Norway is the destination that keeps coming up in tour operator and travel agency new season news releases coming into InTheSnow’s editorial office.
The country has long been a British favourite and back in the 1960s and early 1970s was actually the most popular destination with British skiers hopping on a ferry across the North Sea to reach the slopes.
Then fast roads and cheaper flights to the Alps, where modern ski centres with hundreds of miles of piste were being created, led to Norway’s popularity declining. A reputation for being cold and expensive grew up in the 1980s and 1990s further damaged business for Norwegian ski areas.
Hemsedal
Now though, Norway is coming back into favour big time it seems. A destination that’s famous for being cold any snowy is exactly what skiers are looking for in an era of climate change. Another big selling point is that the Norwegian Kroner has dropped in value making this reliable snow much more accessible.
During the quieter years Norway wisely invested its oil wealth in public infrastructure so the country leads on efficient rail and bus transport, as well as a world class charging network for cars, with the main ski centres having great modern lifts and facilities too. So it’s a very attractive place to visit, the slopes generally still fairly quiet too.
“Norway ticks all the boxes for snow-surety, family fun, and wide, uncrowded slopes, and the price tag may be cheaper than expected,” said Simon McIntyre, Managing Director of travel agency IGLU who say they have more Norwegian holidays on sale for the coming winter.
The UK’s largest ski tour operator Crystal, are adding the little known destination of Gausta in Norway to their holiday options. Their existing options include Beitostølen and Geilo.
Beitostolen
Meanwhile specialist solos holiday company Friendship Tracvel has chosen Norway for one of its three package offers for the coming inter alongside two French Alps options, they’re heading to one of Norway’s largest resort Trysil in March.
“We’re seeing more enquiries for Norway, perhaps due to press activity, and a desire for snowsure colder climes plus very good value. Packages to Geilo and Beitostolen are the most enquired about, with families asking about Norefjell,” said Richard Sinclair, boss of ski travel agency SNO.
Among the new flights announced this winter, TUI Airways will have a weekly service from Manchester to Oslo departing on Sundays. There is also brand new extra capacity from London Gatwick to Oslo for February half term.
“We predict that will sell very quickly for value-loving families who have to depart mid-February 2025,” added Simon McIntyre.
In addition, SAS airlines will resume the service launched between Heathrow and the recently built Scandinavian Mountains Airport this winter. Flights, which ran for a few seasons before the pandemic but not for the past three winters, will run on Sundays in the latter half of the season between 2nd February and 30th March 2025, taking in the February school holidays with prices from GBP 258.09 per person return. The airport is very close to Trysil.
If you are looking for the perfect destination for your next trip, our Resort Guide has everything you need to know.