Tag Archives: Visit Norway

Photos from our Family Mountain Hike in Norway

May 14, 2012 by Scandinavian mum

We’ve regularly enjoyed Norway’s majestic mountains as a family. All four seasons have their own charm, with the Summer being the most attractive season as the weather is more stable. Our favourite is probably early Autumn, from August when the green landscape turns bright orange and red.
These photos are from one of our hikes, in Hardangervidda. Little b was 5 years and Little A was 1 year old. We had one mountain hut as a base and went on day hikes in the surrounding area. Being a bit more flat and not so stoney Hardangervidda is probably a bit more child friendly and better suited for families with younger children compared to the area mentioned in an earlier post Hiking with kids in Jotunheimen National Park. Other tourist attractions like Rallarvegen and the beautiful fjords of the Norwegian West Coast are reachable by car. If you manage to leave this stunning scenery…

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Mountain Hiking with kids in Jotunheimen National Park, Norway

May 7, 2012 by Scandinavian mum

This summer the Little Scandinavian family will be doing a child-friendly mountain adventure! Norway has several National Parks and mountain areas, one of the most stunning ones being Jotunheimen National Park. Known as “Home of the Giants”, from Norse mythology, Jotunheimen has more than 250 peaks rising above 1,900 metres. The landscape has inspired famous authors and musicians throughout the times, such as Henrik Ibsen and Edvard Grieg.
Hiking suggestions in Jotunheimen include the family friendly Hulderstigen and the more challenging Glittertind, Besseggen and Norway’s highest mountain, Galdhøpiggen 2,469 m.a.s.l. But what’s truly unique and attractive with this National Park is not only the spectacular scenery, fresh mountain air and clean lakes. It’s also the fact that the family can enjoy the outdoors together, walking from hut to hut. Jotunheimen is in fact one of the best developed touring areas in Europe with DNT (The Norwegian Trekking Association) managed and unmanaged tourist huts. A membership in DNT is recommended before you go, for discounted accomendation rates and access to a master key to unmanaged huts.

© VisitNorway

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Little Scandinavian goes on holiday

April 4, 2012 by Scandinavian mum

We’re off on Easter holiday tonight! British Airways will take us to Oslo, Norway where there’s a rental car waiting for us to take us up to the Norwegian snowy mountains… The blog will be running as usual and there will be occasional updates from the cold North over the next week and a half! Do you have some relaxing plans in store too? We would love to know so please do share in the comment field below what you are up to! Wish you a Happy Easter!

Photo: M. Bøe for Krodsherad kommune

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Frosty memories

February 13, 2012 by Scandinavian mum

Some frosty memories from a winter holiday in Norway a few years back. Half term in London and missing the Nordic winter.

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Visit the local market in a medieval mining town, Røros in Norway

February 13, 2012 by Scandinavian mum

The mining town of Røros is one of the most beautiful places in Norway with it’s 80 wooden houses, most of them standing around courtyards, giving the town a medieval appearance. The 3,700 inhabitants of Røros work and live in the characteristic 17th and 18th century buildings, creating a unique mountain settlement with exceptional cultural value, which has earned Røros a place on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.
Røros is known for it’s record cold winter temperatures, but as winters are cold and stable the skiing conditions are excellent with the period from February to April being the best, as the sun is higher and the days longer than earlier in winter.

Røros is also famous for it’s traditional market, Rørosmartnan, that attracts more than 70.000 visitors each year. The 159th market will take place 21th – 25th February 2012. The grand opening ceremony includes the arrival of equestrian equipages, marking the start of the five days traditional Nordic trading market with a wide range of goods offered at the stalls during the day, while a broad selection of dances and other cultural events ensures memorable atmosphere in the evening.
It’s 50 minutes by plane from Oslo Airport Gardermoen to Røros Airport. See more at visitnorway.com

To blend in with the locals you should consider to rent a Kick-sled. £5 a day from Røros Tourist office.

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Husky Tours in Norway -Powered by Nature!

January 25, 2012 by Scandinavian mum

Why not take the whole family on a proper exotic outdoor adventure, on Husky tour in the arctic climate of Norway in the upcoming half term and winter holiday. Dog sledding is an amazing way to explore the snowy winter wonderland of the North and gain memories to last you a lifetime.
There are several options for Dog Sledding holidays in Norway, one of them being the Beito Huskey Tours that are located in Beitostølen, on the doorstep to the Jotunheimen National Park as well as the high arctic and the finish Archipilago.
They offer a range of tours from 1 hour to several days and overnight stays in mountain cabins and dinners in sami lavvos. They provide snow suits, snow boots with an extra focus on keeping little children warm. They’ll also give advice on how to dress properly in the Nordic climate. Older children may also try driving the sledge together with an adult, making this a unique experience for both adult and children.
The main focus is the teamwork, the animals and of course the splendid nature. beitohuskytours.com

Situated less than 4 hours by car from Oslo, Beitostølen is a ski resort and a mountain village offering a variety of winter activities. There’s lifts and slopes for alpine skiing and snowboarding and endless of trails for cross-country skiing. There are several family hotels to choose from too. See more at visitnorway.com/beitostolen


© Beito Huskey Tours

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Scandinavian Cabin; One family shares 118 square feet

January 21, 2012 by Scandinavian mum


In only 11 square meters or approximately 118 square feet a family of four spends their weekend and holidays together, not far from Trondheim in Norway. The Norwegian architect couple Anne Lise Bjerkan and Bendik Manum wanted to build a cabin with little need of maintenance and that would be easy to heat up. The concept of small cabins like this is very popular in Scandinavia at the moment and in line with the ´simple life´ and less is more trend.

With functional interior solutions they’ve really maximised the few square meters available into a comfortable and cosy cabin for the family. There’s 3 beds and a small double bed, some service as sitting area around the dining table during daytime with storage underneath the beds. There’s a fireplace and a small cooker and a rack for drying wet socks after the ski trip. A few yards away from the cabin you’ll find a small annex with a toilet and storage for skis and fire logs. There’s no electricity and water is collected by a nearby small river. The cabin is build of reusable materials and are biodegradable.

Build according to old Scandinavian tradition this log cabin is serving as an ideal base for an active family holiday, the perfect getaway place from a busy everyday life, where spending time with the family and enjoying the fantastic nature on the doorstep is in focus. If we had the chance, I would pack our woolen underwear, skis and Monopoly in an instant!
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Little Scandinavian goes on holiday -for the weekend!

December 8, 2011 by Scandinavian mum

Soon off on a mini break and it’s actually only me that’s going on holiday, with theScandinavianDad and the two Little Scandinavians staying at home in London, busy baking Christmas cookies and attending Christmas Fairs. I on the other hand will not be doing any cooking or fairs over the coming days as I’ll be traveling to a SPA hotel in Norway. It’s snowing as we speak and the ski lifts are planned opened on Saturday. Meanwhile I’m very happy to try out the SPA facilities, the fitness centre, the swimming pool, the climbing wall or just go for a mountain hike in completely unspoilt Scandinavian nature. Followed by gourmet dinner in the restaurant and perhaps a glass of red in front of the crackling fireplace? Both the Advent Calendar and the daily post will go ahead as usual. With wifi at the hotel, if you see me online on Facebook or Twitter, will you be so kind to ask me to log off!?



© Estatia Resort, Norefjell
Where: Quality Spa & Resort Norefjell, Boeseter, Noresund 3536, Norway. Special offer now 2 nights for 4 people, breakfast not incl. 2.580NOK (£286)
How to get there: London – Oslo Airport Gardermoen with Norwegian, SAS or British Airways. (Prices from £39 each way, my return ticket was £110 with Norwegian, booked a month ago.) It’s approx 1 1/2 hours by car or take the direct hotel bus from Oslo Airport Gardermoen to Quality Spa & Resort Norefjell.

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Skiing with kids! The family ski holiday guide!

October 16, 2011 by Scandinavian mum

Planning a family ski holiday this winter? Here is our quick guide, on how to keep your children dry, warm and happy out in the snow by dressing in layers. And also a few general recommendations on how to get the most out of skiing with children.

How to dress your child in the cold Nordic winter climate
Layer 1 – thermal or wool underwear, long sleeved t shirt and leggings are the base layer worn next to the skin that regulates the body temperature.
Layer 2 – Wool or microfleece pants and top as extra insulation under an outer layer. We recommend roll neck top. We sometimes ad an extra wool jumper on top when the temperature drops below -10.
Layer 3 – Ski pants (salopettes) and ski jacket. This should be 2 or 3 layered water and wind resistant.

Helmet: Essential, many resorts won’t allow children in the slopes without a helmet.
Ski Goggles: for both skiing and sledging.
Snow Boots: Buy Goretex or wind and waterproof boots. Wear ski socks or thin wool socks inside.
Hat: Make sure the hat covers the ears. For younger children we recommend balaclava also to go underneath the ski helmet.
Buff: A tube of seamless microfibre material, is a multifunctional headwear that can cover the neck, face and head.
Gloves: Mittens instead of gloves as they are warmer. The mittens should cover the wrist and be wind and waterproof.
Ski socks: Provides support and are thin allowing space in the ski boot, for toes to move and keep warm.

Babies and toddlers should not go outside if colder than -10. Don’t apply any cold cream as it’s proven not to be any benefit. Use the buff instead over the face to protect tiny noses and chins. With only a few minus degrees or milder temperatures remove layer 2, as the active children can get too warm.
Please note that this information is based on our experience. And feel free to ask if any questions!



The pictures are from a ski trip to Trysil in Norway in 2008. This “winter wonderland” is located only 2,5 hrs drive from Oslo and it’s one of Norway’s largest and most popular ski resorts, offering 66 slopes in four areas. Stay in a hotel or like we did -a rented ski in ski out chalet. The resort is focusing especially on families offering creche, ski school, children’s slopes and lots of fun family activities throughout the winter.

Skiing with your children is a true joy. But we also do recommend ski school for the children to learn technique and safety in the slopes and to make new friends. Many resorts also have children’s creche in the slopes where they play both indoors and outdoors.

When skiing with children make sure you have a break now and then. To warm up, have some food and a hot drink and play a bit in the snow. It’s all about having fun together.

Warm children would like to stay out in the snow -all night if they would have been allowed to…

© Little Scandinavian

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Scandinavian Design and Interior winner with extraordinary luxurious, subtle and refined details

August 30, 2011 by Scandinavian mum

First prize of the prestigious Norwegian award Designers Saturday Best Interior 2011 went to Inne Design: interiørarkitekt MNIL Vigdis A. Bergh for her excellent work at Quality Spa & Resort Norefjell.

Since it was build only a few years ago we have visited the hotel on several occasions. Last time this August, where the girls experienced life at a traditional Norwegian Summer Mountain Farm for a day.
This popular Scandinavian winter ski resort and SPA hotel proved to be a excellent choice during the summer as well with the activity program, free use of the hotels canoes and bicycles, climbing wall for all levels, sandy white beach by the mountain lake, swimming pool in addition to children’s menu’s in the restaurant (the kitchen even made a tasting menu into two children’s menu’s and we could all enjoy fine dining together!) and lots more.
We think the interior creates the perfect surroundings for a relaxing and luxurious family holiday.

The jury seems to agree and said in their verdict; Extraordinary welcoming and friendly atmosphere that appeals to many and invites to relaxation and stress relief. A hotel without the ordinary hotel feel. International yet typical Scandinavian Design. Unusual features and attention to details shows the interior designers excellent talent and skill.
High-quality materials, refined details, subtle and well thought-out interior. The decor offers a variety of meeting spaces. A muted color scheme provides peace, the lighting is used as part of the scenery. Interior architect’s personal imprint is easy to recognize, even though each of her projects are unique.




We congratulate one of our favourite hotels in Scandinavia -well done!
Quality Spa & Resort Norefjell will also be included in our coming holiday report, soon to follow.

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