The Ski Solutions team were lucky enough to visit Voss on our end-of-season trip. It was a great opportunity to discover a new resort that we will be adding to our already extensive selection. Having experienced Norway before, I was interested to see what Voss had to offer on and off the slopes.
Incredible Alpine Views on Arrival
We flew into Bergen and travelled an hour and a half via coach to Voss. An easy and stunning route that seemed to breeze by. It was funny to see jaws drop as we rolled into our destination. My first impression was how amazing the Vangsvatnet Lake is surrounded by the towering mountains. The village of Vossevangen has managed to keep its alpine charm with a modern twist.
Scandic Hotel
We stayed at the Scandic Voss Hotel which was in a prime location. Not only did we have spectacular views from the terrace, but we also had direct access to the main gondola up the mountain. As a mother myself, this is a breath of fresh air for families who don’t want to walk miles to go skiing.
The Scandic Voss Hotel is modern and very family-friendly. There are dedicated child areas and the food in the restaurant has a child’s menu too. The breakfast buffet in particular was a real treat, with a lovely selection of cooked and continental options. The standard family rooms are spacious and can sleep up to four people. There’s also the choice to upgrade to the junior suite room which can sleep up to six people too. I had a great night’s sleep each night and was fully ready to head to the slopes.
Stay At:
Scandic Voss is a centrally located contemporary hotel with all the amenities you need for your ski trip. Just moments away from the main lift station.
Voss Ski Area
After a beautiful ride up the main gondola to the top of the mountain, we were guided to the rental shop. The rental shop was conveniently placed at the top of the mountain. We didn’t have to take the kit down to the hotel or lug it through the village.
The ski area itself is small but has a real charm to it. It is easy to navigate if you’re a family or large group visiting for the first time. Two main ski lifts bring you back in front of the rental shop and the Hangurstoppen restaurant. In total, there are 45km of slopes and 11 lifts. The majority of the resort is made up of blue and green runs, perfect for beginners and intermediates. There are a few red and black runs for those who want a challenge too.
There are a few tricky T-bars if you want to ski other parts of the resort, but there are two comfy chairlifts that give you access to the main runs. My favourite run was the blue-marked number 10 slope called Tråstølen, which was wide open and not very busy. As we were in a large group (about 40 of us) it was easy to find people to ski with or do your own thing based on your ability.
Ski School
Voss ski school is a renowned establishment throughout Norway, with top-qualified instructors teaching different levels of lessons. Families should feel reassured their children are in good hands. Whether you’re a complete beginner or want a guide for off-piste, the Voss ski school covers all bases. There’s even freestyle coaching if your kids are learning to master the snow park.
Off Slope Activities
A great team bonding moment was enjoying a sing-along at the Inside Voss Rock Café. Drinks were flowing and the staff were very welcoming despite our questionable singing. There are some restaurants and bars in Vossevangen but we chose to eat in the fantastic Scandic Hotel restaurant during our stay.
The Vangsvatnet Lake at certain times of the year is a great place to go kayaking or have a cold dip in the water. Some of the team were brave enough to have a late winter swim during our weekend trip. It was also just great to sit lakeside and admire the spectacular view after a day on the slopes.
One of the main sporting attractions in the area is Vossvind. This is an indoor skydiving centre where you can enter a wind tunnel and replicate the extreme sport with a bit more safety. A great activity if you have children who are confident enough to do it. Vossvind allows children from 5 years old upwards to have a go.
End-of-Season Party
The Voss Tourist board invited us to an end-of-season party during our stay. Locals and visitors partied in a snowplough garage. A local band from Voss and a band from Oslo, called Super Band, played a mixture of pop classics and Norweigian hits. It was a great opportunity to enjoy drinks with the locals and celebrate an amazing ski season. Like our karaoke skills, some of the dance moves were very questionable.
A Day Trip to the Fjords
Before we left for our flight back to Gatwick, we had an amazing boat trip to view the spectacular fjords. Our boat was a perfect viewing platform to admire the natural beauty of the fjords. We started at one end of the lake in a town called Gudvangen and finished in Flåm. Despite having overcast weather the fjords still had a majestic aesthetic you could admire everywhere you turned. This activity was an excellent addition to a ski trip and made it unique from a traditional mainland Europe ski holiday. This is what makes Norway like no other ski holiday, the added activities you can enjoy in each resort.
Although our visit was brief, Voss was action-packed but also had a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere. The team and I can’t wait for you to enjoy this magnificent part of the world for the 23/24 ski season.
To find out more about Voss call our ski experts on 020 7471 7700.
