Loen Skylift runs all winter and takes you from the fjord’s edge to 1,011 metres above sea level in five minutes. Up there, an open winter landscape awaits, with views over Jostedalsbreen, the valleys and the fjord far below. You don’t need to be fit or experienced – that’s what makes this peak so distinctive. For those who want to go further, Loen Aktiv organises snowshoe trips and guided winter tours in the mountains around Loen and Lodalen.
Nordfjord has several alpine ski resorts and outing areas for cross-country skiing. Harpefossen Skisenter near Nordfjordeid, Breimsbygda Skisenter in Gloppen, and Stryn Vinterski offer varied slopes and trails for all levels. Together with ski resorts in Sunnmøre, these are part of Alpepasset – one pass that gives access to an entire network of ski destinations in the region.
The sauna by the fjord is perhaps the finest winter experience Nordfjord has to offer. Warmth, cold, nature – in that order. Along the entire fjord, outdoor saunas by fjords, lakes, and the sea have appeared in recent years. At Knutholmen in Kalvåg, you can sit in a floating sauna with a view over the harbour. See the full overview here.
After a day in the mountains or by the water, it’s nice to rest your body in the spa and bathing facilities at Hotel Alexandra in Loen, both with long traditions of wellbeing in beautiful surroundings.
Winter is the quiet season, and that is exactly what many are looking for. Local restaurants have plenty of time for their guests. Knutholmen in Kalvåg, Gloppen Hotell in Sandane, and several eateries in Loen and Stryn town centre offer hot food and local ingredients without the rush of the summer seasons.
For experienced surfers, Hoddevik and Ervik on Stadlandet are a chapter all their own. The Atlantic sends powerful waves towards the coast throughout the winter, and with fewer people in the water, it’s an exclusive experience.
Photo: Ruben Soltvedt
Photo: Saltnwax
