Norway

Beginners Ice Climbing

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This course is for total beginners, who want to try ice climbing in one of Norway's most incredible environments.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Rjukan Old School Hostel

Most people are out climbing during the day, so if you arrive early, then feel free to put the kettle on, and make yourself at home - there's even a sauna for those who want to relax a little. You will have a course briefing in the evening at around 8 pm.

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Leave the hostel at 9 am for a full day ice climbing at a local venue. The focus is getting into the swing of it and developing good movement techniques. In the evening you will have an opportunity to enjoy a good meal with the other climbers.

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Leave the hostel for a full day of ice climbing. For those that want to, you'll be taught some more stuff such as; ice screw placement, building belays, moving forward.

Debrief and finish will be around 3 pm, in time for last flights home from Oslo.

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48 verified reviews

Rated 5.0
Kausalya
Kausalya

Traveled Mar 2022

Amazing experience. Instructors were very friendly. Hostel was cozy and clean. Would definitely recommend to a friend.

Jorge
Jorge

Traveled Mar 2022

Amazing trip with a very profesional time.

Dillon
Dillon

Traveled Feb 2022

Amazing weekend learning all the basics of ice climbing. Instructors were very helpful in teaching and patient will all levels of ability. Would recommend to anyone regardless of ability.

Warren
Warren

Traveled Feb 2022

Great experience will definitely be doing the next course. Everything was great from the Hostel and staff to the actual climbing itself. Thank you to the instructors for an awesome trip.

Matthew
Matthew

Traveled Feb 2022

An unforgettable weekend. It’s incredible the progress you can make with Jakob’s guidance onto challenging, yet achieve able ice climbs in just 2 days. A very worthwhile experience I’d recommend anyone interested!

Veronika
Veronika

Traveled Feb 2022

Absolutely stunning experience! The perfect mix of amazing nature, helpful tips from the instructors and support from the teammates. I was very pleased to get into such a group - one of the best group tours I've ever done so far. Special thanks to the host Jacob who put his soul into this cozy place.

Suse
Suse

Traveled Feb 2022

Absolutly recommended!!! We enjoyed the course for every minute! Brilliant guides and location! Such an impressive experience!!! Promise to come back again next year!

Michal
Michal

Traveled Jan 2022

Amazing! Excellent for the first time climbers! All of us were able to climb to the top of ice fall on day two. Great work instructors!

Darrell
Darrell

Traveled Jan 2022

Just got back, that was Awesome! Climbed at Ozzimosis on day 1 and Krokan on day 2, it was everything i hoped and more. The drive to Ozimosis was 5-mins and the walk-in is short but exciting, the climbing area is a mixture of short steep sections, with lots of inclines inbetween - great to learn the techniques and build confidence! There was a variety of difficulties so if you feel confident you can challenge yourself within your comfort level - and the guides offer tips and individual challenges too. It was not too cold, and after climbing I had to remove layers to cool-down! Everything was top-ropes, fixed to solid anchors and trees above - no climbing experience necessary. Day 2 was at a 15 min drive, and a beautiful 10-min walk-in - the place is so pretty. the climbing had a mixture of simple routes to more challenging climbs, it felt higher and more exciting but that was probably the joy of the general area and surroundings. I couldn't recommend this highly enough, the guides were fantastic and knowledgeable, the experience was worth twice the price - and i will be back next winter for the medium-level course! PS - Take a camera!!!!!

Danny
Danny

Traveled Jan 2022

Excellent experience. Extremely able and accommodating team working in a truly beautiful part of the world. 10/10 would recommend.

Jing
Jing

Traveled Dec 2021

Good experience

Kevin
Kevin

Traveled Dec 2021

Great experience and very friendly and helpful instruction. Choices as to where you climb are controlled by the weather. It would be good to have some climbing experience if possible

Hamish
Hamish

Traveled Dec 2021

The ice climbing course was an amazing experience. Jakob was a great instructor and provided a stable platform to learn ice climbing and assisted when required. Staying at the Old School Hostel was a nice way to get to know the other team members and enabled us to develop a collegial spirit which shifted the climbing field and helped us to push and support each other in the ice climbing and reach our own goals. I strongly recommend to anyone thinking of doing this course, It was a highlight of my Scandinavian experience.

Alex
Alex

Traveled Dec 2021

An absolutely amazing way to spend a weekend! The old school hostel is outstanding providing hot showers and lots of room! A drying room for all your equipment after climbs. Hostel has everything you need. The lounge area is huge and has a log burner fire to warm up after spending the day with ice. The two instructors were very knowledgeable and friendly. The climbing is good for a range of experience as there’s varying difficulties of climbs for those who want to give it a try! Great climbing, great accommodation, great people! I’ll definitely be back for the intermediate course at some point! Thank you Jakob, Ben and skyhook for an amazing introduction to a fab sport!

Isla
Isla

Traveled Mar 2020

Despite Norway going into lockdown the day we arrived, skyhook and the hostel we stayed in were fabulous. We were kept up to date throughout and thankfully the ice climbing was still able to go ahead. Tim the instructor was very knowledgeable and a great teacher. Overall, the trip was a great introduction to ice climbing.

Sarah
Sarah

Traveled Jan 2020

I loved this trip to combine my love of the snow from my many snowboarding Holidays and my enjoyment of climbing into one adventure. I’m not as experienced in climbing as my wife but this didn’t matter as you didn’t need any experience (it does help to have some but this is just to make it more enjoyable). It’s Very well organised. You learnt a lot in such a short time. The instructors were very patient and encouraging and their love of the sport showed, encouraging you even more.

Sarah
Sarah

Traveled Jan 2020

Best trip I have done! I love snowboarding and recently have got into hiking and other adventures. I have been climbing for 2 years now and this trip was so lovely to bring together some of my hobbies, my love of snow and the great outdoors and my passion of climbing. I can’t thank skyhook enough for this wonderful experience. The pictures didn’t even credit it enough how beautiful it was. Tim and Lars were great patient instructors and loved sharing their passion of this sport with us. Thank you!

Paul
Paul

Traveled Jan 2020

Wonderful experience cant wait to book again

Leigh
Leigh

Traveled Dec 2019

i booked this trip very last minute, and it was amazing. Very fortunate to be with a fabulous group. Fabulous instructors. I would highly recommend anyone to do this. ???????????? Definitely go to the hot tubs afterwards, and attempt the water slide race ????????

Ashley
Ashley

Traveled Dec 2019

It was a amazing course to go on. The instructors are really informative and very friendly. I look forwards to my next course.

Ian
Ian

Traveled Feb 2019

Just completed the basic ice climbing course. To say it exceeded my expectations would be an understatement. Thomas and Lars were excellent instructors, the accommodation is comfortable and friendly. The venues around Rjukan are stunning. Already planning my next trip.

Craig
Craig

Traveled Feb 2019

Everything about the experience with skyhook was amazing!! my wife and I had so much fun ice climbing in Norway that we just booked a hiking adventure in the Swiss Alps for next summer!!!

Katrina
Katrina

Traveled Feb 2019

What a fabulous time I had on the beginners course. The hostel was amazing. Excellent instructors Lars and Callum, a totally unforgettable experience. I will be back.

Rachel
Rachel

Traveled Mar 2018

So much fun and in such a beautiful place, I have never been anywhere so scenic before. Very well organised and felt completely at ease despite being in a new country and not knowing anybody else on this course.

Dorota
Dorota

Traveled Feb 2018

Excellent course, caters for all abilities and I felt pushed to go further than I imagined I could by the instructors Callan and Tom. People who have rock climbing experience found it much easier but the course catered for all abilities. I would definitely return.  I would advise the company, though, to warn people that the local supermarket is closed on a Sunday so for any course starting on a Sunday it’s worth bringing your own food to cook at the hostel. Also the shoes needed for the climbing should really be provided, as they are specific to ice climbing and should be considered “kit”. Apart from that everything was excellent.

Holly
Holly

Traveled Feb 2018

Feb 2018, female solo traveler on the beginner ice climbing course. Really Enjoyed the trip, accommodation was lovely, instructors were friendly, approachable and gave good instructions. Brilliant time!

Anne
Anne

Traveled Feb 2018

Amazing enthusiastic instructors, helpful and constantly looking after our well-being both on the ice and after climbing. We stayed in gorgeously cosy traditional Norwegian huts on a pristine site. A weekend spent amongst beautiful scenery and in fun company, basically perfect!

Monika
Monika

Traveled Feb 2018

Great experience, amaizing people - both instructors and people we met on the course. Beautiful place and the caravan park is brilliant. We are coming back for the multipitch course . The instructors cater for all abilities so if you want to take it easy or more challenging they will find the best rute. Loved it

Brian
Brian

Traveled Feb 2018

Excellent service and a professional and fun weekend learning ice climbing. Ben, Callum and Magnus were all stars and made our weekend brilliant. The course was super challenging and really satisfying. We all learnt new skills and met a bunch of cool, like minded people. I would use these guys for another trip for sure!

Aidan
Aidan

Traveled Feb 2018

I would highly recommend the beginners Ice climbing course. As somebody with no climbing experience I was a little hesitant but the friendliness of the instructors Alan and Tom as well as the support of the others doing the course I quickly got into the swing of things. I went to Rjukan by bus from Oslo bus terminal via a connection in Notodden and found it to be a stress-free journey. The ice climbing itself is really good fun and the scenery is spectacular to say the least. I can’t recommend it enough 10/10 from me :)

FAQs

Included: - Guides - Accommodation in the Rjukan Ice Climbers hostel (called Dale Skole). - Technical equipment - helmet, harness, ice axes, crampons etc. - Winter mountaineering boots - the guides have a very large number of all sizes (including very small and very large), so there is no need to request them in advance. Excluded: - Transfers to/from airport & climbing areas. - Food - There is a supermarket nearby to the hostel, and most guests choose to cook together. There are also just a couple of takeaway options in the town, the most popular of which has pizzas.

You just need a basic level of fitness for this trip, as the guides will setup a big range of climbs (from very easy right up to very challenging). You also don't need any climbing experience (typically half of the 12-person group don't have any). The guides are fantastic at picking out climbs that you are comfortable with trying, and helping you develop at your own pace. Equally if you prefer something very challenging, the guides can also setup routes that are very steep/overhanging if you want. There is something for everyone!

When you sign up, you're added to a group chat on your Skyhook dashboard. We recommend chatting here with the other participants (each group has 12 people), as most people arrange car-sharing to get to Rjukan from the airport. It's also a great way to get to know everyone, and works very well each year! There is also a public transport option which takes around 4 hours, however, we recommend the car-share option as it's more affordable and convenient.

Most people fly to Oslo Gardermoen (OSL).

Absolutely yes - most people book alone. We know it can feel a bit intimidating, but your guides will do introductions when you arrive and you’ll get to know the others in no time!

Documents

• Passport

• European Health Insurance Card (if appropriate)

• Travel insurance details

• Boarding passes for flights

• Wallet

• Driver’s license & rental car details (if needed)

Clothing

Please make sure all clothing is not cotton – cotton clothing is great for the summer but loses heat very quickly in the winter.

• 2 base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts)

• Fleece/soft-shell jacket

• ‘Booster layer’ e.g. second fleece

• Waterproof jacket

• Down jacket for warmth, if possible (from e.g. Rab, Alpkit, Mountain Equipment)

• Spare clothes for evenings

• Underwear

• Base-layer trousers (optional)

• Soft-shell trousers or other warm trousers

• Waterproof trousers

• Swimwear for the sauna

• 2 thick wool mountaineering socks

• 2 pairs of waterproof/snowproof gloves or mitts

• Wool hat that can be worn under a helmet

• Comfortable boots/shoes for travelling. You can also bring mountaineering boots if you have them, but otherwise you'll be loaned specialist mountaineering boots for the full days of climbing.

Other

• Small rucksack

• Water bottle/thermos

• Sunglasses

• Glasses/contact lenses (if needed)

• Sleeping bag liner for the hostel (you can rent sheets if not owned)

• Bathroom items including towel

• Electronics - Head torch, travel adaptor (French plug style), phone & charger

• Lipsil

• Book/mp3 player for flights

Climbing Equipment (optional

If you own any of the following, you may bring them along as well:

• Harness

• Helmet

• Ice axes

• Crampons

Similar clothing to ski clothing works well for the Beginners Course (several warm layers and waterproofs). We recommend wearing wool or synthetics, and not cotton (cotton is great in warm temperatures, but very bad in cold ones if it gets wet).

Temperatures can range from -10C to -20C.

The local supermarket has a broad selection, with equivalent prices to a higher-end supermarket in the UK (e.g. Waitrose). It's a 5-minute drive from the hostel (also possible to walk).

Yes, there is usually availability to stay extra nights. You can click "message your guide" after booking to arrange this.

The hostel is a small and friendly hostel with basic dormitory-style accommodation. It has comfortable beds, good cooking facilities, warm showers, a sauna, Wi-Fi and a drying room. There is no reception desk – If you arrive early, then just come inside and make yourself a tea or coffee. Jakob is the hostel owner and the lead guide. Bed linen is all included.

Yes you need this if coming from abroad. Popular providers include the BMC, Snowcard and Dogtag Insurance.

The minimum age for all our courses is 18.

Yes, no problem - just let us know when you complete your trip form after booking.

The currency used in Norway is the Norwegian Krone (KR). There are some ATM machines in Rjukan if you need cash, but almost everywhere in Norway takes debit/credit cards.

Rjukan Old School Hostel, Knut Dahlesvei 31, 3660 Rjukan, Norway