What's New in Scandinavia for 2024/25

Yes, you’ve read that right! Off the back of our research trip in April 2024, we’ve partnered with three Norwegian resorts - Gausta, Myrkdalen and Voss - to offer free private lessons in January 2025 (terms & conditions apply). The quiet slopes coupled with the elite English-speaking instructors make Norway one of the best places on earth to improve. There are options for all abilities, whether you’re a first-timer or someone looking to master off-piste skiing. Every day is a school day, so don’t miss out on the chance to hone your skills!

As well as offering free private lessons in Voss, we are happy to share that we have added two new hotels to our programme: the 4* Elva Hotel and 3* Store Ringheim. On our April 2024 visit, our Scandinavia Product Manager Andy Hemingway took the time to visit both hotels, so rest assured they are Ski Safari approved.

We are the UK’s first ski tour operator to offer the Elva Hotel. Built in 2023, it has nature at its forefront and overlooks the frozen waters of Lundarvatnet. With just 14 rooms, it offers a premium and exclusive feel, while the floor-to-ceiling windows ensure you don’t lose sight of the staggering scenery on your doorstep. And if having three jacuzzis overlooking the frozen lake and neighbouring mountains sounds appealing, you’re in luck! The on-site fine dining restaurant is the cherry on top, with a luxury 7-course tasting menu available on Saturdays and a divine 3-course menu the rest of the week.

We’re also adding Store Ringheim, which has a rich history in agriculture dating back over two millennia. Having been recently restored into a boutique hotel which offers a free 10-minute shuttle to Voss Gondola, we just had to add it to our programme. Flor’n, the on-site restaurant, is located in a converted barn where the food is made with ingredients sourced from the local area.

These two new hotels and free private lessons mean that Voss is ready to deliver on and off the slopes, making it a top destination heading into the season.

Getting to the jaw-droppingly beautiful resort of Narvik is now quicker and simpler than ever. Norwegian recently launched a new direct flight from London Gatwick to Harstad/Narvik. This means the route is now only 3 hours 15 minutes with no stop-offs, a massive decrease from the previous travel time of typically over 5 hours. Plus, the transfer from the airport to the slopes is only 50 minutes.

Narvik is a resort synonymous with its natural beauty and extensive backcountry skiing, as well as offering a good chance to see the northern lights. Having recently been selected to host the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2029, Narvik promises superb skiing for the adventurous out there. It has also invested in improving off the slopes, with the new ‘Arctic Sauna’ which floats on the picturesque fjord.

There is also new accommodation which opened in January 2024. The 3* Basecamp Narvik offers the ultimate convenience for skiers with its ski-in ski-out location and gondola on the doorstep - it’s a yes from us!

There is another direct flight in store for the upcoming season! SAS are reviving their London Heathrow to Scandinavian Mountains Airport route from 02 February to 30 March 2025, departing weekly. This results in what could be the shortest ski transfer in the world - just 15 minutes (can you find a shorter one?). Stöten is the ultimate convenience resort, with all slopes and facilities just a five-minute walk away wherever you stay.

The news in Stöten for 24/25 doesn’t stop there. The 2023-built 4* Ski Lodge Soltorget is now in the Ski Safari programme. This ski-in ski-out hotel is right next to ski school and the speedy Vargy Express lift. The modern apartments are ideal for groups and families with three to five-bedroom options available, each with its own kitchen.

On the slopes, there is a brand-new junior park, enhancing the already fulfilling family experience. There is also a new off-piste slope, ‘Pistoff’, which is part of the Stöten Adventure concept alongside the junior park. Additionally, Stöten is improving its slope lighting, meaning that all eligible slopes will be open until 6pm daily.

Trysil is Norway’s largest ski resort, yet it continues to improve and expand year after year. This season, they are introducing a World Cup standard snow park, improving upon what was already one of Norway’s best parks. It will suit assured skiers with blue, red and black lines and features a 1 km long T-bar lift, with a capacity of 1,150 people per hour. The location of the old snow park will be transformed into a new Fun Ride. This will include a variety of ski cross elements for everyone to enjoy. The red/black segment of the old park will become an alpine slope that will be added to the evening skiing programme.

There is exciting news for kids too with everyone’s favourite resort mascot Valle the snowman offering more activities. Valle’s kitchen is opening in the children’s area, as well as a new tunnel replacing the current transport belt to make the experience for the little ones even better.

Trysil will also benefit from the revived SAS flights to Scandinavia Mountains Airport. The transfer time is now only 45 minutes (limited flights) - not quite Stöten quick, but still pretty rapid!

The alpine capital of Scandinavia is bringing upgrades across the board. Firstly, there's been significant investment in snow-securing the Björnen ski area. This means that the 24/25 ski season in Åre is extended until 04 May.

There is also a new system giving real-time status updates on wait times for lifts. As a result, guests will benefit from less queuing and more time on the slopes.

For those looking to get the most out of the resort, there is a new guided ski experience on offer - it’s tailored and run by some of Sweden’s best guides. There is also a new ski-cross course, designed by the ever-popular snowman Valle.

In addition, the spacious 3* Brunkulla Apartments are undergoing renovation and will be ready to welcome skiers again for the new season. Also, the lively on-mountain Restaurant 720 returns after it was out of action last winter. There are also sizeable sustainability developments, with seven snowmobiles now being electric, as well as an electric snow groomer.

Hemsedal's new chairlift, Lodge Express, is in the final stage of improvement following its introduction last year. The area at the top station will be completed and the trails at Turisten and Hemsedalsløypa will be widened.

Additionally, there is new accommodation which brings with it a new 250-meter transport belt to improve accessibility for several accommodation units to the slopes.

The new wait time information system mentioned for Åre will also be implemented in Hemsedal. To improve sustainability, there is a new electric piste machine and snow scooter as well as 70 new charging stations in collaboration with BMW.

Myrkdalen has unveiled its new on-mountain sauna, located in a serene wooded area under the express lift. There's also a new social gaming space on the way which features darts and bowling, meaning there's now even more to do off the slopes.

Hafjell will host the World Cup in 2025, after not featuring since 2006. It will take place from 15 to 16 March and promises to be a great event. The World Cup will also return as usual to various destinations across Scandinavia, so we recommend checking the dates to see if they cross over with your ski holiday.

Kvitfjell brings an accommodation upgrade with the 4* Gudbrandsgard Hotel having renovated its spa area, as well as upgrading to a brand-new gym.

Norefjell is preparing a new children’s area at Skistua, which is located in the heart of the Ski Centre.