HEIDI GUIDE TO
Norway
Ski Holidays
The original home of skiing
Winter sports, log cabins and northern lights – Norway offers magical winter experiences.
Why choose to go skiing in Norway?
Norway is where skiing was invented, so unsurprisingly you’ll find a rich heritage of skiing – in all its forms.
Norway ski resorts are easy to reach. And thanks to their northern latitudes, they’re blessed with long seasons and snow in abundance. But Norway ski holidays are more than swooshing down slopes. There’s lots to enjoy, such as skidoo driving, cross-country skiing and even watching the northern lights (if you’re lucky!).
Norway skiing is ideal for beginners, families and even intermediates wanting an easy-going adventure. So start your search in Norway's biggest resort, Trysil. Its forest glades and night skiing are home to slopes for all abilities. The Olympic ski resort of Hafjell offers quiet family-friendly skiing and tons of cross-country terrain. Voss’ accessible pistes and stunning scenery make it a perfect winter getaway. And for tranquil skiing, Geilo, Myrkdalen and Beitostolen are perfect.
KEY INFORMATION
Good to Know
Currency
Norweigan Krone
Language
Norwegian
Travel Time (APPROX)
2 hours
Dublin
Timezone
GMT+2
Family skiing in Norway
In Norway, you’re never too young to ski, most children learn as soon as they’re able to walk. And with Norway ski resorts having plenty of relaxing slopes, you’ll find skiing here unintimidating.
Some of the best ski resorts in Norway, such as Trysil, Voss and Hafjell are super family-friendly, with plenty of children’s slopes, expert ski schools and fun parks with jumps and rails.
There are sleigh rides and Norway's longest toboggan slope in Geilo. Norway ski holidays to Gausta let you glide down gentle forest-lined pistes with plenty of greens for the little ones. Or you can escape the busy Alps and enjoy the uncrowded slopes of Myrkdalen and Beitostolen, perfect for relaxed family ski holidays. Hotels are family friendly too with many situated right by the slopes for ski-in, ski-out convenience.
Group skiing in Norway
Norway ski holidays are great for groups. And with so many winter activities to enjoy, you’ll find plenty to do both on and off the slopes.
Norway's biggest ski resort, Trysil, has slopes for all abilities. Its 360-degree skiing around the fjell is rich in cruisy blues and reds. And with night skiing on offer, the fun carries on late.
Group ski holidays to Voss or Kvitfjell combine stunning scenery and varied terrain. And while not as pumping as the French Alps, make sure to experience some of the relaxing and cosy bars on offer.
Groups keen on experiencing cross-country skiing should head to Geilo and Beitostolen. The expansive cross-country terrain and relaxing resorts are perfect for this kind of holiday.
Norway ski holidays
Your questions answered by our Norway ski holiday expert
Alexander Blunt (Co-Founder)
When is the best time to ski in Norway?
While Norway ski resorts are blessed with longer seasons, the daylight hours are worth considering. The resorts start opening as soon as the snow settles, usually in November. The Norway ski season can then run until as late as May.
December to February has the best snow conditions, but the days can be cold (so wrap up). The sun goes down early but many resorts are floodlit so you can enjoy some night skiing. March onwards offers longer days while the slopes are often still in great condition.
What are the best ski resorts in Norway for beginners?
First-timers on Norway ski holidays can look forward to wide, quiet and perfectly groomed slopes through beautiful pine forests.
One of Norway’s best ski resorts for beginners is Hafjell, where there are easy runs from the top of all lifts and a beginner area at the bottom. The Norway ski resorts of Beitostølen, Voss and Trysil are great as they can be explored almost entirely via easy blue runs. Hemsedal meanwhile is home to a 6km run that’s suitable for beginners and a practice area near the base.
What are the best ski resorts in Norway for advanced skiers?
With a rich history of Olympic success in downhill racing, it's easy to see why advanced skiers will enjoy Norway skiing.
Norway’s best resort for advanced skiers is Trysil. Those with a passion for the steep stuff will find plenty to carve down, with over 20km of advanced terrain on offer. For the ultimate challenge, take on the Exspert’n 75 piste, with its punchy 45-degree gradient.
If getting airborne excites you, be sure to check out Geilo. It has been voted Norway's best snowboard park which comes as no surprise as it is headed up by former X-Games gold medal winner Andreas Håtvedt.
What are the best ski resorts for off-piste skiing in Norway?
Norway ski resorts like Hemsedal offer some of the best off-piste, thanks to its steep slopes, ease of access and a vertical drop of 800m. The area is also a great place to explore the wider mountains and try backcountry skiing (away from the resorts) with a mountain guide.
Some of Norway's best off-piste skiing can be found at Gausta. Home to the steep chutes of the Gaustatoppen mountain, it's both challenging and exhilarating.
What are the best high-altitude ski resorts in Norway?
In the Scandi countries, it’s not the height that counts so much for snow security but latitude – and Norway certainly benefits from its northern location.
Norway ski resorts typically top out between 1,100m and 1,500m, offering a vertical drop between 400m to 800m – more than enough to keep most families and intermediate skiers happy. Norefjell has one of the biggest vertical drops at 1,008m. Meanwhile, all can enjoy Hemsedal’s 830m of descent thanks to its highest point being entirely beginner terrain!
What are the best resorts for snowboarders in Norway?
For beginners, intermediates and freestyle addicts among you, Norway snowboarding holidays should be high on your list. But just be mindful of resorts with shallower terrain and lower vertical drops, to avoid those pesky flats.
Snowboarding holidays to Trysil are great for beginners and intermediates. Mellow terrain and excellent instructors get beginner snowboarders carving with confidence. And wide-open pistes give intermediate snowboarders the space to nail their carving. It’s also home to some of Norway's best freestyle parks. The ‘Snow Park Trysil’ is floodlit even at nighttime.
Hemsedal has something for everyone. The big backcountry keeps powderhounds happy, and it’s home to some fantastic freestyle terrain. Throw in the lively apres-ski and nightlife and it’s a great choice.
Which Norway ski resorts are best for food and drink?
Norwegian mountain cuisine features lots of game and fish. Expect to see elk burgers, locally cured meats and fish served on a wooden plank, to Suppegjok – a goulash soup served in a bowl made from bread. With fish so prominent in their diet, they also do good sushi made with Norwegian salmon, shrimps and surimi. Warming ski snacks are also very different from what you'd expect in the alps. Think lots of waffles with cream and berries, and of course coffee with cinnamon buns. Just be aware that alcohol isn’t the cheapest in Norway – a hangover isn’t the only thing you have to worry about after several drinks. Top tip: there is a duty-free shop by the baggage reclaim at Oslo and Bergen airports. Get fully stocked with your allowance here.
Norway ski holidays to Kvitfjell let you experience fantastic cosy restaurants like Prepperiet, serving fresh local delicacies across multiple courses. Geilo packs 20 great restaurants into the small town. You can sample everything from Norwegian classics like reindeer, trout and salmon, to Mediterranean staples or even Indian delicacies.
What are the best Norway ski resorts for après-ski?
Don’t expect to come to Norway and find the riotous party scenes that you get in the French Alps. The prohibitive costs of alcohol partly curbs that. (Wily travellers stock up on duty free.) That said, most resorts have bars and clubs with live music or karaoke at the base of the slopes or rustic pubs with tons of atmosphere, serving not just beers and cocktails but great food too. Trysil offers a great selection of après bars, with live music and cosy settings a-plenty. Meanwhile, a Norway ski holiday in Hemsedal, with its vibey party atmosphere gives Alpine après a run for its money.
What are the best ski resorts in Norway for ski weekends or short breaks?
Norway is perfect for a ski weekend. It’s only a two-hour flight to Oslo and there can be as many as two flights a day from the UK going out Friday and returning Sunday.
From Oslo, your best bet is to head to one of the closer resorts such as Norefjell, just under two hours by shuttle.
Another option for enjoying a short ski break in Norway is flying to Bergen. Here you’ll be far closer to some of the more westerly resorts such as Voss.
What is the ski accommodation in Norway like?
From cosy cabins to modern self-catered apartments and super modern hotels, Norway ski accommodation is bursting with classic Scandinavian style.
While Norway’s ski accommodations are usually more expensive than what you’ll find in the Alps, they often come with big perks. Thanks to Norway's buckets of snow and easy-to-navigate resorts, you’ll find plenty of places to stay that are only a stone's throw from the lifts or even ski-in, ski-out.
For those wanting to spend a little more money, the quality of Norway’s modern hotels are sublime. Think fancy modern furnishings, incredible dining and hotel bars that wouldn't look out of place in a Hollywood film.
And with any Scandi getaway, it wouldn't be complete without access to a sauna. Many hotels and apartment hotels come with their own spa facilities. And for those without, you can often get day passes to the facilities at nearby spa hotels.
What are the entry requirements for Norway?
Entry requirements are completely dependent on your nationality. Things can change, so for the most up-to-date visa and passport information, we advise checking the international travel advice for your nationality, below are two examples.
If you are travelling to Norway from the UK on a full British passport: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/norway
If you are travelling to Norway from Ireland on an Irish passport: https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/advice/norway/
Most popular ski resorts in Norway
Here are just some of our top ski resorts. To find the perfect one for you, speak to one of our specialists.
Trysil
Trysil, Norway's largest resort, offers diverse terrain and exciting activities like night skiing and dog sledding. With a range of accommodation options, including family-friendly hotels and ski-in-ski-out cabins, it's perfect for families looking for a ski holiday with varied terrain and plenty of fun.
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Hafjell
Hafjell, a hidden gem in Norway, offers a family-friendly skiing experience just 15 minutes north of Lillehammer. With beginner-friendly slopes and extensive snowmaking facilities, conditions are reliable.
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Voss
With options for all skill levels and limitless touring opportunities, Voss is best known for its stunning scenery and accessible terrain.
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Geilo
Geilo, a charming village in Southern Norway, is a picturesque base for skiing adventures with five accessible areas. It also offers a range of non-ski activities, including skidoo driving and cross-country skiing, allowing visitors to experience the diverse offerings of Norway beyond skiing.
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Myrkdalen
Myrkdalen ski resort is one of the most snow-sure ski resorts in Norway – its season often lasts from November to May. With deep valleys and spectacular fjords surrounding the resort, the scenic views are truly something to behold.
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Beitostolen
Beitostolen, despite its relatively low summit height, offers a season from November to May with uncrowded slopes, stunning views, and welcoming locals. It is perfect for families seeking an alternative to popular French or Austrian resorts.
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