Welcome to Romsdal Academy

our own, little academic festival

May 30th – june 2nd

Welcome to Romsdal Academy, a one-of-a-kind festival dedicated to the love of mountaineering. The shift between spring and summer is a magical time in the Norwegian coastal mountain range and if you love mountain sports, it’s nothing short of paradise.

The idea of Romsdal Academy is to level up your mountain skills and have a great time doing it. Join us for a 4-day event packed with activities, workshops, new learnings, new friends, and breathtaking outdoor experiences.

The atmosphere will be great, with cultural input, and most importantly, learning and knowledge sharing. Our goal is for you to become even better at making your own decisions in the mountains. Create your own festival program, and choose from a long list of workshops and seminars:

Steep skiing
Avalanche and improviced rescue
Sport climbing
Mountain climbing / peak scrambling
One level up – climbing technique
Mountain running
Mountain swimming

Contact emelie@romsdallodge.com for more info and to sign up.

As a participant at Romsdal Academy, you need to be quite proficient in being outdoors, as well as have basic outdoor skills and equipment for spending full days outside during the course. We will also tailor the content to the skill level of the group.

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accomodation at the lodge right by the mountains

As a participant, you will stay at the pleasant Romsdal Lodge, with comfortable beds, a wood-fired sauna, fire in the fire pits, and a great festival atmosphere. All meals are included in the festival pass, while you will need to provide your own drinks and snacks.

Prices

Festival pass – 7490 NOK (includes accomodation, food, workshops and talks)

By participation at one of our workshops; 1 750 NOK

If you lack equipment, this can be rented at the Lodge.

Contact emelie@romsdallodge.com for more info and to sign up.

THE PROGRAM

16:00 Check-in and welcome to Romsdal Academy
20:00 Welcome in the barn at Romsdal Lodge. Overview of the festival program, division into groups, and equipment setup. Soup and rolls will be served.
06:30
Breakfast and time to make packed lunches
08:00
Attendance for today's workshop
16:30
After-tour, pizza and beer at our favorite café, Sødahlhuset in Åndalsnes
19:00
Evening lecture: Houdini gives a presentation, and the guides share their best tips and tricks regarding equipment, trip planning, ski prepping, etc.
20:30
Wood-fired sauna at the Lodge
06:30
Breakfast and time to make packed lunches
08:00
Attendance for today's workshop
18:00
Dinner around a large table for everyone
20.00
Party in the barn
07:30
Breakfast and time to make packed lunches
09:00
Attendance for today's workshop
15:00
Concluding the workshop, check-out, and registration for next year.

All workshops are one full day outdoors. Therefore, you can choose one theme per day and create your own festival program. Choose from the workshops listed below.

Peak scrambling

Join one of our experienced IFMGA guides on a trip in alpine terrain. The focus of this workshop is handling exposed terrain in the safest possible manner with the help of the right equipment and methods. We will demonstrate and practice rope use and techniques in terrain that is relatively easy but exposed, where the consequence of not using a rope can be significant.
Three guests per guide.
Prerequisite knowledge:
Some experience in navigating exposed terrain (scrambling/climbing).
Equipment:
Winter clothing, gaiters, climbing harness, helmet, axe.
Avalanche and rescue

Do you want to learn more about snow and rescue to feel safer in the winter mountains? Join our avalanche workshop focusing on travel patterns, snow cover, and companion rescue. We tailor to different themes/specializations based on the participants' interests and levels; stability tests, excavation techniques, use of tools/apps, and companion rescue.
We aim for informative days in the mountains with learning and sharing experiences in the group.
Six guests per guide
Prerequisite knowledge:
Some experience in ski touring and familiarity with your own ski equipment.
Equipment:
Winter clothing, ski equipment, avalanche gear.
Steep skiing

The spring snow invites steeper skiing. In this workshop, we focus on skiing techniques in steep terrain, securing options on snow and ice, and assessment of terrain and ski lines.
Four guests per guide.
Prerequisite knowledge:
Confident on skis and experience in navigating steeper terrain.
Equipment:
Winter clothing, ski equipment, avalanche gear, climbing harness, helmet, axe.
Sport climbing

Want to become more proficient in outdoor climbing? We cover the basics so you can secure yourself and your climbing partner on top rope; use of equipment, rigging of top rope, rappelling, and some techniques. We spend the day outdoors at a nice climbing field in Romsdalen. If it rains; the climbing wall at the Tindesenteret.
Six guests per guide.
Prerequisite knowledge:
Some experience with climbing is good, but not necessary.
Equipment:
Comfortable clothes, warm jacket, gloves, climbing gear.
Climbing Technique

A full day focusing on climbing technique and flow on the climbing wall. Is it possible to climb one grade harder after practicing and refining footwork, smart use of power and forces, and mental techniques? Join us to find out! We spend the day at a nice climbing field in Romsdalen. If it rains; the climbing wall at the Tindesenteret.
Six guests per guide.
Prerequisite knowledge:
Some experience with climbing
Equipment:
Comfortable clothes, warm jacket, gloves, climbing gear.
First Aid and Mountain Medicine

We are visited by doctor and educator Erling Rosenström, who reminds us of the importance of practicing first aid and dealing with potential situations in the mountains. First aid in nature is about making the simple and important measures when you only have a small backpack with tour equipment available. We practice practically, and are located at Romsdal Lodge all day.
10 spots
Prerequisite knowledge:
No special experience with first aid necessary.
Equipment:
Good clothes that can handle a bit of artificial blood and keep you warm for a whole day outside
Mountain running

Romsdalen is made for mountain running, and several professional runners live here for good reasons. Join a local expert for a scenic run, and enjoy guidance and advice along the way.
Six guests pr guide
Prerequisite knowledge: you have to be able to keep a running pace in the terrain, and be in good shape.
Equipment:running shoes for terrain, a backpack or a vest for warm clothes, food and drink.
mountain swimming

Sundayworkshop : taking spa to the next level. We will go for a shorter hike (1 hour up), and enjoy our favourite place to swim. Natural scrub, refreshing bath and a good lunch before returning to the Lodge and journey home.
Prerequisite knowledge: none
Equipment: swimwear, towel and a dry shirt.