Course Objectives

The aim of the program is to introduce the students to back country skiing and basic outdoor life in the wintertime.

After having completed the course, the student should be able to:

• plan back country ski tours according to ability and safety
• plan and build different shelters in the snow
• handle basic orienteering
• discuss practical and pedagogical issues according to nature guiding, management and leadership
• Discuss and use historical and political facts in relation to Norwegian friluftsliv
• Analyse and value trends and traditions in Norwegian Friluftsliv

Course Description

• Basic skills in skiing and hiking outdoors in the wintertime
• Backcountry skiing - Telemark skiing
• Different shelters in the snow: Tents, snow caves and lean – to shelters
• Choosing destinations and routes according to participants ability, safety and realistic goals
• Clothing and equipment
• Orienteering, route choice with map and compass
• Food, building camp-fires in the snow, cooking utensils
• Avalanche safety and first aid
• Planning trips in groups - safety rules
• Politics and public administration related to Norwegian friluftsliv
• Leadership challenges
• Historical perspectives- traditions and trends

Learning Methods

Lectures, individual work and group work, excursions, experiential learning

Assessment Methods

The hikes and excursions are compulsory. Approved group work. One graded individual written exam based on former group work.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean