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Outdoor Life Spring 2026

  • Course length: Halvår — vår
  • Start-up date: 05.01.2026
  • Course teaching amount: 20 hours/week
  • Price: from NOK 77 900,-
  • Foundation:
    Liberal
    The liberal folk high schools are built on values that are not based on one particular belief. They encourage students with different interests and beliefs to apply.
  • Food: Vegetarian, vegan
    Most schools will accommodate food allergies and other dietary needs. If you have questions, please contact the school directly.
  • Environmental certification:
    DebioFairtrade
  • Location: Sogndal
  • Study tour for the course: Ski expedition across the Hardangervidda plateau
  • Study tour for the school: Skiing in Hemsedal, Cruise on the Sognefjord

Are you ready to experience winter outdoor life at its best – from sleeping in a tent under the stars to crossing the Hardangervidda on skis?

Do you want to become a skilled and confident outdoor enthusiast? Here, you’ll develop your abilities – whether it’s ski touring, climbing, or sleeping under the stars. We emphasize enjoying nature, teamwork, and being part of an active, supportive community.

When winter arrives, we swap hiking boots for mountain skis and head out on ski trips with both light daypacks and heavier expedition gear. You’ll learn ski technique, telemark turns, avalanche safety, and safe travel in the winter mountains. We build snow caves, practice trip planning, use maps and compasses, and train in first aid and basecamp routines.

As the sun returns and the days grow longer, we pack tents, pulks, and skis and set off on a multi-day expedition across Hardangervidda – one of Norway’s most iconic mountain plateaus. We travel from camp to camp, crossing open snowfields and working together to handle all kinds of weather and conditions.

When spring arrives, the snow melts, and we switch skis for canoes and climbing gear. We end the year with a solo night under the stars, where you’ll experience mastery, reflection, and the value of working as a team.

By the end of the year, you’ll be a more confident and independent outdoor adventurer – ready for new challenges, either on your own or with friends.
Best of all? You’ll share these unforgettable experiences with others who also love outdoor life.

Barista

We explore grind size, the differences between various coffee beans, and—most importantly—brewing the perfect espresso. We visit the local coffee roastery for an introduction to coffee roasting.

Basketball

We warm up and prepare for drills, defensive and offensive techniques, fakes, and gameplay. A mix of fun ball exercises and serious competition—this is basketball!

Beach Volleyball

The goal is to develop technical and tactical skills while increasing knowledge through structured training and different forms of gameplay. We have our own sand-volleyball court on campus.

Bouldering and Road Trip

We road-trip around the region in search of the best bouldering spots, both outdoors and indoors. In Sogndal, we also have a state-of-the-art bouldering gym that we use extensively.

Freeride

Freeride is about skiing outside the groomed slopes. You’ll learn technique, safe travel, and how to choose good lines while exploring and enjoying natural terrain.

First Aid

First aid is an essential skill no matter what stage of life you’re in. We combine theory and hands-on practice to handle everything from minor injuries to serious accidents.

Guitar

This is a beginner’s guitar course for those who love leading sing-alongs or simply enjoy strumming in a quiet moment. The school provides several guitars.

Cooking for dummies

Avoid living off junk food during your studies—save your money for more fun things! We make simple, tasty, and nutritious meals that are quick and affordable.

Hunting

Want to try hunting, or do you already have some experience? This elective is for you! With excellent hunting terrain near the school, you’ll get to try clay pigeon shooting and rifle use.

Kayaking

We paddle on the world’s longest fjord—Sognefjorden! You’ll learn basic kayaking techniques and rescue skills while enjoying spectacular fjord landscapes.

Climbing and Brattkort Certification

Learn belaying and climbing techniques for both toprope and leading. We cover basic climbing skills, equipment choice, and history. It concludes with a “Brattkort” certification. Equipment loan.

Knife Making

Create your own knife—complete with a sheath! Choose from different types of wood for the handle and design it to fit perfectly in your hand. You can also personalize the sheath.

Chocolate Making

The perfect bite-sized indulgence! Dark or milk chocolate, with basil sugar or caramel? Maybe you’ll discover your own favorite combination in one delicious bite.

Longboard

Design and craft your own high-quality longboard for asphalt surfing! Not only is longboarding fun to make, but it's also an eco-friendly and exciting way to get around.

Painting

Work with acrylic paints on canvas! We create large-scale paintings, and you’ll learn painting techniques, color theory, and end up with beautiful artwork to display.

Campfire Cooking

We prepare delicious meals that are easy to bring along on a hike. How about campfire-baked cake, warm cinnamon rolls, or a stuffed flatbread?

Powder Ready

Lactic acid and burning muscles—will be worth it when winter comes and your legs are ready for powder ski and mountain descents! Expect stair running and high-intensity training before the snow comes

Sausage Making

Learn how to make traditional holiday foods like homemade sausages, cured meats, and locally sourced delicacies!

Chalk Bag Redesign

We repurpose old climbing ropes into custom chalk bags. Learn sewing techniques, explore upcycling, and create high-quality products with a cool, personal touch!

Coastal Road Trip

Pack your bags—we’re heading to the coast! Depending on the destination, expect fishing, great vibes, maybe a crab feast, or just enjoying a beautiful sunset together.

Selbu Mittens

Learn to knit beautiful, traditional Selbu mittens! Beginners will master the basics, while experienced knitters can experiment with patterns and even create their own designs.

Skiing

Sharpen your turns or learn to ski from scratch! Lessons take place at Sogndal Ski Center, and you can use your preferred skis—telemark, alpine, cross-country, or touring skis.

Ski Making

Make your own skis from scratch! We have a dedicated woodworking workshop and an experienced "ski maker" who will guide you through the process.

Ski technique

Ski technique on slope focuses on becoming more confident and skilled on groomed runs. You practice turning, balance, and control to ski more smoothly and efficiently.

Small-Scale Farming

We visit the organic farm Bøtun in Indre Hafslo, where we gain hands-on insight into food production. Expect an enjoyable experience—with a bit of physical work included.

Carpentry and Woodworking

In the workshop, you’ll work with various types of wood on projects big and small. Sketch your idea, make a plan, and get building! We’re excited to see your results.

Social Media (SoMe)

Learn content creation, improve your photography skills, and work with video editing.

Sewing

Make your own clothes! You’ll learn how to follow sewing patterns and upcycle existing garments. Our sewing room is well-equipped for all your creative projects, from jackets to formal gowns.

Backcountry Skiing Basics

Ski touring offers breathtaking views of snow-covered peaks and valleys. If you’ve never tried it before, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sogndal is a paradise for ski touring!

Volleyball

Prepare for fast-paced action with technical drills, exercises, and exciting matches. Smashes, blocks, and plenty of energy!

Yoga

Yoga focuses on strengthening and making both body and mind more flexible. This is achieved through physical postures (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayama).

Homebrewing

We brew our own beer and even create our own malt! You'll experiment with different types of beer while learning about brewing history and traditions.

Yearbook

The yearbook team writes, designs, and assembles the school's yearbook. You’ll gain experience in basic photo editing, article writing, and proofreading—all fueled by plenty of coffee!

At Sogndal Folk High School, we focus on outdoor life, skiing, climbing, and multisport. One of the best things about the school community is that there’s always someone ready to join in – whether it’s a mountain hike, a night in a tent, a dip in the fjord, or a volleyball game. Here, you’ll find others who share your interests.

Our programs are led by skilled teachers with long experience from folk high schools. They know the local area well and know how to create learning and experiences you wouldn’t find on your own.

Sogndal Folk High School is beautifully located – with the fjord right outside the door and short distances to mountains, glaciers, climbing areas, and sports facilities. The school is centrally located in Sogndal, a place known as a “five-minute community” – it only takes five minutes to get almost anywhere.

The school welcomes several international students each year, creating an exciting and diverse environment. Here, you’ll meet people from different countries and cultures who share a passion for activity, nature, and community.

his is something we’re proud of:

Our programs are well established and have been developed over many years.
Our teachers are highly qualified in their fields and receive great feedback every year.
Our dormitories are bright and cozy – students live in small units that create a friendly, communal atmosphere.
Our kitchen follows a food philosophy based on nutritious, flavorful, and environmentally conscious choices.
We offer a wide range of electives – you might even discover a new talent during the year!

Welcome to a school that will meet you with warmth, care, and a friendly push to challenge yourself 

In this video, Lenja — one of our second-year students — answers the most common questions we get from international applicants. She talks about what to bring, how to apply for a visa, what the language is like, and what life in Sogndal looks like.

information on our website: https://www.sogndal.fhs.no/information-for-foreign-students

 

 

Courses at the school

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