Valdres Folkehøgskole

What Valdres Folkehøgskole does

Valdres Folkehøgskole is a Norwegian residential folk high school (folkehøgskole) founded in 1899 and located in Valdres at the foot of the Jotunheimen mountain range. It operates as Valdres Folkehøgskole A/S under the ownership of Norges KFUK-KFUM, a national youth and values-based organization. The school serves approximately 140 students per academic year across 12 to 13 specialized program lines (linjer) centered on outdoor life, adventure sports, mountain expeditions, and international travel, with destinations ranging from the Jotunheimen peaks to Tanzania and (recently) the Himalayas.

The school offers a year-long, non-formal boarding education model culminating in no formal degree but providing a gap-year, personal-development, and skill-building experience. Programs emphasize outdoor leadership, with notable offerings in mountaineering, expedition climbing (including a Basecamp Mount Everest line), and humanitarian international engagement. Student intake is drawn from across Norway and selective international markets, and the institution also serves as a designated 3D Guidance School under the Norwegian Directorate, enabling referrals through public guidance services.

Revenue is generated primarily through student tuition of NOK 169,950 per year, supplemented by Norwegian state subsidies paid to folkehøgskoler on a per-student basis and ancillary fees tied to expedition programs. The commercial footprint is small by design — roughly 20-30 staff supporting ~140 students — and the operating model is governed by the regulatory and funding framework for Norwegian folk high schools rather than competitive private education. Technology use is light: Vimeo for video, Abilia MEMOplanner for special-needs scheduling, and standard productivity and admissions tools.

Name

Valdres Folkehøgskole

Legal name

Valdres Folkehøgskole A/S

Website

https://vintereventyr.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1899

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Valdres Folkehøgskole is a Norwegian residential folk high school founded in 1899 at the foot of Jotunheimen, serving approximately 140 gap-year students annually across 12+ outdoor, adventure, and international expedition program lines under the KFUK-KFUM organization.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Folk High School Education

NAICS

Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Gap Year + Study Abroad Hybrid Programs (EDAIAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Adventure Camps & Summer Programs (THAAAOAB), Student & Youth Educational Tours (THAKAGAA)

Keywords

• Folk high school education
• Outdoor adventure programs
• Gap year education
• International study trips
• Youth development education

Headquarters

HQ city

Leira

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Student Tuition and Fees: The school charges students a total price of NOK 169,950 per year, comprising kost/losji (accommodation and meals) at NOK 92,950, felleskostnad (common costs including elective subjects, shared trips, equipment rental) at NOK 17,000, and linjekostnad (line-specific costs including all trips and activities) at NOK 60,000. Additional single room supplement is NOK 5,000. Entry fee of NOK 2,950 is paid upon acceptance. The school also receives government funding as a recognized Norwegian folk high school.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Valdres Folkeh\u00f8gskole is a Norwegian folk high school delivering a one-year residential gap-year program for young adults aged 18\u201323. It offers 13 specialized program lines (Paragliding, Explore, Fjellsport, Freeride, X Sports, Horizont, Friluftsliv Adventure, Idrett Piste, Safari X, Eksotisk friluftsliv, Golf Ski Surf, Aktiv bo og fritid for special-needs students, and Basecamp Mount Everest) centred on outdoor adventure, extreme sports, and international study trips. The all-inclusive offering covers accommodation, meals, teaching, equipment rental, domestic and international travel, elective subjects, and wrap-around student support, with tuition totalling NOK 169,950 per year.

Product overview

Valdres Folkehøgskole is a Norwegian folk high school offering a comprehensive portfolio of 13 specialized educational programs (linjer) focused on outdoor activities, adventure sports, and international travel. These programs include Paragliding, Explore, Fjellsport, Freeride, X Sports, Horizont, Friluftsliv Adventure, Idrett Piste, Safari X, Eksotisk friluftsliv, Golf Ski Surf, Aktiv bo og fritid, and Basecamp Mount Everest. Each program is complemented by elective subjects (valgfag) offering up to 14 hours weekly across sports, arts, and academic areas. The school also operates Youth Peacemakers, a global humanitarian project in Tanzania. All programs include study trips to international destinations. The school provides inclusive education with dormitory facilities, meals, and comprehensive support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Vintereventyret: Marketing name/branding used for Valdres Folkehøgskole's programs and travel experiences. The school markets itself as 'Vintereventyret' (The Winter Adventure) referring to its location and outdoor adventure programs.

Products and services

• Paragliding - S\u00f8r-Afrika og Nord-Makedonia A specialized program focusing on paragliding and paragliding training, with study trips to South Africa and North Macedonia. For students aged 18-23 seeking intensive adventure-sport education.
• Explore - Malaysia, Singapore og Borneo A travel and exploration program covering Malaysia, Singapore, and Borneo combined with an InterRail Europa component. For students seeking international cultural and outdoor exploration.
• Fjellsport - Patagonia og Alpene A mountain-sports program with expeditions to Patagonia and the Alps, including mountaineering and alpine skills development. For students with strong interest in mountain adventure.
• Freeride - Japan og Marokko A freeride program combining ski, bike, and surf activities in Japan and Morocco. For adventure sports enthusiasts seeking multi-discipline progression.
• X Sports - New Zealand og Alpene An extreme-sports program featuring activities in New Zealand and the Alps. For students seeking high-adrenaline adventure training.
• Horizont - Backpacking Vietnam, Laos og Kambodsja A backpacking program focused on Southeast Asia travel through Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. For students interested in cultural immersion and travel-focused gap years.
• Friluftsliv Adventure - Kilimanjaro An outdoor/adventure program featuring expeditions to Mount Kilimanjaro alongside classic Norwegian friluftsliv (outdoor life) training.
• Idrett Piste - S\u00f8r-Afrika og Alpene A sports/ski program with trips to South Africa and the Alps. For students wanting structured alpine/ski development combined with international exposure.
• Safari X - Botswana, Namibia og Zimbabwe A safari program covering Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. For students interested in southern African wildlife and expedition travel.
• Eksotisk friluftsliv - Karibien An exotic outdoor program with travel to Costa Rica (Caribbean), featuring tropical activities alongside Norwegian outdoor-life training.
• Golf Ski Surf - S\u00f8r-Afrika og Alpene An all-round sports program combining golf, surfing, and skiing with trips to South Africa and the Alps. Partner golf facility at Valdres Golfklubb.
• Aktiv bo og fritid A specially designed program for students with special needs, focusing on independent living skills, personal economy, social skills, outdoor activities, and preparation for independent adult life. Delivered with a 2-teacher system and student assistants; funded in part via NAV. Includes study trips to Spain and Svalbard.
• Basecamp - Mount Everest An extreme mountaineering program featuring trekking to Everest Basecamp in Nepal, with training in the Himalayas for students with advanced expedition ambitions.
• Studiereiser (Study Trips) International study trips integrated into each program, covering destinations including Morocco, Costa Rica, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Costa Blanca, Alps, Kilimanjaro, Nepal, Peru, Japan, and Greece. Included in line-cost component of tuition.
• Youth Peacemakers / Lushotoprosjektet (Tanzania partnership) A peace and humanitarian project in partnership with YPM (Youth Peacemakers) and YMCA Lushoto, Tanzania, combining annual student study trips, fundraising, and social-work engagement. Supports three pillars: sports work, microfinance (VICOBA), and civic/environmental education.

Quantifiable outcome

• #1 most recommended folk high school in Norway (EPSI 2025)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KFUK-KFUM Global Norge (YMCA-YWCA Global Norway)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012KFUK-KFUM Global Norge is the parent organization and a key strategic partner for Valdres Folkehøgskole. The school is owned by Norges KFUK-KFUM and collaborates with its global arm on the Lushotoprosjektet in Tanzania. The organization has over 18,000 members across Norway and is part of the world's largest women's network (YWCA) and youth movement (YMCA). KFUK-KFUM's Stop Poverty campaign provides the framework for the school's humanitarian work.
• YPM Lushoto (Youth Peacemakers Lushoto, Tanzania)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012YPM Lushoto is a youth organization in Lushoto, Tanzania, that Valdres has partnered with since 2012. The partnership supports youth in Tanzania through three pillars: sports work, microfinance (VICOBA), and environmental/civic rights education. Valdres has contributed over 5 million NOK to the project. Students visit Lushoto annually on study trips.
• Valdres Golfklubb (Valdres Golf Club)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Golf Ski Surf line partners with Valdres Golf Club, which serves as the school's partner golf facility. Students receive playing rights at the club and benefit from professional coaching and access to one of Norway's finest golf courses, located just 6 km from the school.
• Tauernhof (Schladming, Austria)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTauernhof is a ski lodge in Schladming, Austria, 20 meters from the gondola, where Valdres students stay during ski trips to the Alps. The facility hosts international ski and snowboard instructors who provide lessons during the school's Alpine trip.
• KFUK-KFUM Cape Town (South Africa)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerValdres Folkehøgskole works with YMCA in Cape Town, South Africa, during study trips. Students meet local youth and learn about youth support programs in disadvantaged communities, contributing to humanitarian work in the region.
• German Sister School (Freiburg, Germany)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorValdres has a German friendship school in Freiburg, enabling exchange of students each year. German students regularly attend Valdres, and the arrangement enriches the international community at the school.
• Paal Sneve (Physiotherapist/Manual Therapist)minorOthersPaal Sneve provides physiotherapy and manual therapy services to Valdres students through a school agreement. He has expertise in sports injuries and training, and students receive treatment at standard co-payment rates. His services support the school's active student body.
• Valdres Alpinsenter (Valdres Alpine Center)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school's nearby alpine resort, located approximately 10 km from campus, provides ski and snowboard facilities for students. An annual pass costs approximately NOK 2,900, and the resort is heavily used by ski-focused lines throughout the winter season.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• EF Gap Year: Structured gap-year program combining travel, language learning, and personal development with strong presence in Scandinavia. Competes for the same 18-23 demographic seeking international experiences and life-skills development during a gap year.
• UWC Røros: Newer United World College in Norway offering residential IB diploma program with outdoor and experiential learning components. Partial overlap in values-driven residential education and target demographic of 16-19 year olds.

Broad incumbents

• NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School): Global leader in outdoor adventure education offering wilderness courses. Overlaps in the outdoor skills, leadership development, and expedition components of Valdres' lines, though operates as shorter-duration courses rather than a residential school year.
• Outward Bound Norway: Established outdoor education provider in Norway offering shorter-duration expedition programs focused on personal development through adventure. Competes for the same adventure-seeking youth market with shorter, course-based formats rather than year-long residential programs.

Others

• Gap Year Association: Industry body that curates and accredits gap-year programs globally. Not a direct competitor but represents the broader ecosystem Valdres competes within for international gap-year students considering structured adventure programs.

Direct peers

• Red Cross Nordic United World College: Norwegian residential two-year program with similar international student body, personal development focus, and adventure/expedition components. Targets same demographic with comparable all-inclusive residential model.
• Folkehøgskolen Nord-Norge: KFUK-KFUM-owned folk high school in northern Norway offering residential gap-year programs. Operates under identical institutional framework with overlapping target market and program structure.
• Rønningen Folkehøgskole: Sister school under Norges KFUK-KFUM offering year-long residential folk high school programs in Norway with similar adventure and outdoor focus. Directly comparable operating model, target demographic (18-23 gap year students), and parent organization ownership structure.
• Svalbard folkehøgskole: Sister school under KFUK-KFUM located in Svalbard offering adventure-focused folk high school programs. Targets the same 18-23 gap-year demographic with extreme outdoor experiences, directly competing for adventure-seeking applicants.
• Sunnmøre Folkehøgskule: Another KFUK-KFUM-owned Norwegian folk high school offering residential gap-year programs. Shares the same funding model, governance structure, and target demographic, providing direct head-to-head competition for Norwegian students.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInfacebook.com/elevlaget.valdresfhs
• Instagraminstagram.com/elevlaget
• Facebookfacebook.com/vintereventyr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Valdres Folkehøgskole