Published: Mar 4, 2026
These factors vary from year to year, making it impossible to predict with 100% certainty how conditions will be every year.
On a general basis, however, we observe that the climate is becoming warmer and the snow line is rising. This means that we will likely need to seek higher altitudes to find good skiing conditions late in the season in the years ahead. Despite these changes, Norway still has many fantastic ski and mountain areas with excellent snow conditions in May.
In lower elevations, the snow will either melt away or become very wet and eventually unsuitable for skiing. However, in the high mountains, the snow will gradually thaw and melt throughout the spring, so with a normal ski season, the high mountains will offer both good snow, long days, and brilliant sun in May. Some high mountain areas, including Jotunheimen, can actually have good skiing conditions right into June.
Whether the snow is safe in steep terrain depends on whether it has had time to thaw through by the sun and temperature. Normally, this occurs in May in the high mountains of Norway.
Some areas that are good for ski touring in May are; Hemsedalsfjellet, Filefjell, Jotunheimen (east, west, north, and south), Breheimen, Strynefjellet, Rondane, Dovrefjell, Indre Troms, Lyngen and Svalbard.
One of my favorite areas to go skiing in spring is the Smørstabbreen-area i Jotunheimen, with glaciers and spectacular peaks such as Stor Smørstabtind, Sokse, Storebjørn and Skeie. Here you have snow often until June and sometimes even longer. For more specific information from this area I have written a guidebook for skiing called "Toppturer i Jotunheimen"
So, get ready for a fantastic ski touring experience in Norway's majestic mountain landscape this spring!
Happy skiing!
Greetings from
Gjermund Nordskar
