Winter adventures

The charming Art Nouveau city of Ålesund is nestled among majestic fjords and mountains on the west coast of Norway. It's an excellent base for outdoor activities and for experiencing the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord in the tranquil winter season.

Make sure you set aside enough time to experience everything there is to do in the area, from skiing and other winter sports, cruises, and hikes, to spas and fine dining.

You can fly directly to Ålesund from many places in the world with KLM, SAS, Norwegian, and Widerøe. Another popular route is by sea, onboard Hurtigruten and Havila Voyages or on the beautiful train ride to Åndalsnes, combined with a bus ride to Ålesund. You can also enjoy an epic drive through picture-perfect landscapes.

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Towers, spires and beautiful architectural details are all around as you stroll through the historical streets and by the Brosundet strait, which divides the city in two.

The city has some of the finest architecture in the world as a result of a massive reconstruction project following a devastating fire in 1904. The buildings' designs were influenced by architects inspired by the Art Nouveau movement that was popular in Europe at the time. Norway had also recently become an independent nation (1905), and many people wished to boost the national identity. Several buildings in the city therefore feature design elements similar to those found on stave churches and from the Viking Age, among other sources of inspiration.

The city is surrounded by the majestic Sunnmøre Alps and is situated at the gateway to several of the country's most famous fjords, including the Hjørundfjord and Geirangerfjord.

The fishery that built the city

This fjord is a very special place for more than just swimming. The Borgundfjord fishery has a long history dating back to the Viking Age, and remains an important industry for the local economy and culture in the Sunnmøre region to this day. In waters just off Ålesund, the Borgundfjord cod spawns from around the middle of January to the end of March, as it has done for countless years. The cod is known for being big and rich in flavour, much like its 'brother' in Northern Norway, Skrei.

The area is also known for its stocks of other species, including haddock and saithe, and the rich culinary traditions that has sprung from such an abundance of fresh seafood.

Although klippfisk (salted and dried cod) is one of the main ingredients in Bacalao, which is popular worldwide, it is also used in many other local recipes.

Do you want to go fishing yourself? Contact visitalesund.com for information on group tours, which are held during the annual cod fishing festival “ByTorsken”, among others. You can also join fishing trips on the fjord and participate in competitions with wonderful prizes.

Ålesund has a wide range of culinary destinations, from tasty neighbourhood eateries to luxury restaurants, all serving local specialities. Local foodie Helen Siverstøl, at Destination Ålesund and Sunnmøre, shares her favourite spots:

“The fresh seafood in Ålesund is completely unique, and often comes directly from the fjord to the table,” says Helen, and continues:

“The coastal gastronomy at Bro and Apotekergata No. 5 is innovative and exciting! The bacalao at XL Diner is a popular classic. At Anno you will find delicious crispy pizza with local cheeses and hams. The cod tongue taco at T2 is a vigorous and tasty choice in winter, and Zuuma is a clear favourite for sushi. Enjoy tapas with a local twist at Bryt, which a great place to meet up with friends. Another favourite is svele (a kind of pancake) and hot chocolate with a view of the city from Fjellstua.”

She also recommends Orient and Tajmahal.

Since winter is prime season for the Borgundfjord fishery and local specialities, Borgundfjord cod and Skrei, we went to a spot where you can find local fish on the menu: Nordic restaurant Bro.

Bro is located right beside the Brosundet strait, where some of the fishing boats come straight from the sea. The restaurant has a strong focus on everything the coast has to offer, and its menu changes regularly according to the season. According to its Canadian head chef, Skyler Milner, they strive to obtain unique ingredients throughout the year:

"Two or three times a week before service, we go out into the woods together, and spend some time while picking ingredients we can fuse into vinegars, sugars and salts to flavour up the menu throughout the year. So, it’s a very busy time for us during spring and summer when we can get out and get these flavours that are entirely wild and entirely local, like ramson, spruce buds, birch shoots chanterelle, porcini, rowanberry, juniper ... the list goes on."

Let's move on to a really magical experience: The UNESCO World Heritage site of Geirangerfjord.

One of the best ways to explore it this time of year is on a winter cruise. Book the Geiranger in a Nutshell tour – a two or three day tour cruising past magnificent waterfalls like The Seven Sisters.

Geiranger Fjordservice also offers boat tours hosted by Fjord Rangers, whose guides share fascinating stories about the unique fjord landscape as you are sailing through it. The winter months are typically quieter, which means you can enjoy the breathtaking views without the crowds.

The boat usually makes two to three trips a week, with a day tour that starts and ends in Ålesund. But if you want to explore Geiranger more fully, you should definitely add some more days to your visit.

Since the majority of tourists visit Geiranger in summer, many cafés and restaurants are only open during the peak season. You should therefore remember to double-check opening hours if you want to visit a specific place. Another thing to note is that some of the nature attractions might look a little different now than during summer season. One example is the Seven Sisters waterfalls, which sometimes freezes in midwinter, while other mighty waterfalls are still flowing.

Luckily, there are also a variety of activities on offer at the hotels. At Hotel Union, you can enjoy restaurants, pools, a spa area, bars, and a nightclub and there are fun activities for the kids all year around.

Located in the centre of Geiranger with a fantastic view of the valley, the historic hotel was built in 1891 in an iconic Swiss style. In 1979, the hotel was refurbished and expanded to what it is today. Don't miss the hotel's vintage car exhibition and exhibits on the history of the hotel and Geiranger.

Travelling to Geiranger in winter

A winter fjord cruise from Ålesund is a scenic way get to Geiranger. You can also go by bus, with connections to major cities such as Ålesund and Oslo.

Travelling to Geiranger in winter by car can be a thrilling experience with its breathtaking scenery. Just keep in mind that winter driving conditions can be challenging, so make sure your car is equipped with winter tires and check the weather forecast to be prepared.

A car ferry connects Geiranger to Hellesylt, from which you can travel on to the ski paradise of the Strandafjellet mountain, Ålesund, and other towns in Fjord Norway. The ferry ride is an experience in itself, as it winds its way through the beautiful Geirangerfjord. Enjoy a coffee and the typical Norwegian 'ferry food' favourite, svele ( hick pancakes), while taking in the beautiful scenery from the café window on the ferry.

Stranda Ski Resort is one of the most popular resorts in the famous Sunnmøre Alps. The resort is situated on the shore of the Storfjord, and offers visitors a unique combination of fantastic skiing opportunities and stunning fjord scenery.

In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, Strandafjellet and the local guide operator, Uteguiden, also hosts a range of other winter activities, including snowshoeing, ice skating, and cross-country skiing. There are plenty of dining options, including restaurants, cafés, and bars, many with views of the surrounding mountains and fjords, providing the perfect backdrop for a relaxing meal or après-ski drink.

You can also ride the gondola and simply enjoy the view at the top or have a snack at the Fjord Panorama restaurant, of course!

Guided tours of the area

If you want to make sure you find the best spots to explore the scenery and outdoor activities in the area, join a guided tour! In addition to Uteguiden, other guide companies, like Ræin and Sunnmøre Mountain Guides, also offer plenty of guided tours in the area and activities for visitors of all ages and abilities.

Erlend, a guide with Uteguiden, took us snowshoeing and skiing at Strandafjellet.

“We aim to offer the best possible quality through having the best guides and the safest tours. We want to give people good experiences,” he says.

Uteguiden is known for its experienced guides and tailor-made tours that cater to the needs and preferences of each individual group. They also offer ski touring, snowboarding, hiking, climbing, rafting, coasteering and kayaking,with tours starting in a number of locations from Ålesund to the Geirangerfjord and in several spots in the Sunnmøre Alps and beyond.

Although there are some periods that are a little quieter, Erlend assures us they offer activities all year round. “There is always something to do as long as you want to be active,” he says.

“The busiest times in winter are March and April, while high season during summer is from June to August. But we have contacts all around, so we always try to find a solution if a guest wants a trip. Our base is at Sunnmøre, but we work throughout the Møre and Romsdal region, in addition to Hemsedal, Bergen, and Sogn. My favourite place is Valldal, that is located between Geiranger, Trollstigen and Åndalsnes.”

Do you need to bring your own equipment for the trip?

“No, we basically provide everything in terms of hardware, including skis, avalanche equipment, kayaks, snowshoes, sleeping bags, and tents. Although we don't have a huge storage room full of clothes, we always try to arrange something if a guest requests it.”

Home of Norwegian culinary favourites

The Stranda area is not only famous for being a ski and snow paradise. It's also home to the most popular frozen pizza in Norway: Grandiosa. Every year, over 25 million are consumed (in a nation of 5.5 million!). The pizza has even been named one of Norway's national dishes in several surveys.

In terms of food, otherlocal favourites (which are perhaps more suitable for a gourmet palate) include Stranda Skinke and Fenalår made by Tind Spekevarer (both of which are types of cured ham) and the ciders from local farm Skarbø, which is also famous its award-winning cheese. These specialities are often found on Norwegian plates on a variety of different occasions.