Ski Touring along Route 51

There is no need to put away the skis too early when it comes to skiing in Norway. In May every year route 51 opens up, making the southeastern part of the Jotunheimen national park accessible for ski touring. The snow reaches several meters above the paved surface on each side of the road. Some ski tours are just next to the road. Others are a few kilometers away. The car can easily be parked along the road for a day tour up to one of many 6,500+ feet peaks in the area. Route 51 covers almost 105 miles, but for skiers the interesting part of this scenic road starts just northwest of the winter village of Beitostølen. If you are into cross-country skiing this is your place. But if you are looking for ski touring you keep going north on route 51.

The road crosses a mountain plateau named Valdresflye which flattens out at 4,557 feet above sea level, making it the second-highest road in Norway. All winter this part of the road is covered by many meters of snow, but as springtime arrives the road gets plowed. The approximately 19-mile section of route 51 from Beitostølen in the south to Gjende in the north is only 135 miles away from Norway's capital Oslo. Most people traveling to this part of the country do not make it past Beitostølen, leaving a lot of space for powder turns in the mountains. The most popular mountain near Beitostølen is Bitihorn.

It's the first mountain for ski touring along route 51 and visible from the western part of the village as it towers majestically above the landscape. It reaches a modest 5,272 feet, making it a relatively short ski tour as the parking lot is located at 3,477 feet. It is no surprise that Bitihorn is the most popular mountain for ski touring. It's not just classic and close; it also offers a wide variety of skiing and an impressive view from the top. The main part of the skiing takes place on the northern and western slopes. For those looking for even steeper terrain Bitihorn's east side is the place to ski. Well, most of that side is nothing but rock except for one chute.

It is between 45 and 50 degrees steep in the first 650 vertical feet before flattening out. There are several places to stay along this part of route 51. Beitostølen is a typical village famous for its cross-country skiing. It is only three and a half hours from Oslo. As peak season is over finding rather inexpensive stays on Airbnb is no problem. The village offers grocery stores, hotels, ski shops and even two areas with ski lifts. Fifteen minutes northwest of Beitostølen, along route 51 and close to Bitihorn, is Bygdin Høyfjellshotell, a ski-in/ski-out mountain hotel. It is a neat place located in a beautiful environment. Camping is also a good alternative. There are several good places to pitch tents close to parking lots and water.

Further north along route 51, just past the road's highest point, are a few parking lots and trailheads for ski tours to several 6,500+ foot peaks in the most eastern part of Jotunheimen national park. This part of the region is impressive. Valdresflye spreads over a vast area and it feels like a white desert. It is mainly flat, but there are mountains rising at the horizon which is also one of the drawbacks: If you want to climb one of these 6,500+ foot peaks, you have to walk up to two miles through the lowlands to reach them. Another disadvantage is that the road is closed during storms. If you are coming from the south, the first 6,500+ peak on Route 51 is Rasletinden.

It is considered the easiest peak with an elevation of more than 6,500 feet in Norway – 6,906 feet to be exact, with almost 3,300 vertical feet for skiing. But even here, you have to first walk almost two miles through the flatlands. A more accessible peak is Høgdebrotet. Its starting point is a little further north on Route 51. Just like Rasletinden the tour also begins with a flat approach – not too far though. Høgdebrotet's summit reaches 7,303 feet and offers great skiing in various terrain, amazing views over a large part of Jotunheimen, many glaciers, steep rock walls and the possibility of nailing additional peaks on the same day. This is Jotunheimen at its best. Route 51 has many perks.

Thanks to this road, the ski season is extended by many weeks, even months in snowy years. There are several different accommodations, and it is also quite close to Oslo. But perhaps the most important thing is that the area offers a large variety of ski touring for all types of skiers.