Seasonal Escapes
Our Seasonal Escapes are created for those who want to experience the turning of the year differently. Unhurried days on snow, expert coaching and the restorative rhythm of the mountains replace the noise and expectation of a conventional New Year celebration. These are carefully curated winter holidays that create space to slow down, reconnect and begin the year feeling refreshed.
Both escapes are based at Pellestova Hotel, a historic mountain retreat overlooking the forests and trails of the Lillehammer region. Set high in the Norwegian fjell, the hotel combines elevated comfort, exceptional dining and authentic Norwegian hospitality with immediate access to the surrounding trail network. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, while the mountain setting provides a genuine sense of escape from everyday life.
Two distinct holidays offer different routes into the experience. Nordic Reset is designed for complete beginners, introducing the foundations of classic cross-country skiing through supportive coaching, gentle progression and scenic daily journeys. First Tracks is for classic improvers who want to develop greater confidence, efficiency and flow while exploring more of the surrounding terrain. Both share the same relaxed small-group atmosphere, but the coaching and skiing journeys are shaped around the experience of each group.
New Year’s Eve is intentionally understated and centred around an exceptional tasting menu at Pellestova. It is an opportunity to enjoy remarkable food, good company and the quiet character of winter in the mountains. The days that follow bring further skiing through snow-covered forests and rolling mountain landscapes, creating a memorable and restorative beginning to the year—returning home with new skills, renewed energy and the feeling of having welcomed the year in a more meaningful way
Choose Nordic Reset or First Tracks and welcome the New Year in the Norwegian mountains—with expert coaching, exceptional hospitality and memorable days on snow.
Pellestova feels genuinely removed from everyday life. Sitting 980 metres above sea level in the Hafjell mountains, it is surrounded by forests, open plateaus and the wide landscapes of the Norwegian fjell. The location creates an immediate sense of space and tranquillity—the ideal setting in which to slow down and experience the turning of the year differently.
The hotel combines the character of a historic Norwegian mountain retreat with the comfort of a thoughtfully renovated contemporary hotel. It feels refined without losing its connection to the landscape, local traditions and the outdoor life that has drawn generations of Norwegians to the mountains.
Most importantly, the cross-country ski trails begin directly outside the hotel. There is no need to travel elsewhere before each day’s skiing, allowing the experience to develop a relaxed and natural rhythm. You can step out of the warmth of the hotel and almost immediately begin a journey through the mountains, returning at the end of the day to exceptional food and welcoming hospitality.
New Year’s Eve is intentionally understated, but it still feels distinctive and special. Rather than building the holiday around a large or overly formal celebration, the evening is centred on an exceptional tasting menu, a beautiful mountain setting and the pleasure of sharing the occasion with a small group.
Food is at the heart of the Pellestova experience, and the New Year menu provides an opportunity to enjoy the hotel’s creativity, craftsmanship and connection to the ingredients of the region. The atmosphere is warm and celebratory without feeling pressured or overwhelming, allowing guests to welcome the year in whatever way feels comfortable to them.
The evening is also part of a much wider experience. New Year is framed by days of skiing through snow-covered forests and open mountain landscapes, giving the occasion a more reflective and restorative character. It is not simply a New Year celebration with skiing added; the mountain setting, shared journeys and quieter rhythm are what make the entire week meaningful.
Pellestova provides direct access to more than 300 kilometres of groomed trails immediately around the hotel, connecting into the wider Øyerfjellet network of approximately 600 kilometres. This extensive network stretches towards Nordseter, Sjusjøen, Lillehammer, Fåvang and Ringebufjellet, creating an exceptional variety of possible skiing journeys.
The terrain moves between sheltered forests, gently rolling trails and more open mountain landscapes. This variety allows our coaches to choose routes that suit the ability of the group, the focus of the day and the prevailing weather and snow conditions. Beginners can develop their skills on carefully selected terrain, while improvers can explore longer and more varied journeys as their confidence grows.
The scale of the network means that skiing never feels repetitive. Each day can introduce a different landscape, technical challenge or sense of journey. Yet the trails always lead back to the comfort of Pellestova, making it possible to experience genuine mountain skiing without sacrificing the warmth and reassurance of an exceptional hotel base.
Yes, but each Seasonal Escape is designed for a clearly defined level of skiing experience. Guests are not placed into one mixed-ability holiday and expected to follow the same programme.
Nordic Reset is for complete beginners and those with very limited previous experience. The holiday introduces classic cross-country skiing progressively, beginning with balance, control and the fundamental movements needed to travel safely and confidently on gentle trails.
First Tracks is for classic improvers who already have an established foundation and want to develop greater efficiency, rhythm and confidence. The coaching helps guests refine their technique and apply it during increasingly flowing journeys across varied terrain.
Both holidays are led by highly experienced BASI-qualified coaches, selected from among the very best cross-country ski coaches in the UK. Small groups allow the coaching to remain supportive and personal, with routes and technical sessions chosen for the needs of each group. You do not need to be particularly fast or athletic; the important thing is booking the escape that most closely matches your current experience
Pellestova is far more than a convenient base for the skiing. Following an extensive renovation, its rooms combine warm, contemporary design with natural materials and colours inspired by the surrounding mountain landscape. The atmosphere is comfortable and refined, providing a welcoming retreat after a day outside.
Food is one of the defining features of the hotel. Its restaurants draw on local produce, seasonal ingredients, game and Norwegian culinary traditions, presenting them with a thoughtful modern approach. Pellestova even has its own butchery, reflecting the hotel’s close relationship with regional produce, craftsmanship and the hunting traditions of the mountains.
Dining therefore becomes part of the experience rather than simply something that happens between skiing days. Breakfast prepares you for the trails, while the evening meal provides time to relax, share the day’s experiences and enjoy the company of the group. The special New Year tasting menu brings these qualities together, making exceptional food one of the most memorable elements of the escape.
The skiing gives each day a sense of purpose, but Seasonal Escapes are deliberately designed to leave space for rest and recovery. These are not intensive training camps or holidays in which every hour is filled with organised activity.
Coaching sessions and skiing journeys are carefully balanced so that guests can make meaningful progress without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The ski-in, ski-out location also helps create an unhurried rhythm: there are no lengthy daily transfers, and the transition between the hotel and the trails feels simple and natural.
After skiing, there is time to return to the warmth of Pellestova, relax, reflect on the day and enjoy the hotel at your own pace. Some guests may want to talk through their skiing with others, while others may prefer a quiet afternoon before meeting again for dinner.
That balance between purposeful skiing, exceptional hospitality and genuine downtime is central to the experience. The intention is for you to return home with new skills and greater confidence, but also feeling rested, re-energised and ready for the year ahead.
