Planning next year’s family ski holiday?..  Fancy a change from the Alps?… or perhaps you’re a first-time skier?…or keen to try your hand at a new snowsport – cross-country or telemark skiing, or even dog-sledding?

If any of the above sounds like you, then we strongly urge you to consider booking your next family ski holiday to Norway.

Why Norway?… 

Well, let’s face it – the Alps are getting pretty crowded, and full of Brits too!  The Norwegian resorts are extremely family-oriented.  They boast a long season – up to six months in some resorts – with perfectly groomed slopes and superb snow quality and reliable cover, even late in the season when the Alpine snow is getting heavy and slushy.    

The Norwegian countryside also makes a change from the usual dramatic craggy backdrop of the Alps.  It is a picturesque, undulating landscape of whitewashed hills, with vast swathes of frozen lakes framed by extensive black pine forests.  

The Norwegian people are hugely friendly, with an infectious love of the great outdoors… and the cuisine is different and delicious too – think herrings and smoked salmon piled high on rye bread; and tasty meatballs with Tyttebaer (cranberry) sauce.

Don’t be put off by any concerns about exorbitant Scandinavian prices (with the exception of alcohol perhaps, which can be prohibitively expensive – we recommend stocking up at Oslo Airport’s Duty Free shop if you’re concerned!).  The good news here is that Crystal Ski is reintroducing ski holidays to Norway for next season (2013/14), as we reported in an earlier story here, and they’ve put together some amazingly cheap packages.  

Crystal Ski managing director Simon Cross explained to us: “The snow-sure resorts, the varied terrain and excellent family facilities in Norwegian resorts have always been popular with British skiers, but no one has facilitated what customers also want: making ski holidays to Norway more affordable. Norway isn’t known as a cheap destination, but we’ve managed to use our buying power to get some great value half board options plus incredibly inexpensive self catering cabins and apartments.”

For instances one week’s stay at the Hovi Cabins in Beitosløten start at £375pp self-catering (based on six sharing), including return flights and transfers from Gatwick Airport, departing 5 January 2014.  

Now that sounds like a bargain to us!

To find out more about Crystal Ski’s Norwegian resorts, see our special feature Learn to ski wtih Crystal in Norway here, or contact Crystal Ski directly.  They even have some special limited special offers on selected dates for early-bookers, including free and reduced kids’ places; 2for1 lift passes; and special ‘Learn to Ski’ packages (including equipment hire, lift pass and tuition) for beginners.

Other related stories:
Crystal Ski returns to Norway
Learn to Ski with Crystal in Norway
End of season celebrations in Norway
Let there be light
What are the Northern Lights?
World’s largest winter sports week for disabled skiers 
Dog-sledding with an ex-Paralympian skier