My boyfriend and I visited the south-west of Norway in May ‘22. This year we visited from Hemsedal to Hvaler in August.
We’re thinking of making another trip this December for just 4-5 days. I dream of snow and northern lights. He dreams of Ålesund (I have no idea why). We both love mountains, although I also think huge forests and snow is kinda awesome too.
Can anyone recommend a great visit for a few days in December? 🤩 where would you go if you had to choose?
Picture for attention 🥳 (Hafjell)
https://i.redd.it/fh0qlms4ppmf1.jpeg
Posted by Square_Desk946
11 Comments
RemindMe! 14 days
PSA Days are short, dark, wet, cold and gloomy in December. Hiking or outdoor activities (except maybe skiing if you go to places like Geilo, Hemsedal, Voss etc) is really not something you should be planning. Larger cities like Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim will have some Christmas themes going. December is not the ideal time for tourist stuff.
Ålesund might not be the best for snow, as the North sea is pretty warm, and gives more wet weather rather then snow.
It is also a tad early for most southern alpine resorts, as they have just stared creating snow.
Trondheim is very nice at that time of year. I love Trondheim in December, at is has a very Christmasy feeling. Røros is also a very charming inland city.
If you want both Snow, alpine skiing, mountains and ocean, you can go further noth to Narvik or Tromsø (Narvik is best for alpine skiing, but Tromsø is a larger city with more to do.) And both have a higher chance of getting Northern lights.
Addition:
* Not interested in skiing, at all.
* Not interested in christmassy-stuff, some is ok, but definitely not a must.
* Prefer: winter wonderland, great nature (some walk, but not longer hikes).
* We don’t mind dark and cold, would love seeing new places, but not a must ☺️
Depending on how high up in Norway we go, it’s possible to go with our own car, or fly and then rent if necessary.
Spain!
Innlandet, the interior of Norway is nice and really cold in desember, little chance of rain, choosy Christmasy houses and snow along the main street in Lillehammer or Røros. At least what a Norwegian would think of as Christmasy.
Trysil, Kvitfjell or Hafjell is good for alpine skiing.
More chance of northern lights in the north though. But the north is also closer to the sea and has more chance for clouds, then southern interior of Norway.
Vinmonopolet
Tromsø is probably the safest bet in December. Fairly easy to get to via a domestic connecting flight. You’ll have northern lights if the weather is good. And there’s a cable car from the city up to a mountain with a viewpoint. And there’s things to do in the city.
I would personally GTFO from Norway from November until mid January. Snow conditions usually bad for good alpine or cross-country and it is dark.
I am biased of course, but the Trondheim area is a good choice! Trondheim is a medium sized city with lots to do, if you’re not staying for longer than a couple of days.
Like others here have mentioned you have Røros some 2,5 hours away by car or train. It will definitely be christmas-y though, many shows have been filmed there just because it’s so picturesque. The trip up there, either by car or train, is really underrated. A true pine forest winter wonderland, if you know what I mean, with narrow valleys.
Trøndelag pros: Really varied, less touristy, (almost) snow guarantee!
Trøndelag cons: less chance to see the aurora borealis, although we saw lots last winter here. The mountains aren’t massive.
*”He dreams of Ålesund (I have no idea why)”*
Probably because its one of the few towns in Norway that actually has decent architecture. But yeah not much snow there.
Snow in decemer isnt always easy to find, your best bet is going inland. For northern lights ofc you should go north.