Winter
Cross-country skiing right by the cabin
Tracks a few hundred metres from Villa Sjøsiden
Tennevoll · Lavangen · Northern Norway
Almost every village in Northern Norway has its own ski tracks – skiing is practically the national sport here.
Around Tennevoll and Lavangen there is plenty of track network too. In a good snow year the area can offer close to 100 kilometres of skiing.
- ~100 km
- Tracks in good winters
- A few hundred m
- To the nearest track
- Classic & skate
- Styles
- December–March
- Usually snowy
The figures are indicative and depend entirely on the snow conditions of each winter.
Almost from the doorstep
The nearest ski tracks run only a few hundred metres from Villa Sjøsiden.
When the snow and crust conditions are right, I have also set off on skis straight from around the cabin and across the fields towards the tracks.
That depends entirely on the winter, though. If the crust doesn't hold or there is little snow, it is better to reach the groomed tracks another way.
Snow conditions vary
December to March is usually snowy, but right by the fjord the weather can change a lot. Mild spells and rain can melt the snow even in midwinter.
On the groomed tracks higher up the snow normally lasts better, and the season can continue well into spring.
So it is always worth checking the current track status before heading out.
See where the groomer has been
One of the best things about Norwegian ski tracks is that you can follow the grooming online.
The map shows the track network and up-to-date information on when each track was last groomed. With good timing you can be out almost right behind the machine.
Check the track statusClassic or skate
The area has options for both classic and skate skiing.
It is worth checking the track map in advance to see which style each route is prepared for.
In Northern Norway a track does not automatically mean flat terrain either. Climbs and descents can take you by surprise, so choose a route to match your fitness and experience.
Light in the darkest season
Towards Hotel Fjellkysten there is also a floodlit track, so you can ski even in the darkest part of midwinter.
Another very Northern Norwegian option is a headlamp. Here it is completely normal to see skiers out with their own lights.
The groomer is out often
In our experience the tracks in the area are well looked after. They are groomed according to need and conditions, especially after snowfall.
Early in the season the tracks appear as soon as there is enough snow to make them.
Even so, always check the current status in the track service before setting off.
A four-legged ski companion
In Norway you often see dogs along on ski trips, and the atmosphere on the tracks is usually relaxed.
If you bring a dog, always check the local rules for that track or area and keep the dog under control out of respect for other skiers, animals and nature.
Long days in late winter
At its best a ski day here starts a few hundred metres from the cabin. In late winter the sun and long days make the landscape completely different from the headlamp loops of midwinter.
The same tracks can feel like two different places in January and in March.
Start right by the cabin
Villa Sjøsiden sits by the fjord in Tennevoll, and the nearest tracks run just nearby.
With the right conditions you can put your skis on in the surroundings of the cabin.
Practical
The track network lies around Tennevoll and Lavangen, and a floodlit track can be found towards Hotel Fjellkysten.
Check the current track condition and grooming dates in the track service before you go.
- Tennevoll
- Lavangen
- Northern Norway
Good to know
- The nearest tracks are a few hundred metres from the cabin
- Skiing straight from the cabin needs suitable snow and crust conditions
- Both classic and skate routes exist – check the track map
- The terrain is not flat everywhere: expect climbs and descents
- With a dog, always check the local rules for the area
A base for the ski winter
Villa Sjøsiden is a cabin by the fjord, a short way from the ski tracks in the area.