Drive to Eidsbugarden with snowcoaches
Visit Eidsbugarden and Jotunheimen with the nostalgic snowcoaches. Here you have the opportunity to get high up in the mountains in a comfortable and exciting way. 12 Bombardier Snowmobil veterans go into traffic between Tyin and Eidsbugarden in Jotunheimen during the winter season.
Are you booking tickets for departure after April 1st? Due to the conversion to a new booking system we kindly ask you to book tickets directly on Nor-Way.
Order tickets
Timetables
Practical information
Tours
History
Contact Us
Questions about tours, booking, or tailor-made experiences? Get in touch 👇
- Phone+47 91 11 11 30
- Email[email protected]
“A ride with the snowcoach is an experience in itself! During winter, they are the lifeline to Eidsbugarden. ”
Practical information
Transportation and maps
The map shows the loading area for the snowcat at Tyin. It’s a good idea to allow extra time on busy travel days such as Fridays and Saturdays, during winter holidays and Easter, and on days with poor driving conditions. Remember to arrive 15 minutes before departure to load your luggage.
Arrival by bus
Check VY for information. The stop you need to select is Tyin. Some buses do not stop at Tyin but at Tyinkrysset. In that case, you can get off at Tyinkrysset and order a pick-up from Tyin with us.
You can book your pick-up by email: [email protected]
If you arrive at Tyinkrysset, please arrive 20 minutes before departure when traveling with the snowcats.
Arrival by car
If you are arriving by car, you’ll find parking at Tyin on the right-hand side of the road when coming from Tyinkrysset (Oslo/Bergen).
The parking area is unattended. To enter and pay for parking, you’ll need a valid payment card. (Parking prices can be found here.)
The parking lot is operated by Tyin Parkering. More information can be found here or by calling +47 994 66 115.
Map references for the snowcats and parking can be found by clicking here.
Electric cars
There are currently no charging facilities for electric cars at Tyin. The nearest charging station is located at Tyinkrysset Fjellstue and is operated by Fortum.
Luggage transport
How to Send Luggage with the Snowcat
1. Make sure the snowcat is running
The snowcat only operates on departures with bookings. To ensure your luggage transport will take place as expected, either check where you buy the luggage tag or call the snowcat directly at +47 91 11 11 30 (no text messages!).
2. Buy a luggage tag
Luggage tags can be purchased at Fondsbu or directly from the snowcat driver.
When purchasing a luggage tag, you also accept the terms and conditions for luggage transport, which can be found at the bottom of this page.
You must also register your luggage transport by email: [email protected]
3. Mark the destination, name, and phone number
Tick off on the luggage tag where the luggage should go. It’s also helpful to write your name and phone number in case the driver needs to contact you if something unexpected happens during transport.
4. Attach the tag clearly to your luggage
Place the tag in a visible location on your luggage.
5. Place your luggage in the correct location at the departure point
At Tyin and Fondsbu: Place your luggage by the sign marked “Bagasjetransport” (Luggage transport).
At Tyinholmen: Place your luggage outside the main entrance.
6. Notify the snowcat
Make sure that either the place where you bought the luggage tag(s) or you personally notify the snowcat by phone at +47 91 11 11 30 (no text messages!) that luggage has been placed out for transport.
This step can also be done at the same time as step 1.
7. Pick up your luggage
At Fondsbu and Tyin: Pick up your luggage by the sign marked “Bagasjetransport” (Luggage transport).
At Tyinholmen: Pick up your luggage outside the main entrance.
Terms for luggage transport
1. Submission
The luggage must be placed in the designated place according to instruction at least 15 minutes before departure. The luggage tag must be clearly visible on the luggage without the luggage having to be moved or turned over. The luggage can also not be covered so that the luggage tag is not visible. The tracked vehicle must be notified by telephone when you wish to send luggage. Notification with text message (SMS) is not considered a notification because the tracked vehicle does not receive an SMS.
2. Delivery
Delivery is considered to have been made when the luggage is placed at the designated place at the destination according to the check on the luggage tag.
JVB reserves the right that extradition may not take place under extraordinary circumstances such as; weather conditions that prevent the tracked vehicle from driving or being delayed, unforeseen technical problems, natural disasters and the like.
- What can be sent?
We carry all normal luggage and goods such as. sacks, bags, suitcases, boxes, skis, ski bags etc.
We reserve the right to demand payment for additional packages if two or more packages are clearly packed, bound or in other ways put together to appear as one package.
Exceptions to this rule are ski and ski equipment that can fit in one ski bag or a pair of skis and ski poles that are tied together into one package.
It is not allowed to send dangerous goods such as, but not limited to, petrol, diesel, gas, etc.
Maximum weight per package is 25kg.
- When can the shipment take place?
Luggage transport takes place on the tracked vehicle’s ordinary departures. JVB is not obliged to perform the service and can at any time reject luggage transport e.g. when there is no space on the tracked vehicle, the luggage is left in the wrong place, the luggage is delayed or left after the deadline. Luggage transport is also only performed on those departures that have orders from passengers. Luggage transport can take place on all departures, including departures without orders, if the customer pays the full minimum price according to the current price list.
- Prices
Luggage transport costs NOK 100, – incl. VAT. per package. The price applies to one section per piece of luggage.
- Definitions
Packages: A package is a single unit, such as a sack or a bag.
Section: A section is either from Tyin to Eidsbugarden, Fondsbu or Tyinholmen or from either Eidsbugarden, Fondsbu or Tyinholmen to Tyin.
On board: The luggage is considered to be on board from the moment the driver starts loading the luggage at the drop-off point until the moment the driver has finished unloading the luggage at the drop-off point.
Delay: More than 1 hour later arrival than scheduled arrival time.
Compensation for loss, damage or delay
JVB only takes responsibility for the luggage during the time it is on board the tracked vehicle. Compensation is not paid for loss of or damage to the luggage outside the time the luggage is on board the tracked vehicle.
Compensation in the event of delay is limited to a maximum of up to the value of the baggage transport. In the event of a delay due to the circumstances in section 2, no compensation will be paid.
Questions and answers
Can I bring a dog?
Yes, dogs are welcome. The ticket price is NOK 125 per dog.
Is it warm inside the snowcat?
Normally it’s warm and comfortable inside the snowcats, but we recommend wearing warm clothes and good winter boots in case of very cold or bad weather.
Do my skis need to be tied together?
We really appreciate it if you do. Ski bags are great — both for the driver and for your skis!
Can I bring cardboard boxes (with food, etc.)?
Yes, we transport all types of luggage, but make sure the boxes are well sealed. Space is often limited, so items may be placed upright or stacked.
Vegetables, flowers, or any other items that must not freeze should be packed in hand luggage and brought inside the snowcat.
We also appreciate large backpacks and especially duffel bags (preferably waterproof).
Can I pay by card?
Yes, you can.
Where do we park?
There is a large parking area close to the snowcats. See “Transport and Map.”
Paid parking is also available at Tyin. More information can be found here.
Do I need to book a seat on the shuttle bus from Tyinkrysset to Tyin?
Yes, please send an email or call us well in advance to book the shuttle bus, as we are not always at Tyinkrysset.
Contact:
📧 [email protected]
📞 +47 91 11 11 30
Shuttle service during Easter
During Easter, the snowcats run as a shuttle service due to high demand.
Book your preferred departure time — we’ll do our best to get you as close to that time as possible.
While we can’t guarantee exact times, snowcats depart frequently, so you’ll get there quickly.
Charter a snowcat
Need transport outside the scheduled routes? You can charter a snowcat – contact us at [email protected].
Lost and found
Forgot or lost something during your trip?
Fill out the lost-and-found form, and we’ll get in touch — or contact the snowcat directly at +47 91 11 11 30.
When should I arrive?
At least 15 minutes before departure — earlier if you plan to change clothes, pack, or prepare before the trip.
The timetable lists departure times, and you should allow at least 10 minutes for loading luggage, ticket checks, etc.
Travel time can be longer on busy days like weekends, winter holidays, and Easter.
The snowcat cannot wait for late passengers, and seats on the next departure may not be available — so plan ahead!
Are there toilets or a waiting room at Tyin?
No, unfortunately not. There are currently no facilities for passengers at Tyin (we’re working on it).
We recommend making your last restroom stop in Vang or at Tyinkrysset.
Do you drive across the lake?
No, the snowcat route mainly follows the summer road. Where the route deviates, it always stays on solid ground.
Tours with snowcoaches
If you are a group that wants to go to the mountains, then it may be worthwhile to ask us about package offers for both tour bus, tracked vehicle and possibly accommodation and content. Ask us!
JVB can offer complete package offers for companies and groups to Eidsbugarden, Fondsbu and Tyinholmen. Packages include tour bus, tracked vehicle, accommodation and meal. We can also provide activities and experiences such as:
- Dog sledding
- Guided tours on skis or snowshoes
- Kitekurs
- Ice fishing
- Landslide course
- Snow cave trips
- Various snow games and competitions
Send us an inquiry at [email protected] and receive an offer.
Package Tours
Are you interested in a package tour where all of the transport, accommodation and activities are planned? Through our travel company Jotunheimen Travel, we arrange several package tours with the tracked car as a starting point. How about a nice day in the mountains, with a belt ride and lunch?
The story
Ola Kristian Hegge has collected photos and written text about a part of JVB’s history. Here is a photo series about tracked vehicles in JVB.
Initially, I would like to write a few words about this important part of the company’s business.
Ever since the tourist traffic started inside the mountains, it was crucial to find transport options in the winter, the air traffic controller was tested, but these did not have a large enough capacity for passenger transport.
When World War II ended in 1945, it was possible to buy tracked vehicles in surplus stocks in England. The American Studebaker Weasel M 29 was a very relevant vehicle, but there was also limited space for passengers. The Canadian industrial group Bombardier had developed larger models that were very well suited for passenger transport and JVB was given opportunities to purchase these.
The snowmobile has a guide ski in front and this means that they are not suitable for driving in loose snow and it was therefore necessary to have the weasel to drive up the slopes. Bombardier had also developed the Muskeg tracked vehicle, which JVB purchased for this purpose.
For the large hotel companies Eidsbugarden and Tyinholmen, it was of great importance to find good communications in the winter when one thinks of the enormous winter traffic that developed especially from Sweden and Denmark. For many winters, JVB ran direct buses from various cities in Sweden and from Copenhagen, as well as from East and Vestfold. The tracked vehicles then took over the traffic and ensured an exciting trip into the mountains from both Tyin and Beitostølen. As the cabin development and the Norwegian Tourist Association’s cabin Fondsbu were expanded, it was absolutely necessary to make good route connections.
Helge Kr. Kvame was a great pioneer in finding good solutions at an early stage. It was discussed early on in JVB’s board if one should get involved in tracked car traffic and it was with a narrow majority that this became a reality. There is no doubt that it is the Tyin-Tyinholmen-Eidsbugarden section that has been the driving force in the belt car adventure.
On the stretch Beitostølen-Bygdin, the belt car trails went from Beitostølen to Garli for the first few years, then through Oledalen and Gravolsskardet further over the ice on Vinsteren and inland towards Bygdin. The last bend up before it flattened out could be difficult to force especially in loose snow, here the weasel was good to have to help with pulling in such situations. Jørgen Langedal, who ran an agricultural workshop and plumbing company at Heggenes, designed front-mounted winch equipment on the vehicles, thus solving some of the problems.
A little later, the trail route was laid on the marsh areas towards the hamlet Smørkoll on the outside of the national road to Båtskaret and one then had to drive the steep Båtskardsgila. The snowmobiles had to have traction aid to get up here and a winch with a long wire was set up which was connected, as well as a start button to make it as easy as possible. It was important to remember to bring the wire down on the return from Bygdin. In recent decades, Fv 51 had been plowed through the Båtskaret itself and the belt car trip started here.
Passenger transport with tracked vehicles has been relevant for several bus companies in the country, especially in Finnmark, Nord-Trøndelag, Kongsberg and Rondane, but JVB is today the only bus company that uses tracked vehicles in ordinary scheduled traffic.
