Voss, Norway

Resort Overview for Voss:

Voss is one of the largest, and until the Lillehammer Olympics' was the best internationally known Norwegian resort. It is an old lake-side town dominated by Mount Hangur in the heart of Western Norway. It is located at a northerly latitude/low altitude (although with a 645m vertical), close to Scandinavia's two largest fjords and on the edge of the Vangs Lake. The setting is spectacular and the quality high.

The town is a mid-sized regional centre as well as a tourist destination so has a better selection of shops and apres ski venues than most ski resorts and also more down to earth prices.

The ski slopes are very easy to reach in just four minutes by cable car from central Voss and offer a variety of terrain and spectacular views. Previously there was sometimes a question about the snow reliability but excellent snow making facilities have been added.

Norway, and particularly Voss, was the top destination for Britons in the late 1960s and early 1970s when ski resorts were reached largely by sea. Norway eventually lost out to Austria as the leading British destination in the 1970s and 80s, itself overtaken by France in the 1990s.

The Skiing in Voss:

The alpine slopes at Voss on Mount Hangur are easily accessible with a cable car running from Voss centre or by driving to the car park in Bavallen and taking a lift there. The resort offers excellent nursery slopes as well as demanding terrain for the most experienced.

The skiing school is situated at the top station of Hangursbanen and offers instruction in alpine, telemark and snowboarding disciplines. It has a reputation for its high quality, friendly service. There is a sunny plateau here that's ideal for beginners, and the fact that it is reached quickly from the town centre without having to put your skis on makes it a wonderful place to learn. Rentals are also on site and there are great views to enjoy when not concentrating on those first turns.

Intermediates have the best selection of skiing at Voss with most of the terrain open to them, and some manageable powder slopes to learn the basics of off piste skiing on.

Voss has hosted many FIS World Cup races and believes it has fostered more Winter Olympic participants than any other place in the world. There are several trails for advanced skiers, although the options are limited compared to bigger ski areas. Descents from the Floytesteinen and Stettafjell are amongst the more challenging. The resort also has a reputation for off-piste powder when conditions are good.

Every Wednesday and Friday there is floodlight skiing in Bavallen up to 9pm.

Après Ski in Voss:

When the ski lifts close for the day it's "after ski" time, in Voss which offers a modest selection of cafés, pubs and restaurants as well as several piano bars and night-clubs.

Popular venues include the Top Spot at Fleishers Hotel, the Night Club in the Jarl Hotel and the Pentagon at the Hotel Park.

The traditional local après ski drink is a glass of hot glogg.

Accommodation in Voss:

Search through our database to rent private ski chalets direct from the owners in Voss. Contact owners directly to make a booking. Rent ski chalet Voss, Norway