Where to ski in Norway during summer?

As the sun begins to defrost the streets, and the rays warm our pale faces more and more each day – people slowly begin plotting their summer activities. Where will they spend the hot summer days? Maybe on the French Rivera, reading books and drinking good espresso. Or hiking the peaks of the Dolomites sleeping in cabins with mind-boggling views. Perhaps even biking trough Norway’s finest trails at Norrøna Canvas in Telemark, glamping in tents watching the sun go down while sipping on a glass of wine by the lake.

Words by: Fien Van Zwieten

However people might imagine spending their summers, very few go seeking out the last bits of snow. But for those few, those keen winter enthusiasts, it’s all about the slushy summer days. I’m talking silky, dampened snow, open Gore-Tex pants, cotton shirts, hell, even sport bras and bare upper bodies, extreme goggle-tans and shorts pared with ski socks. I know what you are thinking: who chooses to go skiing over laying on a sunbed with a pina colada in hand in Greece? I’ll tell you; the ski bums do.

So, when you’ve come to the realization that skiing is better than any other summer activity, by far, you need to figure out where to go. Snow is not usually found wherever in the summertime due to its tendency to melt when temperatures rise over zero degrees Celsius (for our friends in the states, that’s 32 degrees Fahrenheit). For starters, glaciers are a good place to start looking.

In Norway, we have three main glaciers that have skiing resorts on them – the first is Strynefjellet Sommerski, which is located just 45km east of Stryn city centre. It’s usually open from the beginning of June, and closes right around July/ August, depending on the amount of snow. 13th-16th June, there even is a festival located at Folven Camping, just a 10 min drive from the resort, where people spend their days skiing, climbing, biking, paddling and swimming in the ice cold glacier water.

The second resort is located on Norway’s tallest mountain, Galdhøpiggen (2469 MASL). The resort I’m referring to is Juvass. Nowadays, this resort leans more towards ski racing and sports alike, but when I was a young skiracer, I remember fighting with the freeskiers in line to get to the top. They would throw doubles left and right, while we skied as fast as we could down the course. We all enjoyed a well-known “Juvass bolle” at the restaurant cabin overlooking the slope. However, I believe they’re trying to engage more freeskier to come visit Juvass again. From Juvass, you can both take a guided walk to Galhøpiggen, and a guided tour through the glacier. Great if you want to make a weekend out of it! Juvass is usually open from around May, and closes just before winter starts. They welcome tourists at all times of their opening days!

The last resort is maybe the most popular one, and goes by the name Fonna Glacier Ski Resort, and is located in the heart of Hardanger. Fonna is one of the bigger glacier resorts, in that sense that glacier resorts usually only have one slope. It welcomes both freeskiers, ski racers and tourists alike. It’s perfect for advanced skiers who can’t really let go of winter, or intermediate skiers who want combine sharpening their skills and getting in a a tan at the same time. Some ski-touring possibilities are also available for the skimo-lovers. Fonna welcomes everyone from May until around August.