Let's dig into the ice of Norway!
The places are full!
A special edition of the Crag Express tour series, where instead of cliffs we take you to explore ice walls formed by frozen waterfalls. The trip is perfect for both beginners and advanced ice climbers. It is important that you know how to belay from above, have the will to learn and be brave!
Ice Crag Express packs up the ropes, helmets, picks and crampons again and takes you to explore the frozen waterfalls in Rjukan, Norway. This is the Norwegian ice climbing mecca, where you won't be disappointed with the quality of the trails or the ice. World class!
We will be staying in a fully equipped cabin near the center of Rjukan, which is completely ours. A short drive from the accommodation there are many trails of varying difficulty for both beginners and advanced climbers. The ice climbing trails are reshaped every year, so we never know exactly what awaits us, but one thing is for sure - the ice picks will be in the ice and the adreka will be on the ceiling!
We will spend a total of 5 full days there (+ half the arrival and departure days). During this time, the schedule is completely free - whoever wants to, climbs every day from sunrise to sunset; whoever wants to, takes a few days off. There is a ski resort in the area, and Rjukan, as a historic town, is also exciting to explore in itself.
Why come ice climbing?
As a mountaineer, you may encounter icy sections even on the easiest route - especially in the Alps in summer, because during the day the sun melts the snow into water and at night it freezes again. It is better to get the feel and technique right in training, not in the middle of a steep slope at an altitude of 4000 m.
For rock climbers, ice climbing gives them a better sense of their body. The biggest similarity between both types of climbing is that they are done with their feet, not their hands. Better footwork on ice also translates to better footwork on the climbing wall.
It's just such an exciting, fun, and interesting area to try! (Besides, you can't do it properly in Estonia...)
About the region
Rjukan is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Industrial History. The water falling from the steep valley slopes was used to generate hydroelectric power during World War II, but today it is used for adrenaline rushes. In addition to the hidden ice walls, the town offers a view of the magnificent peak Gaustatoppen (1883 m) towering above it, from the top of which, in good weather, you can see 1/6 of Norway.
NB! To come on the trip, you must be able to climb and belay at least with a safety harness.
Apart from a helmet and climbing harness, having other personal climbing equipment is not essential on the trip, but if you have high, hard-soled, warm mountain boots and 14-tooth crampons at home, be sure to bring them! If you don't have them, they can be rented on site. Feel free to discuss equipment with the locomotive!
👉 SEE EQUIPMENT LIST HERE 👈
Overview - short & sweet
Goal: Ice climb in Rjukan, Norway
Dates: 02.-08.02.2026
Activity: ice climbing
Adventure guides: Kelli Kuslap, Kaarel Kuslap
Technical difficulty level: 2/5 (belaying skills required)
Physical difficulty: 2-3/5 (depends on how much climbing you want to do)
Group size: min 8, max 12 (including 2 guides)
Trip price — €1150
NB! Elamus+ community members get a 5–10% discount. Read more and check your discount eligibility. community members page.
Travel cost
Price includes
On-site transportation with rental cars
Accommodation in a cozy holiday home
Group equipment: ropes, ice picks, express, stations, ice drills, topo book, group pharmacy
On-site instruction by experienced ice climbing and mountaineering EKR3 coaches
Stylish Elamus+ sports shirts
Memorable memories and epic photos of you ice climbing
Price does not include
Flight tickets to Oslo Gardermoen Airport (round-trip price with luggage from €150)*
Meals (we cook dinner and breakfast together and split the costs among the group)
Lunch snacks
On-site rental of cats and boots (boots ~75 € and cats ~60 € for the entire trip)
Other personal climbing equipment - helmet, climbing harness and safety device (these can also be rented) Elamus Pluss)
Insurance (travel insurance and MANDATORY) sports insurance suitable for climbing)
Unscheduled excursions, transportation, etc. (or if you want to do something extra)
*For more information about a specific flight, please ask the train operator.
Registration for the trip
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, a prepayment (20%) must be paid within 3 working days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by e-mail. If there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
Schedule
Day 1 (2.02): Flying across the sea
The easiest way to get there with all your belongings is by plane, departing from Tallinn or Riga. After landing, we find rental cars, drive for about 3,5 hours along small roads, and here - we are. We are staying in a cosy and fully equipped holiday home, which is completely ours. The house has both single and double beds, a well-equipped kitchen, two toilets, a shower, a washing machine with a dryer and a good view of the Gaustatoppen mountain. In the evenings and mornings we prepare meals together, but if you wish, you can of course also dine separately.
Day 2 (3.02): Let's get acquainted with the ice
On the first day of climbing, we will talk through the theory of ice climbing - safety, belaying, basic climbing techniques (body position, correct use of crampons and picks). For this, we will also choose a suitable crag with easier routes so that you can learn (or remember) at your leisure.
Every evening we hold a feedback session where we analyze what we learned and practiced during the day and give feedback on climbing techniques. We also make plans together for the next day - everyone can contribute what they would like to do!
days 3-6 (4.-7.02): let's climb!
We will create a travel itinerary based on the group's skills and wishes. Depending on this, we can also divide the group into parts - beginners can calmly hone their technique, advanced ones can test themselves by climbing under protection or, if their skills allow, try multi-pitch.
In addition to climbing, you can also try snowshoeing to the top of Gaustatoppen in the area, Rjukan is easily accessible by bus to the ski resort and cross-country ski trails, there are museums nearby and just a nice Nordic environment. Something for everyone!
Day 7 (8.02): return flight to your home country
We will take off for Oslo in the morning and, depending on flight times, we can either do some sightseeing in the Norwegian capital or head straight home.
NB! The schedule and planned activities may be subject to minor (or major) changes — for example, due to weather and conditions or passenger requests.
About Norway
Valid currency: NOK or Norwegian krone. 1 NOK = €0,084. However, there is no need to bring cash, as card payments are possible practically everywhere.
The price level in Norway is higher than in Estonia. Some examples: a meal in a restaurant 20-30 €, bread 2-3 €, 1 kg of chicken fillet 15 €, light beer 2-3 €. If you cook together, the price of dinner will be about 7 €.
In Norway, you can use your usual EU mobile data plan. Check with your mobile service provider for more information about data plans and additional charges.
Don't worry, let's do it!
I've never climbed on ice before, only slid. Can I still do it?!
If you are not unfamiliar with belaying or at least climbing with belaying, then you definitely can! Ice climbing is no different from climbing on indoor walls in terms of rope work, the only difference is in the climbing technique and the equipment used - this is what we learn on site. On site, we start from the beginning, go over the functions and techniques of the equipment, and familiarize ourselves with the conditions and the quality of the ice.
I really want to come on the trip, but I don't know how to do this security stuff. Can I still come?
Learning belaying is still essential to handle ice climbing safely. Belaying works the same way as in rock climbing. If you haven’t learned it yet, you can complete a Green Card course at Ronimistehas or join our alpinism training group. There is also an option to take a private training session with us in Tartu.
But I don't have any personal climbing equipment. Where can I get it and what kind is suitable?
It is possible to rent or buy climbing equipment. The only mandatory equipment on this trip is a climbing harness and helmet, but if you have your own boots with stiff soles, crampons or ice climbing axes, of course, pack them too. The boots must be suitable for ice climbing, i.e. the crampons have quick release fastenings on the front and back (for example, La Sportiva G5, Nepal Cube, Karakorum or even double-layered boot). Crampons should be 14-toothed ice climbing cats with serrated front teeth (for example Petzl Lynx). Ropes and other ice climbing equipment for the group will be carried by the lifts. For more information about special equipment, see the equipment list.
When renting or borrowing, be critical. Climbing equipment has a lifespan of 8-10 years. If you find used old equipment somewhere, it's worth remembering that your own life depends on it. If things seem decent, renting can really save you some money by bringing it with you for one trip. Elamus PlussThe equipment rented from us is safe and has already been inspected by the adventure guides, so there is no reason to worry when renting from us.
It is wise to try out the equipment before purchasing. If you are a confident traveler and want to purchase personal equipment that you need advice on, feel free to ask the tour operators for advice.
Read more also frequently asked questions.
Travel documents and footnotes
The participant is responsible for the validity and condition of their travel documents. For this trip you will need:
ID card/passport;
sports insurance suitable for climbing (read more on the FAQ page). A suitable sports insurance policy must be carried and is a prerequisite for participation in the trip;
travel insurance.
We recommend that you take out travel insurance immediately after receiving confirmation of your travel registration so that you are also covered for longer-term health problems!
Although at the end of the day everyone is still responsible for their own actions and consequences, we do our best to mitigate the risks associated with climbing. As a result, The group leader has the right to make ongoing decisions about the participants' competence, suitability of equipment, physical ability, etc., and, if necessary, prohibit access to certain routes if this endangers the health of the group or the participant themselves. Hopefully, of course, there will be no need for that.
Read also travel conditions.
