A Snob’s Travel Guide to Wintry Norway

Photo above: Alesund is at the entrance to Norway’s Geirangerfjord.

Here’s a secret. It’s not that cold up above the Arctic Circle—as long as you’re in Norway, where, thanks to the Gulf Stream, the temperature rarely dips below 14 degrees Fahren­heit (which is balmy compared to the frigid climes of Sweden and Finland). “It is the perfect winter country. We have amazing scenery, all this wilderness, a lot of snow, and a mild climate,” says Jan Sortland, who has been crafting #IYKYK itineraries in his homeland—and the rest of Scandinavia—for 40 years. He can arrange whatever kind of trip you’re dreaming of. But here are two ideas we love, in a nutshell. For more, contact Jan. jan@norwegian-adventures.com

If You Want to Chase Powder

The runs may not be as long as in the Alps, and the après scene isn’t as sexy as what you’d find in Gstaad, but if you’re a purist who is simply after pristine terrain, stunning nature, and the freshest snow, Norway is the answer. “We Norwegians taught the world to ski,” Sortland says. Plus, here you get the bonus of the famous fjords. 62˚ Nord specializes in itineraries exploring—and skiing!—those dramatic glacier-carved inlets and also operates its own collection of lodges, such as the Hotel Union Oye, a retreat beloved by royals since the 19th century.

If You Want to See the Northern Lights

One of the myriad arctic activities to be had around the hotel Sorrisniva.

Don’t go to Iceland like everyone else. For Northern Lights success, three conditions must be met: darkness, the right location, and clear skies. Iceland is too cloudy. Aurora seekers can’t lose in Alta, in Norway’s arctic region, where sightings are basically guaranteed (peak season runs from September to April). Stay at the 24-room Sorrisniva for its unbeatable location, but call Sortland to organize all your daytime activities, whether you want snowmobiling, king crab fishing, or reindeer herding led by members of the local Sami tribe.

This story appears in the October 2024 issue of Town & Country. SUBSCRIBE NOW

Leena Kim is an editor at Town & Country, where she covers travel, jewelry, education, weddings, and culture.