Fonna Glacier Ski Resort Norway
The Fonna Glacier is one of only two Scandinavian summer ski areas. Opening in May & closing mid to late September each year, it gives Norwegians & international race teams another skiing option over the ‘off season’, complimenting the main summer ski area, Galdhøpiggen-Juvass. In the past few seasons the upper mountain snow depth on opening day is between 7 and 10 metres, precipitating a huge volume of digging to access both the road and the ski lift.
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.
Pros & Cons for Fonna Glacier Ski Resort
Pros
- Skiing on a glacier in summer with a ski lift - how is that not a pro!
- Reliable snow cover through the season.
- Great place to learn to ski or let it rip as fast as one can humanly go!.
- Good park features for all skiers & snowboarders.
- Has a great vibe and a reputation for fun.
- Amazing sunsets, spectacular views, and incredible nearby natural landscapes.
Cons
- Shortish skiable vertical.
- Limited terrain.
- No on-mountain lodgings.
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- A very long way from everywhere.
- A long way to cart your ski gear in summer, but ski rental is available.
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
With only one ski lift, the small ski area provides 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 is only 260m & runs are up to 1.5km long. Typically for glacier terrain, the ski lift is a surface tow, in this case a T-bar.
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.
Ski Rentals
Skiing & snowboarding rental is available at the bottom of the lift next to the car park. Prices are about as much as the lift pass, but you only live once, right?
Review
The Powderhounds will probably never get around to visiting & reviewing the Fonna Glacier. We would love to hear from anyone that has skied or boarded it. Post a review with photos & insights via the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile). Go to the same place to read any reviews.
See how the rest of the European ski resorts compare on the Europe ski resort ratings page.
Follow Powderhounds Europe on Instagram to see where we are currently skiing. Follow our main Powderhounds page on Facebook to stay in touch with up-to-date info, tours, and discussions.
