Jotunheimen cross country skiing holiday in Norway

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION
Our skiing trips are designed to have a low environmental impact. While flying to and from Norway can account for a significant share of a trip’s carbon footprint, we make conscious choices to reduce the impact of the journey itself. By using local accommodation and services, choosing sustainable transport where possible, and exploring Norway on foot, by bike or on skis, we aim to offer memorable experiences that bring you closer to nature while treading lightly on the environment.

By skiing, you will be a part of the nature in a way, and you don’t destroy anything as long as you do not leave garbage in the outdoors. Skiing doesn’t make any sort of pollution itself. Always leave the environment as you would like to find it yourself!
In these areas the ski trails are frequently groomed with machines and snow mobiles and normal cross-country skis can be used. Despite the machines, cross country skiing creates significantly less environmental impact than alpine skiing. It’s are not dependent on artificial snowmaking and ski lifts, like in the downhill areas. Cross-country skiing is a great way to explore the magical scenery and tranquillity of the natural winter environments.
We use public transport whenever it’s possible and the local economy benefits from our guests buying goods and services locally, like ski hire and activities. We use sustainable transport whenever possible on all our tours.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
Jotunheimen Cross-country Trail passes through relatively level terrain, starting at Lemonsjøen and ending at Bessheim. All the time you ski at the border of Jotunheimen National Park.
The Norwegian Nature Diversity Act has the purpose of protecting biological, geological and landscape diversity and ecological processes through conservation and sustainable use, and in such a way that the environment provides a basis for human activity, culture, health and well-being, now and in the future.
The act allows you to ski wherever you want, as long as nothing else is announced. This gives numerous possibilities for exciting excursions! Private ground and cultivated land however, should not be trafficked, and…

- Nature must not be damaged!
- Always bring back your litter, never throw rubbish outdoors
- There might be stricter access to protected areas
- Show respect for people and animals

People

LOCAL ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT
Discover Norway is a small, privately owned Norwegian company based in Lillehammer. Our office is located in FABRIKKEN, a shared workspace bringing together around 30 small businesses within the arts, culture and adventure industries. The community encourages cooperation, resource sharing and the development of creative local businesses. The premises are close to public transport, and the businesses share a focus on responsible resource use and recycling.
Whenever possible, we choose locally owned accommodation in smaller communities. This helps direct tourism revenue to local businesses and supports jobs and services that contribute to vibrant, year-round communities.
The trips are self-guided. You are not supported by cars or snowmobiles that make noise and pollution to the area. Where transfer is needed, we use local bus companies and taxis.

INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
We believe that tourism should create positive experiences for both visitors and the communities they encounter. As a self-guided tour, Jotunheimen Cross-country Trail allows guests to explore at their own pace, enjoy nature and discover local culture independently. We encourage our guests to approach local communities with curiosity, consideration and respect, helping create welcoming encounters and a positive experience for everyone.

You ski on the same trails as the locals. At the accommodation sites you’ll meet the owner working at the hotel. Most of the staff are locals. As a result of all this, the money generated will stay within the community and provide local employment. The hotels make grate effort in using local food. You will get to know local specialties of food, like reindeer, moose and trout.