Fonna Glacier Ski Area Norway - Permanently Closed
The Fonna Glacier was once one of only three Scandinavian summer ski areas. usually opening in May & closing mid to late September each year, it gave Norwegians & international race teams another skiing option over the ‘off season’, complimenting the main summer ski area, Galdhøpiggen-Juvass. Finacial troubles in 2024, and a catastrophic glacier collapse in 2025 that in part destroyed the T-bar lift has meant the likely permanent closure of the ski area.
A visit to Fonna combines well with a summer journey to Bergen &/or the amazing hike up to Trolltunga. The Fonna Glacier is in an elevated zone surrounded by the world's fourth longest fjord, Hardangerfjord.
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
With only one ski lift, the small ski area provided around 5km of groomed downhill runs, several good terrain park elements, cross-country slopes plus some backcountry access (early in the summer season only). The skiable vertical was only 260m & runs were up to 1.5km long. Typically for glacier terrain, the ski lift was a surface tow, in this case a T-bar. Later in the season blue glacier lake 'pond skimming' was the business - go fast and keep those tips up!
Check out the ski trail map below.
Where is Fonna Glacier Norway?
The Fonna Glacier ski resort is 405km (6½hr drive) west of Oslo and 114km (2¾hr drive) east of Bergen. From Bergen, the road journey includes a ferry crossing of the Hardangerfjord to Jondal. The village of Jondal is the closest township to Fonna Glacier, 18km (½ hr) further west.
Gateway airports are either Oslo (OSL) or Bergen (BGO). The recommended mode of travel to get to Fonna Glacier is by rental car as part of a broader exploration on Norway. If driving up early in summer, expect to see some huge walls of snow either side of the road as you approach the top. Parking is right at the toe of the glacier and the ski lift.
Fonna Glacier Accommodation
The Fonna Glacier lacks any overnight lodgings, so the village of Jondal provides the best accommodations. The Hotel Jondal is a convivial Bed & Breakfast located right on the fjord near the ferry terminal. Other options include a variety of holiday homes in the region.
Search & book here for all Fonna Glacier ski accommodation at Jondal.
Review
The Powderhounds will probably never got around to visiting & reviewing the Fonna Glacier. And now its time has sadly past as a lifted ski area.
See how the rest of the European ski resorts compare on the Europe ski resort ratings page.
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