Every summer tourists gather to see the cascading waterfalls of Fjord Norway. In winter, the water is transformed into giant icicles, becoming a playground for climbers from all over the world.
Climber Eivind Nordeide on the way up the waterfall. The boat and the fjord in the background.
Photo: Anders Mordal
"The seven sisters", frozen version. A spectacular sight seen from the fjord.
Photo: Anders Mordal
On the picture you can see the famous waterfall named "The seven sisters" in the Geirangerfjord.
This is a well known attraction in summer. In winter, if the weather is cold, it freezes over, and becomes an even more spectacular sight. 1 st of February 2010 a new route up the main waterfall was established, the day after a new team made their way up another of "the sisters" - to the right. Both climbs includes a boat to get to the ice, and startet climbing off the deck! The climbers tell of an amazing experience of 400 meters of steep ice climbing in the midst of the world-famous fjord scenery.
– Fjord Norway offers amazing climbing experiences in cold winter weather, at all levels. The surrounding landscape makes the adventures unique, says Sigurd Felde - a local mountaineer with experience from mountains all over the world. We talked to him right after the second ascent, as the team enjoyed the comfort of Hotel Union, modernised yet traditional wellness hotel, just a short boatride from the famous waterfall.
In 2009 some of the worlds most difficult ice climbs was established in Gudvangen, in the Sognefjord area further south. But you do not have to be a daredevil to enjoy iceclimbing. There are waterfalls at all angles and levels of difficulty, and many of them are suited for beginners courses. With a certified instructor any fit tourist could get a taste of this unique way of exploring nature.
If you do not feel comfortable in steep ice walls, you may explore some of the other winter adventures of Fjord Norway. The region offers some of the best resorts skiing in the country, including two summer ski resorts so that you can ski almost every day of the year. From december until mid-june you can go alpine ski touring, including spectacular ski & sail adventures. If you want a relaxing winter holiday, you may explore the cities of the region, and enjoying a roundtrip where you can enjoy the dramatic landscape safely - from below. And if you see something moving hundreds of meters above the ground, relax. It is probably only a climber.