crosscountry sking in mid Sweden during Easter

[hjg]

Hej there,

I want to go crosscountry skiing in Easter (10 days). What I need is some advice of where to go. The terain can be modest alpine but not to much. I also want to rent a Pulka/Sledge to transport all my gear. The trip will be done with a partner and should be about 100 KM. 10 Mil.
Who can help me with some idears where to go and where to rent a pulka in the area.
You can mail me at hjg@wanadoo.nl or just write in the forum. links to relevant sites are also welciome.

Reply's in Swedish is not any problem. I can read this.

I'm realy looking forward to some nice days (again) in Sweden.

 

[shithead]

Hi,

It depends on what conditions you want. I would advice you to go to the area on the Norwegian / Swedish border, called Sylerna! It is a lovely area for cross country skiing. Being a Norwegian I don't know the middle of Sweden to well (know Skåne best!) and I can highly recommend the east side of Hardangervidda Ntional Park in Norway, being quite flat and friendly for cross country skiing. Of course it can also be quite windy in the winter. I also know that the area west of Örnsköldsvik in Sweden should be quite nice, but with less mountains and more forest terrain. Perhaps some nice Swede will comment that!
Happy New Year,

Lars

 

[hjg]

Thanks for the answer. Looked at your homepage and saw the pictures. This area looks great for croos-country skiing. Do you know of any possibilities to rent a pulka there and how to get there from Holland. I suppose a plane to Oslo or Götegorg?

Happy new year and looking forward for easter.
Henk-Jan

 

[shithead]

Hi Henk

If you go in on my homepage again and go to links, you will find a link to Den Norske Turistforening, which is the association for hikers and trekkers in Norway. They have 350 cabins all over the country and a membership there costs about USD 40 a year (I have no idea how many guilders, but around SEK 450). Then you get cheap accomodation and food and can get help with questions. Perhaps also with a "pulk". They also have guided tours, in easter too, but if you want to go alone or with your own group, they can give you the necessary help!
There are direct connections from Schiphol to Oslo or Bergen and you can take train or bus up in the mountains.
I am myself going on Hardangervidda with my Swedish girlfriend and a Canadian friend just before easter, but in the western part, which is a little bit more "peaky".
Enjoy,
Lars

 

[shithead]

Mail me if you need more info

You can mail me whenever you want if you need info!
Have a wonderful 2002.

Lars

 

[Duracellkaninen]

Northern Sweden

I have been to some of the great areas in Lapponia, Sarek and Kebnekaise, and they are absolutely to be recommended.

These areas are mountaineous and do not have many trees. The Sarek area is, as you know, the most wild place in Europe, and doubly so during winter. 10 days will take you all the way between Ritsiem and Kvikkjokk. There are NO cabins in the National Park and very few people venture into the middle area. I did not talk to anyone for 8 days. So you have to know how to handle yourselves in very rough and demanding weather. Temperatures can be very low even at eastern (-40).

In the Kebnekaise area you will have the luxury of cabins. You will also meet a lot more people, so it is much less demanding, even if temperatures can be as low as in Sarek.

Much more south you have the Jämtlands area, which also have a lot of cabins. I have not been there during winter, but the mountains are much softer. You will also have a lot more trees to use as shelter.

Anyway, none of these areas are to be taken on without experience of severe winter conditions. And it´s an enormous difference being out there day and night comparing to enjoy the alps with a hotel.

I had a girl friend from the Netherlands once and her first experience of the Nordic countries was in the Jotunheimen area during summer. They did think that the dots on the maps did represent villages so they could buy food en route. Bad mistake....

Taking a pulka is a great idea, since you will need so much gear, so I suspect that you have been in the Nordic countries during winter before.

 

[Anders M]

Jämtland

The mountain area of Jämtland in mid Sweden is perfect for crosscountry ski touring, A good starting point is Storulvåns Fjällstation. There you can rent all possible winter equipment including pulka. If you plan to go there during easter, I suggest that you book the pulka in advance, since Easter is the most popular week for winter holidays.

The terrain consists of rolling mountains, with alpine terrain only at Sylarna on the Norwegian border. There are several huts and mountain stations in the area belonging to Svenska Turistföreningen, http://www.stfturist.se/

I have been ski touring in Jämtland several times, and I highly recommend the area.

Best regards

Anders M

 

[shithead]

I agree

...that Jämtland is a good alternative. I actually think that there is a good chance of the cabins being not so crowded in Sylarna (the cabins on Hardangervidda get really crowded from Wednesday in Easter week). And, if you are a member of STF or DNT the discounts counts for both sides of the border in Sylarna, which is a beautiful area! (And the chance of meeting Swedes are bigger in Sylarna, - meeting only Norwegians is a little boring! ...says the man who got "100 Svenska visor" for Christmas to become the ultimate Swede, hehe....my girlfriend thought it was time to take the step from Hobby-Swede to....hehe)

Christer: dots on the map...villages? In Jotunheimen? Well, certainly a mistake! LOL But it just shows that it is necessary to ask first!

Henk: You can also find the link to STF on my page!

Lars

 

[hjg]

thanks all af you for the nice replies. Good luck with all the 100 Svenska Visor I just got a book for christmas called: vandra i Sverige from Lars Magnusson. Nice book. I´ve lived in Sweden for almoist three years and I've got a nice swedish girlfriend so I can recommed this to you lars...
In March I'll go to Ishotellet in Jukasjärvi. So I'll be close to the Kebnekaise area. i think I'll try the Sylarna mountains in easter But!!! Is there still enough snow during this time of the year to go with a pulka? Shouldn't I go more north for this (Abisko?)
The nights I'll stay in my tent so a cabin is nothing to worry about. I'll take plenty of food and will not take the dots on the map as villages.

"Tack" for the replies from all of you.

Henk-Jan

 

[cwmint]

Sweden and Norway combined

Ther have been many suggestions on tours in Sweden or Norway. If you want to combine these two, I can recommend Jämtland, where you can go from Storulvån (mentioned before) hire your pulka, and then go via Blåhammaren Sweden´s highest situated "Fjällstation", and from there to Storeirikvollen in Norway. From Storeirikvollen you can go directly to Sylarna or Pass Nedalshytta in Norway. If you want to use the huts, you have to eat (full accomodation) in Norway while you can bring your own in Sweden. Why do you want to use pulka? If you are not living in a tent (but in huts) you can carry 10-15 kilos on your back and that will be enough. I am going on an eight day trip to Jämtland the week before easter this year, and that is what we are carrying. More information and pictures about comfortable tours in Swedish mountains you can find on http://www.frilufts.se/marsta-sigtuna (reportage)
You can go both to Lappland and Jämtland by train ovewrnight from Stockholm or by flight to Kiruna or Östersund.

I can give you more information if you want. Just e-mail to me please!

Camilla