Outdoor Explore
Outdoor Explore
World-class nature
A year filled with raw experiences! We'll be packing our bags and heading for the mountains, the forest and the sea. Campfires, tents and cabins are everyday life with us! This is the program for you if you want to discover new sides of yourself through fantastic nature experiences, and simply want to become good at being outdoors. You'll get to explore spectacular nature in Norway and Northwest Norway.
Nature right outside the door
Do you dream of long trips with a backpack, sled or skis? Our school is perfectly located for outdoor activities. Trollheimen, Sunndalsfjella, Romsdalen, Eikesdalen and the Atlantic Road are all within a two-hour radius. This is our classroom. Everything is in place for you to get READY to be out in nature. Whether you are a beginner or more experienced in outdoor life, you will be challenged in the fantastic nature of western Norway.
Versatile outdoor life
Explore - to explore - a word that encompasses a lot and embraces widely. The same goes for Friluftsliv Explore. In this program, we focus on a versatile outdoor life with a wide range of activities. We cover many different activities over the course of a year, and you get to explore both near and far natural areas.
Fantastic experiences close to nature
Here you can enjoy long trips and many nights spent in tents and cabins! Do you want to fill your days with mastering outdoor life in the company of good friends? Whether you're a beginner or experienced in the outdoors, Outdoor Explore is a program that offers a lot of learning and fantastic experiences. You'll learn about the right clothing and equipment to help you stay warm and comfortable in all kinds of weather.
Friluftsliv Explore on social media
Keep up to date with our exciting outdoor activities and experiences.
Short and sweet
You will learn
Expedition - Autumn, winter and spring
Bonfire food
Practical summer and winter outdoor life
Mountain skis
Map and compass
Trip planning
Basic skills
You get to experience
Via ferrata and climbing
Group and solo tours
Cabin to cabin trip
Juving
Avalanche safety course
Snow cave
Ice climbing
Helle on Friluftsliv Explore
Helle has previously been a student at Friluftsliv Explore. Hear what she has to say about the experiences you can look forward to with a year in the outdoors!
Teacher
Morten Brorson Johansen
Morten is a typical Northerner with big words and phrases, but with his heart in the right place. He is a trained lecturer and hunter's test instructor, and has worked as a folk high school teacher for over 10 years. He enjoys exercising, hunting, carpentry and making exclusive dishes from home-grown ingredients. Morten loves being out in nature, gliding over still water in a canoe, playing guitar by the fire and enjoying a cup of black campfire coffee.
Equipment you need
Mountain skis
Sleeping bag and sleeping mat
Touring gear and hiking boots
Daypack and big bag
Wool underwear
Study trips
At Nordvestlandet Folk High School you can choose a study trip! In November, the entire school has a travel period where you choose the program you find most interesting. This is a unique opportunity to get to know more of the students at the school and learn more about yourself and the world we live in.
Bali - Lombok
We're packing our bags and traveling to Bali and Lombok! There we will experience jungle, volcano, rafting and surfing. Get to know Indonesian culture better and visit humanitarian work. Every evening we have dinner together and an evening gathering.
Training camp Gran Canaria
During the training camp you will get to try padel, beach volleyball, wave surf, tennis, frisbee ultimate, cycling and swimming. In addition to some ball activities, there will be some sessions with basic training, strength and fitness, in idyllic surroundings. Every evening we have a joint evening gathering with socializing and fun.
Norway - a round trip
On this trip we will visit a number of important historical sites and you will get an insight into Norwegian culture and nature. We visit Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim and Stiklestad National Cultural Center, where you get a good insight into Viking and medieval culture. The tour continues south to Ålesund. We will also go on a cabin trip and do exciting activities along the way.
Fjord route
Join us on a fantastic cabin-to-cabin hike in the mountains on the islands between Kristiansund and Surnadal. Right next to the ocean, you will experience magnificent nature, improve your map and compass skills, clothing and hiking food. On this hike, you will learn a lot about and from being in nature.
Kenya
In November we are traveling to Kenya. Here we will see fantastic nature, visit many significant places and learn a lot about ourselves! Before we travel, we are working on North/South issues.
Read more about our study tours on the study tour page!
Major full weeks
Three times during the year, arrangements are made for us to pack our bags for a long trip.
Sunndalsfjella -Torvikbukt
5-day camping trip where we walk and paddle from Reinsvatnet in Sunndalsfjella via Eikesdalen and further home to the school (approx. 90 km)
Molde - Torvikbukt
5-day mountain ski trip with sled and tent. We start in Molde where we move northeast towards the school via Osmarka. On this trip, you will become more confident about being out in nature in winter. Great winter tour in forest and mountain terrain. Lots of campfires (approx. 65 km)
The Fjord Route
6-day cabin to cabin trip from Vinjeøra to Seivika. We walk the outer part of the fjord route from Vinjeøra west towards Kristiansund. This will be a real cozy trip. We'll start with mountain skiing on the first two days before continuing with hiking. Cozy cabins, fantastic nature from the forest, the mountains all the way down to the fjord (about 100 km). The Fjord Route study tour covers other parts of the Fjord Route than those you can visit with the line.
Ski week in Oppdal
In February, the whole school goes to Oppdal Ski Center. We'll be staying at the IMI-Stølen campsite, which has excellent facilities for accommodation and socializing. There will be lots of skiing fun, games and cabin fun!We have skilled instructors with us and you will receive instruction at your level. We offer instruction in alpine skiing, telemark, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. You get 5 days of ski passes, so this is a unique opportunity to improve your skiing skills or learn something completely new.
Price
Get an overview of your costs.
Norwegian citizens will receive NOK 151,690 in loans and grants from the loan fund for the 2025/26 school year.
Basic cost
135 000 NOK
Enrollment money
Cost/charge (standard)
Major program cost
Joint expenses / joint trips
Optional study trip
The Fjord Route
included
Training camp
Gran Canaria
17 000 NOK
Kenya
29 000 NOK
Norway - a round trip
3 000 NOK
Bali - Lombok
29 000 NOK
Other
High-standard double rooms (w/bath) cost 7 000 NOK per year, single rooms (w/bath) 9 000 NOK per year.
Most electives are free of charge. Some electives cost extra, check the electives page.
Personal equipment such as skis, poles, backpack, hiking clothes, etc. must be provided by you, some can be rented at the school.
Passports, travel insurance and vaccinations required for international travel are not included.
Special diets for allergies and more. 300 NOK to 1 000 NOK per month.
Some experience weeks are free and some cost extra, check the electives page.
