Want to spend more time outdoors?

Apply to the
Norwegian School of Friluftsliv

The key to happiness may be closer than you think. Norway is on a mission to share our tradition of Friluftsliv, also known as open air life, to help bring people all over the world back to nature. Six lucky winners will be handpicked to attend our school. Will you be one of them?

What is The Norwegian School of Friluftsliv?

Six lucky people will be whisked away to Norway for an exciting one-week trip in August. Once here, you'll get accommodation, meals and an education at the Norwegian School of Friluftsliv, which will include plenty of fun outdoor activities.

You'll leave Norway with new knowledge that you'll share with the folks back home.

Take the entry exam below and find your way back to nature in Norway!

Read the full terms and conditions for the Norwegian School of Friluftsliv competition.

Do you feel like you're spending too much time on the sofa scrolling your days away? Have you forgotten what it feels like to spend time outdoors and how to appreciate nature?

Then you're not alone, as the average human spends around 90 percent of their life indoors, which has a negative affect on both their health and sense of happiness.

However, this could be fixed more easily than you may think. As little as 2-3 hours a week spent in nature can drastically improve both mood and health. We call it Friluftsliv!

“Fri-lufts-liv”, which can be directly translated as “open-air-life” means just that: to be in nature, doing just about anything – in the open air. In fact, it’s one of our most important keys to happiness (and we're actually quite happy here in Norway)!

  • Woman drinking from a river
    Timeless Society
    Young girl crossing the Via Ferrata in Loen in Fjord Norway
    A women practicing yoga in silence on the beach in Lofoten, Northern Norway

Fail your way to Norway

Now, we want to share this knowledge with the world and have created our own Norwegian School of Friluftsliv to do so. To apply for the school, you need to take our entrance exam.

But beware, we don’t need to educate those who already have great knowledge of friluftsliv. So only those who fail the exam will be eligible to send in their application.

Will you manage to will fail your way to Norway? Good luck!

The Norwegian School of Friluftsliv

If you fail this exam, you are eligible to apply as a student. Maybe you will be selected to lear​n the noble art of friluftsliving!

Friends celebrating in knitted sweaters
Friluftsliv: Our love for the outdoors

The Norwegian School of Friluftsliv

Explore the outdoors

Try a new activity!

  • Two persons cycling by the fjord in summer, Norway.

    Cycling

    Outdoor activities in Norway: Hiking in Lofoten

    Outdoor activities

    Girl hiking in the Melfjellet mountain in Helgeland

    Hiking

    Two men in a boat sea fishing in Tromsø in Northern Norway

    Fishing

    People winter kayaking by the Henningsvær Bryggehotell in Lofoten, Northern Norway.

    Kayaking

    A woman climbing a mountainside on a sunny day in Loen in Fjord Norway

    Climbing

    An Atlantic Puffin at Hornøya outside of Vardø in Varanger, Northern Norway

    Birdwatching

    People canyoning in Valldal in Møre og Romsdal in Fjord Norway

    Canyoning

    A person is riding a dog sledge during winter in Finnmark, Northern Norway

    Dog sledding

    Two kids sitting on rocks next to the sea and try geocaching in Sandnessjøen in Nordland, Northern Norway

    Geocaching

Get inspired

Enjoy beautiful Norwegian nature.

Two people hiking the Tømmerrenna timber slide in Vennesla, Southern Norway
Unique hiking experiences
A moose ox in Rondane, Eastern Norway
Meet a moose!
People hiking up a steep mountain with beautiful views.
Hiking tips
  • White tailed eagle in Northern Norway, at winter
    Wildlife safaris
    Two moose out in nature during summer in Norway
    How to behave in nature
    People enjoying the floating Soria Moria sauna in Telemark
    Coolcation in Norway
    Two people cycling along the Rallarvegen Navvies’ Road in Fjord Norway, one of Norway’s top 13 scenic bike rides
    13 scenic bike rides

Take advantage of top offers

See our selection of trusted companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.

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    Brim ExplorerQuiet fjord tours on award-winning electric catamarans in Oslo, Tromsø, Lofoten, and Svalbard.
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    CityboxModern and affordable hotels in central locations in Oslo, Bergen, and Kristiansand.
    Blazerbu -  Norgesbooking
    NorgesbookingBook your perfect cabin stay in the fjords, mountains, and valleys of Norway.
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    Scandic HotelsExperience Nordic hotel hospitality at its finest at more than 90 hotels across Norway. Special offers are available.
    The Thief - A lifestyle boutique hotel in Oslo
    StrawberryA different hotel company! Look out for great weekend deals at more than 100 hotels in Norway.
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    Thon Hotels ASFantastic breakfast included! Experience true comfort and reasonable rates at our 80 hotels in Norway.
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    Classic Norway HotelsWhen the hotel is the destination. Book a night to remember in one of Norway's most unique and distinctive hotels.
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    50 Degrees North NordicChoose between unforgettable tailormade individual trips and small, exclusive group tours of Norway.
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    Radisson HotelsGreat value offers and comfortable quality stays in Norway´s major cities, airports, and ski resorts.
    Hardangerfjord - Authentic Scandinavia
    Authentic ScandinaviaTravel curated by locals. Our tailormade tours suit every type of traveller and budget.
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    Booknordics.comUnique holiday packages, adventure hotels, tours, and activities.
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    Fjord ToursHome of Norway in a Nutshell, Norway's most popular tour. Fjords, mountains, and stunning destinations — all in one trip!
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    Go FjordsBook fantastic tours and experiences! We offer tours in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Lofoten, the North Cape, and more.
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    HurtigrutenExperience the world's most beautiful sea voyage on an unforgettable cruise along the stunning Norwegian coast.
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    Norrøna AdventureGet ready for expeditions and adventure holidays with Norrøna Adventure. Hiking, skiing, and biking trips.
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    Discover NorwayOffers a range of exciting self-guided hiking, biking, and skiing holidays in Norway. Luggage transfer included.
    Happy family taking a selfie in an airport after arriving to Norway
    Norwegian HolidaysLow-price package holidays with Norwegian. Book your flight, hotel, and rental car all in one place.
    Hop on hop off bus - Stromma
    StrömmaSightseeing by bus and boat in several major tourist spots and cities in Norway.
    Hikers approaching a small wooden cabin with grass roof in mountainous landscape
    Up NorwayBespoke luxury hand-picked by local experts. We combine your preferences and our knowledge to make an unforgettable journey.
    Aurora borealis Tromso - Fjord Travel
    Fjord Travel NorwaySleep in an ice hotel, hunt the northern lights, and discover the magical fjords. Book your tour now!
    Woodward - Arctic Campers
    Arctic Campers ASDo you want to try van life? Explore Norway in comfort and style with our smart and cosy campervans.
    Auto Europe
    Auto EuropeAlways a smooth car rental experience. Search and compare rental rates. Free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to pick-up.
    Buss bilde - NOR-WAY
    NOR-WAY BussekspressEnjoy scenic views on comfortable bus trips to the fjords and from city to city with our express buses.
    Raumabanen - SJ Nord
    SJ NordSJ NORD - the adventure starts on the train
    A bus driving along the coast in Norway, Vy express route vy146
    Vy expressDiscover Norway on comfortable express buses that take you between major cities, mountains, and fjords.
    Vy Train travelling on a scenic railway line between Bergen and Hønefoss, Norway
    Vy TrainGlide through scenery on a train between Oslo and Bergen on the Bergen Railway and explore the greater Oslo region.
    Van 4 - Cabin Campers
    Cabin CampersExperience the road trip of a lifetime with our cabins on four wheels.
    Malangen resort - My nordic travel
    My Nordic TravelChoose between DIY itineraries and pre-packaged holidays to the very best destinations in Norway.
    Campanyon - Arctic Dome Smiberget
    CampanyonUnique camping in nature. Book a stay in a treehouse or glamping tent or rent a motorhome pitch.
    Airplane
    NorwegianNorwegian offers cheap flights in Norway and direct flights from more than 70 European destinations. Book flights through our low fare calendar to your destinations.
    Elegant wooden hotel in mountain valley beneath snow-capped peaks.
    De HistoriskeHave an unforgettable stay at one of Norway's unique, authentic historic hotels. Enjoy first-class dining experiences and a broad range of activities.
    A woman hiking in the summer mountains by the fjord.
    CampioNorway's biggest camping booking site. Find the best camping and motorhome pitches throughout Norway.
    Two women waving out the windows of a campervan with Benzini Campers on the hood
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