Though we had some practice on our own with our cross-country skis, we hadn’t really got a proper introduction to skiing. We were taught a little bit when we first got them, how to turn around in place and how to move forward and slight go down hills, but we weren’t taught how to turn or stop when speeding down a hill or even slow down…which was a bit of an issue. I had only been skiing twice before, about 8 years ago and it was with alpine skiing, which it very different from cross-country skiing.
The course was to be a week long trip, staying at TrollAktiv in some very nice cabins that had a kitchen and shower, which later on in my other trips I would remember with fondness. I stayed with the only other American in my class and 4 Brits who all came from the same University. It was nice to room with people who listened to the same music and spoke the same native language, it made everything easier.
Day 1
The first day we just got settled in and had a nice lecture in a small circular building that had a lifted fire place in the middle so we could be warm. I was one of the first people there and so was able to steal the best spot, right beside it and I had control of the fire. We had two lectures on that afternoon/evening, on skis and day packs. In regards to skis, the owner of TrollAktiv taught us about the different type of cross-country skis and how they worked, the type of wax to use based on the temp and snow, and how to apply the wax. It was very enlightening because beforehand we had only gotten a brief explanation. Next he taught us about what to pack for day trips and overnight trips when skiing or hiking in snowy weather. For example, I didn’t know avalanche probes were a thing, its a collapsible long pole, kind of like a tent pole, that you can put together and poke in the snow in case an avalanche occurs. Also, an emergency shelter in case a freak snow storm occurs or someone gets injured, so you can set it up and be out of the snow and wind until it’s stopped. After that we had the night to ourselves, which was spent rocking out to awesome music on my blue tooth speaker. I was very thankful that I thought to bring it.
Day 2
We were supposed to ski in the nearby area, Evje, but the snow was no good from the weekend’s weather, so we had to drive 40 minutes farther up north to Bortelid. This ended up being very fortunate for us because it was so BEAUTIFUL up there, I was very thankful that we got to go here. We were split up into two groups, one would go with our teacher and one would go with the owner of TrollAktiv. I go to be in the group with my teacher and was thankful because I felt more comfortable around him and he knew my abilities…which were lacking. So the focus of this day was to get down the basics for cross-country skiing. The form for cross-country skiing is different because it’s almost like you’re skating. You have to always keep your knees bent and go in a smooth, almost slo-mo running action. we practiced with and without poles and then going up hill. 
Sadly the snow on the tracks and down at the ski resort was a bit different, so we all put on the wrong wax. This made our skis really stick to the snow and it was hard to glide through the snow. On the upside, it made it really easy for us to climb the hills. To climb the hills he had us jog up it on the balls of our feet. It worked really well but it was utterly exhausting and that was just on a small hill. I knew I’d have to use a different method for bigger hills.
From there we went a bit farther along until we reached the base of a huuuuge hill. Here we practiced going down hill in cross-country skis. How to slow down, different ways to stop and turn. It was a struggle, but by the end of the training I felt that I’d be able to safely go down a hill without falling…even if I’d be really slow doing it. After that we just went on small tour along the tracks, encountering maybe one or two hills, nothing too bad.
Once we got back we had another lecture, this time about what we should have in our first aid kits. I found out that mine had some sewing thread and buttons in it, though I’m not really sure why it was in there, but also found that I should buy some medical tape when I got back because I didn’t have any. All in all it was a really satisfying and educational day.
Day 3
Today we went on a long ski tour to implement the basics we learned the day before. We practiced taking turns leading our group along the track and somehow I always found myself being the last person in our line or at the back of the pack. It wasn’t because I was physically deficient in any way, but I kept pausing to take off layers, take a picture or to take a drink and somehow I always took the longest even though I tried to be as quick as possible.
It was really fun and once we got to the top, the view took my breath away. It will forever be ingrained in my mind. The route we took had lots of hills to climb and the way back was mostly downhill, so we had tons of fun.
Day 4
Today we went on a longer route and took turns leading once more. This time we tried going off pist more, meaning we went off the path into the unbroken snow. It was difficult but really satisfying when you went through an area successfully without falling. When we got closer to the highest point of the mountain we stopped at a long flat area and made a bench along a cliff face for a break. After our break we went to another section and were taught how to test for avalanches and it was really neat. When you shoveled out a block of snow you could really see all the different layers of snow.
Afterwards we continued skiing and once we got up to the highest point it was my turn to lead the group off pist down this really steep section that ended at a frozen lake. I was super happy because I was didn’t fall…until I got to the very bottom and my ski ran into a hidden bush under the ground and I tumbled for a bit. But I still felt very accomplished.
From there we crossed over the frozen lake which was a stunning. When we got to the end of the lake, a river flowed out of it and it dropped steeply down. The view we were left with was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I think this may have been my favorite day out of all the trips. I’m really glad that I was in the group with my teacher because the other group didn’t go across the lake and didn’t get to see the view that I did. It was an amazing day.
Day 5
This was our last day and sadly I was unable to go skiing with everyone else. On one of my tumbles at the end of the tour on the previous day I really hurt my ankle and I didn’t want to make it worse by continuing to try and ski on it. I was really put out that I couldn’t participate.