Dale Skole - Ice Climbing

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

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! 

Thanks guy's. I had an awesome time on the beginner's course. I will defiantly be back for the Multi-pitch next winter.

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.

This course was huge fun and located in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. The drive from Oslo is quite long (3.5 hrs) and icy so I recommend you hire a decent car (not rent a wreck) and leave as early as possible to arrive in time for the briefing on the first evening. The conditions were extremely cold coming from a warmer climate so I also recommend you go totally overboard on down jackets, fleeces, mittens and thermals, as you are outside all day in temperatures up to -20 degrees. You also arrive and leave the waterfall as a team so be prepared to stick around for the whole day. 
Ryan, Alan and the team do everything to help you stay warm and focussed on the climbing. Best coaching and help from Ryan who really makes this trip so easy and so much fun with lots of laughs!!! 
The cabins at Rjukan caravan park are fantastic and spacious and heat up very well. You can hire towels and hairdryer.
Tips: think about bringing your own thermos flask, coffee, tea and nice food and snacks as you will really need it. Recommend putting heat warmers in boots & mitts before you set out.
*Always bring bathers for the local pool and jacuzzi afterwards. 
Tremendous trip and I can’t wait to be back next year for the multi pitch course!!

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. 

Wonderful experience cant wait to book again

Had an absolute amazing weekend filled with fun people, learning new things and playing around in Winterwonderland.
Our instructors, Ryan, Allen and Anja were all amazing, giving us all the support and guidance we needed to climb up those walls of ice! Thank you for this awesome weekend! Definitely coming back for the multipitching climbing course!

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!

I decided on a whim to go on this course after I saw the Facebook ad. I climb indoors regularly and had been ice climbing once before. The course was amazing. The views were stunning and the climbs were varied and so much fun. But the best part was the people. Our group was super cool and friendly, and our guides, Ryan, Alan and Anya were super cool and made sure to answer all our questions and even tailor their instruction to each of the attendees needs or goals. Ryan taught us the basics of ice climbing on the first day and a lot of us were trying harder and harder routes by the next day, and Anya was super in tune w everyone and giving betas and coaching us up the ice. The experience was truly excellent. I plan to stay in touch with them and hopefully come back for the more advanced courses. Thanks guys!

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!!!

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 ????????

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!

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

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!

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.

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. 

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 :)

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.

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. 

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

Beginners Ice Climbing

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.

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.

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

Absolutely yes - most people book alone. 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!

A moderate level of fitness is required. Climbing experience is not required. The locations are great for beginners - with something for everyone. The climbs are never too far from the hostel, and walk-ins take no more than 5 - 10 minutes, from your parking spot. The guides set up a big range of routes so that there's plenty to do for all abilities.

Yes. Popular providers include the BMC, Snowcard and Dogtag Insurance.

• European Health Insurance Card (if appropriate)

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

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)

• ‘Booster layer’ e.g. second fleece

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

• Soft-shell trousers or other warm trousers

• 2 pairs of waterproof/snowproof gloves or mitts

• Wool hat that can be worn under a helmet

• Winter mountaineering boots that fit crampons (these can be rented directly from the hostel if not owned. The cost of rental is 200NOK)

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

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

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

The currency used in Norway is the Norwegian Krone (KR). There is 1 ATM machine in Rjukan, but it is worth getting money before you arrive.

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, and you can see the opening hours here.

Most people fly to Oslo Gardermoen (OSL).

Yes, no problem - just let us know when you complete your registration form.

Yes, there is usually availability to stay extra nights - just drop the hostel a message if you want to do this.

The minimum age for all our courses is 18.

Similar clothing to ski clothing works well for the Beginners Course (several warm layers and waterproofs). When you sign up you'll also receive a full packing list, and discount codes for some retailers.

Transfers to/from airport & climbing areas.

Winter mountaineering boots (these can be rented from the hostel if needed). 

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

Here is their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rjukanoldschoolhostel/ 

https://www.facebook.com/rjukanoldschoolhostel/

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.

 Arrive at Rjukan Old School Hostel

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.

 Ice Climbing at Ozzimosis

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.