is a fantastic cook. Mosstrond is one of those places where you wish you could stay forever!

Varied skiing and a friendly welcome

Mosstrond offers good variety of off track skiing terrain - mountains, hills, gentler hills and of course the flat frozen lake - so I enjoyed the variation in technique and landscape. The hut itself is comfortable and the hosts friendly, producing good home cooked meals with some nice local ingredients (char from the lake, local reindeer & elk).

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The 360 panorama from the top of Magnusgronnuten is spectacular and reveals many more peaks to try!

What did you think of your group leader?

Our group leader had a great deal of local knowledge he was happy to share and an easygoing manner.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Bring Blue Extra wax!

Is there anything else you would like to add?