10 Best Ski Resorts in Norway

Geilo is one of the best ski resorts in Norway which lies in the far northwestern boundaries of what was formerly Buskerud County. The road up to the peak is a short distance in all directions, which is appreciated in all seasons – it offers scenic mountain hikes in the summer. The little city also has nearly as many beds for visitors as it has inhabitants.

The family-friendly ski resort covers all the mountainsides in the area, so as a skier you get an incredible number of lifts and slopes for your money. The slopes are somewhat grouped according to their degree of difficulty, which is good for beginners as they won’t need to worry about ending up on the wrong piste.

Lillehammer is a ski resort that hosted the 1994 Olympic Winter Games and which has achieved somewhat legendary status on the Norwegian winter sports scene. Lillehammer actually comprises 5 ski resorts, with Hafjell being the largest ski resort in the area. The Olympic Park is a focal point of the resort with plenty of world-class facilities.

Those who prefer cross-country skiing to downhill action will find all they need at the city’s ski stadium, while downhill enthusiasts will enjoy the short distances to the slopes at Skeikampen, Sjusjøen and Spåtind. Lillehammer also has a wide range of accommodation to suit various budget preferences.

The Trysil ski resort area is located among the large Eastern Norwegian forests and stands out among others for its world-class downhill ski slopes. The ski resort enjoys longstanding cooperation with sister resort Sälen, located just across the Swedish border, and the airport on the Swedish side also serves Trysil.

With over 80 slopes at varying difficulties, the chances of you leaving without having experienced new challenges aren’t very high. Once you’ve finished your day on the slopes, you can look forward to good food and drinks, as well as dancing and socialising.

Hemsedal is associated with large mountains and cottage stays more than any other Norwegian ski resort. Regular skiers to the resort enjoy heading down the slopes that stretch for over 44 km. There are also loads of facilities available for the times you aren’t standing on your skis.

Despite the excellent range of hotel options, there are loads of cottages in the area. Hemsedal is often extremely busy during school holidays and public holidays, but you can usually find reasonable accommodation prices in the shoulder seasons.

Oslo Winter Park at Tryvann opened in 1998 and was the answer to Norway’s capital not having a proper ski centre for alpine sports for quite some time. There were a few slopes in the area around Holmenkollen, but they didn’t offer a complete package.

Things changed and for those seeking fast-paced winter activities in and around the Norwegian capital, Oslo Winter Park is one of the hippest new places around. Naturally, the area is an amazing starting point for cross-country skiing, just as it has been for years, but now you can take along equipment for all sorts of fun in the snow.

The Norefjell mountain ski resort is where the toughest skiers found their way during the 1952 Oslo Olympics. The place still acts as a magnet for pros. Even so, the area offers many beautiful slopes for families to enjoy, as well as restaurants, accommodation, and rental options.

Norefjell is just over 90 minutes by car from Oslo and as the area isn’t far from the rest of Eastern Norway, you don’t need to stay right here and choose from a range of locations to suit you. Whether you’re on your way to another part of the country or if you wish to explore the nearby area, Norefjell serves as one of Norway's best skiing destinations.

The Lyngen Alps is one of the most beautiful mountain areas that you’ll go through on your day trips from Tromsø. The Northern Norwegians take pride in this region’s winter beauty and people come here from all over for the views as well as the skiing action. 

Many are drawn to Lyngen’s backcountry nature experiences, but the ski centre is its major attraction. The range includes glaciers, steep and narrow gullies as well as gentle bowls and tree skiing down low. When it comes to accommodation, the options become better and better as each season passes, so you do need to book early. 

The village of Hafjell in Norway is a popular ski resort that’s also known for its extensive network of summer hiking and biking trails. The alpine area offers many empty slopes during the warmer months and even though all-terrain cycling has increased in popularity over the years, between November and May, alpine skiing is the main focus here.

Hafjell has a large number of slopes and lifts, and new attractions are added nearly every year. Both families with young children and speed enthusiasts will find what they seek in Hafjell. Whizzing down the black Hafjellbakken in the bright sunshine, with the Olympic mascot over the Gudbrand Valley Lodge is one of its most iconic skiing scenes.

Hovden is a ski resort area that offers over 34 km of slopes for skiers and snowboarders. The resort lies in Setesdal, a traditional valley district that’s widely known for folk music and typical Norwegian traditions besides its steep and exhilarating slopes.

You can stay almost mid-slope and keep your skis just outside the door for a ski-in and ski-out experience. You’ll find all sorts of winter sports on the menu when visiting the mountain village. And with both the Hovden Alpine Centre and the cross-country park together totalling some 50 km, you can keep yourself entertained until spring arrives.

Myrkdalen is popular as a skiing destination as well as for year-round activities in Western Norway. The family-friendly ski resort has a range of accommodation to suit various tastes and budgets and it draws many to its fantastic off-piste skiing.

Skiers and snowboarders are carried up on 8 lifts bound for Myrkdalen’s 29 km of powdery slopes. They come in an offering of blue, red, and demanding black runs so it’s great for an active family day out with options for almost all skill levels.