Ski Touring in the Norwegian Fjords
Ski untracked lines down to the fjord, on this epic hotel based weekend. 1 day off work.
Explore the Sunnmore Alps in Norway away from the crowds with a guided ski tour into the mountains. You’ll arrive in Stranda on a Friday night, meet your guide, then set off the next day for unique day of skiing with views of Norway’s fjords. It weather and snow conditions are suitable, you’ll summit one of the high peaks and ski all the way down to the fjord, or, as an alternative, you’ll ski long laps through the powder in the trees. Relax that night in the hotel’s sauna. Ski again on Sunday, then head back to the airport that afternoon. Your hassle-free trip includes:
- 2 nights B+B in the Stranda Hotel
- 2 full days of guided off-piste skiing
- Avalanche safety equipment including an avalanche backpack
- Experienced English-speaking guide
- 2-course dinner on Saturday evening
- All local transport between the hotel and ski area
Perfect for:
This trip is perfect for good skiers that can handle red and black pistes without problems, and ideally have some off-piste experience. You need to be confident with speed, able to link turns and stop on steep slopes. Prior ski touring experience is preferred, but not required. You need to be in good physical conditions - fit enough to handle 5 to 6 hours activity.
Need To Know
The following are not included in the tour price:
- Flights (recommended to and from Aalesund Vigra)
- Airport transfers (can be arranged with the host)
- Ski touring equipment (bring your own or rent)
- Travel insurance that covers off-piste skiing
- Tips for your guide
- Some Meals (Lunches, Friday night dinner)
You can get food for pack lunches in the town, and their is a restaurant at the hotel for evening meals, or you can wander in to town and try the local restaurants.
Winters in northern Norway are cold, but due to the warm Gulf Stream current it’s much more pleasant than other countries at the same latitude. Temperatures typically range from -2 to 4 °C in the winter, with snow falling more days than it doesn’t. Most days are overcast, but if you catch a sunny one it will take your breath away.
The skiing is Stranda is world-famous for its early season start, glorious powder stashes, loads of vertical, and lack of crowds. The days are cold, but that just keeps the snow fresh! And there’s plenty of snow, with an average of 160 cm falling each month through the winter.
All avalanche safety equipment is provided, including an avalanche backpack. You’ll need to supply your own ski touring equipment or rent it in Stranda.
Your guides provide avalanche safety equipment, but that doesn’t mean they take more risks. The avalanche safety equipment is there as a backup. Your certified guide will consider snow and weather conditions to determine where you can find great skiing without putting yourself at risk.
You can rent much of this equipment in Stranda.
- Randonné skis, telemark skis or splitboard
- Ski boots with walk mode
- Ski crampons
- Poles (telescoping preferred)
- Helmet
- Crampons and ice axe
- Backpack (~35 L)
- Sunglasses
- Goggles
- Thermos and water bottle
- Outdoor winter clothing (waterproof jacket and pants, thermal underwear, wool socks, midlayer, down or Primaloft jacket, 2 pairs of gloves or mittens, hat)
Start point?
Your guides will meet you at the Stranda Hotel on Friday and Saturday. They will be in touch before the trip to finalise details.
Finish point?
You will end at the Stranda Hotel. Your guide will be in touch before the trip to finalise details.
Getting there and away?
It is recommended you fly into Aalesund Airport (AES) 1 ½ hours west of Stranda. Your host can arrange airport transfers, or you can rent a car. It is also possible to get to Stranda by bus from Oslo (561km), Bergen (396) or Trondheim (360km).
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Location
Located on the western Norwegian coast, Stranda is a small town with a population of just 2,600. It is very scenic with fjords to the west, the Sunnmore Alps to the east, and a river running through town. Though small, the town has everything a skier could want for apres ski, with restaurants, bars, shops, and a local brewery.
The Sunnmøre Alps are famous for their jagged alpine peaks with views over the fjord. Many first ascents in the area were made by famous British mountaineers like Wiliam Cecil Slingsby and Charles Watson Patchell around 1900. Today the area is frequently used for international advertising and ski films, including Volvo cars ads and Warren Miller films.
Start point?
Your guides will meet you at the Stranda Hotel on Friday and Saturday. They will be in touch before the trip to finalise details.
Finish point?
You will end at the Stranda Hotel. Your guide will be in touch before the trip to finalise details.
Getting there and away?
It is recommended you fly into Aalesund Airport 1 ½ hours west of Stranda. Your host can arrange airport transfers, or you can rent a car. It is also possible to get to Stranda by bus from Oslo (561km), Bergen (396) or Trondheim (360km).
What to Expect
The Plan
You’ll meet your guide at the Stranda Hotel on Friday evening to discuss the weekend’s plan and go over equipment. The next morning you’ll get an early start and begin the climb up into the mountains. Your destination and route will depend on the day’s conditions. Back in town for the evening, you’ll have time to relax in the sauna or over a hot, Norwegian meal. Go out again the next morning for another foray into the mountains, then head back to the airport that afternoon.
Friday: Arrival in Stranda
Fly into Aalesund and take a shuttle to Stranda to check into your hotel. Your guide for the weekend will meet you there that evening to review the plan for the weekend and go over gear, including the avalanche safety equipment that’s included with the tour. Rest up that night because tomorrow will be a big day!
Saturday: Guided ski touring above the fjords
Your guide will meet you at the hotel early on Saturday and take you to the start of your adventure. The day’s conditions will determine whether you ascend one of the 1500 m peaks like Lisjenibba og Kvitegga and ski all the way down to the fjord, or if you hit powder stashes in the trees and ski until your legs burn. Either way, your guide will find the best possible skiing for you!
When you can’t ski anymore you’ll head back to your hotel to relax with a 2-course dinner, then head back to the hotel’s sauna to steam with a well-earned local beer.
Sunday: More skiing, then fly home
Hit the slopes again for some more amazing runs in the mountains. Your guide will try to find different terrain for you to explore today, while still getting back to town in time to catch an afternoon flight home.
Accommodation
You will stay in the Stranda Hotel in the town center. The hotel is equipped with a heated pool, sauna, restaurant, bar and solarium. The en suite rooms include TV, free wifi and free breakfast.
Stranda Hotel has it’s own restaurant, which aims to give guests a taste of Møre og Romsdal by serving raw materials from local producers. There’s also a lounge bar, lobby bar and an apple orchard where you can relax and enjoy the surroundings.
