Skiing in Norway | The best ski destinations
Ski holidays in Norway: How to find the ski resort that suits you
Norway has more than 100 ski resorts, so there is plenty to choose from. The good news? Skiing in Norway is not about finding one resort that is “best” at everything.
It is about finding the right one for the kind of trip you want. If quiet slopes, varied terrain, easy access from Bergen and the chance to combine skiing with Western Norway’s fjord landscape sound good to you, Voss should definitely be on your list.
Here is our guide to where to ski in Norway — and where Voss fits in.
Is Norway good for skiing?
Very. It is simply a different kind of ski holiday from the Alps — and that is a big part of the appeal. Here are 5 good reasons to ski in Norway!
- More skiing, less queuing
Norwegian ski resorts tend to feel spacious, and lift queues are often short. That means more of your day is spent on the snow. - A long winter season
Norway’s northerly location brings proper winter conditions, with the main ski season generally running from December into spring. - Wide, open terrain
Much of the skiing is above the treeline, with broad pistes, rolling mountains and plenty of room to make your turns.
- More than groomed pistes
Depending on where you ski, you can combine piste skiing with off-piste terrain, ski touring and cross-country trails. - A genuine ski culture
Skiing is part of everyday life here. You will find experienced instructors, good facilities and plenty of local mountain knowledge — and English is widely spoken.
For British skiers looking for an alternative to the traditional Alpine week, Norway offers something refreshingly different: mountains, space, snow and a little less rush.
Best Ski Resorts in Norway
So, which are the best ski resorts in Norway?
It depends what you are looking for. Trysil is the largest ski resort in Norway by piste kilometres and is particularly popular with families. Hemsedal is known for its bigger vertical and more challenging terrain, while resorts around Lillehammer combine skiing with Olympic heritage.
Western Norway offers something different again. Here, resorts such as Voss combine skiing with the dramatic mountain and fjord landscape around Bergen.
Where Voss Fits
Voss Resort sits directly above the town of Voss in Western Norway, around 100 km from Bergen. We are not Norway’s largest ski resort — and we do not need to be.
What makes Voss special is the combination. You can travel from Bergen to Voss by train, step off at the station and walk straight onto the gondola. A few minutes later, you are on the mountain.
You get open mountain skiing, tree-lined runs, night skiing, ski touring and a real Norwegian town at the bottom of the slopes. And beyond Voss? The fjords. Mountain, fjord and town — all in one trip. What’s not to like?
Voss – a top ski resort near Bergen
One of Voss Resort’s biggest advantages is how easy it is to reach.
Bergen is around 1 hour 15 minutes away by train, and the railway station in Voss is directly connected to the ski area by gondola. That makes Voss particularly interesting for British visitors flying into Bergen.
There is no long transfer deep into the mountains. Instead, you can combine Bergen and Voss as part of the same holiday — whether that means a night in the city before skiing, a couple of days there afterwards or simply an easy journey from airport to mountain.
Gondola straight from the train station
The gondola runs from Voss station to Hangurstoppen at 820 metres in under nine minutes. At the top, you step out onto the mountain with views across the Voss valley and access to the ski area. You will also find Hangurstoppen Restaurant here.
Night Skiing in Norway
This is one of the things we think every skier should try at least once. At Voss, the skiing does not necessarily end when the sun goes down. The resort offers 11 km of floodlit slopes for night skiing, including terrain from green to black and a terrain park. In the middle of a Norwegian winter, when the daylight hours are shorter, floodlit skiing lets you make much more of the day.
And there is something special about skiing under a dark winter sky with the mountain lit up around you. It is not simply a practical way to ski for longer. It is part of the experience.
When is the ski season in Norway?
The ski season in Norway generally runs from mid-December to mid-April, although conditions and opening dates vary between resorts.
December
Winter gets properly under way. Days are short, the mountains feel wonderfully wintry and Christmas and New Year are popular times to travel.
January
Cold, quiet and often great value. The snow base settles in and the daylight gradually begins to return.
February
A classic month for skiing in Norway, with good winter conditions and longer days. It is also a popular period for school holidays, so booking early is sensible.
March
A favourite for good reason! You can have a deep winter snow base together with much longer days and a little more warmth in the sun. If we had to pick one month? March is hard to beat.
April
Spring skiing means longer days, softer snow and a completely different atmosphere on the mountain.
Snow conditions and terrain
Norway’s northerly climate helps create reliable winter conditions and a snow base that can last well into spring.
Western Norway has its own weather pattern. Weather systems arrive from the Atlantic carrying moisture and meet the mountains around Voss, bringing regular snowfall through the winter. The terrain at Voss also gives you choices when conditions change.
Higher up, you will find open mountain and big views. Lower down, tree-lined pistes offer more shelter when the weather closes in. It is one of the reasons having both upper and lower mountain terrain works so well over a full ski holiday.
How to get here – fly to Bergen
For British skiers, this is one of the most practical reasons to consider Voss when deciding where to ski in Norway.
Bergen airport
Bergen Airport has international connections, including routes from the UK. And Bergen is not simply an airport on the way to somewhere else. It is Norway’s second-largest city and well worth adding to your trip, whether for dinner and a night before heading to the mountains or a couple of days at the end of your holiday.
Bergen to Voss by train
The train from Bergen to Voss takes around 1 hour 15 minutes. Coming directly from Bergen Airport, allow around two hours in total depending on your connection.
From Oslo, the Bergen Line crosses the mountains to Voss in around six hours. And then just take the gondola! When you arrive at Voss station, you are already at the ski resort. The gondola leaves directly from the station and takes you to Hangurstoppen in under nine minutes. No mountain-road transfer required. For a short ski break, that can make a big difference.
Plan your ski trip to Voss
Once you have decided where to ski, the next question is making the trip easy.
Accommodation
Stay in a cabin or apartment close to the slopes, or choose accommodation in Voss town centre with the gondola nearby.
Ski passes
Choose a pass that suits the length of your stay, with gondola access connecting the town and mountain.
Ski and snowboard rental
Equipment hire is available at the resort, so there is no need to bring everything from home.
Ski school
English-speaking instructors are available for beginners as well as skiers looking to improve their technique.
Food on the mountain
There are several places to eat across the resort, including Hangurstoppen Restaurant at the top of the gondola.
Beyond the slopes
Take a day away from piste skiing for ski touring, snowshoeing, indoor skydiving or a trip into the surrounding fjord landscape.
Après-ski
Make the day last longer with a relaxed après-ski at Hangurstoppen Restaurant.
