Location

Finse, Norway

The Open Polar Training Course is based in the remote Norwegian mountain village of Finse. We live and hold our indoor classroom sessions in the Finsehytta, tourist hut.

The village of Finse is located at the highest point along the Bergen Railway, at 1,222 meters above sea level. Finse is only reachable by train, bicycle, or foot, and is located two hours east of Bergen and just over four hours west of Oslo. Finsehytta is located a short walk from the station and overlooks the stunning Hardangerjøkulen icecap and is surrounded by a scenic and beautiful mountain region. 

Finse has long been associated with preparation for polar expeditions. Polar explorer and heroes Ernest Shackleton, Rold Admunsen, Robert Falcom Scott and Fridjof Nansen all trained at Finse before he set out on his Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.