The one thing that Norwegians are happy to boast about is that Norway is the birthplace of skiing. It is ingrained into the DNA of the population here. Most parts of the country experience a snowy winter and ski resorts and local hills are scattered throughout the country with over 1000 registered. Norway's ski resorts enjoy long seasons, plentiful powder and empty slopes.
You can even find resorts open in the Summer months. This almost sounds too good to be true, is it?
While resorts in the Alps offer skiing up to 3,000m, most Norwegian resorts are no higher than 1500m (the highest lift in Norway is 2200m at Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski centre) but when you're this far north, altitude isn't a problem. The dry chill in the air provides some of the lightest champagne powder you will find.
Sure, skiing in Norway is not as developed as in the Alps and you have to think about what it is you want from your ski holiday; miles of untamed wilderness vs mile-long lift queues. The resorts offer a lively apres-ski scene at weekends and a more chilled-out atmosphere during the week. There's plenty to do off the slopes, including dog sledding, torch-lit snowshoe safaris, tobogganing, and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
Popular resorts in Norway include Voss , Myrkdalen, Geilo, Hafjell, Trysil, Norefjell, and Hemsedal.
Voss Resort is located in the heart of Fjord Norway, only a short distance from Bergen. The ski resort has two welcome areas; one by the gondola in the center (Voss Gondol) and one in Bavallen (approx 5 km outside the city skill). In Voss Resort you will find everything from easy slopes to challenging pistes, and snow cannons guarantee snow and even better skiing!
Myrkdalen Resort is the largest ski resort in Western Norway and one of the snowiest ski destinations in the country. Here you will find slopes of all kinds as well as some great off-piste terrain.
With the SkiTicket from Fjord Tours, you can travel in an easy and sustainable manner.
Norwegians' passion for skiing takes them well outside the boundaries of recognized resorts. Randonee, or ski mountaineering, is a skiing discipline that involves climbing mountains either on skis or carrying them, depending on the steepness of the ascent. Many Norwegians will jump at the chance of a “topptur” trip, skinning up to conquer a peak and then giddily skiing the untouched powder fields and forests back to the car, no lifts or ski passes needed.
In fact, Norwegians are so passionate about skiing and being active, they don’t even need a slope to ski on. Langrenn, or cross-country skiing, is a traditional pastime which thrives in the modern era. Most ski resorts of 100’s of km of prepared ski tracks to explore. It is so ingrained into the culture that any forest or field on the edge of a town or village in Norway is likely to have a ski track of some sort carved through it in wintertime.
The world’s oldest pair of skis discovered in Norway
People have lived in Norway for around 12,000 years, and a huge amount of historical artifacts have been found in the country that gives us a window into how people lived in the past. Much like so many Norwegians still do today, ancient people used skis. A recent incredible find in the melting ice of a remote Norwegian glacier proved to be one of the world’s oldest and well-preserved skis!
A fascinating find
7 years ago, a 1300-year old wooden ski was found on the mountain of Digervarden in southern Norway. At the time, archeologists and researchers hoped the second ski may also be nearby. In September 2021, Norwegian archeologists discovered the matching ski that completes the pair. The amazing find is the world’s oldest pair of well-preserved wooden skis, dating back to before the Viking age.
The ancient skis are truly a rare find – only two pre-Viking skis with preserved bindings exist in the world. Found in the deep Digervarden ice patch, these are the world’s best-preserved pre-historic pair of skis, and the incredible find has naturally received a lot of attention internationally.
Proud Norwegian skiing traditions
Historically, skiing wasn’t mostly for enjoyment and exercise like it is for most of us today. For the ancient people who inhabited Norway all those years ago, skiing was an effective mode of transport on the snowcovered ground. It’s incredible to think of how long skiing traditions have survived, and how they’re thriving today. Norway is one of the world’s top skiing destinations due to the incredible natural scenery and great skiing opportunities.
It’s internationally known that Norwegians have a long-standing and proud history with skiing. During the winter in many parts of Norway, you never have to go far to discover some perfect trails for skiing. People travel from around the globe to experience the stunning landscape of this Nordic winter wonderland with its snow-capped peaks, fairytale forests, and fresh air.
