WELCOME
Nestled in the heart of Sogn, Sogndal Folk High School awaits you. Surrounded by towering mountains and near the majestic Sognefjord, our school offers a truly unique setting that few can match. With all of Sogn as your classroom— whether through the lens of a camera, on untouched powder snow, or on the sports field—this year is yours to shape. All you need to do is say YES!
We believe each of you will contribute to making this year unforgettable. You’ll bring your unique strengths, passions, ideas, interests, and energy.
Through curiosity and exploration, you’ll connect with new people and discover new sides of yourself. You’ll join a school community where you are valued, needed, and essential to making our school an inspiring place to be.
Principal Ole Karsten Birkeland
About SOGNDAL
Folk High School
Sogndal is located in the beautiful region of Sogn, surrounded by fjords, mountains, and glaciers. This small, vibrant town is known for its active outdoor lifestyle, offering experiences like mountain hiking, climbing, skiing, and paddling on the fjord. Sogndal is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, drawn by its stunning natural surroundings and lively student community.
GYM BUILDING
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
APPLE ORCHARD
CLASSROOMS
DINING HALL
MOUNTAIN DORM
GARDEN DORM
The town is about a 3.5-hour drive from Bergen and around 5.5 hours from Oslo, with Sogndal Airport Haukåsen just 20 minutes away, making travel to and from Norway’s larger cities easy. In Sogndal, you’ll find the perfect balance of close-to-nature experiences and urban life whenever you want it.
SOGNDAL HALL BATHING JETTY
We Care About YOU
As a Free-Spirited Folk High School
We believe in the value of each person and are committed to helping you shape your own daily life. Sogndal Folk High School emphasizes freedom, openness, and personal growth.
Here, you’ll learn to take responsibility for yourself and your surroundings. Our goal is that you leave with hope for a brighter future and the courage to make positive changes.
OPENNESS
As a “free-spirited” school, we are politically and religiously independent, encouraging open dialogue and free expression.
COMMUNITY
You will become part of a safe and inclusive community.
NO EXAMS OR CURRICULUM
Focus is on the learning content and process, not the results.
DIVERSITY
Our values are grounded in tolerance, inclusion, and respect for diverse beliefs and backgrounds.
PERSONAL GROWTH
We are committed to your development as an individual—both academically and socially.
We Care About THE FUTURE
We strive to build an inclusive community with a strong commitment to sustainable choices. We believe small actions can lead to big changes. Through various activities and mindful decisions, we aim to inspire you to make your own sustainable choices for a better world. Here, you can make a difference
We Care About What You EAT
Our approach to food is rooted in sustainability, quality, and flavor. We create meals that are not only delicious and nutritious but also environmentally conscious. Everything is prepared from scratch, going from farm to table, with about 40% of our ingredients sourced organically.
We recognize that everyone has unique dietary needs, and we make accommodations for lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options. If you have specific requirements, we’re here to discuss meal adaptations—just reach out with any dietary questions.
“The dining hall is the heart of the school,” where joy in food brings everyone together to create a warm, inclusive atmosphere.
Welcome to meals where taste, tasty, and sustainability meet!
MONDAY: Chickpea gyros with organic chickpeas, tzatziki, tomato, onion, and parsley, served with roasted potatoes.
THURSDAY: Lyre fish in a cream and chili sauce.
TUESDAY: Scampi stir-fry with leeks, broccoli, roasted cashews, bell peppers, and garlic.
FRIDAY: Cauliflower tacos with beetroot tortillas, mango salsa, “fake-amole,” feta, and lime.
SATURDAY:
SUNDAY: Roasted culotte
with herb oil made from garden herbs, roasted potatoes, and baked organic carrots and cabbage.
WEDNESDAY:
FRIDAY EVENING: Organic, whole-grain rice porridge.
SUNDAY
steak
DESSERT: Organic apple and black currant crumble with whipped cream.
Homemade pizza with an organic crust, served with a side salad.
Spareribs with potato salad, corn on the cob, and a fresh salad.
OUTDOOR LIFE X KILIMANJARO Kilimanjaro,
Safari, and Zanzibar
What You’ll Learn:
Get ready for an adventure-packed year filled with climbing, river paddling, surfing, ice climbing, and a Kilimanjaro expedition! Beyond the physical challenges, you’ll create lasting memories with new friends, sleeping under the stars, sharing meals by the campfire, and waking up to breathtaking landscapes. Before winter, you’ll hike in Jotunheimen with day trips and longer basecamp treks, and then continue with glacier courses, climbing, river paddling, skydiving, and surfing. In winter, ski touring, ice climbing, and snow-cave camping await.
FALL SEMESTER: Navigation, mountain expedition planning, camp setup, glacier skills, climbing techniques, river paddling, tandem skydiving, surfing, skiing, ice climbing, and the Kilimanjaro expedition.
SPRING SEMESTER: Avalanche awareness, snow profiling, safe winter mountain travel, crampons and ice axe skills, altitude acclimatization, nature and cultural insights, physical endurance, and team solidarity.
SKI AND CLIMBING
Klimbing in southern Europe and skiing in the Alps
Do you want to become a skilled climber? Do you want to learn the craft of climbing and master the winter mountain with skis and crampons? Sogndal is a climbers paradise, both indoors and outdoors. In autumn, you’ll get a climbing course where you will learn belaying, top rope, link climbing and multi-rope lengths.
The mountains around Sogndal are transformed into a skiing paradise. Just a short drive away from the school, you will find untouched powder. The area is known for always getting snow and you’ll get to know one of Norways best areas for alpine skiing. You’ll learn safe travel in the mountains and get to reach alpine peaks using crampons and an ice axe.
What You’ll Learn:
AUTUMN: Here you’ll learn how to climb properly, get your brattkort (a climbing certificate by the Norwegian climbing Federation) if you haven’t already, climbing on led and multipitch, bouldering and climbing technique, mountain rescue, abseiling and safety, knots and climbing equipment, climbing on glaciers, introduction to wedge climbing, climbing on various cliffs, training
SPRING: Alpine peaks and summit tours, use of crampons, ice axe in combination with skis, avalanche courses, learning about snow profiles, safe travel in the winter mountains, ice climbing on a frozen waterfall, trip planning and navigation in the mountains, finding untouched descents in loose snow, planning and carrying out trips in unknown terrain, partner rescues, use of emergency biouvac
OUTDOOR LIFE NORWAY
Western Norway and Lofoten
What You’ll Learn:
FALL SEMESTER: Kayaking, glacier climbing, telemark skiing, avalanche safety, and solo camping.
SPRING SEMESTER: Community building, basecamp setup, navigation, belay certification, and winter outdoor skills.
Spend a year exploring some of the world’s most stunning landscapes. Starting with kayaking certification, you’ll embark on a fjord expedition, then tackle alpine summits, glacier climbs, campfires, and surfing. Winter brings telemark skiing, snow cave camping, and blue ice cave exploration.
OUTDOOR LIFE – SUMMIT TRIPS
Interrail in Europe and Skiing in Lofoten
Do you dream of mountain summits and untouched powder? Outdoor life here combines physical challenges and lasting friendships. From day hikes to extended basecamp expeditions, you’ll gain skills in glacier climbing and rope handling. When winter arrives, the focus shifts to ski touring, avalanche safety, and snow analysis.
Ready for a year in the world’s wildest, rawest, and most beautiful classroom? Your adventure starts with kayaking certification and a fjord expedition. Then, you’ll move into alpine peaks, glacier climbing, and later, ski touring, backcountry skiing, and snow cave camping. Spring brings climbing and coastal hikes.
What You’ll Learn:
FALL SEMESTER: Advanced climbing, belaying, rappelling, mountain rescue, glacier climbing, and physical training.
SPRING SEMESTER: Alpine summits, avalanche knowledge, winter navigation, ice climbing, trip planning, and rescue skills.
OUTDOOR LIFE
Croatia and the Mediterranean
Prepare for an fall of trail biking, surfing, and winter ski touring. Develop control and speed on diverse terrains and learn basic surfing techniques at Hoddevika.
Winter then brings ski touring, avalanche awareness, and terrain navigation, giving you a solid foundation for winter adventures.
What You’ll Learn:
FALL SEMESTER:
Kayaking, blue ice climbing, climbing, surfing, and solo outdoor nights.
SPRING SEMESTER:
Kiting, teamwork, trip planning, winter outdoor skills, and rafting.
SKI, BIKE, AND SURF
Portugal and Lofoten
Experience Norway’s majestic landscapes with kayaking, summits, fishing, and glacier climbing. Gather around campfires as you surf and climb through the fall. In winter, switch to backcountry skiing and explore blue ice caves. Spring brings outdoor climbing and coastal hikes.
What You’ll Learn:
FALL SEMESTER: Mountain biking, bike maintenance, surfing, and interrail travel planning.
SPRING SEMESTER: Alpine touring, avalanche safety, first aid, and emergency preparedness.
MULTISPORT AFRICA
Tanzania, Safari, and Zanzibar
What You’ll Learn:
FALL SEMESTER:
This program offers a taste of everything! From kayaking to summit hikes, skiing to cultural exchange in Tanzania, you’ll build skills across diverse outdoor and athletic disciplines.
Sports skills, personal growth, kayaking, climbing, and basic surfing.
SPRING SEMESTER:
Skiing, cultural exchange, environmental respect, and bouldering.
GOLF, PADEL AND SKI
Spain and the Alps
Hone your skills in golf, frisbee golf, and padel with personalized guidance and training. In winter, focus on skiing techniques and adapting to varying conditions.
What You’ll Learn:
FALL SEMESTER: Golf, padel, strategy, and physical fitness.
SPRING SEMESTER: Ski techniques, terrain adaptation, balance, and endurance.
Half-Year Programs FALL 2025
OUTDOOR LIFE FALL
High mountains, fjord kayaking, summit trips, glacier climbing, and a study trip to Croatia.
MULTISPORT FALL
A mix of outdoor activities, including kayaking, climbing, and surfing, with a study trip to Spain.
CLIMBING FALL
Climbing skills, belaying, and multi-pitch techniques, with a study trip to Southern Europe.
BIKING AND SURFING FALL
Trail biking, surfing, and technical riding skills with a study trip to Portugal.
Half-Year Programs
SPRING 2026
OUTDOOR LIFE X KILIMANJARO (SPRING)
Ready to push your limits with ski touring, ice climbing, and winter camping—and finish with an expedition to Kilimanjaro? This program is about more than physical endurance; it’s about sharing unforgettable experiences. Study trip: Tanzania
PADEL AND SKI (SPRING)
Perfect your skiing techniques, from basic balance and control to advanced skills. We cover adapting to different conditions so you can feel secure on both powder and groomed slopes, suitable for all skill levels. Study trip: Skiing in the Alps
SKI (SPRING)
Experience the skiing paradise of Sogndal with its reliable powder snow. You’ll learn safe mountain travel and climb alpine peaks using crampons and ice axes in Norway’s renowned ski touring area. Study trip: Lofoten
OUTDOOR LIFE NORWAY (SPRING)
Immerse yourself in one of the world’s wildest, most rugged landscapes. You’ll ski backcountry, learn telemark turns, and camp outdoors. The winter season includes snow cave camping, blue ice cave exploration, kiting, and avalanche safety training. Study trip: Lofoten
CAMPUS LIVING
The dormitories are high-standard, cozy spaces surrounded by an apple orchard. Rooms are bright and comfortable, and most students share with a roommate, though single rooms are available.
Facilities:
Spacious dining hall with Sognefjord views, a cozy fireplace room, gym with stage, strength and training rooms, and a well-equipped kitchen.
Outdoor Amenities:
Amphitheater with a fire pit, two hot tubs, volleyball court, seasonal ice rink, and a boathouse with kayaks and canoes.
Additional resources include a sewing room, music room, bike/ski workshop, and a vegetable garden. Students also have access to slacklines, hammocks, and an artificial grass field.
ELECTIVE COURSES
With 30 electives to choose from, students have ample opportunity to explore new interests alongside their main program. Electives may vary each year but always cover a wide range of activities.
SOME AVAILABLE ELECTIVES:
• Outdoor Skills: Bouldering, Hunting, Kayaking, Summit Trips, Winter Games
• Crafts & Arts: Linocut, Painting, Make Your Own Longboard, Sewing & Redesign, Make Your Own Skis
• Culinary & Crafting: Campfire Cooking, Barista, Confectionery, Beer Brewing, Knife-Making
The whole school goes on three group trips each year to foster a sense of community and shared experiences:
1. GET-TO-KNOW-YOU TRIP TO FJÆRLAND
A bonding trip with mountain hikes, kayaking, and plenty of time for new friendships.
2. SKIING IN HEMSEDAL
A January skiing retreat with skillbased groups and expert guidance in backcountry, telemark, or alpine skiing.
3. BOAT TRIP IN NÆRØYFJORDEN
A two-day fjord cruise in Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, with a hike on the historic postal route.
GROUP TRIPS
Beyond the main programs, students engage in subjects designed to challenge, inspire, and bring everyone together.
• Morning Assembly: A communal start to the day.
• Choir Workshops: Held twice a year, offering a creative outlet for all.
• Student Evening: A fun, varietystyle show for the school community.
• Saturday Seminars: Workshops and lectures that explore diverse topics.
• First Aid: In-depth, hands-on first aid training.
• Harvesting: We gather, collect, pick, and process food. We learn a lot about Sogndal’s traditions, which largely involve fruit, vegetables, and wildlife in the mountains and fjords.
• The Good Life: Exploring pathways to balance, calm, and personal fulfillment.
GENERAL SUBJECTS & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Facts and Application SOGNDAL FOLKEHØGSKULE
Owner: Sogndal Folk High School Foundation
Student Capacity: 90
Age Requirement: 18+
SØK PLASS HER:
Apply By: Rolling admissions until August 31, 2025. Offers are sent starting November 15, so early application is recommended.
School Year: August 31, 2025May 9, 2026
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address: Helgheimsvegen 9, 6856 Sogndal
Phone: +47 57 62 75 75
Email: sogndal@sogndal.fhs.no www.sogndal.fhs.no
Instagram: TikTok: Facebook: YouTube: Hjemmeside:
Here, it’s great to test your limits and enjoy the moments. It’s okay to make mistakes, and you don’t have to excel at everything. Folk high school is so enjoyable that you might not even realize how much you’re learning.
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Kjersti Hein, Outdoor Life