Absolutely Snow - Voss

Voss is a one of the longest established Norwegian Alpine mountain resorts. Situated in western Norway in the land of Fjords and on the shores of it's own lake Vossvngen this bustling resort is just over 1 hour from Bergen. One ski pass covers two ski areas - Voss Resort Bavallen has 40kms of marked piste, 11 lifts and a big vertical of over 900m while just down the road - connected by shuttle bus, Myrkdalen is one of the highest resorts in Norway with 7 lifts rising from 450m up to 1060m. Don't be put off by the relatively low heights compared to the Alps - Snow is plentiful with both resorts opening in November and remaining open until early May each year.

The Resort

Voss is a year round town situated on the edge of the lake Vossvangen and has a local population of around 6000. In early medieval times Voss served as a centre for agriculture and trade between western and eastern Norway. In the early 20th century Voss became established as a popular Norwegian Winter Sports centre. In the 1950's and 1960's Voss was one of the most popular destinations for British Winter Sports enthusiasts. From Monday through to Friday keeping in with the ancient trading traditions of the town, there is a bustling market in the Market Square at Simonsplass. Après ski gets going after 4 pm each evening with the most popular bars being Tre Bror, The Minigolfen Pub and Café right on the lake shore and Fredrik's Bar in Fleischer's Hotel.

Over the last few years Voss has established its self as the extreme capital of Europe - not only offering steep freeride skiing, but also sky diving - not just from 15,000 feet but also in an indoor sky diving centre 5 minutes walk from the centre of Voss, snow and ice climbing, ski touring (some tours being dropped off by boat!) as well as husky rides, snow mobiling and winter hikes.

Voss is not just for skiing and extreme sports, the resort is part of the famous 'Norway in Nutshell' tour with famous fjords such as Hardangerfjorden, Naeroyfjorden (now a World Heritage Centre), and Aurlandsfjorden being within easy travel/day trip from the resort. Take a trip on the famous Flam Railway - it's even worth taking a day off from Skiing to experience this world famous railway journey!

The Skiing

The ski pass covers two resorts;

Voss Resort Bavallen rises up to 850m from behind Voss. There are two ways up the mountain - the cable car from the resort centre (soon to be replaced by a new 8 person gondola lift) or from chairlifts at Bavallen which is a 5 minute drive from Voss - connected by free shuttle bus.

Beginners are very well catered for with the English speaking instructors from the Voss ski school. There are nursery slopes at the top of the cable car with green runs running from 917m above sea level right down to Bavallen at 200m - perhaps one of the longest nursery slopes in any resort!

Intermediate skiers will be able to explore each of the three peaks that make up the ski area - from Hanguren above Voss take piste 8 down to the S1 lift up to Slettafjellet at 917m then run 17 to lift L up to Horgaletten. For the adventurous bare right and tackle the FIS race piste - black slope 19 all the way down to Bavallen. Otherwise head left for a more relaxing cruise!

For Advanced skiers Voss is somewhat limited but there are 10kms of black runs and great steep and deep lines down to both Voss and Bavallen. From Hanguren the FIS race piste 6 down to Bavallen is steep and technical - otherwise off to the right of Piste 6 is some great off piste down to Voss - that's 750m of vertical of clean lines and faceshots (or face plants!?)! Head up to Horgalletten for more off piste this time ending at Bavallen base station, or crave the groomed steep piste 19 in the morning... if you dare! Alternatively rent some big fat touring skis and skins and join one of the guided tours away from the ski area.

Families love Voss - great areas to introduce children to skiing, the long green runs will soon have them zipping along and tackling the harder slopes before you have realised what is going on!

Myrkdalen is the second ski area - between 20 and 30 minutes from Voss by shuttle bus or hire car or for the ski in ski out experience book to stay in the Myrkdalen Hotel! While Myrkdalen is a relatively small ski area the terrain is fabulous for all levels of skier.

Beginners - nursery slopes just outside the Myrkdalen Hotel will soon have beginners gaining in confidence to explore the higher blue runs.

Intermediated will revel on the red pistes 9 and 10 from the Finnbunuten mountain - 1060m down to the base station at 400m. Alternatively from Krani Piste 7 Is great for learning how to carve on steepish slopes while Piste 3 runs from the top right down to the base station.

There are a couple of long black runs (2 and 15) from Storhaugen down to the Myrkdalen Hotel. There are ample opportunities for off-piste with open bowls and steep chutes down to the base station. Otherwise don some skins and start hiking - just 300m above the top lift lies the summit of Finnbunuten at 1358m - heading from the summit open power bowls lead to a sparsely forested area for the wonderful lines through the trees - don't get too carried away as you need to bare right to finish back down at lift C from the base station to do it all again… and again!

Our Hotels and Cabins

We offer a unique choice of hotels in Voss, Myrkdalen and for those who opt for the flexibility of a hire car in the surrounding areas as well.

Fleischer's Hotel and Apartments (central Voss)

Fleischer's Hotel is one of Norway's premier family run historic hotels. The hotel was built in the 1880s as a Swiss style Alpine Hotel and now in 2014 while the hotel has been beautiful renovated it still manages to retain some of the original features dating back to 1889 when the hotel opened. The hotel has 110 bedrooms from singles through to family rooms. Each bedroom is ensuite with Wi-Fi, satellite TV, hairdryer and minibar.

The Hotel Restaurant offers a wonderful array of both local Norwegian and international dishes each day. Fredrick's Bar in the hotel is one of the great Voss Après Ski bars.

Facilities with in the hotel include indoor swimming pool, hot tubs, sauna, solarium, comfortable lounges, games room, piano bar, children's playroom as well as a laundry service.

Fleischer's Apartments

Self catered motel style apartments in the grounds of the hotel offer the flexibility of independence with the benefits of enjoying the facilities of the hotel. The apartments are available as self catered or half board by having meals in the hotel. The apartments sleep from 2 to 4 in 1 or 2 rooms. Each apartment has a kitchenette, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and terrace.

Bavallstunet Cabins

138 Beautiful log cabins situated by the Bavallstunet Base Station - most are ski in ski out. Varying in size from 50m2 (2 bedrooms) to 120mm2 (5/6 bedrooms) . All cabins are fully equipped with full kitchens, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, barbeques, terraces and some have saunas.

Myrkdalen Hotel (Myrkdalen Ski Area)

Opened in 2012 the Myrkdalen Hotel offers 4 star accommodation right on the ski slopes. With 112 rooms, restaurants, 2 bars, wellness centre, games room with Wii, Xbox and PlayStation, children's playroom with slides and tunnels as well as a cinema.

There are a variety of bedroom options - singles, twins/doubles, family rooms and interconnecting rooms. All bedrooms have been exquisitely decorated with full ensuite bathrooms.

Myrkdalen Cabins

There are 50 cabins available, most of which are ski in ski out. Comfortable apartments and cabins of varying sizes. All units have high standard, TV and dishwasher. Some have laundry facilities and a sauna and most units have a fireplace with between 2 and 8 bedrooms. The largest cabin is 225 square metres, which contains 8 bedrooms with 21 beds, 4 bathrooms and a sauna. A perfect place for large families or company gatherings.

Oppheim Hotel and Resort

Situated 10 minutes from Myrkdale and around 20 minutes from Voss, The Oppenheim Hotel is part of the Brakanes Hotel Group which own 5 other hotels in the Hardangerfjord area. The Oppenheim is a wonderful hotel to stay in for those who opt for the freedom of a hire car. The hotel is situated by Lake Oppheimsvatnet and was renovated in 2009. The hotel now boasts 52 apartment style rooms which include a kitchen area, lounge and bathroom, restaurant, indoor swimming pool and wellness area sauna and gym. Accommodation is available on a half board or self catered basis.