Imagine standing on an Arctic peak, admiring the view. Then, you fasten your skis and cruise all the way down to the fjord.
The Narvik region is as an excellent base for alpine ski touring and off-piste skiing. Here, you are surrounded by fjords, islands, deep valleys, pristine lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, and mountain plateaus. But first and foremost – wild and rugged mountains in a seemingly endless terrain.
Because of the diverse mountain landscape, the area has close to 100 high-quality ski touring peaks within an hour’s drive from the Narvik city centre. Combined with the varied climate in the region, which makes it easy to find the perfect snow, this has made Narvik an attractive destination to many certified ski touring guides.
From urban skiing at the Narvikfjellet ski resort to the most recognised heli-skiing enterprise in Scandinavia, Narvik is a perfect place for Arctic ski touring.
After a long day in the mountains, the comforts of city life are not far away in the town of Narvik. For places to stay, choose between everything from lodges to proper hotels.
Last but not least: Stay safe and find out about the avalanche risk before you set out. Read more about safety in the mountains here and about local conditions on varsom.no.
Quick facts
Main ski touring season
March to mid-May
Level recommended
Beginners to experts
Types of skiing terrain
Alpine peaks and couloirs
Sea to summit
Open mountain plateaus
Forests
Lift-accessed backcountry
Epic run
Stetinden is the national mountain of Norway. Its distinct steep profile fascinates the many people who dream of one day conquering it. In winter, most skiers head for Stetinden’s neighbour, the slightly lower Halls Fortopp (1,315 metres). Expect spectacular scenery and magnificent skiing all the way down to the fjord.
Types of accommodation
Hotels, bed and breakfasts, camping,
fishermen’s cabins, guesthouses, lodges
Restaurants and bars
Narvik has a great variety of restaurants and eateries, as well as bars and a few nightclubs. In recent years the region has established itself as a unique food destination with some of the region’s best wilderness chefs.
Excursions and other winter activities
The Narvik region is the perfect base for experiencing Arctic winter activities such as dog-sledging, visiting a Sami family, and ice fishing. If you are lucky, you will also see the spectacular northern lights dancing across the skies.
Museums and art galleries
Narvik has a solid place in the World War II history, and the film The battle of Narvik is to be released at Christmas 2020. Narvik War Museum is a modern museum with architectonical and interactive experiences, where the war history of Northern Norway’s is gathered under one roof. Narvik also has a strong navvy history with the Ofoten railway construction, and Narvik Museum is an anchor point on the European Route of Industrial Heritage.
Discover Narvik
Getting here and around
Get in-depth travel information for Narvik at Narvik’s official website.
Safety in the mountains
Norway is an incredible place to explore, with untamed mythical landscapes, mountains, valleys, and fjords. Before you enter the outdoors, get familiar with the nine simple rules of the Norwegian mountain code to help you stay safe.
- Plan your trip and inform others about the route you have selected.
- Adapt the planned routes according to ability and conditions.
- Pay attention to the weather and the avalanche warnings. This is especially the case for ski tourers - check the current situation in your area on varsom.no and make sure you follow the advise given.
- Be prepared for bad weather and frost, even on short trips.
- Bring the necessary equipment so you can help yourself and others.
- Choose safe routes. Recognize avalanche terrain and unsafe ice.
- Use a map and a compass. Always know where you are.
- Don’t be ashamed to turn around.
- Conserve your energy and seek shelter if necessary.