Anders Backe is a Norwegian freeskier who starred in the ski documentary films Supervention I and Supervention II. Find out more on his Instagram page.
Skiing in Norway
Norefjell, Norway
My favorite destination around home is Norefjell. There is epic sun the whole day, nice steep slopes and a good set-up for park skiing.
- Anders Backe
Where is it? About a 2 hour drive from Oslo
Why is the ski destination great?
Popular with people from the capital, the expansive snowy landscape and wide range of difficulty levels are just some of the things that draw skiers to Norefjell.
The resort is family-friendly, but also has options for alpine skiers, telemark skiing, snowboarding or off-piste riding with vertical drops of 1010m. And if you’re lucky you might even spot a reindeer?
For what level? Beginner, enthusiast and expert
Great for: Friend groups and families
Things to do in the area: You’ll find one of Norway’s oldest railways with a steam locomotive!
(Photo credit: Foap / VisitNorway.com)
Kongsberg, Norway
Kongsberg is a little more of a local ski resort with super good park conditions with short laps and good lighting during the evening.
- Anders Backe
Where is it? About an hour’s drive from Oslo
Why is the ski destination great?
Kongsberg is a local ski resort, but that means it doesn’t draw the same large crowds as bigger ski resorts, which can make for a more relaxed visit. It’s also especially popular with snowboarders and jibbers with its own terrain park.
For what level? Beginner, enthusiast and expert
Great for: Families and friends
Things to do in the area: Kongsberg is close to the Hardangervidda National Park with beautiful views and hiking trails.
(In this photo: A waterfall in Hardangervidda National Park near Kongsberg. Photo credit and copyright: Bjørn Furuseth / VisitNorway.com)
Hemsedal, Norway
I've been skiing here for 10, 15 years at least and you are able to combine high mountains with good a park for the whole package.
- Anders Backe
Where is it? About 3 hours northwest of Oslo by car
Why is the ski destination great?
Lovingly dubbed the “Scandinavian Alps” this is the destination for Alp-like alpine skiing and sporty slopes.
Hemsedal is one of the largest and most popular ski resorts in Norway, and it’s easy to see why. With 52 perfectly groomed slopes, cross country trails, 20 kilometers of off-piste terrain and two snowparrks, there is something here for everyone. The mountain ranges from 620 to 1,450 meters above sea level also guarantees some beautiful views.
For what level? Beginner, enthusiast, expert
Great for: Families and friend groups
Things to do in the area: You can also test out dog sledding, ski touring or live music events at the local resorts.
(Photo credit: hemsedal.com/ Kalle Hägglund)
Lofoten, Norway
We love ski touring and exploring remote places with only the strength of our own body, skinning up and skiing down to the sea is an incredible feeling. The light in Lofoten is magical and we love to ski in these beautiful islands every year between March and April.
- Alice Linari and Lorenzo Alesi
Where is it? North of the Artic Circle, 1.5-hour plane ride from Oslo to Harstad and then a 2.5-hour drive.
Why is the ski destination great?
Located north of the Arctic Circle, these scattered islands shoot right out of the ocean.
The cozy ski lodges offer spectacular views, and the resorts provide tailor-made expeditions and ski guides who accommodate according to your ski level. There are also ski touring courses to help teach you the basics.
For what level? Beginner, enthusiast, expert
Great for: Friend groups, ski-touring enthusiasts
Things to do in the area: Try to catch some views of the northern lights. You can also go to the sea eagle and whale safaris, or try Arctic wave surfing.
Skiing in Sweden
Áhkká, Sweden
If you go ski touring there you will most likely be the only person, it's so remote and so beautiful. And it also has the longest ski run in Sweden.
- Kristofer Turdell
Where is it? About a 2-hour drive from Kiruna
Why is the ski destination great?
Named the “Queen of Lapland”, Áhkká is a holy mountain range to the local indigenous Samis. It’s located in the beautiful Stora Sjöfallet National Park.
It’s popular with hikers but also a freeride skiing paradise with one of the highest vertical drops found in Sweden. From Áhkká’s highest point, Stortoppen, there is 1500 meters down to the bottom. But make sure to go with a group and bring safety equipment.
For what level? Expert
Great for: Friend groups
Things to do in the area: The closest city, Kiruna, is home to the famous Ice Hotel. Lapland, is home to the famous Ice Hotel and also has dog sledding tours and views of the northern lights.
(In this photo: Stora Sjöfallet in Swedish Lapland. Credit: Swedish Lapland Visitors Board / Magnus Winbjörk)
Riksgränsen, Sweden
At Riksgränsen, a lot of skiing history has gone down – and it’s where they have the Scandinavian Big Mountain Championship every year. It's a small resort with three or four ski lifts but the terrain is special, and playful with a lot of rollovers. They get a ton of snow there and it stays open until midsummer. That's where I go spring skiing every year.
- Kristofer Turdell
Where is it? About a 90 minutes’ drive from Kiruna
Why is the ski destination great?
Teetering on the border with Norway, 200 km / 124 mi north of the Arctic Circle, lies Sweden’s northernmost ski resort, Riksgränsen.
It is one of Sweden’s largest ski areas with 29 slopes and a large area for off-piste skiers. If you come for any reason, come for the powder. The snow conditions are perfect and the season continues all the way until midsummer (yes, in June).
For what level? Beginner, enthusiast, expert
Great for: Friend groups and families
Things to do in the area: Like Áhkká, the nearby town of Kiruna has lots of winter activities.
(Photo Credit: Swedish Lapland Visitors Board / Fredrik Broman)
Åre, Sweden
Åre is a big resort and is easily accessible with a lot of different riding, steep runs and long runs. It also has some of the best restaurants in Sweden and is a perfect place if you want a nice weekend away.
- Kristofer Turdell
Where is it? About a 7-hour drive northwest of Stockholm
Why is the ski destination great?
Åre really does have everything. And we know we’ve said that about most of these resorts, but there’s a reason world cup championships have been organized here.
With 42 ski lifts, 89 slopes and 890 m / 2900 ft vertical drop, you’re bound to find something here that will fill your days and keep you challenged.
For what level? Beginner, enthusiast, expert
Great for: Families
Things to do in the area: You can take a ride on Åre’s first ski lift from 1910, or marvel at Tännforsen, Sweden’s largest waterfall.
(Photo credit: SkiStar / Ola Matsson)
Skiing in Denmark
CopenHill, Denmark
Thule ambassadors in this article:
Kristofer Turdell is a Swedish freeride skier who has won several freeride world tour titles, including champion in 2018 and 2021. See what he’s up to on his website or Instagram page.
Alice Linari is an Italian skier, explorer and adventurer whose mission is to explore nature in a sustainable way and inspire others to do the same. Find out more about Alice on her Instagram.
Lorenzo Alesi is an athlete, professional skier, and photographer whose objective is to explore remote places, capture them in extraordinary photographs and inspire people to preserve nature. Find out more about Lorenzo on his website or his Instagram.
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