Skiers Flock to Snowy Scandinavia
20th February 2024
Last modified on February 27th, 2024
A less than perfect winter in the Alps this season has sent some skiers to Scandinavian resorts, according to the boss of the airline, Norwegian Air. PlanetSKI has been in Norway this winter & we’re heading back this weekend.
Airline CEO, Geir Karlsen, told Reuters the company had seen increased demand from European holidaymakers.
He said the unusually mild winter had resulted in a move away from low-altitude ski areas in Switzerland, Italy and the French Alps and that some of the skiers may be heading north instead.
“We are definitely seeing an increased demand … from Germany, Holland, from the UK,” he told Reuters, after delivering better than expected fourth-quarter financial results.
He did not give any numbers on how many more people the airline had flown over the winter but said that, looking ahead to the fourth quarter of 2024, Norwegian Air planned to increase the number of planes it will fly by 16% year-on-year.
Read more on the story on Reuters.
Norwegian Air. Image © PlanetSKI
Norwegian is not the only company reporting more interest in flying to Scandinavia.
The UK’s leading ski operator, Crystal Ski Holidays, launched a new charter flight from London Gatwick to Oslo in December after significant growth in the numbers of people from the UK wanting to ski in Scandinavia.
“We’ve seen increased demand for the Scandinavian region and Norway has so much to offer guests,” said Crystal’s managing director, Chris Logan.
Next winter, Crystal will also be adding a new service from Manchester to Oslo.
Oslo Gardermoen Airport. Image © PlanetSKI
The TUI Airways flight will depart every Sunday from 15 December 2024 until February 2025.
Norefjell, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI
Due to market strength, Crystal has also added the resort of Gausta into its portfolio, alongside its existing destinations of Norejfell, Geilo and Beitostølen.
Gausta is suited to families and beginners, with children under the age of 7 eligible for free lift passes.
With lots of wide, quiet pistes and tree-lined runs as well as two snow parks, a dedicated children’s area and night skiing available, there’s plenty for families to enjoy on the slopes.
There’s also a chance for visitors to reach Gaustatoppen’s peak at 1,883m via the underground mountain railway or try a floating sauna.
Guasta. Image c/o Norway-Home of Skiing.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming more visitors from the UK to enjoy the ski resorts on offer in Norway, thanks to the additional flight from Crystal,” said the CEO of Norway Home of Skiing, Trevor de Villiers.
“The expansion of their Norway product really demonstrates their commitment to the destination and we’re excited that more British travellers will now be able combine their ski trip with an ultimate bucket-list holiday experience, such as skiing under the Northern Lights.”
There has been good snow in Scandinavia so far this winter with cold temperatures.
PlanetSKI is among those heading there.
Chief reporter, Jane Peel, is off to Norway’s biggest resort, Trysil at the weekend.
Trysil, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI
And it seems there is going to plenty of fresh white stuff, if the forecasts are to be believed.
Look out for our snow and weather updates next week.
