Cross country skiing in Venabu

Really friendly hotel: firm Headwater favourite Super value all-inclusive holiday; completely reliable snow Skiing for all levels away from the crowds; suitable for beginners and returning guests Excellent food, facilities & entertainment Great children's discounts (special children’s weeks)

This is one of our most popular cross country skiing holidays with Headwater guests returning year after year. It is based in central Norway, on the edge of the Rondane National Park, looking down on the Gudbransdalen Valley, just north of Lillehammer. The landscape is dramatic and full of contrasts from spectacular gorges and snow-capped peaks to pretty fells and valleys that extend as far as the eye can see. It is far enough north to have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights too, especially in December and January, and throughout the winter there are spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

Originally a summer farm, the Venabu Fjellhotel was converted by the Tvete family over 50 years ago, and is today very much a friendly, relaxing “home from home” place to stay. You can choose to stay in either the east wing (20 standard rooms) or the west wing (36 superior rooms) and everyone can use the hotels’ saunas and ski waxing centre. There’s also a bar, a games room (table tennis, pool, etc), a TV room, craft shop and two spacious sitting rooms with open fireplaces. The dining room - which offers a spectacular Scandinavian buffet - affords glorious panoramic views out across the mountains. There’s dancing to live music every evening except Sunday.

It has always been traditional to travel on skis here and so it is perfect for cross country skiing. Ex-Headwater rep, Robert Molnar, is now based at Venabu and will help you get started and accompany you for your first two days. For the rest of the week, you have two groups to choose from, one led by Robert, the other by his colleague. Switching between groups mid-week is not a problem. You can also go dog sledding, or on a torch-lit horse sleigh ride to visit a Sami (Lapp) wigwam (pay locally). During the week you might want to take the train to Lillehammer, where there’s a fascinating museum of Norwegian history and culture as well as a skating rink and swimming pool. Extra children’s facilities are laid on in February half term, and also in Easter week. These include snow hole digging, an expedition with camp-fire cooking and a ski treasure hunt.