This was the best vacation we’ve ever had. There were four things that made this vacation absolutely outstanding:
First: the location- between the Northern lights and the snowy forest and river landscapes, this place is heaven on earth.
Second: the guides- Janne and Lars made this a really special trip. It’s clear that they love their jobs and their location. Lars makes all of the bread fresh daily and his kitchen staff is so talented. All of the food was delicious. Janne is such a great outdoorsman (Janne was our main guide for the trip)- it was so neat hearing of all of the training experiences he’s had. They were both so knowledgable about all of the wildlife in the area.
Third: the activities. The activities were so great! The snowshoeing and cross-country skiing was challenging and fun. I loved them both, and I even had time to improve my new skiing skills over the trip (my husband wants to continue in our winters at home!). Then the dog-sledding, reindeer-sleighing and learning about the Sami culture and visiting with a Sami reindeer herder were once-in-a-lifetime experiences. They were amazing, and I will never forget them.
Finally, the fourth thing that made this trip fabulous was: the group. I wonder if Exodus just calls to people who you really want to spend time with. We loved the entire group, and they made this vacation amazing. They were supportive in all of our falling-down efforts, no one felt they had to outdo anyone else, and our evenings of downtime while we chased the Northern lights were all so much fun! We’ll definitely book with Exodus again!
Winter Holidays in Norway
Norway Winter Holidays
Top 5 Highlights of Norway Winter Holidays
Exploring Venabu: Made up of mile-upon-mile of snowy trails, Venabu is one of the most stunning Nordic regions for cross-country skiing. Flanked by the Rondane National Park, it’s blessed with spectacular mountain views, forming a beautiful backdrop for our winter trips in Norway. Staying in the family-run Venabu Fjellhotel on an open plateau, you’re promised dramatic scenery and snow-covered trails. Because the trails are well marked, it’s easy to navigate among frozen lakes, streams, towering waterfalls and deep gorges.
View the Northern Lights: One of Mother Nature’s most beautiful natural wonders, the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are often seen dancing across Norway’s dark skies. The Lights keep you on your toes with their elusive nature, but if you are lucky enough to witness this billowing display, you’ll be in awe of their magical performance. Because of Norway’s remote northerly location and solar activity, it’s one of the best countries in the world to see the Aurora.
Norwegian Food: Staying in traditional, family-run accommodation on our winter trips in Norway, each day you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in authentic, home-cooked food. The diverse landscapes and sprawling coastline provide fresh ingredients for traditional recipes. Some of the main produce of Norway includes succulent seafood, salmon, Arctic cod, moose and reindeer. Similar to Swedish meatballs, kjøttbollers is an iconic dish cooked in gravy and served with mashed peas or creamed cabbage. Alternatively, indulge in fish soup, Klippfisk or finnbiff, a tasty reindeer stew.
Snowshoeing: Traditionally used to get around on the deep snow during winter in Norway, snowshoes are a great way to explore the mountain scenery. As well as being ideal for beginners, it’s also good fun once you’ve mastered the technique. Unlike skiing, snowshoes aren’t fast paced so they’re easy to control and great for walking off the main skiing trails. This outer footwear has wide frames that evenly distribute your weight, so you won’t sink into the snow.
Cross-country skiing: No trip to Norway in the winter would be complete without trying your hand at cross-country skiing. The endless trails that can be found winding through the hills of places like Kvitavatn and Venabu beckon you to discover their natural beauty with the wind in your hair. As well as witnessing idyllic snow-covered landscapes, cross-country skiing is an exhilarating experience suitable for both novices and more advanced skiers. Our guided tours are led by experienced guides who will show you the basic techniques before guiding you along forested tracks and downhill runs.
Jennifer Klein Arctic Circle Aurora Adventure
Mark Bershatsky Finnish Wilderness WeekA whole week’s worth of “things I’ve never done before” experiences! A wide variety of winter-oriented activities, each of them special in their own right. Basecamp provided some great accomodations (both food and lodging) and the guides were first class. Strongly recommend for anyone who is looking for a winter getaway. I have been on six adventure-oriented trips with a travel group and this was my favorite one.
How long are your winter trips to Norway?
Our winter holidays to Norway tend to be around eight days in length, with areas such as Kvitavatn and Venabu to discover. This not only gives you plenty of time to get to grips with the activities, but it also allows you enough time to explore the dramatic frozen landscapes at a reasonable pace. Each day you can follow well-maintained tracks as you go in search of new scenery. There are even free days scheduled to give you the opportunity to try different winter activities.
Are the Norway winter trips guided?
Yes, all of our Norway winter holidays come with an expert tour guide included. They’ll know the country better than anyone, and their unique insights into the local culture will really help you scratch beneath the surface of this beautiful country. They’ll also be able to point out the best spots for photo opportunities as well as opening your eyes to some hidden treasures, away from the beaten track. One of the main benefits of our guided trips is that you’ll have experts on hand to teach you various skills for activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing before introducing you to the area.
FAQs on our winter holidays in Norway
The main activity for our winter holidays in Norway is cross-country skiing. Each of our tours offers varied tracks across the wilderness and are suitable for all abilities, however, there are opportunities to take part in a number of different types of winter adventures, from dog sledding and snowshoeing to riding in a horse-drawn sleigh.
Of course, winter holidays in Norway are all about being outside – so there are opportunities a-plenty for you to explore the stunning terrain.
The best times for cross-country skiing in Norway are between December and March when the landscapes are covered in deep snow. January and March tend to be the peak months so if you prefer to avoid the crows, opt for December and February instead. The snow conditions during these months are favourable for winter activities while December provides a magical atmosphere for a festive escape. However, if you want to maximise your days, the daylight hours are longer in March, allowing you more time to spend outdoors.
Our winter trips offer some of the best opportunities to witness the Northern Lights on your holiday. From October to February, the days become shorter, and the skies get darker, meaning there’s more chance you will see the Aurora dancing overhead. Being in such a northerly location, Norway is considered one of the best places on earth for Northern Lights viewings. Various factors like the weather conditions and light pollution also play an important part when planning your trip, with the best times to see the Northern Lights being between 10pm and 2am.
Although Norway is known for its snowy winters, the temperatures aren’t quite as cold as you’d imagine. However, it does depend on which region you’re visiting. While in some places you could see daytime temperatures drop to -6 degrees Celsius, in other parts like Venabu and Kvitavatn, they could range from around 0 – 10 degrees Celsius. As long as you’re prepared and wearing suitable clothing, these are perfect temperatures for outdoor activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding.
Unlike other European countries, Norwegian cuisine is much more fish and game based, with meats like moose, reindeer and deer often found on the menu. Because of the remote location and cold winters, traditionally these types of foods were hunted year-round. However, in more recent years, the Norwegians have begun to welcome dishes inspired by different countries, with pasta and burgers being popular choices. If you prefer to indulge in the more traditional food offerings, try lapskaus (beef and vegetable stew), farikal (lamb and cabbage stew) and kjøttbollers (meatballs cooked in gravy).
The Adventure Begins Here
Get regular inspiration straight to your inbox from Exodus’ experts.