9 best resorts for skiing in Norway

Norway might not be a well-known ski destination, but it’s the definition of under the radar – packed with ski history and culture, near-endless backcountry shred spots, 125 ski resorts, and countless Nordic/cross-country trails. So, where better to ride than a country practically bursting at the seams with skiing?

Speaking of seams and skiing, how about treating yourself to some new ski clothing? Express yourself with a ski jacket, go bold with a ski bib, and show off your style in Norway, where the cambered ski and afterski (what Norwegians call après-ski) were born. Not a bad legacy, right?

Top ski destinations

Geilo

First up is Geilo, the OG of Norweigan skiing. It’s Norway’s oldest ski area and only three hours from Oslo by train or car. Geilo’s resort is split between Slaatta and Geilolia on both sides of a valley. But don’t sweat – a free shuttle bus takes you back and forth once your legs are spent from lapping its 39 slopes (including black diamond runs) and three terrain parks. And, speaking of terrain parks, you have to try Geilo Park. It’s designed by X Games winner Andreas Håtveit and made for all levels. However, the 36-foot/11-meter black kickers steal the show!  

Want to swap your planks for paws? Go husky riding instead! Or, how about horse sledding, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, fat bike riding, and snowshoe hiking? Oh – we know – how about visiting the Langedrag Nature Park (an hour’s drive away) and spotting arctic foxes, wolves, reindeer, lynx, yak, and fjord ponies? It’s hard to get that anywhere else! Geilo also excels at weekly events – from taco Friday to night skiing and rowdier afterski on weekends. We love Recepten and Off-Pist for a pint of ice-cold Pilsner and après tunes. Then, it’s time to refuel at Restaurant Hallingstuene, whose owner is Chef Frode Aga, Norway’s premier celeb chef!

Top tip: Check out the Geilo High Five! It’s a self-shred tour of Geilo’s five peaks, each offering unique, snap-worthy views of the incredible Hallingskarvet and Hardangervidda National Parks. Don’t forget your resort map! Every peak has a punch station, so you punch your map. Secured three punches? That’s a free cocoa or coffee at a restaurant (show your punches). Secure the full house? Pick up a medal and raise a toast to conquering 5,741 feet/1,750 vertical meters! Yew! 

Trysil

Taking the family with you? Trysil is the place! It’s Norway’s largest ski resort, with 69 trails and 31 lifts centered around the Trysilfjellet peak. But it’s also a fantastic place to learn your first turns. That’s all thanks to the large family zones in Turistsenteret and Høyfjellssenteret (two of Trysil’s four areas) and Trysil's top-notch ski school. Look out for Valle, too, the resort’s snowman mascot. He’s always on hand to help! If you don’t need Valle, don’t worry – show off your skills on the World Cup slopes instead. Our top pick? It has to be Run 75, a 45-degree, seriously steep black in the Høgegga area. 

Accommodation-wise, we totally recommend staying at the ski-in, ski-out Radisson Blu Resort Trysil. It has an indoor FlowRider surf pool! Kid-free for the evening? Hit one (or two!) of Trysil’s 12 bars and three clubs, all the more lively on weekends. We can’t get enough of Stabben Afterski, a laid-back bar at the Park Inn. Head there on Fridays and Saturdays for live music and Glogg (Norway’s version of a mulled wine!). Or, speaking of wine, aim for TASTE mat & vinhus. It has over 150 worldwide wines to sample, sip, and set you up for an epic next day on the hill. 

Top tip: Gorge on moose fondue at Knettsetra after ripping floodlit slopes. Knettsetra is a cute, traditional log cabin hidden in the trees. You’ll find a restaurant, pub, and waffle hut with snowmobiles on standby to take you back to your ski-in hotel. 

Hemsedal

Norway’s second-largest ski area is set in the dramatic Scandinavian Alps – so expect to fill your phone with pics! We’re pretty confident in saying Hemsedal has something for everyone – from wide-open runs and a large children’s zone to several terrain parks, off-piste spots, shopping, and nightlife. 

Oh, and speaking of nightlife, Hemsedal’s small ski-in, ski-out village is known for hosting the country’s best afterski, especially on weekends. We think that status is all down to the ski-in, dance-out Stavkroa, a three-story venue with 66-feet/20-meter-high ceilings and five different clubs. It’s legendary for good reason! Brace yourself, though – alcohol in Norway is known to be expensive, with a beer typically costing between 80-100 kroner/7.50-9.50 USD! Though after a late night, nothing’s better than charging one of Hemsedal’s four-mile/six-kilometer runs from top to bottom to blow off the cobwebs! Alternatively, hit one of the off-piste tree runs – always wonderfully quiet midweek.  

Top tip: Fill your boots with plenty of Scandinavian cuisine! Our fave local restaurant is Kjøkken Kroken. Order the Rødvinsbraisert kjake av svin (red wine-braised pork cheeks). Trust us, it’s to die for! 

Hafjell

If snowparks get you stoked, lock in Hafjell, only 15 minutes from Lillehammer. This central, snow-sure resort is said to have one of the world’s top terrain parks! So, expect expert-level obstacles, red and blue jump lines, and hella-fun features in the Main Park. There’s even Front Yard, a children’s snowpark at the top of the gondola! More into keeping your ski or snowboard firmly on the snow? Check out the Audi Ski Run, a slalom course that films your laps. It also has an automatic timer to see how quick you can rip! 

The rest of the mountain has something for everyone – including foodies. Nothing quite beats stopping at Skavlen Restaurant at the top of the gondola for a cinnamon bun alongside sweeter views of Gudbrandsdalen (the nearby valley) and the river Lågen. Keen to stay on the mountain once the lifts stop spinning? Hafjell offers night skiing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until 8 pm. Then, it’s time to order a mouth-watering entrecôte and crème brûlée at Fjøset Restaurant & Bar, just a short walk from the slopeside Scandic Hotel and Hafjell Hotel. 

Top tip: Swap catching air for cross-country skiing on one of Norway’s largest XC networks (over 373 miles/600 kilometers). On the trails when there’s not much daylight (typically December or January)? Don’t worry – you’ll discover four miles/seven kilometers of floodlit XC trails through the stunning cabin area of Gondoltoppen.

Myrkdalen

Lots of riders get off the train at Voss and aim straight for the city’s gondola. But we have more of a penchant for powder, found in Myrkdalen, just outside Voss city center. Don’t worry – this isn’t hardcore freeriding. Myrkdalen is super family-friendly, with 22 wide-open slopes (from mellow greens to advanced terrain), nine lifts, and multiple terrain parks. The off-piste hits the spot, though! That’s all thanks to Myrkdalen being one of the snowiest places in Europe, with 16 feet/five meters of annual snowfall mixing with Norway’s notoriously cold climate. 

When it’s time to rest your head (and legs!), the four-star, ski-in, ski-out Myrkdalen Hotel is most people’s go-to. It’s the resort’s main hub and houses all of Myrkdalen’s three restaurants. Hunting for afterski? It has to be Pudder Afterski, open on Fridays and Saturdays. This iconic venue stretches right onto the slopes – and into the night!

Top tip: Brush up your skills in the avalanche training area! Book yourself onto a course, swot up, and then hire a guide to take you into Norway’s next-level backcountry.

Hovden

Secretly going to Norway for the views? We don’t blame you! In that case, aim for Hovden, Southern Norway’s biggest resort. You’ll find insane, mind-boggling (and a little vertigo-inducing) panoramic views from 3,881 feet/1,183 meters alongside 21 miles/34 kilometers of hella-fun groomers, off-piste trails, night skiing multiple times per week, a children’s area, and Bukkerittet, an awesome terrain park. 

Once you’ve skied your legs off, grab a cold one on the sun terrace at Offpiste Bar. It has live music every Friday and Saturday, too. Looking to refuel? You can’t top a pizza from Hovdestøylen Restaurant or a burger at Hovden Alpin Lodge. Then, what’s better than heading back to your traditional slopeside Norweigan cabin to get cozy and prep for another epic day? 

Top tip: Treat yourself (and your aching muscles) to a session at Hovden Badeland & Spa. There’s a sauna and slides alongside an outdoor heated pool with mind-blowing mountain views. It’s hard to leave…

Oppdal

Four mountains, one lift ticket. That’s not a bad deal, right? Yep, there’s something for all riders over Oppdal’s four areas. Hovden (different from the resort listed above) is awesome for freeriders, racers, and legs of steel, thanks to its single super-steep black run (‘The Hill’) and off-piste opportunities. Ådalen is sweet for powder hounds, and Stølen is ace for families with a children’s zone. And Vangslia raises stoke levels with its ever-evolving terrain park. Bonus point? Lifts and shuttle buses seamlessly connect all four mountains! 

Once you’ve taken your boots off, why not try another activity? Oppdal offers ice climbing, curling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and more. For accommodation, stay at the base of the Vangslia lifts (great if you have little ones who don’t want to walk far) or in Oppdal itself, a small, cute town. Craving some afterski? It has to be Loftet afterski with live music, yummy food, and epic vibes. 

Top tip: Confident in your abilities? Hit Ådalsfjeset, Ådalen’s iconic face for advanced riders and freeriding comps. Want to catch air off natural features? Ådalen is also home to the ‘student hang’, a snow-filled bowl perfect for unleashing creativity.

Beitostølen

Beginners and intermediates will hone in on Beitostølen in the Valdres region. 75% of its slopes are aimed at beginners, while the rest are made for cranking, carving, and cruising against the Jotunheimen National Park’s jaw-dropping mountains. Cross-country skiing more your thing? Beitostølen has over 199 miles/320 kilometers of world-class tracks, and plays host to the Cross-Country World Cup! Only just learning? There’s a separate, super accessible beginner ski zone. Really want to get on your edges? Take a short shuttle bus ride to Raudalen, a more challenging ski area across the valley on the steeper Gyriklanten mountain (included in your lift pass). 

After all that, you’ll definitely need some downtime! Relieve your muscles in the sauna and wellness spa at the Radisson Blue Hotel, or revel in Beitostølen’s cozy après vibes. Our fave spots? Arnolds and Svingen, two laid-back bars with chilled music and even more chilled drinks. 

Top tip: Try something completely new, such as skijoring (horse-drawn skiing), airboarding (a mix of bodyboarding and snowboarding), or snow-rafting (hurling down the slopes in an inflatable boat). They’re all super popular here and part of Beitostølen’s ‘Winter Park’ status, which means it offers way more to do than ski and snowboard! 

Strandafjellet

Scroll through Norway skiing content on Insta or TikTok, and you’re bound to spot a fjord or two – they’re kind of a big deal here. So, hop on a quick flight from Ålesund and shred above fjords at 3,419 feet/1,042 meters (via lifts!) in Strandafjellet. Yep, Stranda, in the Sunnmøre region, is perfect for soaking up those famous Norwegian fjord landscapes – and fresh pow!  

Your pupils will dilate at the views of the cute, charming, and colorful village below, the Storfjord (a breathtaking 68-mile/110-kilometer-long fjord), and the UNESCO World Heritage Area. Some say Stranda is home to Scandinavia’s best freeriding, but if you’re more comfortable on the marked stuff, it also has 17 scenery-stuffed slopes, a terrain park, a children’s park, and more. Oh, don’t forget to stop for a coffee and a waffle at Fjord Panorama Restaurant. The name gives a clue as to what to expect. Honestly, the views are so good you’ll wonder if you’re dreaming! 

Top tip: Grab yourself an Alpepass lift ticket! It gives you access to nine ski resorts in northwestern Fjord Norway (including Strandafjellet) so you can plan the best-ever road trip and ski sesh! 

Wrapping up 

Holy heck! Who else is salivating for a Scandinavian ski trip? Fjords, fun, and freaking rad terrain? Why haven’t we dialed into Norway before?

Want us to add a particular fact or piece of info? Or just looking to say hi? Reach out to us at crew@dopesnow.com. We love chatting about anything and everything snow-related. It’s what gets us up in the morning (well, that and fresh pow). So, say yo, and let’s start shredding! 

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