Why Norway is the New Cool Ski Holiday Destination

The obvious attraction with skiing in Norway is the guarantee of snow especially in the Arctic north and inland. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, coastal areas have a milder climate, with temperatures around zero degrees at sea level but much of the region is still snowy and cold throughout the winter and well into spring.

Along with the appeal of lack of queues and the untracked off piste of the main Norwegian ski resorts, there are the English-speaking ski schools and alternative on-snow family-orientated activities such as tobogganing, snowshoes and dog sledging. OK so you can do these activities in Europe, Canada or the USA but how about whale watching, fjord cruises and, of course, seeing the Northern Lights as added incentives for going to Norway? 

IN HIGH DEMAND

According to Cirium data, the number of direct flights from the UK to Norway, including Harstad-Narvik and Tromsø, is set to reach 872, providing over 143,000 available seats,  a 14 percent increase compared to December 2023, reflecting the high demand from British travellers.

One of the best known Norwegian ski resorts, Geilo has experienced a 126 percent increase for December while Trysil is seeing figures up by 42 percent.

Ski Solutions report that December 2024 bookings to Norway have surged by 64 percent year-on-year, adding the ski resorts of Gausta and Narvik, this winter.

Ian McIlrath, Managing Director of Ski Solutions, comments: "Norway's rise as a must visit winter destination for British travellers is fantastic to see. 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.'

Google search traffic for Norway ski holidays continues to grow every year (up 30 percent in 2024) and is now on par with Italy for UK skiers, according to Craig Charley of Ski Safari.

'Our most popular resorts this winter are Geilo and Gausta,' Craig reports, 'Geilo provides an all-round winter experience and is world-class for beginners and families. Gausta is new to the UK ski market (we were the first to offer it last winter) and is already a hit due to consistently excellent service, brilliant terrain and a few unique experiences including the iconic Gaustatoppen mountain.'

NORWAY THEIR WAY

Norway’s ski heritage is reflected in the fact that they’ve won more gold medals in the Winter Olympics than any other nation. But some Norwegians are less keen to share their snow and spectacular scenery with holiday makers. Recent tourism campaigns have been axed so as NOT to attract tourists, with Norwegians preferring that visitors don't come and blight their unspoilt landscapes. 

According to The Guardian, 'Rather than encouraging tourists and the income they provide, many Norwegians would prefer to protect their natural environment'. 

Of course, Norway has the luxury of not relying on tourism for income, especially as the country can live off the wealth of its oil exports. But, as The Guardian remarks, 'One could point out the irony of Norway being the world’s fifth largest oil exporter, and a prime contributor to global heating, while it obsesses about protecting its woods and mountains'.

WE'LL DRINK TO THAT

But Norway's woods and mountains are becoming even more attractive for visitors since the Norwegian krone (NOK) has reached a historical low, making the country currently less expensive than it has been during the past decade for visitors.

This is great news for anyone who has been put off by the cost of an apres beer in Norway. According to Craig Charley of Ski Safari, 'We've found many resorts in the Alps in Europe charging over 10 euros for a beer recently, so while there aren't really cheap options in Norway, it's not too bad unless you're planning a big night out.

'Beer costs around £8-12 for a pint, wine £8-15 for a glass, £35+ for a bottle, cocktails/spritzes are around £11-12. So not far off London prices either! Plus, you can pick up duty free at the airports, which costs the same as in the UK  – or visit a Vinmonopolet store where wine's as cheap as £10 a bottle.'

SAVE ON SUNDOWNERS 

Ok so you won't have to splash out on sundowners in northern Norway because here the sun is almost permanently down from the end of November to January. But there's the magic of floodlit ski slopes, ski touring via head torches and with the backdrop of the Northern Lights in the polar winter around Tromsø, with its latitude of 69°N.

Meanwhile, in southern Norway, there are six to eight hours of daylight during the winter months, so, hey, maybe even the potential of a goggle tan.

SO WHERE TO SKI IN NORWAY

Along the coast, it usually stays around zero degrees. Inland, the temperatures are lower and might dip to a chilly 10-20 degrees below zero, so wrap up.

Good news, though, is that the season usually starts early - and lasts longer. The highest mountains will be snow-covered in October, the lower-lying areas by November. So most of Norway's ski resorts will be open early December.

The ski resort in Bjorli often opens first in November, soon followed by some of the biggest resorts in eastern Norway, including Hafjell, Kvitfjell, Trysil, Geilo, and Hemsedal, as well as Oppdal in Trøndelag.

In western Norway, ski resorts including Voss/Myrkdalen and Strandafjellet are considered the best powder spots.  At Narvikfjellet ski resort in northern Norway, you can usually ski until June, enjoying the midnight sun.

And, in May, with cold nights and longer days, the spring ski touring season is just getting started.

Check the local weather forecast at Yr.no, delivered by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK).