Reviews

Cross country skiing Kvitvatn

Superb as always

Wonderful Kvitavatn

Everything about the trip is simply wonderful. I go every year and its like going home, so friendly, amazing skiing, brilliant food and accommodation and gold star leaders.

Perfect snow, great guides and stunning views!

As a complete beginner with no expectations leading up to it, I was left amazed by the stunning location and excellent tour leaders. The leaders managed the group superbly, considering the various ages, experience and ability levels. The accommodation was fun, though a bit tight for space with 4 grown men sharing a 4-sleepr room, I felt like I was at camp. The skiing itself was one of the best things I have ever experienced and can’t wait to try again. Very demanding at times physically, but I pushed myself more than what was expected. A special mention of the food, which was all included. The chefs really know what they’re doing!

Cross-Country off track skiing

The best Nordic skiing trip you will ever find. Lovely venue, friendly, great food and facilities but most importantly the 2 best leaders and coaches I have ever met. A wonderful natural environment which they know inside out and can confidently guide groups through.

Magical

Everything was wonderful, the accomodation (Odd’s House), the scenery, the guides. The food was incredible, and as a vegan, I was very well catered for and felt spoilt. Even the long bus journey was beautifully scenic. The guides were patient, knowlegable, friendly and fun and everything was well communicated. I will definitely be booking this trip again.

A great holiday with great instruction.

Ideal for learners as there is excellent tuition, beautiful area, interesting history and geology. If you’re not happy sharing with a number of people you might want the room upgrade.

Kvitavatn

This is the third time I’ve done this trip & I plan to go again next year. The location is beautiful & suitable for all abilities. Just don’t expect the shops & bars you get in downhill resorts, because they are not there. Expect a beautiful & wonderfully peaceful wilderness.
I travel alone and choose my holidays with that in mind. The whole set-up is perfect for the solo traveller. Exodus runs a ‘share with a stranger’ accommodation system, so you don’t have to pay a single person supplement. You ski as a group, so no worries about being out there alone. The dining area is set up in such away that the whole group can sit together, so there is no need to dine alone either.
The food was lovely and the chef we had in February 2019 & 2022 was brilliant. Nothing was too much trouble. In addition to the ‘standard’ meal, he provided lovely alternatives for those who declared dietary requirements. These included vegetarian, dairy-free and spice-free. I am sure he could, and would, cater for anything.
The price of the holiday includes ski & boot hire, tuition and guiding, so the only costs over & above what you pay when you book are for alcohol, optional tips for the guides and spending at the airport.

Great holiday

Had a great trip as a lone traveller
I was a bit apprehensive on the food as dairy intolerant but the chef’s were really good and the choice for me was really good. The only downside was that some people got jealous of the special desserts they made for me each day (as well as soya ice-cream)

We had a great group and had lovely sunny weather although a bit hot on a few days
Conditions were great the first 2 days then a bit warm
Skiing was harder than a remembered but enjoyable
Hardest bit of the trip was knowing what and how much to wear
I packed lots of thin long sleeved items and a few bike tops which proved very useful. I found liner gloves were really helpful too

SOME GREAT, SOME NOT SO

First the good. One leader was beyond outstanding and really showed empathy, knowledge and understanding and really took everyone to a higher level.
The food and staff at the accommodation were exceptional. The accommodation itself a bit cramped but adequate. Overall accommodation was very good and not. problem.
The ski hire equipment was very old and dated, but worked OK.
Transfers were efficient and pretty timely.

Now the not so good.
As excellent as one leader was the other was beyond poor. No empathy, limited apparent knowledge of technique and minimal interest in teaching beyond follow me and catch up sometime, even if you fall and are struggling-you were left on your own which affected confidence of some less confident people..

Annoying that I was told in answer to specific request to fly from other than Gatwick that it was not possible( as were at least 2 other couples) on arrival in Oslo we waited for others to fly in from Manchester and Edinburgh.

Petty but annoying-expectation that all may be required to buy own wax throughout the week . Surely at £1500 it could cover £50 a season for leaders to have this-in the event the good leader did wax skis when out if she saw it was needed.

Quite. bit of pressure put on to attend the evening lectures etc-which were variable in relevance and quality.

Off track cross country skiing at it's best

This is some of the best off track cross country skiing you will ever find. A wonderful wild environment, with varied terrain and a variety of challenge, the best leaders you can ever meet and a great place to stay with a lovely friendly atmosphere. It is very special. I would have given up years ago if I hadn’t come here and have been coached to steady improvement over the years. I have been on other holidays with other leaders, but no-one has ever come up to the standard of Ilse and Mary.