 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
       |
|
Ski-touring or backpacking in Norway?
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Den Norske Turistforening (DNT) has a fantastic system of 'huts' throughout Norway providing an infrastructure of accommodation for a lifetime of ski tours and summer treks ... without the need to carry all your camping gear, cooking equipment and food! They also provide great bases for climbing trips to local summits as the 'huts' are always located in good climbing areas. The word 'huts' is a real misnomer, being the literal translation of the Norwegian 'hytte'. Any similarity to a Scottish bothy can be quickly forgotten and a rather more accurate picture would be of a mountain lodge style hotel, with hot showers, 2, 4 or 6 bedded rooms, loads of food, drying rooms, etc., all in very remote surroundings. |
  Typical interior of a DNT 'hut', this one in Nordstedalsaeter. Photo: Tom Higgs |
| There are 3 levels of 'lodge': • fully serviced and staffed (so just like an hotel but with 'communal' sleeping). • self-service (all food, cooking needs, gas, wood for heating, chemical toilets, etc. – you cook and clear up). • 'lodges' without provisions (like a self-service lodge, but bring your own food). Each of these is cheaper than the one before so you can decide your itinerary to suit your pocket and needs for greater or lesser luxury! Either way, your rucksack will be a lot lighter than it might have been! At the non-staffed huts the system is based on goodwill and trust; i.e. for the facility of the hut provided by the DNT, users are expected to treat the hut and its equipment well, to respect other users, to leave the hut as they found it and to pay via an honesty system upon departure. A system that works remarkably well! The 'huts' are open to all; with DNT membership you will get significant reductions in costs at the huts. |
|
 |
 |
|
| Accommodation building converted from old farm buildings, Sota Saeter. Photo: Tom Higgs | Sota Saeter, last stop on the 'North West Passage' tour. Photo: Tom Higgs |
DNT membership does not have the reciprocal rights arrangements that are shared by the B.M.C. or the national Alpine Clubs in Europe i.e. the DNT membership does not entitle you to reduced hut rates in the Alps and vice versa.
The staffed huts have specific opening seasons, roughly late February, March and April and then July, August and September. Depending on the popularity of the area the opening dates for specific huts can be a lot more restricted.
| DNT MEMBERSHIP | |||||||||||||||||
| The Telemark Ski Company can provide DNT membership. This is available whether you are coming on one of our trips or if you are going to Norway and 'doing your own thing' – at any time of the year.
If you are booking on one of Norwegian tours, our brochure price includes the DNT membership at the single, per person, 'Main membership' rate. If you qualify for any of the other membership rates then please let us know and we can adjust the tour cost. In case you are wondering, even on our shorter tours having DNT membership is cheaper than not having the membership and paying full price at the 'huts'! |
|
||||||||||||||||
If you are booking on one of Norwegian tours, our brochure price includes the DNT membership at the single, per person, 'Main membership' rate. If you qualify for any of the other membership rates then please let us know and we can adjust the tour cost. In case you are wondering, even on our shorter tours having DNT membership is cheaper than not having the membership and paying full price at the 'huts'!
If you already have DNT membership at the time of booking through your own arrangements then let us know and we will adjust the tour cost appropriately.
We can also supply DNT hut keys for those doing their own trips. Simply include a request along with your membership. Cost for a key is £12 (£10 being a refundable deposit subject to the return of the key and £2 for p&p).
Membership gives reduced rates at the 'huts'; as a member you are also entitled to the handbook 'Til fots i Norge', the DNT magazine 'Fjell og Vidde' (6 editions a year) and the yearbook (published in Nov/Dec). The magazines and yearbook will be sent to you on payment of an additional £10. If you would like the hardback yearbook there would be additional £5.00 i.e £15.50 for all the magazines and the hardback version of the yearbook. The magazine and books are not included for additional family members or children.The membership year is the same as the calendar year.
How to apply
Contact us via the Dossier Request page. Fill in your personal details on the on-line form. In the 'Questions' box, provide the following information:
• Membership type.
• Names of any others to be included in family membership.
• Date of birth of all those requesting membership.
• Have you previously been a DNT member? Please give the date of this.
• Whether you require the DNT magazine, hut key (see above for cost) and other literature (additional £10.00).
Send the on-line form
Send a cheque by snail-mail for the full amount, to 'The Telemark Ski Company'. Alternatively, send all the above information by post, with your cheque, to the TeleSkiCo, address on the Contacts page.
