Plenty of things to do during winter

When the temperatures start to fall in late autumn, new opportunities always arise. The changes in nature are new and exciting in themselves. Being here when the golden colours of autumn suddenly change into snow-capped mountains and frozen mountain lakes is a very special experience. You can only experience the tranquillity and almost hypnotic peace of the landscape at this time of the year, when the birds seek refuge in warmer climes and many small animals go into hibernation. The only sound you can then hear is the sigh of the wind and the whisper of the stream, or the crunch of snow under your boots.

This is a magical time in the fjords, which can be combined with exciting activities, both outdoors and indoors. It’s important to make the most of the few hours of daylight before you pop past an exciting art exhibition, an evening concert or curl up in front of a roaring fire.

Enjoy the view

Take the short trip on the Fløibanen funicular or the Ulriken cable car and enjoy panoramic views of a winter-clad Bergen. There are daily bus trips from Flåm up the hairpin bends to the impressive Stegastein viewing platform, where breath-taking views of the Aurlandsfjord await you. Loen Skylift in Nordfjord has one of the most spectacular views in the region, summer and winter alike. Here, you can take the cable car and save yourself a hike up 1,000 metres to the top of Mount Hoven, where you can go on a summit tour, do cross-country skiing or walk on snowshoes, or simply have fun sledging on the prepared slopes.

Experience the winter fjord

There are fjord trips all year round from Bergen and Stavanger to Mostraumen and the spectacular Lysefjord, and though you can enjoy the views from a window seat, the best way to experience the winter-clad fjord landscape is out on deck.

Norway in a Nutshell is a full-day adventure, where you experience the magnificent contrasts of the fjord and mountain landscape from a train, boat and bus. Waterfalls and snow-capped mountains await you on a trip with the Flåm Railway, before a boat transports you silently through the dark Nærøyfjord, surrounded by towering mountains.

Experience nature – with or without skis

The little village of Flåm is in a beautiful setting at the end of the Sognefjord, with good transport connections to Bergen and Oslo or as part of the package trip Norway in a Nutshell. You can go on a guided snowshoe tour when there is snow on the ground, and you can go on a high-speed RIB safari with a stop to taste local delicacies en route. When you have hung up your outer clothes and put your shoes aside to dry, it’s time to relax in front of the fire in the lounge at Fretheim Hotel or at Ægir BrewPub

Skiing enthusiasts will find many opportunities for summit tours and cross-country skiing trips in beautiful scenery. From Stavanger, you can take the ‘ski boat’ and the bus that corresponds with it to Sauda Skisenter every Saturday and Sunday. The mountain town Voss is just an hour by train from Bergen, and those who love the sound of snow under their boots, and fresh, cold air in their lungs will find it the perfect place to spend a couple of days. Beginners will have access to both equipment and qualified instructors at the ski school, and the whole family can go on a sleigh ride or sledge down the snow-covered slopes at Myrkdalen.

Art and cultural experiences

The cities have their own unique history, and interesting museums and cultural experiences bear witness to the events that have formed them and the people who have lived there through the centuries. The Norwegian Canning Museum in Stavanger has a unique collection of industrial history items and interiors that you will not find anywhere else. At Bryggens Museum in Bergen, you can see the foundations of the city’s oldest buildings dating from the Middle Ages, before you jump a few centuries forward in time to the intricate oil paintings of Norway’s golden age and the Munch collection at the KODE art museums.

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the oldest orchestras in the world with roots dating back to 1765, is based in the Grieg Hall. The orchestra has a varied programme, including concerts every Thursday when it performs both classical and modern pieces, and special performances of film music and opera.

Activities for children and adults alike

There are lots of activities for children, come rain or shine, if you are taking a family holiday. If it’s really bucketing down, getting rid of some energy at the VilVite science centre might be a good idea, or getting to know the local and exotic animals at Bergen Aquarium. On the top of Mount Fløyen, it’s important to first say hello to the ‘Fløyen troll’ before you explore the troll forest or go on a walk on well-marked paths from the station. On snowfilled days you can even sledge down to the city. The Norwegian Petroleum Museum in Stavanger has interactive and educational exhibitions where adults and children alike can climb, try the maze and solve tasks.