Ski Norway - March 9-19, 2019 - Norwegian Birkebeiner Worldloppet Races - Peer Gynt World Ventures
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Ski Norway – March 9-19, 2019
Norwegian Birkebeiner Worldloppet
Races
Post or Pre trip Options
It has been more than twenty years since we made our first “Ski Norway” trip to Sjusjøen and the
Norwegian Birkebeiner Race. Little did we know in 1996 that this would become an annual trip. Why do
we come back to the same place year after year? The short answer is: “Why kill a good thing”.
Accommodations
A full week at our favorite 4th generation family owned Mountain Lodge. Known for their good and
plentiful food. Meals are big buffet style Norwegian breakfasts, trail lunches and 3-course evening
dinners.
Accommodations are in
double rooms with private
bathrooms. The comfortable
sitting areas feature two fire
places and beautiful antique
furniture – great areas for
evening conversations, games
or just curling up with a book. If that does not appeal to you there is
always the well-equipped indoor waxing room – also a good place for socializing - or the two saunas.
Skiing is Right from the Door
Sjusjøen has been voted the “#1 Cross Country Skiing destination in Norway”. A network of
300+ km of groomed trails offers unlimited possibilities for all levels of skiers. Snow conditions are
stable, and March is the best month for skiing in Norway. The days are longer, the sun warmer, yet the
snow usually remain dry. Many of the trails are above timberline offering spectacular views. The
forested trails in the lower areas offer shelter from the elements on cold and windy days
Other things to do
Sjusjøen Village has a grocery store, a nice ski shop, a couple of coffee shops and a bar. You will also
find dog sledding in the area and snow shoeing can be done almost everywhere. For more serious
shopping and to visit museums you may want to go to
Lillehammer www.Lillehammer.no.
There is frequent bus service between Sjusjøen and
Lillehammer during the day but none at night.
The Olympic Downhill areas of Hafjell and Kvitfjell or the Hunderfossen Bob and Luge tracks may be
reached by an easy bus ride from Lillehammer.
Approximate Itinerary
3/9/19 Depart Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) Airport
Add-on flight from a different city may be possible. Please inquire.
3/10/19 Upon arriving at Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) we will be picked up by our private
Motor Coach for the approximately 2.5hour drive to Sjusjøen.
3/10-3/17 Sjusjøen. Ski to your hearts delight on the 300K+ network of perfectly groomed ski
trails. You will be able to follow the groomers on-line to make sure you pick the best
trails at any given time. See www.skisporet.no . For a break from skiing spend a day
relaxing or reading in one of the comfortable lounge areas of the lodge. Check out the
dog sledding or take a trip to Lillehammer to visit museums or do some shopping. You
may take a bus or ski down and take the bus back.
3/15 and 3/16 Birkebeiner Race days. Non- racers may watch the races by the Sjusjøen Arena (last
food stop) or out along the course. If you don’t like crowds or would rather go for a long
ski you may take off on any of the many side trails and not even realize that 10, 000
racers are passing through the area.
3/17/19 After breakfast we are picked up by our private Motor coach and transferred to Oslo.
Accommodations with breakfasts a centrally located hotel within walking distance to
many of the most popular sights. Dinners are own your own.
3/18/19 Oslo. You are free to explore this vibrant city according to your own interests See
www.visitoslo.com . If you like opera and music you may want to check out the
renowned Opera House for a performance or a tour of the interesting building. If you
like architecture a lot has happened during the past 10 years, especially along the sea
side.
3/19/19 Group transfer from our hotel to Oslo Gardermoen Airport for the group flight back to
the US. Those returning at different times will need to find their own transport to the
airport. There are frequent airport trains and airport buses from downtown Oslo to the
airport.
Please NOTE: Actual departure/return dates& times may depend on the airline’s allocation of group
space and may not be known till Sep/Oct 2018.
Post or Pre-Trip Options:
Add a 2nd week to your Norwegian ski adventure
Option 1: If enough interest, we will arrange for an additional week of ski touring at a different ski resort
or mountain hut in or near one of Norway’s National Parks. Cost will depend on actual itinerary.
Option 2: Ski hut-to-hut in one of Norway’s National Parks. We will arrange for you to join a guided tour
with the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT). Exact itinerary to be determined when we know the
interests and experience of the participants. Cost will depend on actual itinerary.
Ski the Norwegian Birkebeiner Worldloppet Races www.Worldloppet.com
You now have several choices participating in these popular Birkebeiner Events
On-line registration for the main race is now open. Registration for the other
races opens in the fall, 2018. To register go to www.birkebeiner.no
NOTE: When registering for the 54K races you should select Lillehammer for bib-
pickup. There will be race-buses from Sjusjøen to the star tin Rena the morning of
the races. You may purchase tickets for the race buses when you pick up your bib.
• Birkebeinerrennet (Main Race) 54K CL: Saturday 3/16, 2019 (WL gold)
• Friday Birken) 54K CL and FS: Friday March 15, 2019 (WL gold)
• Inga Låmi (Women’s race)15 or 30K CL: Saturday 3/9, 2019(WL silver-30K)
• Half Birken -28K CL: (WL silver) Check the web site for date as there may be a change.
• Youth Birken (Ages 13-16) 15K CL. Check the web site for date as there may be a change
• Birken Relay- 50K CL: Friday 3/15, 2019. Form a 4-person team with your ski buddies and enter
this fun event!
Passport and /Visa.
You will need a valid passport that does not expire till six months after your return.
There are no Visa requirements for US or Canadian citizens visiting Norway.
Luggage
Luggage charges and weight limitations are constantly changing and may vary for different airlines.
Please check the airlines web site for the latest baggage policy when we get close to departure.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance before leaving the US. Remember, you may at
times be away from roads and medical facilities. Minor injuries could become expensive if you need help
getting to a doctor or hospital. Unused accommodations and other costs are contracted for in advance and
not refundable when cancelled at a late date. Check your own health and home owner’s policy to learn
what they cover, and then compare different travel insurance plans. Here are some E-Mail addresses and
phone numbers to get you started. We do not endorse any insurance company over another. Do your
homework and read the fine print! Please NOTE. Some insurance companies may have a clause that
preexisting medical conditions are excluded unless you purchase your insurance within 7 days of your
initial deposit
Access America 1-800-284-8300 www.accessamerica.com
Travel Guard 1-800-826-4919 www.travelguard.com, Travelex 1-888-407-5404 www.travelex.com Costs and Payment Schedule Estimated Cost Sjusjøen and Oslo: Approximately $2,800 -2900 db. occupancy (+ taxes/surcharges in effect at the time of ticketing). The Estimated cost includes: Airfare MSP-Oslo-MSP); Group transportation OSL airport-Sjusjøen-Oslo-OSL airport, seven nights' accommodations w/big buffet breakfasts, trail lunches and dinners at Sjusjöen; two night’s hotel accommodation w/breakfast at a centrally located hotel in Oslo. Not included in the Trip Costs are: Airport/custom taxes, airline imposed surcharges, luggage fees, travel insurance premium, cost of passports, all items of a personal nature including wine, beer, liquor, soda, mineral water, room service, laundry, telephone/faxes, local transportation unless stated, race registrations and race transportation, optional sightseeing excursions and entrance fees, additional costs related to airline delays and cancellations. Extraordinary costs related to emergency, accidents and cancelled or delayed flights are the sole responsibility of the participant and/or their travel insurance plan. This “Worldloppet” trip is organized by Peer Gynt World Ventures and sponsored by the North Star Ski Touring Club (NSSTC). A $20 NSSTC membership fee is required. You may renew or purchase your NSSTC membership on line at www.North-Stars.org Terms and Conditions: Deposit of $500/person due with registration $1,000 installment due by 10/1/18 Balance due by 1/10/19 (you will receive an invoice for the balance). The cost will be adjusted to the effective exchange rate at that time. Cancellation and Refund Policy: Cancellation prior to 10/1/18: Full Refund Cancellation 10/1/18-1/10/19: $ 1,500 is NON-refundable. Cancellation after 1/10/19: No Refund
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