Skiing In Scandinavia Surges

28th November 2024

Last modified on December 3rd, 2024

Norway is leading the way, with growing interest in Finland & Sweden from British skiers. Reliable snow, reasonable prices, good accommodation options and an altogether different skiing experience await.

PlanetSKI first visited Norway a decade or so ago.

We headed to Geilo ahead of the UK’s largest ski tour operator, Crystal Ski Holidays, putting in a charter flight to Scandinavia Mountains Airport the following winter to offer a handful of resorts.

We have been back every winter since and skied most of the main ski resorts and more:

Voss
Myrkdalen
Norefjell
Trysil
Hemsedal
Beitostolen
Kvitfjell
Narvik

Narvik, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI

Crystal Ski has revealed that the number of people it now takes to Norway has risen by 140% year on year.

Passenger to Finland have gone up 10% with the Finnish resort of Ruka now in its Top Five selling resorts.

Last winter Crystal Ski put on a Gatwick to Oslo charter flight, and this winter it is putting one in from Manchester to meet growing demand.

PlanetSKI was on the inaugural Gatwick flight last December.

Crystal charter to Oslo. Image © PlanetSKI

This coming winter the flights will run every Sunday from 15^th December to February.

Crystal Ski is also adding the resort of Guasta to its portfolio.

Gausta. Image c/o Norway-Home of Skiing.

Next season, 2025/26, Crystal Ski is putting a charter flight to Scandinavian Mountains Airport from 21^st December 2025 to 5^th April 2026 – it will offer skiing in the Swedish resorts of Salen, Stoten and Klappen.

Scandinavia appears to be the next must-go area to visit.

“Norway has not been a traditional resort for British skiers, but it is excellent for beginners and intermediates, and most importantly in these times of climate change it is snow-sure,” said the Managing Director of Crystal Ski Holidays, Chris Logan.

“Sweden will offer a more relaxed and accessible ski holiday with shorter transfer times.

“It is also not just about skiing but the whole winter experience.”

Chris Logan, Crystal Ski Holidays. Image © PlanetSKI

Norway is rapidly emerging as a top destination for British skiers this winter, according to Ski Solutions.

In October 2024, Ski Solutions has seen December 2024 bookings to Norway grow by 64% year-on-year, reflecting a strong appetite for the Norwegian slopes among UK travellers.

“Norway’s rise as a must visit winter destination for British travellers is fantastic to see,” said the Managing Director of Ski Solutions, Ian McIlrath.

“The combination of well preserved natural beauty and world-class skiing has created an unparalleled offering for those looking to book a ski holiday outside of the usual go to destinations .

“With an increase in direct flights and a growing appetite for adventure, we’re seeing an increase in travellers embracing Norway as a top choice for the upcoming ski season.

“The significant year-on-year increase in bookings to resorts like Geilo and Trysil highlights just how much UK skiers are drawn to Norway’s charm and versatility”.

It is a view already reported by PlanetSKI:

Skiing in Norway takes off

Narvik, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI

“If you want guaranteed snow, fabulous intermediate terrain, excellent accommodation & food, good prices (except for alcohol), reasonably priced lifts pass ski hire and lessons then take a look at Norway,” said the PlanetSKI editor, James Cove

“Norway is not for everyone and if you want huge ski areas, difficult black runs and steep off piste with wild apres ski then look elsewhere.”

“It is particularly attractive to families and people that just want a skiing experience different to the Alps.

“There are a host of alternative activities to do on your winter sports holiday, all of which I would recommend.”

Polar Park, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI

Fford trip in Norway. Image © PlanetSKI

Image © PlanetSKI

PlanetSKI goes cross-country skiing in Norway

Scott Hammond in Hafjell, Norway. Image © Sam Davies

Some ski areas including Geilo and Norefjell are opening for the winter season this weekend.

Norway has won Winter Olympic medals than any other nation, so it’s no surprise that skiing is a way of life in Norway.

Much of the growth has been fuelled by the company Norway – Home of Skiing that works with the major UK ski operators – Crystal, Ski Safari, Ski Solutions, British Airways, Heidi, Flexiski and Inntravel.

“In some ways I am not surprised by the sharp increase in the number of British skiers now heading to Norway,” said the CEO of Norway – Home of Skiing, Trevor de Villiers.

“I always had 100% faith in the product and that is now bearing fruit, and I am so happy to introduce more British skiers to the wonderful country of Norway and its unique winter offering.”

Norway – Home of Skiing is now looking across the Atlantic to build on that success.

This month it was recently at the Snow Expo in Boston, USA.

English is widely spoken across Norway so there will be no problems with the language.

Just don’t try pronouncing some of the ski runs.