Best winter holiday destinations with children

At Skeikampen resort there’s guaranteed to be snow, and the ski season often gets underway in November and can carry on all the way to 17 May.

Skeikampen has plenty of child-friendly cross-country trails, and Skeikampen Alpine Centre is perfect for families, terrain park skiers and those who prefer off-piste skiing. The alpine resort has 21 slopes and 11 lifts. It’s very child-friendly, and there’s a big terrain park. The kids’ area is located at the bottom part of the resort and has two free-to-use conveyor lifts. The ski school also arranges events such as go-kart sledding and snow races.

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Narvik is perfectly situated in northern Norway’s Arctic landscape, and boasts a wide range of winter activities. One of the most popular attractions is Narvikfjellet, which is famous for its spectacular views over Ofot fjord and the village. Thon Hotel Narvik is located across the street from the ski lift to Narvikfjellet. It takes you to 1,006 metres above sea level in a matter of minutes.

Narvikfjellet offers skiing or snowboarding from 1,000 metres above sea level and almost all the way down to sea level. The resort is suitable for both beginners and the experienced, as well as for both young and old. 

With short distances to Lofoten, Vesterålen, Troms and Northern Sweden, this is your ideal destination for a weekend break or extended holiday.

Hallingdal is one of Europe’s best cross-country skiing regions, and popular winter activities include cross-country skiing, sledding, snow-kiting, alpine skiing, ice skating and dog sledding.

“Ål in Hallingdal is the ideal place for family activities all year round,” says Linda Dalene Bjerke at Ål Tourist Centre. “Guests can enjoy 430 kilometres of groomed cross-country trails with panoramic vistas of spectacular mountain landscapes, while also skiing on trails in the forest and near the town centre. Ål has two of Norway’s longest toboggan slopes at Skarslia Ski Resort. A place where adrenaline runs high for both the young and old.

“In addition, guests can enjoy alpine skiing at two ski centres, Skarslia Ski Resort and Ål Ski Centre. And snow-kiting courses are held every weekend in winter at Bergsjøstølen. Dog sledding is another popular activity to participate in. For small children, Hallingdal Feriepark has its own ice rink and indoor play centre.”

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When in Flå, both cross-country trails and alpine slopes are virtually on your doorstep.

“Høgevarde Fjellpark is a new ski resort with a very cosy and modern heated lavvu with glass walls. There is a kids’ slope and family slope for youngsters and adults. The resort also boasts 50 kilometres of wonderful cross-country trails,” says Anna B. Kollhus, Hotel Manager at Thon Hotel Bjørneparken.

There is also a four-kilometre illuminated trail in Flå centre, and it only takes about an hour to drive to the larger ski resorts such as Norefjell Ski Centre and Nesbyen Alpine Resort.

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In Tromsø there is plenty for families with children to do, including evening tours to see the northern lights that cater for families. Plus, there are numerous skiing options and several ice rinks to choose from.

“When in Tromsø, we recommend visiting Polaria which is an aquarium with seals, fish and king crab. The Science Centre of Northern Norway is also an interesting place to visit, and shows videos of the northern lights. Charlottenlund Recreational Park has a stunning 10 km skiing trail in the middle of Tromsøya island. It also has an ice rink, and there is a speed skating track in the Tromsdalen area. You can also easily travel to Tromsø Alpine Park by bus,” says Zillah at Tromsø Tourist Centre.

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For families who want to experience something different, Kautokeino is an experience in itself. “We are at the ‘top of the world’ here in Kautokeino,” says Maia, who works at Kautokeino City Hall. “There is no need to go on an organised northern lights tour here. All you have to do is walk out of the village and away from the light pollution. Provided there are no clouds, you will see the northern lights when they are active. Tourists can enjoy ice fishing, snowmobile safaris and riding on reindeer-drawn sleighs.”

“Snowmobiling is popular. You can ride snowmobiles on your own on designated trails or you can go on a safari through the company Hætta opplevelser. There are also trails so you can go cross-country skiing. It’s completely white and totally silent when you go cross-country skiing here. All you hear is your own heartbeat and the sound your poles make. In Kautokeino we also offer reindeer sledding and ice fishing. You can ride a snowmobile to the water, do some ice fishing there, light a bonfire and be outside and active,” says Maia.

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With Otta as your base camp, there are many excellent ski trails in magnificent landscapes to choose from, and Rondane National Park is just a stone’s throw away.

“You have access to many national parks with a variety of nature. I would definitely recommend going skiing from Lemonsjøen or Rondane. Many Danes travel to Rondane because it has flatter and kinder terrain, and it’s colloquially referred to as ‘Danes’ National Park’. Mykjisæther and Lemonsjøen also have ski lifts. The largest is in Lemonsjøen, but both ski lifts run alongside wonderful cross-country trails. There is a large trail network in Rondane and on Skisporet.no you can see how fresh the trails are,” says Otta Tourist Office.

Another popular activity in the area is Fron Badeland indoor water park, which has a swimming pool, diving pool, climbing wall, sauna, ice shower, and bubble pool. You can also ride in a tracked vehicle from Høvringen, go dog sledding and tobogganing, and at Dombås there is a popular ski arena open to everyone.

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Norheimsund is idyllically located along Hardanger fjord and home to the famous Steinsdalsfossen waterfall. Lots of fun winter activities are also on offer. The ski resort Furedalen Alpin is situated in Kvamskogen, and has three ski lifts and a separate conveyor lift for children. There are also 60 km of groomed cross-country skiing trails during the winter season.

“The most popular trail runs from Furedalen on to Mødal, and is machine-groomed up to the foot of Såta mountain. Another frequently used trail to Mødal is from Løkjentunet. The trail from Ungdomsheimen, Aktiven, and into Steinskvanndalen is also popular,” writes Furedalen.no.

Aktiven Skiheis is a popular ski lift with light slopes suitable for families and a heated building to wait in. At the top is also a fantastic trail with cross-country trails towards Steinskvandalen.

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