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HEIDI GUIDE TO
Norway
Ski Holidays
The original home of skiing
Winter sports, log cabins and northern lights – Norway offers magical winter experiences.
Norway is where skiing was invented...
...so unsurprisingly, there’s a rich heritage of skiing – in all its forms – in the country. Its northern latitude means it’s blessed with snow in abundance. The season is long and the resorts are easy to reach. The skiing is ideally suited for beginners and intermediates being less steep than the Alps. A Norway ski holiday, is not just about regular alpine skiing but also about the cross-country skiing and other winter experiences such as staying in a log cabin and seeing the Northern Lights.
KEY INFORMATION
Good to Know
Currency
Norweigan Krone
Language
Norwegian
Travel Time (APPROX)
2 hours
Gatwick
Timezone
GMT+2
Norway ski holidays
Your questions answered by our Norwegian ski holiday expert
Alexander Blunt (Co-Founder)
What are the best family ski resorts in Norway?
In Norway, you’re never too young to ski, most children learn as soon as they’re able to walk. The majority of Norway’s best ski resorts such as Trysil, Hemsedal and Hafjell are super family-friendly, with children’s slopes and ski schools, parks with jumps and rails. And there are sleigh rides in Geilo. Hotels are family friendly too and many are situated right by the slopes for ski-in, ski-out convenience.
What are the best beginner ski resorts in Norway?
In Norway first timers can look forward to wide, quiet and perfectly groomed slopes through beautiful pine forests. In Hafjell there are easy runs from the top of all lifts and a beginner area at the bottom. Both Beitostølen and Trysil are also great resorts for beginners 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 high altitude / snow-sure ski resorts in Norway?
In the Scandy countries it’s not height that counts so much for snow security but latitude – and Norway certainly benefits from its northern location. Its resorts typically top out between 1,100m and 1,500m, offering a vertical drop between 400m to 800m – more than enough to keep most family and intermediate skiers happy. Norefjell however has a vertical drop of 1,008m.
What is the best skiing food and Drink in Norway?
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 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 airport. Get fully stocked with your allowance here.
What are the best ski resorts for après ski in Norway?
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.
What are the best ski resorts for off-piste skiing in Norway?
Among Norway’s southerly ski resorts, Hemsedal offers 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. Beyond the slopes, Norway is home to 1000s of kilometres of cross-country tracks, many going through areas of real wilderness.
What are the best ski resorts for skiing weekends and short breaks in Norway?
Norway is perfect for a weekend hit. It’s 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 car. There is also the option to fly into Bergen, which is closer to some of the more westerly resorts such as Voss.
What is the best time to ski in Norway?
Norway has a longer season than the Alps but daylight hours are worth considering. The resorts start opening as soon as the snow settles, usually in November. The season can then run until as late as May. December to February is great for the snow, but the days are cold and short (many resorts have floodlit slopes). March onwards offers longer days and the slopes are often still in great condition.
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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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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Why book a Norway ski holiday with Heidi?
Flexible
Go where you want, when you want, for as long as you want, from an unbeatable choice of resorts.
Easy
Super-clever tech saves you buckets of time by making it easy to find 'the one', from a mountain of options.
5 star service
Our stellar UK team are here 24/7 to make sure your holiday runs smoothly. Flight cancelled? Booking amendments? We'll sort it.
On the money
From budget to luxury, find an amazing ski holiday whatever your wallet, knowing our ATOL protection means your money is safe.
