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Outdoor life

  • Course length: All year
  • Start-up date: 31.08.2025
  • Course teaching amount: 20 hours/week
  • Price: from 149 900,-
  • Foundation:
    Liberal
    The liberal folk high schools are built on values that are not based on one particular belief. They encourage students with different interests and beliefs to apply.
  • Food: Vegetarian, vegan
    Most schools will accommodate food allergies and other dietary needs. If you have questions, please contact the school directly.
  • Environmental certification:
    DebioFairtrade
  • Location: Sogndal
  • Study tour for the course: Croatia - Kayaking in the Mediterranean, Road trip through Western Norway
  • Study tour for the school: Bli kjent tur til Fjærland, Hemsedal, Båttur på Nærøyfjorden

Ever dreamed about a year with outstanding vistas, or carrying a heavy pack in the mountains, kayaking, glacier trekking and making food on a camp fire? Then this is your choice!

Adventure and Community. Are you ready for a year where you can truly experience nature up close? On our Outdoor Life program, you’ll have the chance to explore everything from mountains and fjords to plateaus, forests, and glaciers. The nature of Western Norway offers spectacular views, and you’ll have all the opportunities right outside your door.

Explore nature on your own terms. Do you want to become a confident and versatile outdoor enthusiast? Here, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills – whether it’s climbing, skiing, or camping under the starry sky. Our focus is on thriving in nature, building community, and being part of an active and supportive environment.

Versatility is key. The fall offers beautiful mountain hikes with tents, kayaking on a glassy fjord, and glacier hiking in the blue ice. As the days get shorter, there will be cozy bonfires, surfing, and climbing – both indoors and outdoors. Winter brings skiing with both daypacks and large backpacks, as well as overnight stays in snow caves. You’ll learn how to thrive in the winter mountains. When spring melts the snow, we wrap up with canoeing, climbing, and a solo night under the stars. We sleep under the open sky and hike along the coast.

The goal is for you to finish the year as a more confident and freer outdoor enthusiast – ready for new adventures, whether alone or with friends.

The best part? You’ll share all these experiences with others who also love outdoor life.

Band

Learn how to play together and start a band! We have lots of instruments and equipment, - double bass, el. bass and guitar, drum kits, and quality sound gear. The band may also perform at the school.

Barista

We explore grind size, the differences between various coffee beans, and—most importantly—brewing the perfect espresso. We visit the local coffee roastery for an introduction to coffee roasting.

Basketball

We warm up and prepare for drills, defensive and offensive techniques, fakes, and gameplay. A mix of fun ball exercises and serious competition—this is basketball!

Beach Volleyball

The goal is to develop technical and tactical skills while increasing knowledge through structured training and different forms of gameplay. We have our own sand-volleyball court on campus.

Bouldering and Road Trip

We road-trip around the region in search of the best bouldering spots, both outdoors and indoors. In Sogndal, we also have a state-of-the-art bouldering gym that we use extensively.

Dessert Workshop

A feast for the taste buds! We make everything from cakes and ice cream to chocolate and lemon tarts. You get to help decide what’s on the menu.

First Aid

First aid is an essential skill no matter what stage of life you’re in. We combine theory and hands-on practice to handle everything from minor injuries to serious accidents.

Guitar

This is a beginner’s guitar course for those who love leading sing-alongs or simply enjoy strumming in a quiet moment. The school provides several guitars.

Cooking for dummies

Avoid living off junk food during your studies—save your money for more fun things! We make simple, tasty, and nutritious meals that are quick and affordable.

Hunting

Want to try hunting, or do you already have some experience? This elective is for you! With excellent hunting terrain near the school, you’ll get to try clay pigeon shooting and rifle use.

Kayaking

We paddle on the world’s longest fjord—Sognefjorden! You’ll learn basic kayaking techniques and rescue skills while enjoying spectacular fjord landscapes.

Climbing and Brattkort Certification

Learn belaying and climbing techniques for both toprope and leading. We cover basic climbing skills, equipment choice, and history. It concludes with a “Brattkort” certification. Equipment loan.

Knife Making

Create your own knife—complete with a sheath! Choose from different types of wood for the handle and design it to fit perfectly in your hand. You can also personalize the sheath.

Chocolate Making

The perfect bite-sized indulgence! Dark or milk chocolate, with basil sugar or caramel? Maybe you’ll discover your own favorite combination in one delicious bite.

Linocut Printing

Seeing your first fresh print from the press is like unwrapping a Christmas present! With simple technique instruction and your own creativity, you’re guaranteed to be surprised by the result.

Longboard

Design and craft your own high-quality longboard for asphalt surfing! Not only is longboarding fun to make, but it's also an eco-friendly and exciting way to get around.

Painting

Work with acrylic paints on canvas! We create large-scale paintings, and you’ll learn painting techniques, color theory, and end up with beautiful artwork to display.

Campfire Cooking

We prepare delicious meals that are easy to bring along on a hike. How about campfire-baked cake, warm cinnamon rolls, or a stuffed flatbread?

Powder Ready

Lactic acid and burning muscles—will be worth it when winter comes and your legs are ready for powder ski and mountain descents! Expect stair running and high-intensity training before the snow comes

Sausage Making

Learn how to make traditional holiday foods like homemade sausages, cured meats, and locally sourced delicacies!

Chalk Bag Redesign

We repurpose old climbing ropes into custom chalk bags. Learn sewing techniques, explore upcycling, and create high-quality products with a cool, personal touch!

Coastal Road Trip

Pack your bags—we’re heading to the coast! Depending on the destination, expect fishing, great vibes, maybe a crab feast, or just enjoying a beautiful sunset together.

Selbu Mittens

Learn to knit beautiful, traditional Selbu mittens! Beginners will master the basics, while experienced knitters can experiment with patterns and even create their own designs.

Skiing

Sharpen your turns or learn to ski from scratch! Lessons take place at Sogndal Ski Center, and you can use your preferred skis—telemark, alpine, cross-country, or touring skis.

Ski Making

Make your own skis from scratch! We have a dedicated woodworking workshop and an experienced "ski maker" who will guide you through the process.

Small-Scale Farming

We visit the organic farm Bøtun in Indre Hafslo, where we gain hands-on insight into food production. Expect an enjoyable experience—with a bit of physical work included.

Carpentry and Woodworking

In the workshop, you’ll work with various types of wood on projects big and small. Sketch your idea, make a plan, and get building! We’re excited to see your results.

Social Media (SoMe)

Learn content creation, improve your photography skills, and work with video editing.

Sewing

Make your own clothes! You’ll learn how to follow sewing patterns and upcycle existing garments. Our sewing room is well-equipped for all your creative projects, from jackets to formal gowns.

Mountain Biking

Sogndal has incredible mountain biking trails that attract riders from far and wide. The trails range from beginner-friendly to highly technical—there’s something for everyone.

Backcountry Skiing Basics

Ski touring offers breathtaking views of snow-covered peaks and valleys. If you’ve never tried it before, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sogndal is a paradise for ski touring!

Volleyball

Prepare for fast-paced action with technical drills, exercises, and exciting matches. Smashes, blocks, and plenty of energy!

Yoga

Yoga focuses on strengthening and making both body and mind more flexible. This is achieved through physical postures (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayama).

Homebrewing

We brew our own beer and even create our own malt! You'll experiment with different types of beer while learning about brewing history and traditions.

Yearbook

The yearbook team writes, designs, and assembles the school's yearbook. You’ll gain experience in basic photo editing, article writing, and proofreading—all fueled by plenty of coffee!

Between towering mountains and the deep Sognefjord, everything is set for a year filled with experiences, personal growth, and lifelong friendships. At our school, learning goes beyond the classroom—it becomes a home. And this home is filled with people, just like you, who are ready to create unforgettable memories.

Here, the classroom isn’t confined by four walls—it extends to the entire landscape around us! From steep mountain peaks to deep fjords, the opportunities are endless. You’ll learn by experiencing, exploring, and actively participating in everything we do together.

Throughout the year, you’ll enjoy warm evenings by the fjord and crisp winter days surrounded by powder snow. You’ll feel the contrasts, the freedom, and the pure joy of being present in the moment. No matter which program you choose, we offer a daily life where you can embrace everything Sogndal has to offer—both in nature and together with your fellow students.

We are committed to making this a year that truly matters.

We Care

ABOUT YOU: As an open-minded folk high school, we believe in the value of each individual and strive to ensure that you have the opportunity to shape your own daily life.

ABOUT WHAT YOU EAT: Our sustainable food philosophy is about serving meals that are not only delicious but also nutritious and rooted in environmentally conscious choices.

ABOUT THE FUTURE: Here, you will learn to take responsibility for both yourself and your surroundings. We want you to leave our school with hope for a better future and the courage to create positive change.

Sogndal Folk High School stands for a GENEROUS, OPEN, RESPONSIBLE, AND SAFE learning environment. Everyone is welcome here, and we embrace a culture of openness and inclusivity. Our core values are reflected in everything we do, and you will experience personal growth through achievement and shared joy with others.

 

Courses at the school

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Former students

Kjersti Hein

I’ve become more confident in the outdoors in all situations and have grown to love activities that aren’t competition-based. This is a great place to push your own limits and enjoy the moment. It’s okay to make mistakes, and you don’t have to excel

Kjersti Hein
Vetle Berg Bakka

The friends I’ve made here will stay with me for life. We’ve seen every side of each other and been through so much together. Living so closely, we’ve had plenty of time to really get to know one another. It’s been easy to build strong friendships!

Vetle Berg Bakka
Sigrunn W. Nesheim

Sogndal Folkehøgskole is located in the heart of stunning nature, with the fjord right outside the window and mountains close by. In Sogndal, there are endless opportunities for outdoor adventures, which you learn to enjoy in every season.

Sigrunn W. Nesheim
Tord Skrudland Kjeldsen

A year in Sogndal is a year in one of Norway’s most beautiful landscapes, filled with great experiences, new knowledge, a love for the outdoors, and friendships for life.

Tord Skrudland Kjeldsen
Finn Setchell

Attending Sogndal Folkehøgskule was one of the best decisions I've made. I've had amazing experiences, challenged myself, and made lifelong friends. Sogndal is the perfect place for outdoor adventures and unforgettable memories!

Finn Setchell