These are Norway’s best ski resorts
Powder, parks and panoramic views!
Every year, the Norwegian financial newspaper “Dagens Næringsliv” ranks Norway’s top alpine resorts.
They base their score on not only the slopes, but also the number of lifts, the children’s areas, off-piste opportunities, terrain parks – and the quality of the food.
But the ski centres are just as different as the downhill skiers who use them. Read on to find your favourite!
1. Trysil
Simply a fantastic family resort, with short queues and lots of fun!
With 31 lifts and 68 slopes on three sides of Mount Trysilfjellet, Trysil is Norway’s largest ski resort.
Learn the art of turning from the mascot Valle – or from a skilled ski instructor – in the large family area.
Already into the swing of things? Trick your way through badass terrain parks and zip down black slopes and cool world cup pistes.
2. Hemsedal
Hemsedal ski centre has been ranked top of the pops for a number of years, with its 21 lifts, 53 slopes in all difficulty levels and a veeery long season.
Here, you can go for speed and fun with friends – or bring the whole family. The resort has a large children’s area, several snow parks, and unique off-piste opportunities.
Ski-in/ski-out is a given, and the small mountain village is known for the best après ski in the country!
3. Hafjell …
With 19 lifts and 50 kilometres of slopes, the snowsure Hafjell alpine resort is of Olympic standard. The season lasts until well into April.
Children can play in three different family areas, and the terrain park is known as one of the best in the world!
Artificial snow provides plenty of powder for carving lovers, and you can also venture off the groomed pistes.
… and Kvitfjell
Do you dare to plunge down the longest black trail in the country?
Kvitfjell ski resort, built for the Lillehammer Olympics in 1994, lies just 30 minutes from Hafjell and consists of 33 slopes and 14 lifts. The steep world cup piste has a height difference of more than 800 meters!
The little ones can take their first turns in wide slopes, which are also perfect for carving.
Lunch? According to Dagens Nærinsliv, Kvitfjell serves the best alpine food in the country.
4. Voss …
Go straight to the slopes from the station!
Enjoy one of the most beautiful train rides in the world from Bergen or Oslo to Voss, jump into the gondola – and take off.
Voss Resort has 11 lifts and 24 slopes including an international giant slalom run and a super-G run.
Still not convinced? Check out the terrain park, the ski cross slope, night skiing, and the three separate children’s areas!
… and Myrkdalen
Got a craving for powder? Get out of Voss city centre and enter the wild, but family-friendly Myrkdalen.
The alpine resort has nine lifts and 22 slopes in all difficulty levels, and several terrain parks and ski cross runs. The trails here are wide – perfect for carving!
And due to the fact that Myrkdalen has the most snow in all of Europe, the off-piste terrain is wonderful.
Hot tip: Practice your avalanche searching skills in a special avalanche transceiver training area.
5. Geilo
Hop off the train at Geilo midway between Oslo and Bergen and find one of Norway’s most varied ski centres.
SkiGeilo offers 22 lifts, 45 slopes and three terrain parks. Here, you can always ski on the sunny side, as the resort is located on both sides of the valley. Buses shuttle you back and forth.
Several cool children’s areas, a ski kindergarten, and lots of fun activities off the slopes also await – including a hefty toboggan run!
6. Hovden
Southern Norway’s largest ski resort! Hovden alpine centre has eight lifts and 33 slopes spread across three areas.
Prepare for panoramic views from 1183 meters, fun trails in both groomed and off-piste terrain, night skiing several times a week, a children’s area, and one of the country’s best terrain parks.
Not to mention – Hovden serves an absolutely fantastic pizza!
7. Narvikfjellet
Bucket list alert: The view from Narvikfjellet is unrivalled!
Pluss, in Northern Norway’s largest ski resort, the season extends from polar night and northern lights in November to midnight sun and summer skiing in June.
Choose between 15 varied slopes: family trails, technically demanding runs, terrain parks, and adrenaline-filled lift-based freeriding.
8. Oppdal
Four mountains on one ski pass! Oppdal ski centre a little south of Trondheim is the largest in Trøndelag, with a total of 35 slopes and 13 lifts.
Hovden has some of Norway’s best slopes for freeriders and racers, while Ådalen offers fantastic skiing on untouched snow.
If you’re bringing the family, Stølen and Vangslia both have separate children’s areas. In Vangslia, you’ll also find an exciting terrain park.
9. Gausta
Welcome to the top of Telemark! Gausta ski centre has 13 lifts, 35 slopes, three children’s areas, and two terrain parks – in the resort itself.
But many come here to get out of the groomed trails. Go off-piste skiing with or without a guide, and enjoy challenging freeriding without the grind.
How? By taking Norway’s most peculiar ski lift! Gaustabanen transports you through the mountain to the peak of Gaustatoppen. Then it’s up to you to get back down …
10. Strandafjellet
Mountains, fjords, and powder alarm! Not far from Ålesund lies Strandafjellet ski resort with an absolutely fantastic view of the Norwegian fjord landscape.
Five lifts and a gondola, 17 groomed slopes and perhaps Scandinavia’s best freeriding area make Stranda a favourite for skiers and snowboarders.
In addition, both a terrain park and a separate children’s area add to the fun.
Hot tip: Buy the Alpepass ski pass and get access to as many as nine ski resorts in Fjord Norway.
Did you know that you can go skiing way into spring? We call it the downhill dream season.
Never skied before? Learn how from three fearless six-year-olds!
And don't worry about the snow! You're almost guaranteed to have lots of snow in the Norwegian slopes.
The Norwegian currency is historically weak at the moment, meaning that it's actually much cheaper for a lot of tourists to visit Norway now.
PS. Norway's best ski resorts are easily accessible by bus and train! You can enjoy world-class alpine skiing without the hassle of a long drive.