WELCOME HOME
In the heart of Sogn, you’ll find Sogndal folkehøgskule.
Surrounded by tall mountains and close to the Sognefjord, the school has a location few can match. With all of Sogn as your classroom, the year is yours to fill – all you need to do is say YES!
We believe that each of you helps shape the year into something truly special. You’ll get to use your own strengths, the ideas you’re passionate about, your interests, and the energy you bring.
By being curious and open, you’ll not only get to know new people, but also discover new sides of yourself. You’ll become an equal part of a school community where you are included, where you matter, and where your role helps make the school a great place to be.
Principal Ole Karsten Birkeland
SOGNDAL folkehøgskule
GYM BUILDING
There’s activity here both during the day and in the evening. Volleyball is a big favorite! The building also has a music room and a stage, where we host student evenings and other performances.
OFFICE BUILDING
Here you’ll find the administration offices. The building also includes classrooms, the staff room, teacher workspaces, a library, a wood workshop, and a graphics room.
FELLESHUSET
Here you’ll find washing machines and drying rooms, as well as a cozy common living room.
HAGEINTERNAT
Consists of eight dorm buildings.
EPLEHAGEN
In the garden you can pick apples, pears, and plums. There’s also a slackline, benches, and cozy places to hang out with others.
The village of Sogndal lies about 3.5 hours by car from Bergen and around 5.5 hours from Oslo. The nearest airport, Sogndal Airport Haukåsen, is just 20 minutes away, making it easy to travel to and from the larger cities in Norway. Sogndal gives you the chance to live close to nature – while still being part of a lively, active village when you want it.
SAUEBYGGET
This is where we start the day with the morning gathering in A-hallen. The building also has several classrooms and creative rooms – like the sewing room. Here you’ll also find the offices of Renate and Sivelin.
HYGGEBYGGET
This is the heart of the school. All meals are served here, and the building is a natural gathering place for both everyday life and celebrations. You’ll also find the fireplace lounge, Sivleståva, the school kitchen, and the “bunker” with table tennis. Who knows –maybe this is where you’ll knit your first sweater?
Known as the folk high school jetty, this is one of Sogndal’s most popular swimming spots. People swim here all year round!
FJELLINTERNAT
Consists of four dorms, including the “stippestua”.
SOGNDAL
«BRYGGA»
OUTDOOR LIFE
Kroatia and Hardangervidda
What you’ll take part in:
The Outdoor Life year is full of variety and friendship. The autumn starts with kayaking, climbing, and glacier hiking, before we seek campfires, surf waves, and good conversations as the darker season sets in. Winter brings ski trips, snow caves, ice climbing, and dog sledding. You’ll learn to enjoy being outdoors in all kinds of weather, and to find joy in mastering challenges together with others. When spring arrives, we find the sun again — with canoe trips, mountain hikes, and nights under the stars.
Would you like a year where you spend time outdoors, surrounded by good people and close to nature? In the Outdoor Life course, you’ll get a year filled with activity, community, and real experiences — a break from grades and academic pressure.
The nature of Western Norway offers everything from fjords and mountains to glaciers and the sea. Together with others who love being outdoors, you’ll get to try, fail, master, and grow. This is a year where you’ll become more confident — in yourself, in others, and in nature — and maybe even find out a little more about what you want for the future.
OUTDOOR LIFE NORWAY
Western Norway and Lofoten
Do you want a year where you get to spend time outdoors, experience real nature, and become part of a safe and social community? At OUTDOOR LIFE NORWAY you get to feel the joy of being outside all year, in mountains, fjords, glaciers and along the coast. Here it is all about experiences, cooperation, and finding calm in a simple way of life.
Sogndal gives you a short distance from fjord to mountain, and with backpack, skis and tent you get to know both nature, yourself, and the rest of the class well. This is the line for you who want to be active, explorative, and part of an environment where everyone supports each other.
What you’ll take part in:
You’ll join a glacier trip using rope and crampons. There will be tent trips and a basecamp where you take part in organizing the camp over several days. We travel to the coast for surfing, campfires, and cooking over open flames, and explore the western coastline both on land and at sea. In the mountains, we go from cabin to cabin in Breheimen or Jotunheimen.
During winter, you’ll learn avalanche awareness, build and spend the night in a snow cave, and get training in mountain skiing, telemark, and winter outdoor life. Throughout the year, the focus is on cooperation, mastery, and safe travel in nature.
OUTDOOR LIFE KILIMANJARO
Tanzania and Zanzibar
Do you want a year filled with contrasts — to travel far, and to learn a lot about nature and yourself? At Outdoor Life Kilimanjaro, you’ll spend the entire year outdoors, from mountain hikes in Norway to an expedition on Africa’s highest mountain. You’ll become part of an active and social community, and experience both fellowship and mastery in nature.
What you’ll take part in:
The autumn starts with mountain hikes, basecamps, and overnight trips in Jotunheimen. You’ll learn to use a map and compass, pitch tents, cook over a fire, and handle different weather conditions. There will be glacier courses, river paddling, climbing, and surfing in Hoddevika — and many great days spent in the wild nature of Western Norway. When winter comes, winter outdoor life and ski touring are on the plan. You’ll learn safe travel in snow, avalanche assessment, and how to use beacon and receiver. We build snow caves, practice first aid, and go on mountain ski trips with heavy backpacks. During spring, we prepare both physically and mentally for the expedition to Africa.
OUTDOOR LIFE Interrail to Italy and Lofoten
Do you want a year filled with trips, challenges, and great experiences together with others? At Outdoor Life Backcountry Skiing, you’ll spend the whole year outdoors — in the mountains, by the sea, and in the snow. Here you’ll learn how to plan trips, assess weather and conditions, and become confident in yourself and your group. This is the course for you who like to be active, learn by doing, and get to know people who also love being out in nature.
Throughout the year, you’ll get to try many different kinds of outdoor activities. Autumn brings mountain hikes, climbing, and overnight trips in tents. You’ll learn map and compass skills, first aid, and how to handle changing weather. We’ll have a glacier course, go bouldering, climb Via Ferrata routes, and take a surf trip to Hoddevika before winter arrives. When the snow comes, it’s time for ski touring and expeditions. You’ll learn safe travel in winter mountains, avalanche assessment, how to use beacon and receiver, and trip planning. Some days we go on shorter day trips; other times we pack the tent and spend the night outdoors. The goal is for you to master nature — to sleep in a snow cave, understand avalanche safety, and try both kiting and ice climbing.
SKIING AND CLIMBING
Corsica and the Alps
Skiing and Climbing is the course for those who want to learn to climb safely and in a versatile way, both indoors and outdoors.
In Sogndal, you’ll find everything you need: the climbing crag Kvam with over 500 routes, a bouldering gym in Sognahallen, and short distances to both mountains and glaciers. We make active use of the winter in the mountains. You’ll go on many ski touring trips — two to three days every week — and get to try ice climbing on natural formations. Sogndal is the perfect starting point, with short distances to climbing, ski touring, and excellent snow conditions.
What you’ll take part in:
In autumn, we climb on different cliffs around Western Norway, and try multipitch and bouldering both indoors and outdoors. You’ll join a glacier course, cross glaciers, and climb alpine peaks. The autumn semester ends with a 12-day study trip to Corsica, focusing on climbing. In spring, we spend many days skiing in some of Norway’s best areas for ski touring. Around Sogndal, you’ll find varied terrain, stable snow, and mountains perfectly suited for randonnée. You’ll take an avalanche course, go on longer ski trips with overnight stays in mountain cabins, try ice climbing, and take part in the Haute Route — the classic hut-to-hut ski tour in the Alps.
MULTISPORT Spania and Tanzania
Multisport is the course for those who love being active and want to try a wide variety of activities.
Here you’ll get a varied year filled with sports, outdoor life, and experiences in nature.
The goal is to develop yourself physically, mentally, and socially — in an environment where people cooperate and learn together.
In Sogndal, you have everything you need right outside your door — fjords, mountains, and modern training facilities. Here you’ll find both joy in movement, a sense of mastery, and new challenges throughout an active and varied school year.
What you’ll take part in:
Throughout the year, you’ll get to try many different sports and activities. We combine training, play, and outdoor life, both indoors and outdoors. You’ll get a wide range of physical challenges and activities. We play football, volleyball, floorball, and basketball, and try new sports such as padel, golf, and kiting. There will be training sessions both indoors and outside, focusing on strength, endurance, and technique. You’ll plan your own workouts and learn about exercise science in practice. In addition, we go on a glacier trip, via ferrata, and a surf trip to Hoddevika. During winter, we ski in resorts and try ski touring. We use the mountains, fjords, and sports facilities in the area for a wide range of activities throughout the year.
FALL COURSES
MULTISPORT FALL
Study trip: Spain
Multisport Fall is for those who like being active and want to try many different things. Throughout the fall, you’ll get an exciting combination of sports, training, and outdoor life — with varied activities, shared experiences, and new challenges both indoors and outdoors.
OUTDOOR LIFE FALL
Study trip: Croatia
Outdoor Life Fall is for those who want to experience the nature of Western Norway at its best and spend the season outdoors. Here you’ll get an active half-year filled with trips, learning, and cooperation in nature. You’ll learn to plan trips, use equipment, and enjoy being outside in all kinds of weather — gaining a safe and solid introduction to outdoor life.
OUTDOOR LIFE BACKCOUNTRY SKIING FALL
Study trip: Interrail to Italy
Backcountry Skiing Fall is for those who love mountains, physical activity, and longer trips. Throughout the fall, you’ll experience Western Norway at its most beautiful, with mountain hikes, climbing, and glacier courses as part of a varied and active half-year in nature.
FALL COURSES
CLIMBING FALL
Study trip: Corsica
Climbing Fall is for those who want to learn to climb safely and in a versatile way, both indoors and outdoors. In Sogndal, you’ll find everything you need: the climbing crag Kvam with over 500 routes, a climbing center and bouldering gym in Sognahallen, and short distances to both mountains and glaciers.
SPRING COURSES
KILIMANJARO SPRING
Study trip: Tanzania
Kilimanjaro Spring is for those who want to use the winter actively while preparing for an expedition to Africa’s highest mountain. You’ll learn about winter outdoor life, safe travel in the mountains, and experience the stunning nature around Sogndal.
OUTDOOR LIFE
NORWAY SPRING
Study trip: Lofoten
Outdoor Life Norway Spring is for those who want to experience Norwegian nature at its most beautiful. You’ll have an active half-year with mountain ski trips and plenty of time outdoors.Here you’ll find a balance between excitement and calm, between activity and relaxation.
SKIING SPRING
Study trip: Lofoten
Skiing Spring is for those who love snow and want to spend the winter developing as a skier.
Throughout the semester, you’ll have many days on skis, with ski touring, avalanche training, and technique practice in some of Norway’s best mountain areas.
SPRING COURSES
MULTISPORT SPRING
Study trip: Tanzania and Zanzibar
Multisport Spring is for those who want a half-year filled with activity, skiing, and varied training — including strength, intervals, and traditional sports. Here we combine sports and outdoor life, and end the semester with surfing at Stad on the Norwegian coast.
OUTDOOR LIFE SPRING
Study trip: Hardangervidda
Outdoor Life Spring is for those who want to experience real winter outdoor life — from building a snow cave to crossing Hardangervidda on skis. Here you’ll learn to enjoy nature, cooperate with others, and master different conditions outdoors.
SKIING AND CLIMBING SPRING
Study trip: The Alps
Skiing and Climbing Spring is for those who want to make active use of the winter in the mountains. You’ll go on ski touring trips in the Sogn region and take part in a 12day study trip to Austria, where you’ll experience the classic Haute Route — a legendary hut-to-hut ski tour.
YOUR HOME ON CAMPUS
We have beautiful dorm buildings with a high standard, where every room is bright and welcoming. The dorms are safely tucked away from traffic, right in the middle of the school’s apple garden.
Most students choose to share a room, but it’s also possible to request a single room. One of the nicest things about the dorms at Sogndal Folk High School is that they aren’t lined up in a corridor — instead, each room opens out into a cozy shared living area. The dorm quickly becomes a home, and it doesn’t take many weeks before students start saying they’re “going home to Sogndal.”
ROOMS AND FACILITIES AT THE SCHOOL
Our dining hall is spacious and bright, with a view over the Sognefjord. In the same building, you’ll find the fireplace lounge — a cozy place to relax and gather around the fire in the evenings. Our school kitchen is modern and wellequipped. The gym hall includes a stage used for student evenings, a strength room, and a fitness room. In our apple garden, you’ll find an outdoor amphitheater with a fire pit and two hot tubs that can be heated up for cold winter days. Here you can hang up a hammock or balance on the slackline. Our outdoor areas also include a sand volleyball court and an artificial turf field with floodlights — which turns into an ice rink when it’s cold enough. Down by the fjord, you’ll find our pier, where students can swim all year round. There’s also a boathouse with both kayaks and canoes available for student use. The school also has a bike and ski workshop, a sewing room with new sewing machines, and its own vegetable garden. We also have a music room where students are free to use the school’s instruments.
ELECTIVE SUBJECTS
At our school, you can choose from around 30 different elective subjects. The selection may vary from year to year, but we always offer a wide range to suit different interests.
In October and November, we have electives two days a week, and you can choose between two or three different subjects. During the fall semester, we also have two full elective weeks where you can pick two different subjects. In spring, electives are held once a week, plus one full elective week. In total, this means you’ll take part in 7–8 different electives during the school year.
Some of the electives you can choose from include: Bouldering, Barista, Sewing and Redesign, Small-Scale Farming, Guitar, Cooking for Beginners, Hunting, Kayaking, Knife Making, Climbing, Chocolate Making, Build Your Own Longboard, Campfire Cooking, Painting, Knitting Traditional Mittens, Make Your Own Skis, Sew a Chalk Bag from Climbing Rope, Ski Touring, Woodwork, Winter Games, Volleyball, Yoga, and Beer Brewing.
SCHOOL TRIPS
The school trips are highlights throughout the year. They give you time to get to know others, experience nature, and build a strong sense of community. These trips aren’t about performance — they’re about being together: outdoors, on adventures, and in shared moments.
AURLAND – GET-TO-KNOW TRIP
The whole school travels to Aurland, where we truly get to know each other. We go on hikes, cook meals outdoors, and spend time together surrounded by the beautiful nature of Western Norway. The trip is all about community and creating bonds from the very first day.
HEMSEDAL – SKI AND WINTER FUN
When winter comes, we head to Hemsedal for three days of skiing and activities. Students receive instruction tailored to their level, with plenty of time to enjoy the slopes. Evenings are spent together, filled with laughter, social moments, and good memories.
NÆRØYFJORDEN – SPRING TRIP AND FAREWELL
Toward the end of the year, we travel through the fjord landscape. We take a boat into the Nærøyfjord and spend the night in Dyrdal. It’s a calm and beautiful way to round off the year together.
Folk high school is about more than just your main course.
We want to challenge you with subjects that we believe are exciting, fun, and important for your personal growth. Through these subjects, you’ll get to explore new interests while developing both academic and social skills. It’s also a great opportunity to get to know students from other lines.
• MORNING ASSEMBLY: A shared start to the day.
• CHOIR: We have two choir seminars during the year.
• STUDENT EVENINGS:Each group prepares a short performance or revue that is shown on stage for the rest of the school.
• SATURDAY SEMINARS: On Saturday mornings, we have three hours of seminars — these vary between lectures, guest speakers, and practical activities.
MATAUK – HARVEST AND TRADITIONS
We harvest, gather, and prepare local produce. You’ll learn about Sogndal’s strong traditions of fruit, vegetables, and life connected to the mountains and the fjord.
FIRST AID A thorough introduction to first aid. Through realistic exercises with scenarios and role-playing, you’ll get to practice what you’ve learned.
THE GOOD LIFE
We explore different ways to find balance and calm, and reflect on what gives each of us a good and meaningful life.
COMMON SUBJECTS
THE DINING HALL – the heart of the school
At our school, meals are about more than food. This is where we meet, talk, and share everyday life together.
Around the tables in the dining hall, community is built — one meal at a time. We make our food from scratch, focusing on quality ingredients, sustainability, and great taste
The kitchen uses seasonal produce, much of it organic and locally sourced, and we constantly work to make our meals even more environmentally friendly.
About 40% of our food is organic, and we also harvest from our own garden and fruit trees.
We emphasize that the food should be healthy, tasty, and varied. We accommodate different diets and allergies, and offer good options for those who eat vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, or gluten-free. If you have specific needs, we’re always happy to talk and find good solutions together.
At our school, food should taste good, do good, and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere around the tables in the dining hall.
Facts about SOGNDAL FOLK HIGH SCHOOL
Owner: The Sogndal Folk High School Foundation
Number of students: 90
Minimum age: 18 years
APPLY HERE:
You can apply at any time — we have rolling admissions until the school year begins on August 23, 2026. It’s a good idea to apply early to secure a spot on your first-choice line.
Offers of admission are sent out starting November 15. The school year runs from August 23, 2026 to May 8, 2027.
Address: Helgheimsvegen 9, 6856 Sogndal
Phone: +47 57 62 75 75
Email: sogndal@sogndal.fhs.no
Website: www.sogndal.fhs.no
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This is a great place to test your limits and enjoy the moment. It’s okay to make mistakes — you don’t have to be perfect at everything. Life at folk high school is so much fun that you might not even notice how much you’re learning.
Kjersti Hein, Outdoor Life student