Fjord Norway is one of the western provinces of Norway. It’s a part of Norway where you will fall from one surprise to another: narrow fjords, high mountains, huge waterfalls and glaciers will literally make your mouth drop. It took nature millions of years to create this spectacle and the result is spectacular. I flew to Bergen to experience Fjord Norway in winter. We went skiing in Myrkdalen and Voss, among others, and although skiing is my great passion, there is much more to do here. When you are in such a beautiful country, in the midst of untouched nature and friendly people, there are so many more things to experience. Here are some things you don’t want to miss: 5 must-dos in Fjord Norway in winter!
1. Fjord safari
One of the absolute highlights of my trip through Fjord Norway is the Fjørdsafari. Race at 80 kilometers per hour over mirror-smooth water under the expert guidance of a guide who will show you all the hidden beauties of the Fjords. That was so cool! The infinite, beautiful nature that western Norway has to offer made a deep impression.
Fully wrapped up against the cold, guide Jörgen sails us at high speeds over the mirror-smooth water between the Fjords. I feel so small between these immense mountains and can’t look anywhere without my mouth falling open in amazement, how beautiful this is! Pictures speak louder than words here, but even a picture cannot encompass this experience. If a Fjørdsafari was not yet on your bucket list, I strongly advise you to mention this immediately! And to top it all off, when you return to Flåm harbor you can have a great beer tasting at the local ægir brewery!
2. Skiing in the fresh powder snow
There is a lot of snow in this part of Norway and those who love riding in the fresh powder should visit this place. We explored Myrkdalen Mountain Resort and Voss Ski: two very nice ski areas. Myrkdalen and Voss are both real off-piste paradises for those who want to ride up to their knees in powder, but you can also have a lot of fun on the slopes here. The areas are still quite new: they were opened 3 years ago. And from the slopes you have a view of the fjords. Pure magic…
3. Flåmsbana: an unforgettable train journey
And this also made a deep impression on me: I really have never been able to take such a beautiful train journey as this one, through the pristine and snowy landscape of Norway. The Flåmsbana will take you to places you can only dream of. Crossing mountains and snowy mountain landscapes, this train bridges a height difference of more than 850 meters over a length of 20 km, making it one of the world’s steepest train routes.
Flåm terminal station; a village with only 650 inhabitants hidden between the Norwegian Fjords, but also the starting point of a must-do: Fjordsafari!
4. Indoor skydiving in Voss
If too much snow has fallen, you can always fly in the one and only wind tunnel in the capital of extreme sports Voss Vind. For those who could use an extra dose of adrenaline!
“Your mind is like a parachute, it only works when it’s open” and that’s exactly what indoor skydiving does to you. A breath of fresh air through your hair and adrenaline through your veins. After indoor skydiving, you might be able to enjoy your trip through Fjord Norway even more!
Why you should see this with your own eyes
Are there any downsides to a holiday to Norway, I hear you think. Cold, dark early, expensive Norwegian krone? You can dress in the cold, I’ve always said and now too. As a real winter sports enthusiast, I like cold and sun, and those are the two ingredients that are there. No snow without cold. Good thermal underwear is recommended here, but it was not below -10 during my stay. It is darker earlier than here, but that too has its charm and provides you with beautiful pictures of the setting sun by a crackling fire. The Norwegian krone has fallen by 30 percent against the euro in the past year. This has made it many times more attractive to travel to Norway. A beer or wine is slightly more expensive, but that also applies; you get so much in return!
All in all, Norway – and specifically the Fjord area in the west of the country – is more than a supplement for winter sports enthusiasts and winter adventurers. Are you, like me, fond of winter sports, do you like skiing but also everything that makes a winter holiday complete, then you should definitely go here. Norway has conquered my heart!
