Narvikfjellet

Narvikfjellet

Overall Rating

Narvikfjellet

Narvikfjellet3.5/53
Narvikfjellet3.5 out of 5 based on 3 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%
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Nearby Ski Areas

Lofoten Islands
Riksgransen

Narvikfjellet Maps & Stats

     Narvikfjellet Ski Trail Map
  • Narvikfjellet Ski Trail Map
  • Vertical (m)
    118m - 1,003m (885m)
  • Average Snow Fall
    Unknown
  • Lifts (6)
    1 Gondola
    1 Chair
  • Opening Dates & Times
    Early Dec to early May
    Weekdays
    1.00pm to 8.00pm
    Weekends
    10.00am to 5.00pm
  • Terrain Summary
    Runs - 20km
    Longest run - 5km
    Advanced - 10%
    Intermediate - 60%
    Beginner - 30%
  • Lift Pass Price
    Day Ticket 23/24
    Adult - 495NOK (approx. €44)
    Child - 420NOK (approx. €37)
    Child u/7yr - Free

Narvikfjellet - Reviews

Narvikfjellet - Reviews

Best Lifted Skiing Above the Arctic Circle

04/10/2023

POWDERHOUNDS EUROPE

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POWDERHOUNDS EUROPE

Powderhounds Ambassador
Powderhounds Ambassador
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Telemarker
  • Rider Level
    Expert
  • Rider Age
    51-70
  • Month Visited:
    March
  • Admin Rating
    5

Best Lifted Skiing Above the Arctic Circle

04/10/2023

Narvikfjellet has always been on our ski bucket list. It was the trail map that got us in. Tall mountains rising out of a fjord with a city at the resort’s feet. Its appears simply amazing. And so it is in reality too. Gotta love that.

Arriving at Evenes airport in mid-March after an overnight stay near Oslo airport saw a seamless exit to a compact SUV rental car complete with studded winter tyres. The car was perfect for the often-glacial road conditions encountered over the next 2 weeks. The plan was to be flexible about skiing Narvikfjellet and combine it with ski-touring the Lofoten Islands, visiting the Swedish Lapland resorts of Riksgränsen, Björkliden & Abisko, and ski-touring further north in Lyngen Alps. The plan turned out well. Skied powder in all locations and did 4 days (non-consecutive) at Narvikfjellet (with 2 powder days in the ski resort).

Whilst not a week-long ‘destination’ ski resort in and of itself (simply due to its overall size), Narvikfjellet is the best place in the region for easy-access BIG mountain powder days in the alpine bowls & lower down in the (unexpectedly good) trees, or just for screaming down empty groomers when the lifts open at 1pm on weekdays. Yes 1pm. Takes a little bit of getting used to, but such is life above the Arctic Circle. In fact, one of the best powder afternoons here was a midweek in March with just us and three others in the ‘first gondola’ queue. When the powder on the groomers was tracked, we moved into the trees before finishing off with the obligatory waffles & brunost.

If it is your first time in Arctic Norway, you simply must have waffles with brunost (otherwise known as brown cheese). Brunost is a weird not-too-sweet cheese flavour thingy that defies proper description. Just try it. At Narvikfjellet you can get waffles and brunost at the upper mountain Fjellheis restaurant (with magnificent views from 656m altitude, located just down from the gondola top station), or from the charming Camp Lodge at the NARVIKFJELLET Camp 291 cabin accommodation just off piste #13 (location is referred to as Narvkihytta).

Anyway, back to the skiing. We loved it. The groomed pistes are fun for intermediate & advanced riders. The ungroomed pistes (9, 11, 12 & 14) through the trees get the muscles working hard. Lift lines are generally non-existent. Aside from the gondola that serves around 400m vertical, the other lifts are a three T-bars and an important double chair (Stolheis) that runs up about 350m vert. The double chair doesn’t start operating until usually mid to late March, so be prepared to skin up further if the snow is deep enough off piste. The big alpine bowls from the upper mountain ridge can be as good, if not better, than anywhere in the world. Views down to the sea overlooking the Hålogaland Bridge and over 800m of skiable vertical in the Mørkholla or Tredjeholla descents before traversing back into the ski resort. Utterly glorious.

Most of the tree areas accessible from the lifts are skiable. They were an unexpected joy. For some reason I just didn’t associate the area with tree skiing. They are mostly birches so lots of spacing in amongst the older ones, and quite ‘twiggy’ up higher.

During the week the lifts are open until well after full dark (close at 8pm). The main pistes from the gondola top to the lowest T-bar (530m ish vertical) are well lit for night skiing. If you can stand the cold, go for it. Whilst the resort opens for skiing in December, we can’t imagine skiing here during the full winter dark period.

Whilst the ski resort is within the ‘city limits’ of Narvik and hence has a wide range of accommodations within a 2km radius of the lift base, there are an increasing number and diversity of rooms available on and around the ski area. I checked out the ski-in NARVIKFJELLET Camp 291 cabins whilst having a snack at the Camp Lodge. Intriguing design, perfect for voyeurs, and no doubt splendid when the northern lights are dancing across the sky at night. The new Basecamp Narvik hotel-apartments, situated just above the gondola base, was under construction during the visit. It will doubtless increase the numbers of skiers accessing the slopes for first lifts. Or maybe it won’t. Who knows? Will find out in March 2024 when I return.

Booking last minute as is our want, an so we stayed at the bottom of the ski area in the Narvik Budget Rooms hotel. They are certainly basic, but with the magnificent breakfast buffet at the adjacent 4-star Thon Hotel including in the tariff, it is an absolute bargain. The hotels’ location is just across the road from the lowest lift base (a T-bar just near the convenient ‘ski-in’ Kiwi supermarket!), and it is an easy walk down the hill into the city centre if you want some entertainment. From our estimations, the best bar in town is the Narvikguten Pub. BYO black broad brim hat (it will make sense when you go there).

There are a few ‘first world’ annoyances here, but it is Norway, and once you have spent time in country you will understand why! Paying for parking by the hour at a ski resort just really & truly sucks (but to be fair it is probably about encouraging people to use the local bus). Not being able to recharge your lift pass from the machine next to the gondola until said gondola starts turning also really sucks. On a gorgeous mid-week powder morning, lifts not opening until 1pm really & truly sucks. Having purchased a beer from the ticket desk, one is not legally allowed to drink it just outside near the delightful fireplaces hanging from tripods, you must go out to a cold back veranda …. I drank it at one of the fireplaces, but it still sucks that you cannot actually do it legally!

We have heard a few stories of international visitors having mixed experiences skiing Narvikfjellet. The key to skiing here is to have your own transport and visit when the weather and snow are favourable. Mid-March to mid-April have the best snow, light, temperature and lift/terrain openings. If the double chair is not running, be prepared to skin up top to ski the wonderful descents below Linken (1,003m), or further up the ridge to Andretoppen (1,160m) & Tredjetoppen (1,272 m) to ski the Mørkholla or Tredjeholla routes. Otherwise head out to the Lofoten Islands or explore across into Swedish Lapland. It is a beautiful part of the world, and there are no excuses for having a bad time.


See our video here

Steep & fun skiing

Peter Bull
22/07/2023
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Rider Level
    Advanced
  • Rider Age
    18-35
  • Month Visited:
    March
  • Admin Rating
    4

Steep & fun skiing

Peter Bull
22/07/2023
Narvikfjellet is quite a fun ski resort.
It offers some off-piste in steep forest, but the main attraction is steep and smooth pistes.
Would recommend!
See our video here

Four Hours in a Fjord

07/07/2022

Patrick

Powder Puppy
Powder Puppy

Patrick

Powder Puppy
Powder Puppy
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Snowboarder
  • Rider Level
    Advanced
  • Rider Age
    36-50
  • Month Visited:
    March
  • Admin Rating
    5

Four Hours in a Fjord

07/07/2022
Narvik is in a really unique location due to the fjords formed throughout Norway's history. I've personally never had the opportunity to ride in a place where I can see natural ocean water less than 5 miles away. Something I suppose Norway offers up pretty easily (anyone say Lofoten?).

The day that I visited, oddly enough, a short warming spell had passed through the region recently. The coastal areas of Norway especially this far north are generally a bit warmer than their interior counterparts (my visit to Riksgraensen not even a week later is a prime example of how different temps can be). Also the day that I visited was during the work week at around 1PM so the entire mountain was relatively empty as well as gondolas initially being closed due to wind (yes this happens).

The slope terrain rises pretty intimidatingly directly above the city of Narvik and two pretty steep, but super modern, gondolas take you to the very top. The slopes at the "base" next to the "lodge" are pretty basic and pretty short. There's a small terrain park in this lower area serviced by T-bars that you can get some air but it, as well, is pretty basic.

The prime terrain is accessible by the primary gondola that is situated next to most of the parking. The wind eventually died down enough for us to hop on and gain some altitude...but the weird weather spell in the area had turned nearly the entire upper mountain into ice. The pistes that were available were really really wide and nice, but virtually all off-piste opportunities (and normally there are a fair amount) were either roped off or totally iced over. The entire place was just...quiet...to include food and drink. I think the locals don't bother if the conditions aren't right...if anyone knows snow it's the Nordic peoples.

I think during prime weather this place is probably a well-rounded mountain for everyone seeking groomers and off-piste fun. There's a kids learning area at the base as well and, to an extent, kids at a decent skill level can probably have a good day there. The lift ticket staff even sold us a discounted ticket because of the conditions.

The day I visited definitely didn't showcase Narvikfjellet's offerings. Next time I'm in the area, I'll visit, again.
See our video here