Fjellski Trip

Finse to Demmevasshytta via Hardangerjøkulen

Dates: Friday May 1 – Sunday May 4/Monday May 4
Sign up Info: Sign up opens Monday April 20th at 8pm.

Join us for an adventurous fjellski trip from Finse via Hardangerjøkulen to DNT Demmevasshytta. This is a demanding weekend trip in high mountain and glacier terrain, with two nights out and a route that crosses the glacier. The plan is to ski from Finse to Jøkulhytta on Friday, continue towards Demmevasshytta on Saturday, and return to Finse on Sunday.

This trip is suitable for participants who are already comfortable on fjellski, in good physical shape, and used to spending long days in winter mountain conditions. Previous glacier experience is not required, but participants must be motivated to prepare properly and take part in the mandatory information and equipment meeting before the trip.

Preliminary plan

Friday 1 May: Oslo – Finse – Jøkulhytta
We take the train from Oslo at 09:18 to Finse. From Finse station, we ski approximately 6 km to Jøkulhytta. Jøkulhytta is an unlocked emergency hut on Hardangerjøkulen and has no beds, so everyone must bring suitable overnight equipment!

Saturday 2 May: Jøkulhytta – Demmevasshytta
We continue towards DNT Demmevasshytta. The planned route goes over the glacier and is approximately 23 km long with around 1000 height metres in total.Final decisions will depend on weather, snow, avalanche conditions, visibility, and the group.

Sunday 3 May: Demmevasshytta – Finse – Oslo
We ski back to Finse and aim to take the 19:27 train back to Oslo.

Route and terrain

The terrain is exposed, remote, and weather-dependent. Since the trip involves glacier terrain, the group will travel with appropriate equipment and rope systems. 

We will check the weather forecast, avalanche forecast, snow conditions, and route alternatives before departure. 

Participation threshold

You should sign up only if you meet most of the following:

• Comfortable on fjellski
• Good physical shape: able to hike or ski 20–25 km in mountain terrain
• Previous multi-day mountain experience, including at least one summer and one winter trip
• Comfortable being outside in cold, windy, and high-altitude conditions
• Extensive climbing experience may compensate for less mountaineering experience
• Willing to attend the mandatory preparation meeting

Previous glacier experience is welcome, but not required.

Mandatory preparation

Before the trip, we will organize a compulsory information and equipment meeting on Wednesday April 29th at 8pm at Athletica Blindern. At this meeting we will:

• go through the route and possible alternatives
• explain glacier travel routines and group organization
• check personal and shared equipment
• discuss weather, avalanche conditions, and decision-making
• make sure everyone understands the participation threshold

We will also share relevant reading material and video clips before the trip.

Required equipment

Participants must bring standard winter mountain equipment, including fjellski, warm layers, wind/water-resistant shell clothing, mittens, sunglasses, winter sleeping bag, sleeping mat, food, cooking equipment, map/compass, and personal items.

Everyone must also bring or arrange access to glacier-related equipment such as a climbing harness, carabiners, slings, prusiks, and other shared technical equipment. We will help with borrowing or coordinating equipment where possible. Ropes will be organized as group equipment.

Price estimate
about 700 to 800 NOK per person
This includes transport and accommodation.