Would love to snow ski and water ski in Norway. Any advice?
Snow Ski - I read about two summer ski areas on glaciers. Does anyone know anything about them and if one is especially better than the other?
Water Ski - Would like to find a place to waterski. I noticed when doing hotel searches that some of them near Oslo airport had Water Skiing listed in the amenities. Does anyone know of opportunities?
Thanks!
There is a summer ski area at Stryn. Here's the link to their website. If you Google "stryn summer skiing" you can also get info via the VisitNorway website which will have info in English. Depending on how much snow there is, they sometimes stay open well into August, as was the case last year. Not sure about the snow pack this year.
I haven't seen anyone waterskiing in Norway but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist!
Stryn Summer Ski Centre
Stryn Summerski Centre (1065m-1600m) at Tystigbreen glacier beside the old Strynefjell road is a popular summerskicenter in Norway. Open approximately end of may or beginning of june, depending of how much snow there is on the road. The ski centre have two lifts, one chairlift up to the glacier and one T-Bar lift on the glacier.At the top of the Glacier you can also try cross-country-skiing. There are many offpist possibilities in the area, this is very good in june while there is still much snow in the mountains. The ski centre has a total height of fall of 535 metres. You can rent slalom, telemark and snowboard.
https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Norway/Strynefjellet.html
http://www.onthesnow.com/western-norway/stryn-summer-ski/ski-resort.html
Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Centre
Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Centre (1840m - 2150m) at Juvbreen Glacier below Norway's highest mountain Galdhøpiggen (2469m) is the Summer Ski Centre with the highest altitude in Norway. The slope are 1500 metres long with a vertical fall of 300 metres. Possibilities for powder snow all summer. Opens approximately late may, the season last normally until October. The Ski Centre have one lift, a T-Bar lift at the glacier.
https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Norway/Galdhopiggen.html
http://www.onthesnow.com/eastern-norway/galdhopiggen-juvass/ski-resort.html
Folgefonna sommerskisenter.
I have lots of experience in Norway and lots of experience summer downhill skiing at Mt. Hood in Oregon.
I haven't seen waterskiing in Norway. I'm sure there are people doing it somewhere though! I imagine the high cost of gas and low temps might be why there's lots of kayaking, fishing, etc, but maybe not as much waterskiing/wake boarding.
Summer snow skiing is generally not that much fun unless you're into running gates or riding a terrain park. This is because the terrain is very limited and the hours where the surface is decent to ski on is very short. The snow will be frozen solid first thing in the AM and will be slushy by 11am or noon. If you go, I suggest arriving very early in the AM and buying the shortest ticket they offer. Two or three hours is plenty to say you've done it. I know that they offer summer skiing at Stryn, but I haven't been summer skiing in Norway, only Mt. Hood.
Nordheim: This is because the terrain is very limited and the hours where the surface is decent to ski on is very short.
Spring skiing at Mt. Bachelor (Bend, OR) is similar to what Nordheim described and I would expect glacier skiing in Norway to be similar. Overnight lows cold enough to freeze the surface with 9 AM conditions hard and fast. At the Norwegian elevations you will be above treeline so snow will be soft and wet after a few hours in the sun. Skis will need good structure and if like Oregon snow, graphite/moly with fluro wax to repel dirt. (As the snow melts, dirt concentrates on the surface). But as the saying goes, any skiing is better than no skiing. Just plan on hiking or biking in the afternoon.
Nordheim: This is because the terrain is very limited and the hours where the surface is decent to ski on is very short.
Spring skiing at Mt. Bachelor (Bend, OR) is similar to what Nordheim described and I would expect glacier skiing in Norway to be similar. Overnight lows cold enough to freeze the surface with 9 AM conditions hard and fast. At the Norwegian elevations you will be above treeline so snow will be soft and wet after a few hours in the sun. Skis will need good structure and if like Oregon snow, graphite/moly with fluro wax to repel dirt. (As the snow melts, dirt concentrates on the surface). But as the saying goes, any skiing is better than no skiing. Just plan on hiking or biking in the afternoon.
Summer skiing at Sognefjellshytta:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZTuGA2SZTc
The SkiPost newsletter made note of the Norwegian summer ski center: http://sognefjelletsommerski.no/
Google Translate:
Welcome to summer skiing in 2016
Efforts season 2016 is in full swing, and me hoping for ein great
season with many Lopar and well ver. First opningsdag host 20th of May
and trails are clear from 08:00.Welcome to ski, Sognefjellet and Sognefjellet Summer Ski!
Refer and our Facebook page for the latest news.
The trails our situated along RV 55 in the area of Sognefjellhytta,
Fanaråkbreen and Prestesteinsvatnet in Northern Europe tall-lying
mountain pass 1,400 m.Northern Europe's highest mountain pass, 1434 m. Stable and good
cross-country skiing! Good snow conditions and a magnificent scenery.
8 km cross-country track for classic and skate technique!We offer cross-country skiing from mid-May to July / August. Area and
conditions are considered very favorable for summer training.
June skiing on the Sognefell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDIJww9MXFw
Shorts and tee shirt weather.
