We know that being tied to school holiday dates can make taking the kids skiing tricky. But with lower prices and fewer people looking to travel late season, Easter in snow-sure, family-friendly Norway could be the answer!
It certainly pays to ski at Easter when you can save as much as £1,400 per family compared to half term or Christmas. You won't have to worry about the snow conditions either - our Norwegian resorts are so confident of season-long snowfall that many of them offer a snow guarantee right through to late April.
Below you'll find eight Norwegian resorts that offer first-rate skiing during the Easter holidays. For an idea of prices, check out our Norway Easter ski offers, or for personal advice and a tailor-made price, enquire online or call our team on 01273 224060.
By Andy Hemingway, Sales Manager / Norway & Sweden Product Manager
Norefjell
Spend your Easter holiday skiing from mountaintop to fjord at the tranquil resort of Norefjell. Hidden away in the forests of the Scandes mountains, the relatively undiscovered resort offers some of the best ski-in ski-out accommodation you'll find in Norway. Wherever you stay, you'll have a chairlift right on the doorstep.
Where to stay: The 4*+ Norefjell Ski & Spa is a fantastic option for families looking for a bit of relaxation time away from school and work. The hotel has an award-winning adults-only spa with an outdoor hot tub, saunas and an infinity pool where you can loosen up in the warm waters while overlooking stunning views. For the kids, there is an indoor swimming pool and a 16-metre indoor climbing wall in the reception area, so none of you will want to leave in a hurry!
How to get there: You won't need to travel far to enjoy the tranquillity of Norefjell. It's just a 2 hour transfer from Oslo airport to reach this secluded resort up in the mountains.
What our customers say: "It was nice being able to ski as a family group from the very top to the bottom just skiing blues & greens, without needing to take a lift, and even at Easter we skied/boarded over some virgin powder... with very few people on the slopes... looking at some very beautiful panoramas - perfect." - Paul Ross
Beitostølen
With snow-sure conditions even in late-season and a ski area with gentle slopes perfectly suited to learning, Easter in Beitostølen offers the ideal introduction to skiing for families and first-timers.
The resort offers a huge range of exciting non-ski activities, from dog-sledding to horse riding through the snow, so even if you have non-skiers in the group, you'll still have a fun and varied holiday. For skiers with a little more experience, the Raudalen ski area offers more challenging slopes and is just a fifteen-minute bus journey from the main slopes.
Where to stay: The 4* Radisson Blu Resort is a good option for an all-round, family-focused accommodation experience with a range of room types and excellent facilities. The 4* Riddertunet, new for this winter, is another fantastic choice, with all rooms featuring a balcony overlooking the Beitostølen valley.
How to get there: You can take a direct flight from Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Manchester or Aberdeen to Oslo before travelling four hours by bus to the resort.
What our customers say: “The resort is perfectly catered for families with great skiing and other activities for those of all ages and abilities. The locals are super friendly. We would certainly go back.” - Matthew Neilson
Geilo
When choosing an Easter ski destination, it's hard to go wrong with Geilo. Voted Norway's Best Ski Resort 2019-2021, it has a lot to offer families and first-time skiers. The resort is renowned for its excellent snow conditions and world-class ski school for all ages, as well as an abundance of meandering green and blue runs on gentle valley sides.
Geared towards families, you'll find children's ski areas dotted around the resort - magic carpets, slow button lifts and gentle slopes help ease youngsters into feeling comfortable on the snow.
Where to stay: With a warm and friendly atmosphere around the resort, you'll find it easy to make yourself at home in Geilo. The slopeside 4*+ Vestlia Resort is a particularly good option for families. The family room is great value and the hotel features a host of kid-friendly facilities, including a separate kids' pool, a large soft play area and a bowling alley.
How to get there: After a simple 2 hour flight to either Bergen or Oslo airport, you'll take a magical railway journey to get to the resort. The train ride will truly be one of the highlights of your trip, as you journey through a winter wonderland of snow-laden trees and rolling mountains.
What our customers say: “Geilo had the perfect slopes for our return to skiing after 2 years. We wanted a resort with easy and intermediate slopes, no crowds and good snow and we were not disappointed. Our first impression was how empty the slopes were, no lift queues, in fact no need to share a chairlift with anyone else!” - Bev Warwick
Voss
If you're looking for varied skiing with spectacular scenery, then a stay in Voss will tick the boxes. Fly into the colourful and picturesque city of Bergen, before taking one of the world's most scenic railway journeys along the Oslo to Bergen railway line. You'll pass fairytale, snow-laden forests and frozen fjords and mountains before arriving for your skiing adventure.
Voss also has one of the largest ski areas in Norway, with eleven ski lifts and 24 runs. There's a good split between the difficulty of terrain too - 20% advanced, 55% intermediate and 25% beginner - so you're sure to find skiing that suits your level of ability.
And for even more family-focused fun, there is a fantastic range of non-ski activities in the town. Splash around in the indoor waterpark, add a bit of competition at the bowling alley or take your kids to let off steam in the softplay area.
Where to stay: The 4* Scandic Voss is the newest addition to accommodation in Voss and is located right at the foot of the brand new gondola which whisks skiers up to Mount Hanguren peak in under nine minutes.
How to get there: Take a simple direct flight into the picturesque city of Bergen before a scenic, one-hour fifteen-minute railway journey into Voss.
What our customers say: “Really enjoyed it. Lovely place. Great hotel and the skiing was quiet during the week.” - Joan Crawford
Kvitfjell
Kvitfjell is yet another Norwegian resort with outstanding ski-in ski-out accommodation. You won't need to worry about lugging ski equipment long distances to the slopes here. Whether you stay mid-mountain or at the base of the slopes, you're never far from a chairlift, ski school or the pretty, tree-lined runs. Kvitfjell also boasts superb snow conditions. With reliable snowfall throughout the season, it is often the first to open and the last to close.
Where to stay: The 4* GudbrandsGard Hotel ticks all the boxes for convenience. Positioned mid-mountain amid beautiful snow-covered woods, you can be out the door and gliding down picturesque, tree-lined runs in moments. Plus, ski school is just on the doorstep for kids and first-timers.
How to get there: Getting to Kvitfjell is a pretty simple task. There are direct flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and Manchester to Oslo airport. After landing you'll have a 2 hour 30 minute train journey followed by a short taxi to the resort.
What our customers say: “Kvitfjell is a perfect family resort - incredibly quiet it has plenty to keep you entertained for a weeks skiing. Families can ski together on most runs, and the ski-in ski-out hotel is literally that, bang in the middle of the mountain.” - Andrew D
Hafjell
Located in a snow belt in the middle of Norway, Hafjell describes itself as "snow-safe", with excellent conditions even late season. If you're taking the family, you're in for an absolutely fantastic time - the resort has an abundance of gentle green and blue slopes set amid picturesque, snow-laden forests.
Hafjell is ideal for youngsters and first-timers who are just finding their feet on the slopes. A unique feature that beginners love is the opportunity to learn your turns at the top of the mountain from day one, so no matter your ability, you'll enjoy a magical on-mountain experience.
Where to stay: With great facilities and a range of room types, the 4* Scandic Hafjell ticks every box for families. The hotel features an indoor climbing wall in the reception area, plus an indoor swimming pool and a restaurant serving à la carte and pizza menus for the pickiest eaters. For an extra sense of adventure, choose an 'Explorer' room with a mini climbing wall and hammocks for the kids.
How to get there: Hafjell has one of the quickest transfers you'll find in Scandinavia. It's less than 2 hours from Oslo airport to the resort, with regular trains departing directly from Oslo to Lillehammer, followed by a short taxi ride to your hotel.
What our customers say: “Uncrowded pistes and not much in the way of lift queues even over the Easter weekend... Impressed that almost all slopes were open at the end of the season.” - Jayne O'Brien
Myrkdalen
Skiing during the school holidays doesn't have to mean crowded ski areas and jostling for space on the slopes. Myrkdalen is an undiscovered gem that features blissfully quiet, wide, open runs, even by Norway's standards.
It's the perfect skiing environment for families - you won't have to worry about losing each other amidst the crowds, feeling cramped on your descents or waiting in long queues at the lifts.
Where to stay: You'll be on the slopes in minutes when you stay at the ski-in ski-out 4* Myrkdalen Hotel. Sitting at the base of the resort, the lifts, ski rental, ski school and the nursery slopes are right on the doorstep, so all you'll have to think about is enjoying the snow.
How to get there: With just a 2 hour 20 minute drive from Bergen airport with direct flights from Gatwick, Aberdeen and Liverpool, you'll have no problem making your way to this fantastic resort.
What our customers say: “We had amazing snow and sunshine to go with it, which never got skied out because the resort was virtually deserted a week before Norwegian Easter break. It was the perfect late season short break... but don't tell too many people!” - Simon Pattinson
Narvik
Are you looking for an adventurous Easter getaway with the spectacle of the northern lights for your aprés ski entertainment? In that case, it's well worth travelling to the north of Norway to visit Narvik. This Arctic wonderland offers you a good chance of seeing the aurora and if you aren't fortunate enough to witness it, there are plenty of other adventures to be had, including easy access to backcountry skiing and amazing wildlife in the nearby Polar Park - the world's most northerly animal park.
Narvik offers a sterner challenge when compared with other gentler Norwegian resorts. Kids may find the slopes a little tricky to negotiate but for confident skiers, the runs here will offer plenty of fun!
Where to stay: New to Narvik for winter 2022/23, the striking Camp 291 cabins offer you the chance to see the northern lights from the comfort of your own bed. With a wall-to-wall skylight in the master bedroom, you can fall asleep with the aurora dancing overhead.
How to get there: To get to this arctic circle destination, take a connecting flight via Oslo to Harstard or Evenes before taking a fifty minute shuttle bus or private transfer to Narvik.
Our customers say: “A tiny resort with only 15 pistes and 6 lifts, but a unique and stunning backdrop with the lowest lift less than 100m above sea level. Gorgeous sunsets, the sky painted by the Northern Lights and brilliant base for hiking and dog sledding!” - Olly Bradford