Escape to Western Norway this Christmas

Add some sparkle to your Christmas this year with a week away in the breathtaking setting of Western Norway, to sample incredible skiing and have the chance to immerse yourself in the region’s festive traditions.

Stay at your choice of ski resort - Voss or Myrkdalen (skiable on the same lift pass) - and enhance your holiday with a visit to the charming city of Bergen or the pretty village of Flåm (or both!). With festive in-resort activities, quiet, snow-sure slopes, outstanding Norwegian dining, and a backdrop of beautiful mountains and lakes, this is the best time to experience Western Norway.

Packages and ski safaris such as the Ski & Fjord Explorer Ski Safari (which features all of the destinations in Western Norway) are still available, but book now before they're gone! There’s lots to see and do across the region during the festive period, so read on to find out what’s on.

Western Norway’s dramatic mountains and steep, inky fjords are the backdrop to two wonderful settlements, Bergen and Flåm.

Bergen is Norway's second-largest city and features an 'old town' of traditional multi-coloured, snow-topped wooden houses, bathed in the warm glow of streetlights - you won't help but feel all ‘Christmassy’ while you're there!

The mountain village of Flåm, tucked at the foot of the Aurlandsfjord, is the perfect location for adventuring and exploring the surrounding wilderness. It's simply enchanting.

In fact, Disney’s film 'Frozen' took inspiration from this amazing area, including the village of Undredal, which can be seen on the Flåm Fjord cruise.

Our Christmas packages can include one or two nights in Bergen or Flåm (or both!), which are the perfect way to begin or end your time in Norway. If you'd prefer to maximise your ski time, both Voss and Myrkdalen offer day trips to Flåm, including fjord cruises and railway journeys.

The little village of Flåm is set on the fjord waterside, facing out towards mountains that drop almost vertically into the deep, icy fjords. You can browse the museums and gift shops, but we recommend exploring the area to really appreciate the scale and raw, natural beauty of it - quiet and serene at this time of year.

Flåm Fjord Cruise on the UNESCO Nærøyfjord - glide through the waters between the vast towering mountains on a two-hour journey between Flåm and Gudvangen. Runs daily through winter.

Flåm Railway - what winter wonderland experience wouldn’t be complete without a rail journey through the frozen mountains? Wide carriages and large windows give everyone space to gaze out, as you climb around the snowy mountains between Flåm and Myrdal. Runs daily through winter.

Stegastein Viewpoint - head to this special viewing platform overlooking Flåm and the breathtaking Aurlandsfjord below.

Gudvangen Viking Village 'Njardardheimr' - a living outdoor museum with a fascinating insight into how Vikings might have once lived - best accessed via the Flåm Fjord Cruise. Open daily except 24 and 25 December.

Valley snowshoeing - walk softly across deep, fluffy snow and enjoy this opportunity to connect with nature, breathe in fresh, crisp air and admire the gorgeous views.

Bergen, Norway's second-largest city, is sometimes referred to as ‘the gateway to the fjords’, and is a captivating city in a beautiful location. With its UNESCO-listed old village of wooden houses, it makes the perfect traditional Christmas setting.

Bergen Christmas Market - explore the traditional wooden pop-up stalls at the Bergen Christmas Market for some unique gifts and tasty treats. Runs until 22 December 2025.

Gingerbread City - each year Bergen's school children and families create their home town, made entirely of gingerbread. In fact, it’s the world’s biggest gingerbread city! Doors open from around mid-November and close after New Year.

Fløibanen Funicular - after seeing Bergen in miniature, head up the mountain on the funicular railway for a spectacular grand view across the city. This runs daily, even on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

20% off selected local attractions - the Bergen Card offers a 20% discount on selected local attractions - handy if you plan to poke around lots of places. The card includes museums, the science centre, the aquarium, the funicular and the Ulriken Cable Car.

Myrkdalen and Voss invite you to join the festivities over the Christmas period. Each year, both resorts run a programme of fun activities and events for adults and kids, including family tobogganing, sleigh rides, tournaments and races, plus hotel dining on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

And if you’re worried about things being closed - don’t be! Norwegians celebrate Christmas on 24 December, but lifts remain open daily throughout; they may just close a little earlier on Christmas Eve - usually from around 2pm.

Although they're only a short ride apart on the ski bus (approx. 30 mins), each resort offers something different. Myrkdalen has the elevation advantage of the two in a remote location surrounded by endless backcountry, and excellent ski-in ski-out facilities at the foot of the mountain.

Voss meanwhile, sits on the Bergen to Oslo railway line and is renowned for being the 'adrenaline capital of Norway', with the lively town at the base of the resort.

If you can’t choose between the two, the good news is you don’t have to. A single lift pass covers both and together they create a ski area to rival Norway’s largest, Trysil, but with a unique advantage: two distinctly different mountains, quieter slopes, and more time for you to enjoy the skiing without the crowds.

Everything you need in Myrkdalen is at the foot of the resort, including cafés, restaurants and the ski-in ski-out 4* Myrkdalen Hotel. Rooms here are inter-connectable, which is great for large groups. Self-catering apartments and cabins are available, including on a half board basis, so that you can still enjoy the three wonderful restaurants at the hotel: Nuten (a la carte), Nuten Fondue (Swiss-style fondue) and Tunet (stone-baked pizza).

Northern Europe's snowiest resort, it's particularly snow-sure, with 22 freshly groomed slopes at your disposal. Runs are wide and at this time of year, nice and quiet too! For more experienced skiers, there's ample easy-access off-piste for testing your powder skills, plus a vast backcountry area for ski touring.

Daily running activities and facilities

Throughout winter, there's plenty to do on and off the slopes, including sledding, shuffleboard, duckpin bowling, and digital darts. You can also unwind in the mountain sauna and make use of the gym facilities. There's the enchanted forest too, waiting to be explored by the kids - fantastic fun after dark, illuminated by colourful lights. For information on how to book activities and what else Myrkdalen has to offer, read our Myrkdalen Resort Guide.

Special events

In the lead-up to Christmas and New Year, Myrkdalen throw special events to celebrate the winter holidays. 2025/26 events include:

• Snowshoe hikes to the wilderness camp (19 and 23 Dec)
• Dog sledding (26 Dec, 2 Jan)
• Horse sleigh ride (25 Dec, 2 Jan)
• Christmas dinner in the hotel restaurant (24 Dec)
• Christmas movie and porridge party (a Norwegian tradition of warm spiced porridge)
• New Year’s dinner at the hotel
• Kids' ski racing (select dates between 20 and 31 Dec)

Visit the Myrkdalen website for full details of their events programme.

Voss is bursting with energy and has plenty to keep you busy! Voss town is at the foot of the mountain, connecting to the resort by a modern gondola. The resort sprawls over three skiing areas and has 24 runs to explore.

There is plenty of terrain here for all ability levels, from gentle beginner slopes to long, groomed intermediates, plus ample powder just off the slopes and ski touring for more adventurous skiers. The 4* Scandic Voss connects to the gondola and the train station platform, and exits onto the main road, so everything you need is right there!

Daily running activities and facilities

Activities to enjoy in Voss during the winter season include bowling, laser tag, indoor swimming, and Voss Vind indoor sky diving. For details on how to book activities and what else Voss has to offer, read our Voss Resort Guide.

Special events and activities over Christmas and New Year

Voss keeps slopes open right over Christmas so that you can enjoy peaceful skiing on Christmas Day morning, or night skiing until 9pm on select dates. Check out Voss’ winter programme for details on what’s happening on the mountain and when. Activities include:

• Group ski lessons and courses for all levels, plus adult carving courses and a freestyle course for 15 to 19 year olds.
• Kids’ ski races (21 and 26 to 30 Dec)
• Cosy Friday evenings at Hangur (incl. ‘Christmas edition’, 19 Dec)

Whilst at ground level, you can enjoy:

• Wild Sauna (open daily)
• Beer & Cider tasting (Mondays at Voss Fellesbryggeri)
• Guided wine cellar tour, Park Hotel (Wednesdays, except 24 Dec)
• Snowshoe hike, dog sledding and sleigh rides in Myrkdalen - 30 to 40 minute drive by taxi or public transport (dates given above)
• Live Jazz, Jolajazz (27 Dec)
• New Year’s Eve celebrations at Fleischer’s Hotel, Store Ringheim, Elva Hotel and Park Hotel.

The perfect Christmas getaway is within reach, and we're here to make it happen!

What better way to escape the usual mayhem than having the best time with your loved ones and making unforgettable memories? We'd go ourselves if we could, but we'll be here keeping things running smoothly while you enjoy the festivities.

Call us on 01273 224060 or enquire online today to get the ball rolling. Our friendly team of Western Norway regulars are ready to answer your questions about Voss, Myrkdalen or any of the packages mentioned above. More of us have visited this area than anywhere else in the Ski Safari programme. In the meantime, if you have any more questions about what Norway is like at Christmas, our Skiing in Norway at Christmas blog answers many common questions about snow quality, typical costs, and things to do.

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