Eight skiing experiences best enjoyed in spring

Nothing excites Norwegians more than fantastic skiing conditions. Long, dark days, when the sun never emerges, the ice and grey snow are quickly forgotten when the skiing is good. Such days can feel a long way off in November, but before you know it, a stable layer of snow has formed and the days are suddenly lengthening.

Winter is definitely best in spring, and the mountains are at their very best in March, April and May. There’s plenty of daylight, there’s more warmth from the sun and, not least, the snow has had time to stabilise which means safer skiing up the mountains.

We call it springfulness. It’s the unique pleasure that comes with your senses and joy of nature awakening with the Norwegian spring. It’s the feeling of standing beside the fjord with your skis strapped to your rucksack, climbing the first metres in altitude and ascending up the spring landscape to slush-snow and the mild mountain weather. Here are our eight best spring skiing experiences.

1. See the fantastic Sunnmøre Alps

The town of Ålesund has lots to offer, but the fact that it is surrounded by magnificent scenery rarely gets a mention. The Storfjord and the well-known ski centre at Strandafjellet are just a one-hour drive away. The neighbouring fjord, the Hjørundfjord, is in the very heart of the Sunnmøre Alps, and offers beautiful scenery, dramatic mountains and first-class ski-touring terrain.

2. Cool down in the Isfjord

Romsdalen and Åndalsnes are to Norway what Chamonix is to France, and the area is the alpine skiing capital of Norway. Climbers, base jumpers, cyclists, mountaineers and skiers flock here during the season, and the conditions are ideal in spring for the classic ski tour Kyrkjetaket. It is situated innermost in the Isfjord, where Romsdal Lodge is also located. The lodge is run by IFMGA-certified guides who will be delighted to show you around their ‘backyard’, where world-class mountain experiences await.

3. Slush and splash in Stavanger

The modern city of Stavanger has a lively urban heart whose attractions form a wonderful contrast to its beautiful surroundings. It’s not far to the dramatic Lysefjord and the cultural landscape of Jæren in the opposite direction. Jæren is known for its long sandy beaches and fantastic surfing conditions, especially in spring. One hour away, in Sirdal, you’ll find several high-quality ski lifts, and numerous mountains and dramatic gullies to cruise down. This means that you can start the day skiing 600 metres down Storeknuten and end the day surfing in the sunset at Borestranda.

4. Freeride tours in Sauda

Speaking of wild and magical scenery, Ryfylke is one of the places in Western Norway that really feels untouched. North of Stavanger and Sirdal, Ryfylke is home to attractions like Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), but also to the mountains between the east and west. Follow the Rv 13 road up towards Haukelifjell from Stavanger for an epic journey towards Sauda and Røldal, to two of the most reliable ski centres in Norway for snow, which are very popular in spring. Legendary freeride competitions are held in Røldal and Sauda that attract Norway’s most talented skiers. How about putting on your climbing skins, and going up and having a go?

5. Sunglasses tan lines in Voss

Voss has a well-deserved reputation as the extreme sports town. The locals enjoy having fun in the water, air and snow on Vikafjellet, the mountain plateau that separates the former counties of Hordaland and Sogn. You can make your way up there on the Rv 13 road from the centre of Voss. You will also then be approaching Myrkdalen, a valley known for its powder snow, and you can climb Finnbunuten (1,358 metres) towering above it. You can see all the way to the Jotunheimen mountains from the top. Remember to put on more sun cream before you ski back down!

6. Spring skiing on the top of a glacier

The lovely, winding road up to the Folgefonna glacier from the little village of Jondal on the Hardangerfjord is cleared in April every year. The drive up to the legendary Folgefonna ski centre is worth the trip alone. Towering snow banks on either side of the road and fantastic views accompany you up to an altitude of 1,300 metres and the summer ski centre, which is known far and wide. Descend from the snowy mountains to spend the night at the balmy campsite down in the valley.

7. Clock up altitude metres in Stryn

Nordfjord and Stryn are known for the summer ski centre and Loen Skylift. The skiing conditions are fantastic and you can ski all the way down from an altitude of 1,000 metres from the top of the cable car in Loen. But if you’re looking for a really demanding tour, Skålatårnet nearby is an eminent mountain. Make your way up the 1,800 metres in altitude from the fjord while you look forward to a break at Skålabu. Enjoy one of the mountains in Norway with the highest primary factor and make memories that will last a lifetime!

8. Skiing paradise on the Sognefjord

Sogndal is a hub on the world’s biggest fjord, the Sognefjord, and a freeride paradise beyond compare. Experienced mountain guides and young adrenaline-hungry freeriders hang out here. This is because Sogndal has two fantastic freeride ski centres and an active student community that love hitting the slopes rather than sitting in a lecture when there’s loads of snow. The glaciers in the region make for a stable climate and a lot of precipitation on the 50 plus fantastic ski touring mountains in the wild and beautiful scenery around the Sognefjord and the neighbouring Fjærlandsfjord.