Escape to Western Norway this Christmas

Add some sparkle to your Christmas this year with a week away in the breathtaking setting of Western Norway, to sample incredible skiing and have the chance to immerse yourself in the region’s festive traditions. Stay at your choice of ski resort - Voss or Myrkdalen (skiable on the same lift pass) - and enhance your holiday with a visit to the charming city of Bergen or the pretty village of Flåm (or both!). With festive in-resort activities, quiet, snow-sure slopes, and outstanding Norwegian dining, this is the best time to experience Western Norway.

Depart on 15, 22 or 29 December and choose from a range of packages including flights, transfers and accommodation. Stay 7 nights in Voss from £665pp or Myrkdalen from £690pp, combine five nights in Voss with two nights in Bergen from £799pp or sample everything the area has to offer with three nights in Voss, two nights in Flåm and two nights in Bergen from £950pp.

Packages are still available, but book now before they're gone! There’s lots to see and do across the region during the festive period, so read on to find out what’s on.

By Andy Hemingway, Sales Manager / Norway & Sweden Product Manager

Western Norway’s dramatic mountains and steep, inky fjords are the backdrop to two wonderful settlements, Bergen and Flåm.

Bergen is Norway's second-largest city and features an 'old town' of traditional multi-coloured, snow-topped wooden houses, bathed in the warm glow of streetlights - you won't help but feel all ‘Christmassy’ while you're there!

The mountain village of Flåm, tucked at the foot of the Aurlandsfjord is the perfect location for adventuring and exploring the surrounding wilderness. It's simply enchanting.

In fact, Disney’s film 'Frozen' took inspiration from this amazing area, including the village of Undredal which can be seen on the Flåm Fjord cruise.

Our Christmas packages can include one or two nights in Bergen or Flåm (or both!) which are the perfect way to begin or end your time in Norway. If you'd prefer to maximise your ski time, both Voss and Myrkdalen offer day trips to Flåm including fjord cruises and railway journeys.

The little village of Flåm is set on the fjord waterside, facing out towards sheer-sided mountains and deep icy fjords. You can browse the museums and gift shops, but we recommend heading out and around the area to really appreciate the scale and raw beauty of this natural area - quiet and serene at this time of year.

Flåm Fjord Cruise on the UNESCO Nærøyfjord (runs daily) - glide through the waters between the vast towering mountains on a two-hour journey between Flåm and Gudvangen.

Flåm Fjord Cruise New Year Dinner (31 December) - see the year in with a bang! The Flåm Cruise is hosting a New Year's dinner and party on the fjord. Tickets are still on sale but snap them up quickly, as they're subject to availability.

Flåm Railway (runs daily) - what winter wonderland experience wouldn’t be complete without a rail journey through the mountains? Carriages are wide with large windows, that allow you to gaze out and enjoy the fascinating snowy climb up and around the mountains between Flåm and Myrdal.

Stegastein Viewpoint (open daily) - head up past Flåm and get a breathtaking perspective of the fjords below from this amazing viewing platform that overhangs the Aurlandsfjord.

Gudvangen Viking Village 'Njardardheimr' (open daily except 24 to 25 December) - this living outdoor museum provides a fascinating insight into how Vikings might have once lived - best accessed via the Flåm Fjord Cruise.

Snowshoeing in the valley - walk softly across deep, fluffy snow and enjoy this opportunity to connect with nature, breathe in the fresh, crisp air and admire the gorgeous views.

It's easy to visit Flåm as a day trip from Voss or Myrkdalen, but you can also stay there as part of an exciting Ski & Fjord Explorer Ski Safari. 3 nights B&B in Voss, 2 nights B&B in Flåm and 2 nights B&B in Bergen starts from £950pp - including the electric fjord cruise and Flåm Railway! Change Voss to half board in Myrkdalen from £1,169pp.

Bergen, Norway's second-largest city, is sometimes referred to as ‘the gateway to the fjords’, and is a captivating city in a beautiful location. With its UNESCO-listed old village of wooden houses, it makes the perfect traditional Christmas setting.

Bergen Christmas Market (1 to 22 December) - explore the traditional wooden pop-up stalls at the Bergen Christmas Market.

Gingerbread City (1 to 31 December) - each year Bergen's school children and families create their home town, made entirely of gingerbread. In fact, it’s the world’s biggest gingerbread city!

Fløibanen Funicular (runs daily) - after seeing Bergen in miniature, head up the mountain on the funicular railway for a spectacular grand view across the city. This runs daily, even on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Bergen Card - a Bergen Card gives you 20% off selected local attractions - handy if you plan to poke around lots of places. The card includes museums, the science centre, the aquarium, the funicular and the Ulriken Cable Car.

To ensure that you have enough time to explore all that Bergen has to offer in December, we recommend spending two nights here. That still gives you four full days of skiing (or three if you choose to take a day trip to the fjords). 5 nights B&B in Voss and 2 nights B&B in Bergen starts from £799pp. Change Voss to half board in Myrkdalen from £1,169pp.

Myrkdalen and Voss invite you to join the festivities over the Christmas period. Both resorts are running a programme of fun activities and events for adults and kids, including family sledding, sleigh rides, tournaments and races, plus hotel dining on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. And if you’re worried about things being closed - don’t be!

Norwegians celebrate Christmas on 24 December, but lifts will remain open daily throughout, they may just close a little earlier on Christmas Eve.

Although they're only 19 miles apart, each resort offers something different. Myrkdalen is the more tranquil of the two in a remote location surrounded by endless backcountry opportunities, with excellent ski-in ski-out facilities at the foot of the mountain.

Voss meanwhile sits on the Bergen to Oslo railway line and is famous for being the 'adrenaline capital of Norway', with the lively Voss town at the base of the resort.

If you're struggling to decide between the two, you'll be pleased to know that you can ski both on the same lift pass using the daily 30 minute bus. Combined, they offer one of the biggest ski areas in Norway.

Everything you need in Myrkdalen is at the foot of the resort, including cafés, restaurants and the ski-in ski-out 4* Myrkdalen Hotel. Rooms here are inter-connectable which is great for large groups. Self-catering apartments and cabins are available, including on a half board basis so that you can still enjoy the three wonderful restaurants at the hotel; Nuten (a la carte), Nuten Fondue (Swiss-style fondue) and Tunet (stone-baked pizza).

Northern Europe's snowiest resort, it's particularly snow-sure, with 22 freshly groomed slopes at your disposal. Runs are wide and at this time of year, nice and quiet too! For more experienced skiers, there's ample easy-access off-piste for testing your powder skills, plus a vast backcountry area for ski touring.

Events calendar

• 21 December: solstice celebration, with torch relay on skis
• 24 December: Christmas Dinner at Myrkdalen Hotel
• 25 December: gather with warm spiced porridge (a Norwegian tradition) served in Salto Bar, followed by a film
• 26 to 31 December: Finn (the resort's friendly mascot) is running the Free Ski Race for Kids, plus other indoor and outdoor games
• 27 December: The Human Curling Family Tournament
• 27 December: horse-drawn sleigh rides
• 28 December: Santa sledding
• 29 December: children's Christmas party
• 31 December: snow bath with mountain sauna and hotel party

Daily running activities and facilities

Throughout winter, there's plenty to do on and off the slopes, including sledding, shuffleboard, duckpin bowling, and digital darts. You can also unwind in the mountain sauna and make use of the gym facilities. There's the enchanted forest too, waiting to be explored by the kids - fantastic fun after dark, illuminated by colourful lights. For information on how to book activities, and what else Myrkdalen has to offer, read our Myrkdalen Resort Guide.

7 nights at the 4* Myrkdalen Apartments starts from £690pp, based on 4 adults sharing a Two Bedroom Apartment, departing 15 December 2024. Add a 5 day lift pass for £210 (adult)/ £137 (child and senior). Kids aged 0-6 ski free. View all Myrkdalen ski packages and offers. 

Voss is bursting with energy and has plenty to keep you busy! Voss town is at the foot of the mountain, with the resort connected by a modern gondola. The resort sprawls over three skiing areas and has 24 runs to explore. There is plenty of terrain here for all ability levels, from gentle beginner slopes to long, groomed intermediates, plus ample powder just off the slopes and ski touring for more adventurous skiers. The 4* Scandic Voss at the foot of the mountain connects to the gondola and the train station platform and exits onto the main road, so everything you need is right there!

Events calendar

• 20 December: night skiing until 9pm, and 'Home for Christmas' at Hangurstoppen Restaurant
• 20 to 23 December: normal open hours and kids skiing
• 24 December: resort open until 2pm - we hear Santa might be stopping by!
• 25 December: resort open until 3.30pm
• 26 to 31 December: GrebbeHangur ski race for children (Trollbakken, on Hangurstoppen)
• 30 December: family sledding at Hangurstoppen with snow racer, 4.2 km!

More events and activities coming soon!

Daily running activities and facilities

There are lots of activities to enjoy in Voss across the winter season, including daily guided snowshoeing with campfire, bowling, laser tag, indoor swimming, and Voss Vind indoor sky diving. For details on how to book activities and what else Voss has to offer, read our Voss Resort Guide.

7 nights B&B at the 4* Scandic Voss starts from £665pp, based on 2 adults and 2 children (under 12) sharing a Standard Family Four Room, departing 22 December 2024. Add a 5 day lift pass for £214 (adult)/ £165 (youth and senior). Kids aged 0-6 ski free. View all Voss ski packages and offers.

The perfect Christmas getaway is still within reach and we're here to make it happen!

What better way to escape the usual mayhem, than having the best time with your loved ones and making unforgettable memories? We'd go ourselves if we could, but we'll be here keeping things running smoothly while you enjoy the festivities.

These packages are all still available, but with Christmas just weeks away we recommend booking soon.

Call us on 01273 224060 or enquire online today to get the ball rolling. Our friendly team of Western Norway regulars are ready to answer your questions about Voss, Myrkdalen or any of the packages mentioned above. More of us have visited this area than anywhere else in the Ski Safari programme.

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