Skiing in Norway

23rd October 2022

Last modified on October 31st, 2022

“From beginners to adrenaline seeking off-piste skiers to cross-country, we truly have something for everyone interested in skiing in Norway.

“Norway is a wonderful alternative to the traditional ski resorts in the Alps and with a population of only five million, living in a country a third larger than the UK, you can understand why the ski slopes are rarely crowded and how the dramatic natural landscape is largely untouched.

“For an all-round winter ski experience, you can’t beat skiing in Norway.

“We are the home to more gold medals at the Winter Olympics than any other nation, so it’s no surprise that skiing is in the DNA of our nation.

“Combine your next ski trip with an ultimate bucket-list holiday item such as skiing under the Northern Lights, taking a rib tour across a frozen Fjord, mushing away on a Husky Safari or a night in an Ice Hotel, the opportunities to make great skiing memories are endless…”

So says Trevor de Villiers from the company Norway – Home of Skiing, that offers holidays in the country’s top resorts.

Trevor de Villiers in Narvic, Norway. Image supplied by Norway, Home of Skiing.

Regular readers will know PlanetSKI is rather partial to making some ski turns in Norway.

We are planning a train & ski safari in January 2023 across the continental divide taking a look at the splendours of Norwegian skiing by rail.

Resorts are yet to be decided but do keep an eye open for those coming reports.

Last winter we were in the Article Circle.

This coming winter we are looking at the resorts in the west.

Image © PlanetSKI

In the meantime…

Myrkdalen

Discover Norway’s remarkable fjord landscape.

Myrkdalen, located in Voss, is the largest ski resort in the fjord region.

It offers skiing possibilities for the whole family, including some exciting off-piste and leisurely cross-country.

• Undiscovered Myrkdalen is blissfully uncrowded
• Modern resort for both beginners and more experienced skiers
• 2000 feet vertical drop
• Off-piste terrain to please the experienced skier
• Quiet slopes ideal for building confidence as a beginner
• Learn to fly with indoor sky diving
• Peace and quiet

Relatively undiscovered, Myrkdalen is also usually uncrowded.

With quiet slopes for beginners and untracked off-piste for the adventurous.

Set in a serene region of fjords and frozen lakes, this modern resort is still fairly unknown.

Myrkdalen has grown each year since the beginning in 2003, thus creating an uncrowded ski area that’s snow-sure from December to May.

Off-piste
If you’re an expert skier, don’t let the small piste area put you off – there’s more to Myrkdalen than you might think.

The off-piste terrain is larger than you might expect.

Here you will find untouched terrain and some great snow.

Set for a wonderful ski holiday
With most ski slopes being wide and open, Myrkdalen is a good place to learn how to ski.

There is kids area at the base of the ski resort, right next to the Myrkdalsstovo Café.

PlanetSKI Resort Report:  Norwegian Adventures in Myrkdalen

Myrkdalen, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI

Voss

The largest ski resort in Western Norway

Voss Resort, the largest resort in Western Norway, is located in the heart of Fjord Norway.

• The largest ski resort in Western Norway
• Great options for all levels of experience
• Short transfer from Bergen
• Evening skiing in the resorts many slopes
• The Gondola takes you to amazing views at Hangurstoppen
• Modern apartments and self-service cabins for rent

Skiing paradise
With 24 ski slopes and 11 ski lifts with a total capacity of 12 000 people an hour, there is room for everyone.

The slopes are varying in difficulty and there are three designated kids’ areas, ensuring that everyone will find a slope for their skill level and experience.

Something for everyone
At the heart of Fjord Norway, Voss offers activities for everyone year-round.

There are many excellent hiking trails for all levels.

If you want to explore the fjords you can reach the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord in less than an hour drive.

If you are looking for more extreme activities, there is both rafting and paragliding possibilities.

The ski slopes are surrounded with modern apartments and self-service cabins that you can rent to get the full mountain life experience.

Enjoy the beautiful views and the warming log fire in the comfort of your own cabin.

Fjords near Voss, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI

Geilo

A warm welcome guaranteed

Geilo is the vibrant mountain village, situated between Norway’s main cities Oslo and Bergen.

• Geilo ski resort offers a unique variety of experiences and activities
• All facilities within a short distance
• Particularly suitable for families with children
• National park village with two national parks: Hardangervidda and Hallingskarvet
• 800 m altitude at the town centre
• Great snow conditions: Geilo has a snow guarantee for a long and stable winter season

In the Geilo (pronounced yay-low) area, you will find over 50 alpine slopes and both large and small snow parks.

The slopes are well-groomed and located close to the center for an efficient and pleasurable skiing experience.

You can ski down the slopes, take off your skis and walk right into the stores and restaurants.

A ski bus runs all day from your accommodation to the slopes.

Geilo is also an eldorado for cross-country skiing, with more than 550 km of well prepared and marked tracks.

Stop at one of Geilo’s traditional mountain cafés and treat yourself to some traditional Norwegian waffles and hot chocolate.

Family friendly

There are separate areas for the little ones, ensuring a safe and good ski experience regardless of skill level.

The ski schools in Geilo have knowledgeable and experienced instructors who can give you some pointers or teach you to conquer the slopes.

Children under seven years ski for free, and the crèche takes babies from six months old.

Health and well-being

As one of Norway’s most popular destinations for health, well-being and spa, Geilo offers you a taste of the good life.

There are many cosy dining offers in the mountains, and here you will find a varied selection of restaurants, shops and accommodation opportunities.

PlanetSKI Resort Report: Norwegian Adventures in Geilo

Geilo, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI

Kvitfjell

The great ski slopes – and much more

At Kvitfjell Ski Resort you will find slopes for the elite and slopes for beginners in a unique atmosphere of comfort and coziness.

• Snow guarantee in the mountains of Gudbrandsdalen
• Slopes for everyone both beginners and the elite
• First to open and last to close, each year
• Host to the World Cup in downhill and Super-G
• Beautiful views of Gudbrandsdalen, Rondane and into Jotunheimen

Three distinct sides make up the ski area at Kvitfjell: the newly expanded Varden area, Kvitfjell Vest (west) and the original ski area of Kvitfjell itself – home to the Olympic downhill.

The modern lift system allows you to easily access the full ski arrea and terrain which is suitable to all skill levels.

Olympic quality

Kvitfjell skiing resort was originally developed for the downhill alpine events at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics.

Now, it’s a regular venue on the Alpine Skiing World Cup circuit.

The Olympiabakken downhill course, which was designed by Bernard Russi, is highly regarded among the world’s best skiers.

The consistent snowfall, long season and combination of world-class slopes make it a ski enthusiast’s dream.

Family friendly 

At Kvitfjell you have great kids areas with wide slopes and easy lifts.

Try the green terrain park especially designed for small park enthusiasts or try the children’s own world cup slope with a real start port, games and timing.

When the children want bigger challenges, they can try out Kvitfjell’s terrain park with jumps and rails in all shapes, sizes and degrees of difficulty.

PlanetSKI Resort Report: Norwegian ski road trip Day 5, Resort 3

Kvitfjell, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI

Hafjell

A family paradise

One of Norway’s largest ski areas, the Olympic resort at Hafjell has skiing for all levels.

Whether you’re advanced or a complete beginner, there’s a tree-lined run for you.

• Accessible ski destination, just 15 minutes north of Lillehammer
• 3474 feet elevation with splendid views and great slopes
• Winter Olympic Host: At the 1994 Winter Olympics. Hafjell hosted the slalom and giant slalom events
• The Hafjell Gondola is a fun and easy transportation to the top of the mountain
• Terrain parks for everyone with a Frontyard and a Backyard in addition to the main park
• Wide-open runs and technical challenges for experienced skiers on the Olympic runs
  
  

Hafjell enjoys early and continued snowfalls throughout the winter months, something that attract enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders alike.

In addition to the stabile winter climate, there are 200 snow cannons which produce six truck-loads of snow every minute.

This ensures that 90% of the whole resort is covered with the snow cannons.

This combination of fresh and manmade snow creates a solid base of snow, which in turn leads to pristine slopes every day.

Terrain Parks for Everyone
With a combination of fantastic skiing for both experts and beginners alike, varied terrain, top class amenities, location, accessibility and unbeatable views, there is no wonder Hafjell has become one of Scandinavia’s top ski destinations.

Hafjell for families
Hafjell has a total of three family areas: one at the bottom of the slopes, one at the top of the gondola and the newest of all, the KIDS Gaia at the top of the mountain.

At Mosetertoppen you will also find the Ski Movie arena: a slalom slope with real start gates, a timer and filming.

PlanetSKI Resort Report: On the road again, Hafjell.

Skiing in Hafjell, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI

Beitostølen

Small and perfectly formed

• Great nature with hiking and activities all throughout the year
• 900 m altitude with splendid view to the Jotunheimen National Park
• Great snow conditions: Beitostølen is located 900 meter above sea level, we usually have snow from November until May
• One ski pass for two ski areas: The ski lifts are located in the village center and our slopes are great for children, beginners and families. Our other ski area – the alpine center – offers more challenging slopes.
• Idyllic mountain village with high quality accommodation and “everything” within walking distance
• Four great seasons

Beitostølen (pronounced bait-oh-stir-len) has a typical Norwegian mountain climate that varies with the seasons.

Beitostølen’s goal is to be Norway’s best year-round resort with captivating activities for the whole family during all four seasons.

The skiing
320 km cross country ski trails, snow park, lifts, family-friendly slopes, a large variety family-friendly activities, challenging slopes await you.

Here you do not need a car.

In the mountain village of Beitostolen you have walking distance to everything; walking distance to the slopes, trails, dining experiences, cultural activities, entertainment and anything else adults and children dream of.

Slopes for everyone
We are known for our family friendly slopes, but you find challenging slopes in Raudalen right across the valley.

Two of the ski slopes are lit, and some evening the keenest skiers run long after the sun has set.

Welcome to our friendly, laid-back atmosphere.

PlanetSKI Resort Report: Skiing in Norway Part 4, Beitostolen

Beitostolen, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI

Narvik

Surrounded by majestic mountains and deep fjords

We offer a different experience, both for family, friends, top tour enthusiast, bike enthusiasts, active alpine skiers, to mention some.

• Majestic mountains and deep fjords creates the perfect winter and summer destination
• Norway’s most urban ski resort
• Perfect for off-piste with one of Scandinavia’s largest fall heights
• The first cable car in Northern Europe – modernised in February 2019
• Family-friendly with a separate children’s ski band and several custom areas

Narvikfjellet is a unique facility both summer and winter.

Surrounded by majestic mountains and deep fjords, the scene is set for a northern winter adventure.

Families and beginners can benefit from a separate children’s ski band and several custom pathways with jumps, children’s games and park items.

For the active and experienced skier, there are several technically demanding slopes that offer a good dose of adrenaline.

With one of Scandinavia’s largest fall heights the conditions for off-piste skiing are amazing.

First cable car in Northern Europe
The cable car in Narvik was the first ever cable car in Northern Europe when it was completed in 1957.

Now a brand new cable car is ready to whisk you to the top of the mountain.

Northern and Arctic Lights
When you think about northern Norway, you think about the northern lights.

In Narvik you will get the chance to catch a glimpse of this marvelous natural fenomenon.

At the cable car top station a guide will bring you into the world of the Arctic winter lights.

Enjoy Narvik, the active year-round resort for everyone.

PlanetSKI Resort Report: Narvik, inside the Arctic Circle

Narvik, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI

Norefjell

Oslo’s nearest mountain

Spectacular Norefjell is only 1.5 hours away from Oslo city and Norways main airport, Gardermoen.

• Varied slopes for all level skiers
• Good snowconditions and a long season
• Great views over eastern Norway and the lakes
• Short transfer from Oslo and Larvik
• High level accommodation – Norefjell Ski & Spa is an award-winning resort
• Two snowparks with elements for all level skiers
• Varied skiing

Norefjell is the mountain area closest to the Norwegian capital of Oslo, and has the highest vertical drop of all skiresorts in norther Europe with its 1010 meters.

You can ski from the high mountains at 1188 and almost all the way down to the lake.

The nature is beautiful and with skislopes for all levels, Norefjell offers varied skiing for everyone regardless of skill level.

Award-winning accommodation
At Norefjell you’ll find the award-winning Norefjell Ski & Spa at 800m.

Park your car in the heated garage and enjoy the world class ski in/out resort.

With restaurants, a pizzeria, ski rental, gym and swimming pool you’ll be spoilt for choice.

At Norefjellhytta, Norway’s first “alpine cabin”,  you’ll be met by warm hospitality, relaxing atmospehere and unique culinary experiences.

Relax and recharge
The Wellness Spa at Norefjell has won many awards, and for good reason.

Stepping into the spa area is like entering a different world.

Enjoy the many hot and cold tubs, outdoor jacuzzi or saunas with views over the mountain.

Choose from a variety of spa treatments and recharge after a long day on the slopes.

For a tranquil retreat, Norefjell is a great discovery.

PlanetSKI Resort Report:  Norwegian adventures in Norefjell

Norefjell, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI

Norway – Home of Skiing works with several of the major UK ski tour operators and agents:

Crystal Ski Holidays offers holidays to Geilo and Kvitfjel – see here for further details.

Ski Solutions offers holidays to Geilo, Beitostolen, Hafjell, Kvitfjell, Myrkdalen and Norefjell – see here for further details.

Ski Safari offers holidays to Geilo, Hafjell, Kvitfjell, Myrkdalen, Norefjell, Narvik and Voss – see here for further details.

Narvik, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI

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