Skiing from cabin to cabin in the winter mountains - this is how you do it
Are you dreaming of a cabin-to-cabin trip in the winter mountains, but are unsure how to do it? Here you will find useful tips and advice for planning and carrying out the trip.
A ski trip from cabin to cabin in the mountains is a different way to go hiking. You will spend the night in DNT cabins along the way, so you do not need to bring a tent and equipment to spend the night outside, but it is important to be prepared for the weather and snow conditions to change quickly, especially in the high mountains. The right clothes and equipment must be brought, and you must prepare well before you set off.
Planning
Planning is an important part of the trip. Now you are already on our website, which is a very good start. The next step is to go to UT and find a hiking area, hiking suggestions and cabins that tempt you.
Once you know where the trip is going, the next step is to get information about the hiking area and the cabins in question. At UT you can read more about route choice, grading, dormer status, as well as other conditions — in addition, you get an overview and information about the cabins.
On DNT's cabin booking, you get an overview of which cabins have available beds in the selected time period.
Are you going on a trip with others? Then it may be a good idea to talk about the different prerequisites you have in the group.
Choose a trip according to ability and conditions
Choose a tour that suits your knowledge and skill level. If you are going to go summit hiking or move off marked trails, this requires extra knowledge of the winter mountains.
You also need to read up on local weather and snow conditions — also during the planning phase. When is the best time to carry out this winter trip based on your abilities and needs?
TIP: DNT's member associations arrange avalanche courses regularly. Maybe this is also the year to take an avalanche course? Avalanche course
The right clothing and equipment are very important in the winter mountains. Be prepared for the weather to change quickly. Always bring a backpack and the equipment required by the mountain. You will need safety equipment such as a sleeping bag, wind pack, sleeping mat and shovel, which saves lives every year. In the winter mountains, we also recommend a map and compass.
The winter mountains have high demands, and if you are going to go from hut-to-hut over several days, we recommend using backcountry skis with steel edges and mountain ski boots.
Familiarize yourself with which backcountry skis are best for you and the trip you are going on, and consider whether you should use skins or wax the skis.
We do not recommend going from cabin to cabin in the high mountains with cross-country skis. Use backcountry skis.
Trails, ski tracks and limbing
A winter trail is not necessarily a ski trail, and a ski trail is not always prepped. Be aware of this when planning a trip, and check if the trail you want to walk is prepared for cross-country skiing, plowed for hiking or marked for nice mountain skiing. Or neither.
The main rule is that there are no ski tracks (for cross-country skiing) between the DNT cabins in the high mountains. The most used winter trails in the mountains are marked with twigs during the winter season. The specific date for when the various trails are marked can be found on UT — go to ut.no/kart and filter on "Ski trails". Click on the relevant course you want information about.
Marked winter trail on UT.no with route information.
TIP: Use UT to learn more about the different winter trails — check if the trail is limbed, plowed, marked, etc. Several of the trails also include a route description as in the example above.
TIP: Use skisporet.no or similar services to check if the trail is prepared for cross-country skiing.
Limbing in the mountains
Limbing is done by experienced mountain people who know where the safest defiance is between the cabins. For example, the most commonly used winter routes in the mountains are marked with twigs during the winter season, some are delimbed around the winter holidays. Most are twigged at Easter.
Some of the twigs remain until they fall due to snow melting or the like. Some twig routes are taken down immediately after Easter is over. Sometimes there are conditions in the mountain that cause the twig route to be changed compared to what is drawn on the map, or postponed for a few days.
DNT has over 580 cabins you can stay at, and they are known for their informal and cozy atmosphere. The cabins can be unmanned, self-service with a stock of provisions, and serviced with a host and food service.
We recommend booking a bed/space in advance — then you are guaranteed a bed/space for yourself and the entire travel party — this is done on DNT's cabin booking.
Everyone can use DNT's cabins. At self-service and unserviced cabins, you must have the unique DNT key that you can dispose of if you are a member. Therefore, at least one person in the entourage must be a member.
Opening hours
Information about the opening hours of a cabin can also be found on UT or on the serviced cabin's own website. This applies to Jotunheimen, Breheimen, Skarvheimen, Femundsmarka and Hardangervidda, among others. Many of the cabins are located within protected areas where we are required to take into account wildlife management and fauna, such as wild reindeer.
Key and access to the DNT cabins
Most unmanned and self-service DNT cabins are locked with a DNT key, while some DNT cabins are unlocked all year round. The serviced cabins have their own staff who welcome you during the cabin's opening hours and are therefore not locked. A few cabins are locked with a special key or code lock.
Information about key/lock can be found on the cabin's page on UT.no.
TIP: You can get the DNT key at DNT's shops and tour centers, or at dntbutikken.no.
TIP: Take the Bergen Railway to Finse, Haugastøl or Hallingskeid. Starting from these places, you can experience Hardangervidda, Hallingskarvet and Skarvheimen. You can also take the train to Hjerkinn for trips in Rondane or to Kongsvold for trips in the Dovre mountains. Take a bus to Tyin and a snowcat on to Fondsbu or bus to Haukeliseter for trips both north and south.
Other tips and tricks
-Novice? Then we recommend waiting with the winter trip until late in the season. Then the days are longer and the temperature is usually warmer. In addition, several branched routes are around Easter.
- The mountain code is always applicable — but perhaps even more relevant in the winter mountains. Read up here: The Norwegian Mountain Code
Digital courses in winter outdoor life
Want to learn more? We have created some digital outdoor courses you can take for a nice, safe and exciting outdoor experience.
How to plan your winter trip
Winter outdoor life can offer great nature experiences both in the high mountains and in the local countryside as long as you are well prepared. Take this free course on travel in the winter mountains: Planning and safety on a winter trip
The only way to become good at making a fire is to practice! Here we teach you how. You also get knowledge about different burners, and suggestions for food on a winter trip. Learn more about campfires and food on a winter trip.
Sleep (well) outside in winter
This course deals with choosing and rigging a campsite, camping in the winter, safety and good tips on how to stay warm through the night. Learn more about spending the night outside in winter.
