Hi all! I’ll be in Oppdal during the day on Sunday, 9/04, and really wanted to go on a musk ox safari. Unfortunately, I’d failed to take into account that that’s literally Easter Sunday, so obviously there are no organised tours available. To save this from being a completely wasted trip, I intend to do a bit of hiking on my own and try and find the oxen myself along this trail:

The Musk Ox Trail

I am not holding my breath, but I’m sure the scenery will be beautiful regardless. HOWEVER, since it’ll still be early April, I was wondering what website to use to use to check the current snow cover on the trail and, more importantly, if someone with experience could interpret that information to tell me if I should buy snow shoes (not snow BOOTS, but the kind of metal frame that attached to your shoes to allow you to walk in deep snow). I tried phoning the national park helpline but no one picks up.

Any info would be much appreciated!

2 comments

  1. > To save this from being a completely wasted trip,

    Another oblivious tourist in Norway at the wrong time/ weather eager to tick an item off the wishlist.

    >,so obviously there are no organised tours available.

    There is a reason. See below.

    > Viktig melding fra Besøkssenter villrein – Viewpoint Snøhetta og Norsk villreinsenter:
    viewpoint SNØHETTA er stengt fra midten av oktober til starten av juni! Hvorfor? Områdene rundt bygget er viktige vinterbeiter for villrein og moskus! Vinteren på Dovrefjell kan være brutal💨🌨️, og det er viktig at dyra får bruke tida på å beite og hvile (og ikke på å flykte fra oss).

    The translation

    > Important message from the Wild Reindeer Visitor Center – Viewpoint Snøhetta and the Norwegian Wild Reindeer Centre:

    > Viewpoint SNØHETTA is closed from mid-October to the beginning of June! Why? The areas around the building are important winter pastures for wild reindeer and musk deer! The winter at Dovrefjell can be brutal💨🌨️, and it is important that the animals have time to graze and rest (and not to run away from us).

    So, cancel the trip or do some other activity or winter hike somewhere else.

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