BE BETTER
BE SAFER

Our Avalanche and Glacier Course at Finse

Polar expeditions are among the most demanding — and rewarding — undertakings in the world. Operating in extreme cold, vast snowfields, and uncompromising terrain requires more than endurance. It demands sound judgment, technical skill, and disciplined teamwork.

On many expeditions you will travel in environments where avalanche terrain and hidden crevasses are an ever-present reality. Risk cannot be eliminated — but it can be understood, assessed, and managed.

This course prepares you to do exactly that.

You will learn how to recognise avalanche terrain, make informed route choices, and understand the consequences of entering runout zones — even when towing a heavy pulk. You will also train for crevasse incidents, including how to respond immediately and effectively if a team member falls, pulk and all.

Because in polar travel, preparation is not optional. It is what allows teams to move efficiently, make sound decisions, and return safely.

Train on it — before you depend on it.

Together with our close friends from Fjellboms, you will spend four intensive and fun days at Finse learning to:

● Understand and identify avalanche terrain

● Make sound decisions when crossing avalanche runout zones

● Use an avalanche transceiver effectively and perform rescue in avalanche scenarios

● Read the glacier and identify crevasses

● Probe and assess snow bridges for safe travel

● Campsite establishment & camp routines

● Conduct crevasse rescue

● How your sled should be packed, and how it impacts your travel

When an avalanche occurs, you have only minutes to respond. Solid knowledge, clear procedures, and hands-on training can make the difference between life and death. We combine theory and practical exercises in authentic surroundings – and with a bit of luck, we may also find time to enjoy the winter sun in the mountains.

This course is for those who want to be fully prepared for their next polar adventure – and who aim to contribute to a safer, more competent expedition team!

PROGRAM

The first weekend in Finse is our first course in Glacier and Avalanche safety and understanding. But, as always, we will be able to provide courses for solo travellers and private teams upon request.

But for now, this is your big chance:

At 08:25 Thursday 19. March 2026: We all take the train from Oslo Central Station. We will chat, plan and get started on the journey up to Finse, arriving 13:34

We eat, drink, and dress up on the train, so that upon arrival, we just dump our luggage in the Ousland House, before starting the program right away.

Thursday – Friday – Saturday - Sunday: it will be a mix of a little bit of indoor and a lot of outdoor instruction. The first night will be indoors. Weather, conditions, and organizational progress determine whether we will have one or two tented camps at Hardangerjøkulen.

At 18:06 Sunday 22. March: we take the train back to Oslo, arriving 22:27

Price and what’s included

The price is NOK 16.000 pr person with a deposit of NOK 3.500 to secure your place, and the rest to be paid 14 days prior to the start.

Included is: instructors, the stay in Ousland House, food while staying at Finse, tents, sleds, shared camp equipment, crevasse and avalanche equipment and devices (you will get a detailed list / packing list).

Not included: Travel to and from Oslo, train ticket to and from Finse, travel insurance, personal outdoor-, camp/sleep-, ski-equipment.

Quality and who’s behind this?

Fjellboms has been a friend for a long time and an important sparring partners for Ousland Colliard Explorers. Maria and Kjell recently gave out a book, ‘Isbre’ (Glacier). It’s a beautiful bible for people like us. It gave Børge the idea to finally start doing these courses together. – And our intention is to build on this and offer much more (stay tuned…).

Fjellboms offers a wide range of tours and courses in Norway: Expedition courses, avalanche courses, glacier courses, climbing courses, packraft, sea kayak and canoe courses, lifesaving, mountain medicine, tour guide education, as well as hiking food courses, map and compass courses, and a number of other activities.

Many of these topics are set to be implemented into Ousland Explorer’s already wide range of Polar Training.

Fjellboms was founded in 2016 and today consists of Kjell (founder) and his wife Maria. In addition, a number of instructors are associated with the company on an assignment basis.

Kjell & Maria Bratteli Jonsson :

Kjell and Maria have their instructor education through the Norwegian Mountain Sports Forum ( Norsk Fjellsportforum), where they have courses in glaciers, avalanches, Nordic skiing and climbing. They are also certified course instructors through the Norwegian Paddle Association, the Norwegian Trekking Association (Den Norske Turistforening) and the Norwegian Climbing Association (Norges Klatreforbund).

They are the authors of the book "ISBRE hiking-rescue-outdoor life" and current with a number of lectures on glaciers and avalanches. Their great passion is winter, and they have extensive experience with trips in Norwegian high mountain terrain in winter. The favourite period for long trips with a sled and tent is the turn of the month December/January, when the winter mountains offer beautiful winter light, freezing temperatures, and untouched snow. The couple holds many of their courses themselves, especially the avalanche courses and glacier courses.

Maria has a master's degree in pedagogy and many years of experience teaching both children and adults.

Kjell has extensive experience in both civilian and military management and regularly teaches courses on both.

We at Ousland Colliard Explorers are so stoked to finally have them as part of our family.