15 Incredible Things You Can Try on a Norwegian Ski Holiday

Mush your own huskies across open snowfields, search for the magical northern lights, push your limits and carve your first ever tracks in untouched powder, or sail between the fjords’ immense mountains. And this is just the tip of the iceberg!

Norway is so close to the UK (just a two-hour flight), yet it’s a world away. With breathtaking, rugged landscapes, age-old traditions and incredible wildlife, there’s nowhere that matches it. The locals are experts in all things snow, true masters of their mountains, and ready to share their skills and passion for the great outdoors.

I can’t think of a better place to challenge yourself, learn something new, and experience nature at its purest. Here’s our list of top activities you can try for the first time in Norway, and as always, speak to us when you’re ready to book an amazing Norway holiday - we’ve been there, done it, and probably have several t-shirts.

The saying goes that Norwegian’s are born with skis on their feet, and with more Winter Olympic medals than any other nation, it’s easy to see why. Skiing was founded in Norway, and we even owe the word ‘ski’ to the old Norse ‘skíð’, used to describe these ‘wooden sticks’. So you’re in the right place, learning from friendly locals who live and breathe winter sports.

Norwegian ski schools set the bar high above the rest, winning countless awards year after year. Expert English-speaking instructors teach small groups and private lessons for all ages and abilities to a high standard. Norway’s slopes are much quieter than most Alps and North American resorts, and excel in providing wide, mellow runs that are perfect for shorter rides and practising turns. Wherever you stay, you’ll find top-quality teaching, but for beginners, Geilo, Gausta, Beitostølen, Myrkdalen and Norefjell are among the best.

Norway really lends itself to first-time powder skiers. The layout and typography of most resorts allow easy access to soft, ungroomed snow alongside pisted runs, meaning you can dip on and off powder as you like. Voss, Myrkdalen, Norefjell, Kvitfjell and Gausta are all great for this - Gausta even offers some snowy glades and the huge Gaustatoppen descent, complete with stunning panoramic views. Snowfall is steady and reliable from late December to early March, averaging around 292 cm across all our Norwegian resorts, so you have a long window to try off-piste, even during quieter, low-season weeks.

With around 15 people per square kilometre (compared to the UK’s 285), there’s plenty of space to explore Norway's mountain ranges and national parks that surround our resorts. Head to Voss or nearby Myrkdalen for your first backcountry experience, with expert ski-touring guides at Wild Voss who will lead you to perfect powder and stunning views across the mountains and valleys below. Slopes are particularly quiet in Myrkdalen, so you’ll likely have untouched snow all to yourself.

Explore the beautiful surroundings beyond a resort on smoothly groomed trails at your own pace on cross-country skis. Trails run from all our resorts, but Gausta is a great starter for a first-time cross-country experience, offering a picturesque loop around Kvitåvatn Lake if you don’t want to travel too far. If you want extensive options, hire cross-country skis in Norefjell and explore the multiple trails surrounding the resort.

No matter how many times I visit Norway, the fjords and the surrounding scenery never lose their magic. It’s nature at its purest, and no photo can do it justice. You simply have to be there to fully appreciate it, and here are some unforgettable ways to go about it.

Norway’s west coast has the greatest concentration of fjords in the country, and you can reach them via the Bergen Railway, en route to nearby ski resorts such as Voss, Myrkdalen and Geilo. Break away from this main line and visit Flåm on the Aurlandsfjord and allow at least a half-day to explore in and around this charming village. You could even stay a night, so there’s no rush. Venture onto the water on an electrically powered cruise (approx two hours one-way), snowshoe along the wooded shoreline, or enjoy dramatic birdseye views from the Stegastein Viewing Platform that projects over the fjord.

Fortunately for skiers, winter to early spring offers the best chance of sightings, thanks to longer nights and higher chances of clear skies in early December and late March/early April. Most of our Norwegian resorts are near national parks or quiet villages, minimising light pollution. Our top picks include Myrkdalen for its secluded setting and Narvik, Norway’s most northerly resort, surrounded by vast Arctic wilderness. For a city-based stay, Tromsø is a popular northern lights destination and features on our Ski & Northern Lights Ski Safari.

From reindeer to wolves to huskies to whales, Norway is home to many well-known snow-loving animals, and this is your chance to get close to them. I’ve ridden on a husky sled and even been kissed by a wolf! Brilliant experiences that my family and I will never forget.

Huskies are in their element in the snow, happiest when they excitedly pull their sled. Deeply rooted in Norwegian and Sami culture, huskies have been loyal companions on the snow for generations, and now you can take the reins! Husky sledding is offered at many Norwegian resorts, always led by expert guides. Try it from Geilo, Myrkdalen, Gausta, Narvik or Hemsedal, where you can mush your own team or snuggle into warm furs and enjoy the ride as a passenger.

Meet one of Norway’s most iconic, yet critically endangered animals. Being in the presence of an adult wolf for the first time is both hair-raising and humbling. At Polar Park (near Narvik) and Langedrag Nature Park (near Geilo), you can see these intelligent creatures up close in safe, controlled settings with expert handlers - you might even get a wolf kiss like I did! These parks are also home to arctic foxes, lynx, bears and moose, offering a unique chance to connect with Norway’s wildlife while learning about conservation and the country’s natural history.

Humpbacks, orcas and fin whales are just some of the most frequent visitors to Norway’s coast in winter, and are incredible to witness! Despite these chilly waters, Norway’s shores are teeming with biodiversity, where Earth’s largest animals visit to feed on some of the smallest. Tromsø is one of the best places you’ll expect to see whales. Join a guided boat and sail into the fjord for the best viewing spot. Narvik is Tromsø’s nearest ski resort, but you could add this city add-on to any ski holiday. Bergen is another superb city for whale watching, and with a picturesque old town and attractions to explore, it’s a perfect stopover en route to neighbouring ski resorts.

In my many years of living in or visiting Norway, one thing I can confidently say is that Norwegians take ‘friluftsliv’ seriously, even in the winter months. Friluftsliv describes a way of outdoor living that connects us with nature, and it’s intertwined in their culture. Here are some ways you can embrace friluftsliv like a true Norwegian.

For Norwegians, as with most Scandinavians, enjoying a warming sauna is as commonplace as taking a shower. Add intervals of icy plunges, and you have a winter wellness must! Invigorating, energising and great for the whole body. Geilo, Gausta and Beito Resort offer lakeside saunas that allow for a refreshing dunk in the water. In Myrkdalen, swap water for snow bathing up in the mountainside sauna.

Who knew there were so many hilarious ways to get down a mountain! Have a bit of fun and give one of these unique activities a go. Beito is the only resort that offers ‘snow rafting’, where you hurtle down the mountain in an inflatable raft. It’s brilliant - we’ve tried it! (See our 2023 blog about Beito and snow rafting). You could also give airboarding a try, or perhaps sledding and snow racing, which is popular at several of our Norwegian resorts, including Myrkdalen and Degali (outside Geilo).

Put your driving skills to the test and motor around a frozen circuit of snow and ice. Great fun with a group, ice-karting, powerturn buggies and even ice track driving can all be booked at Dagali’s frozen lake, located just outside Geilo. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of friendly competition after all, and this is one of the only places close to a ski resort where you can drift and race about in a safe and well-managed environment. This activity is adult only, but if you’re new to driving, you don’t need a driving licence for the karts or buggies.

See the sights at a faster pace and power over the snow on a fatbike. Much like a mountain bike but more ‘pumped’, fatbiking (also called snow-biking) has become really popular in Norway in recent years. With chunky, grippy tyres, you’ll feel almost buoyant riding over the snow and ice. Geilo is an excellent location to try this - follow the trails around the lake or join a guide for a sunset ride that follows husky tracks.

For a wild, Norwegian food experience, try ice fishing on a frozen lake and enjoy your catch around the campfire. Join an expert guide, who will give you tips on how to fish and what you do if you’re lucky enough to get a bite. Then warm up around the fire and reward your efforts with the freshest fish you will have ever tasted, alongside a warm drink of cocoa. Ice fishing can be booked from Geilo, Beito Resort and Trysil, amongst others.

Last but by no means least, I wanted to round off with a plug for the incredible food you will experience while in Norway. Time and time again, wherever I eat, I am often blown away by the quality of the food. Even the on-mountain dining is served at an exceptional level.

Norway’s ski resorts are a haven for food lovers as well as skiers. Most restaurants, including those around Geilo, Hafjell, Voss, Myrkdalen, and Beito, champion field-to-fork dining and serve locally sourced fish, wild game, and foraged produce such as berries, salads and herbs. Resort restaurants that do this particularly well include: Voss’ Fleischers Hotel, Hangurstoppen and Elva, Nermo Hotel in Hafjell and Geilo’s Vestlia Hotel and Hallingstuene.

If you want to try something more unusual, look out for ‘smalahove’ - or smoked sheep's head - on the menu. It’s a traditional Norwegian dish, usually eaten during celebrations, usually served with potatoes and beer, or a shot of aquavit (a spiced spirit made from grain or potato). You can try it at Smalahovetunet in Voss Town.

Call us on 01273 224060 or enquire online.

If you love the idea of trying these activities and experiences - from guided touring to husky mushing, the team and I can make it happen! Our UK office is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm, where we’ll be ready to answer any questions you have about Norway. 

Everyone at Ski Safari has visited and skied in Norway, so we’d love to share our personal experiences and recommendations and book an unforgettable ski holiday in Norway.

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