PVSC Ski Trips
PVSC Ski Trips 2025!
PVSC is planning an exciting number of trips for the 2025 ski season!
March 2025 Norway - Sjusjøen & Jotunheimen
We had such a fabulous time in Norway that we are returning for another stay in Sjusjøen and Jotunheimen National Park!
Trip details:
Saturday, March 22: Depart USA for Oslo, Norway, arrive March 23.
As with prior trips, we will all make our own flight arrangements. Several airlines fly from Logan with a single connection to arrive at the Oslo airport. You may choose to arrive earlier.
March 23: Transportation: From the Oslo International Gardermoen Airport train station take a train to Lillehammer (less than 2hr train ride, approx. $30)
Lillehammer to Sjusjøen (18 km) by taxi, van, or public bus (bus does not stop at right at the hotel).
Sunday, March 23 – Friday, March 28 (or you can stay a full week at the Rustad Hotel - until Sunday, March 30 - if you do not plan to go to Jotunheimen):
We are holding rooms at the Rustad Hotel with arrival Sunday, March 23, There is a minimal stay of 5 nights, with the option of staying 7 nights. There are room options at the Rustad Hotel, a single room in the hotel, a double room in the hotel, or a double room in the fjellstue (nearby cabin). The cost per person is approximately $160/night. This includes the hotel room and half board (breakfast, a packed lunch from the breakfast buffet, and a three course dinner) and (VAT) taxes. The food is excellent. You can see photos of the hotel and rooms on this website: https://www.rustadhotel.no/hotel/ There is a 5 night minimum stay at the Rustad.
Skiing in Sjusjøen: The ski trails are accessible right from the hotel. There is no charge to ski on the groomed trails. We recommend that you download a free app called Skisporet. It will show you where you are on the trail in real time, and the time each trail was groomed. There are 350 km of trails in Sjusjøen, groomed for both classic and skate skiing. The famous Birkebeiner race trail goes through Sjusjøen. The trails are mostly intermediate level, but there are some on flat and rolling terrain.
Gear rentals, waxing room are available.
Participants can choose to stay only at the Rustad for 5-7 nights, or at the Rustad for 5 nights and then travel to Jotunheimen with the club for another 4 nights. Of course, you may choose to visit other locations in Norway on your own.
Jotunheimen National Park Option March 28-April 1
Accommodation: Bessheim Fjellstue & Hytter
Bessheim mountain lodge is at the base of a mountain in the Jotunheimen National Park and across from a frozen lake. It is a beautiful lodge that has been in the same family for several generations. https://bessheim.no/ The food is exceptionally good. With today's exchange rate, a double room and half board (buffet breakfast, packed lunch from the breakfast buffet, and a three course dinner) is $130/pp/night.
Skiing in Jotunheimen National Park:
This is a great place to AT or Telemark ski (there is no uphill lift service). The mountain is accessed right from the door of the hotel. There are other mountains close by. The avalanche risk is moderate in the spring, which means that you need an avalanche beacon, shovel, probe and the skills to use them. There are groomed classic trails that can be accessed from the hotel. They are not groomed as well or often as the trails in Sjusjøen. They are, however, extensive and can provide enough skiing for three days.
Departure on April 1 – to airport
To join this trip:
Reservations for this trip must first be made with Amy DiFrancesco by emailing her at maineamyd@gmail.com. You must be an existing member of the ski club (2023/24 season), and also join for the 2024/25 season (membership opens September 2024). Once registration for the trip is open, Amy will send you another email with a link to the $100/per person trip fee on the PVSC club shop page. Payment by check is also an option, payable to the Penobscot Valley Ski Club, to be sent to Amy. The $100 fee will be used for logistics on this trip. If you cancel, you will receive $50 back, only if your spot is filled. Reservations for this trip must first be made with Amy DiFrancesco by emailing her at maineamyd@gmail.com. Do not contact the hotels directly. Since the hotels are holding rooms for us, we need to confirm with them by July 1 at the latest. Later reservations may not be accommodated.
