After one and a half month of my studies had been over, our first big self organised trip, we planned one week before, was lying ahead. With ten guys from our course we headed to Hovden for some good days in the snow, improving our ski techique on alpine skis, go cross-country skiing and just enjoy the snow. As we arrived in our small ten man cabin, we recognized that the weatherforecast for the weekend looked very changeable. Alternating from sunshine to snowstrorm. And the forecast was proved right these days. Because of the weather and especially the dangerous avalanche situation due to lots of windblown snow, Martin, Line and I decided not to go skitouring. So we went to the ski resort with the others for three days. It turned out that we made the right decision. All three days we searched for safe slopes, which we predominantly found in the local forests, to ride some fresh powder. Therefore we had to be aware of all signs of avalanche risk, like cornices and snow deposits. Beside the good treeskiing, the three days in the resort had been very educational regarding avalanches, mountain safety and the weather in the mountains. It was interesting to see how fast and how often the weather changes in the norwegian mountains. On the last two days in the resort we had at least four or five drastically changes from sun to snowstorm and from snowstorm to sun. Another interesting thing was that the wind totally altered his course in the three days, what lead to huge cornices almost in all cardinal directions. It was just amazing to see how fast they grow and how big they can get before they release.

Aside from the skiing and the very informative part of these days, it was great to ski and have fun with the others. Especially when some of the others  went off piste with me, I was rejoiced over giving them adviced how to manage skiing in those dense forests. Of course everyone kissed at least a three once, but fortunately none of us got injured.

After we finished skiing on sunday, Martin and I went out for some kilometers of cross-country skiing in the area close to our hut. We chose a track that looked quite easy (3 blue) on the map because we both were a little bit exhausted from skiing. Due to the weather and snow conditions – heavy upwind and slow tracks – we recognized that in norway tracks that seem easy can be really tought. But after we struggled through the first 3-4km uphill, the weather got a little bit better what allowed us to enjoy the way back to our hut.

In the evening Jonas, Martin and I planned a long 40km cross-country trip for the next day. And because I saw the perfect weatherforecast for the next two days I was fully motivated.

When I woke up the next day, I sadly – or more fusiously – have had to assess that I had a terrible sore throat. Unfortunately I didn’t bring medicine with me, so I stayed in the hut for one day, drinking tea and eating hot soup…

As the others all came home in the afternoon and my sore throat felt better, I went out with them to have fun in the snow around our hut and jump from the roof into the deep snow.

I felt really good the whole night and also the next morning, so i decided not to spend one more day in the hut. In perfect, sunny conditions I went out with my classic cross-country skis and followed Jonas and Martin northwards on the green track 1. Both skating. I really enjoyed the perfectly preperated tracks and the good grip (blue wax) of my skis. In these conditions it’s really hard not to run too fast after a disease but when Jonas and Martin decides to go on a round with steep uphills, I left them and stayed on the gently undulating track turning to the south (1 green). As I reached another cross-country track I decided to go further and have a look how the tracks in the city / stadium are (21 blue). When I arrived ther I took a short break and started my way back in the direction of our hut. After 15 minutes I met Jonas and Martin again. They were on their way to the stadium for a lunchbreak, so I joined them and went back to the stadium again. We sat down in the sun, ate something and observed the norwegian families. It was great to see that all children were free to run and play around in a defined area while the parents were sitting in the sun or playing withe their childs. No one worried about that it could be too dangerous for the kids to ski and jump around, like it always is in germany…

Back at the hut we had our last dinner and got ready for the journey to kristiansand in the next morning.

Even if the weather was very strange on the first three days and I was ill, this self organised trip was a good one. I’ve learned a few things about avalanches and enjoyed teaching the others some things about the danger of avalanches and the signs of weak snow layers. Also the nights in the hut went without complications. We all agreed in most things and just enjoyed beeing on „winterholidays“. The only thing I would probably change the next time is to book a bigger hut with 10 people. This one maybe had ten beds, but it was really challenging to live and especially cook there with 10 people.