Source: Nord Norge

Photographer: Bård Løken

Home of Winter Love

Winter activities are an ageless love-affair here and there are activities suitable for everyone. Under a fur in a reindeer sleigh, in a hot tub under the Northern Lights or scrambling up a hill to ski an untouched slope before sundown. Norway is literally a smorgasbord of possibilities.

Oslo: a capital besieged by nature

There’s only a 15-minute tram ride between the capital’s trendy eateries and the famous Corkscrew sled run, Oslo Winterparks ski slopes and endless Nordic skiing trails. A weekend in Oslo offers a truly special blend of big-city culture and adventures in nature. According to the Financial Times, Trysil is the best family resort you’ve never heard of. The fully developed destination offers no less than 31 lifts. Olympic arena Kvitfjell offers 14 lifts and steep slopes. Youthful Hemsedal offers 20 lifts, racy runs and ditto after-ski. Bordering the majestic Jotunheimen National Park, Beitostølen offers a perfect blend of ski-lifts and 320 km of Nordic skiing trails. Geilo is accessible by train directly from downtown Oslo or from the airport. The classic resort offers family friendly slopes, 21 lifts, miles of Nordic skiing trails and fine accommodation.

Photographer: Thomas Johannessen

Bergen: gateway to the fjords and excellent powder skiing

The downtown area of Norway’s second largest city leaves the impression of being a charming village. UNESCO World Heritage listed “Bryggen” adds to the ambience with its historic wooden trade houses and narrow walkways. Intimate cafés, eateries and snow-clad mountain ranges make this a very special destination. Fløyen mountain serves up breathtaking views, Nordic skiing trails and is an 8-minute ride from the city center on the Fløybanen funicular. Family friendly Kvamskogen is a cabin village with 16 ski lifts and beautiful Nordic skiing trails. Voss Winter Park is a relaxing one-hour train ride from Bergen central station. 11 lifts service ski runs suitable for everyone. Off-piste powder heaven is found in Myrkdalen. The 9 efficient ski lifts offer also family friendly ski runs.

Trondheim: a shortcut to Scandinavia’s largest ski resort.

Trondheim has a youthful, vibrant vibe thanks to its large international student community and bustling cultural scene. Nearby Bymarka is the city’s winter playground with miles of Nordic skiing trails. Located 2.5 hours inland, across the border to Sweden, is the Åre ski resort. Scandinavia’s largest resort dishes up 75 eateries, 42 lifts and 89 ski-runs. Historic mining town Røros is a fairytale UNESCO World Heritage site that offers unique sleigh tours, a very special Christmas market and more. Unique Musk Ox safaris take place in the Dovrefjell National Park. Meråker is a Winter Olympic training camp, with 20 child-friendly ski runs. Oppdal is a family friendly ski resort that connects four mountains with 16 lifts. Accessible Vassfjellet Winter park is less than an hour’s drive from Trondheim and offers five lifts and moderate slopes for day-visits.

Source: Visit Trondheim

Photographer: Peter von der Meulen

Stavanger: pristine beaches and the majestic Preikestolen

Astounding contrasts define the Stavanger region. Miles of sandy beaches, deep fjords, steep mountain ranges, quaint wooden houses, baffling underwater tunnels and Michelin rated restaurants. This former Viking stronghold serves up a truly unusual blend of experiences. Nordic skiing on a snow-covered beach, a guided snowshoe trek to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) or a virtual experience at the Viking House? This region is definitively not your typical winter destination. Traditional winter sports are available at the family friendly Sirdal ski resort. On offer are eight lifts, 21 ski-runs, rental cabins and filling meals at the Sirdal Lodge. A strenuous snowshoe or cross-country ski trek brings you to the famous hanging boulder, Kjeragbolten, and fabulous views of the narrow Lysefjorden 3640 feet below.

Northern Norway: a wealth of adventures under the Northern Lights

There’s hardly a better place to explore the Northern Lights, the indigenous Sami-culture, dog sledding adventures and whale safaris. Lofoten’s ragged peaks rise straight up from the sea and cozy fishing villages nestle along the archipelago’s shoreline, offering comfortable rental cabins. Northern Lights capital Tromsø offers “luxury Igloo” stayovers at the Tromsø Ice Domes, Champagne-sipping in hot tubs and skiing at the Tromsø Alpinpark. Spectacular off-piste “summit to sea” ski touring is offered on Kvaløya. Equally Instagram friendly “sail and ski” adventures can be had in the near-by Lyngen Alps. The Worlds northernmost brewery, polar bears and ivory tusked walrus reside on the Svalbard archipelago. Half-way to the North Pole, this is unquestionably one of the most exotic winter destinations on Earth.

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