Escape the crowds in the alps and head to Scandinavia. We want to share the the best of the best, from worlds class, high-profile winter hangouts to remote, off the beaten track destinations. Before you plan your next snowy adventure, read this guide to the top resorts across the Nordic region.
Norway
Norway is known for its wild and beautiful nature, its mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords. Norway’s talles mountain Galdhøpiggen is also the tallest mountain in Northern Europe, at 2,469 m (8,100 ft) above sea level.
Hemsedal
Hemsedal is a village and one of Norway’s best ski resorts, midway between Oslo and Bergen. The unique mountain scenery gives Hemsedal a decidedly “alpine” feel. The nickname for Hemsedal is the Scandinavian Alps. It has the highest alpine point in all of Scandinavia, 1500 metres above sea level, and a vertical drop of 810 metres. Hemsedal has a great selection of hotels, restaurants and is known for its apres ski and nightlife.
Lyngen
Lyngen in North of Norway is a one stop destination for your ultimate Arctic experience. Ski Touring in the Lyngen Alps is one of the most exciting things you can do. Starting by sea level at the Lyngenfjord and going up all the way to the top and then skiing down again. From Summit to Sea. There are experienced guides as well as special lodgings. At night you’ll have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
© image source
Trysil
The Trysil mountain, surrounded by Norwegian forest landscape, is only a 2 hour drive away from Oslo airport. It’s Norway’s largest ski destination and our top recommendation on where to go. This is a family friendly ski resort with well groomed slopes, a modern lift system, ski school, lots of restaurants in the mountains and ski in ski out accommodation. And it’s snow conditions is second to none.
www.skistar.com/trysil
Strandafjellet
I tiny resort with world class skiing. Strandafjellet in Western Norway is a small, family freindly ski resort. With it’s spectacular surroundings, mountains and sea, this ski destination really offers guest a holiday with a difference. The terrain park is known from professional ski films and the ski touring attracts experienced free riders from world wide. Strandafjellet ski resort is arguably Norway’s best kept secret.
www.strandafjellet.no
Sweden
Sweden offers a vast and open landscape covered in boreal forests, frozen lakes and and snowy mountains. It’s a typical inland climate with a long ski season.
Åre
With 100 pistes served by 41 lifts, Åre is Sweden’s most popular resort and the biggest ski area in the Nordic region. Åre offers everything from gentle beginner runs challenging expert slopes and off piste. It’s also arguably the most charming ski resort with it’s picturesque mountain village with a excellent choice of hotels, restaurants and shops. New direct flights from London makes it easier to travel here too.
www.skistar.com/are
Riksgänsen
Riksgränsen (means ‘border’ as its located next to the Norwegian border) is the northernmost, most legendary ski resort in Sweden. Apparently, it was here the modern form of skiing was born… Today Riksgränsen which is known as a ‘snow hole’ is widely known for its off-piste. But there are plenty of slopes too (and sunny days – it’s not always snowing). Pro or beginner, Swedish Lapland offers it all.
riksgransen.se
Sälen
Sälen is a village in western Sweden, near the Norwegian border. It’s known for its huge ski area, made up of six ski resorts in one. It’s first and foremost a family friendly ski destination with a great selection of slopes for beginners to intermediate skiers. Nevertheless, expert skiers will always find their way off piste…
skistar.com/salen
Finland
Finland’s arctic Lapland is a vast wilderness with national parks and ski resorts. There are over one hundred ski resorts covered with snow for about 200 days a year.
Pyhä
Pyhä is a true Lappish ski resort, north east of Rovaniemi, surrounded by the natural beauty of fell landscape in the Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Here reindeers roam free and Northern lights dance in the sky. There are hotels, self catering and lots of restaurants – even a ‘snow castle’. The ski resort offers a ski school and ski rental.
pyha.fi
Iceland
Iceland, a Nordic island, is defined by its dramatic landscape with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and lava fields. Sounds like amazing surroundings to be skiing in?
Hlidarfjall
Hlidarfjall mouintain in Akureyri in the north east part of Iceland has been one of the prime skiing areas in country for nearly 40 years. The location, surrounded by high mountains ranging up to 1538 metres above sea level, ensures good and constant snow cover during the winter season. We recommend self catering through airbnb to stay close to the resort. Although small, this Icelandic ski resort offers both a ski rental and ski school.
www.hlidarfjall.is
Denmark
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Sorry guys! The tallets peak in Denmark is Himmelbjerget, with its 147 meters above sea level. For those of you who were hoping to combine a stay in a chic Danish mid-century design hotel with a ski holiday need to rethink.
If you have any other recommendations or want to add something – or if you have a question, please leave a comment below! x
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Magical Trysil – in photos
You are quite right Stuart! Fingers crossed for a 2019 opening of the airport between Sälen and Trysil. x
This could make Sälen and Trysil a lot more attractive:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandinavian_Mountains_Airport