Skiing in August in Norway
August is out of season for resort skiing in Norway, with every alpine resort closed and turns limited to the small Galdhopiggen summer glacier, so it suits dedicated glacier and race team skiers rather than anyone planning a normal ski holiday.
Reviewed for the 2026 season by the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team
Can you actually ski in Norway in August?
Barely, and only on a glacier. Every Norwegian alpine resort, including Hemsedal, Trysil and Geilo, is fully closed in August, with lifts still and slopes green. The one place still turning a lift is the Galdhopiggen summer ski center, high on Norway's tallest mountain, which runs from late spring into early November depending on snow. This is summer glacier skiing on a short pitch of T bar served snow above 1,800 meters, not a resort holiday.
It is worth being clear because the picture has thinned. Norway's other famous summer glaciers have struggled in recent years, with the Folgefonna and Fonna area hit by financial trouble and glacier damage, so options are fewer than they once were. For August, treat Galdhopiggen as a specialist day out, not a week long destination, and plan everything else, lodging and travel, around the surrounding national park rather than a ski village.
What are conditions like on a Norwegian glacier in August?
August glacier conditions are spring like at best and slushy by midday. Mornings start firm on the saved, refrozen snow, which is why summer ski centers open early and close around lunchtime before the surface turns heavy. The terrain is limited and gentle, geared to lapping a single groomed pitch, and the draw is the novelty and training value rather than variety or challenge.
The setting, on the other hand, is spectacular. Galdhopiggen sits in the high Jotunheimen mountains, and a clear August morning of turns above a treeless arctic landscape is a genuine experience. Expect real altitude, fast changing weather, and a short skiing window each day. Bring sun protection, because high summer snow under a strong sun reflects fiercely, and warm layers for the cold start. Goggles, sunscreen and a brimmed cap are not optional on a bright glacier morning, and the snow can flatten into mush within a couple of hours once the sun is high, so an early lift and an early finish are the whole game.
How much does August glacier skiing in Norway cost?
There is no normal resort week to price because the resorts are shut. A day on the Galdhopiggen glacier is a modest lift ticket plus the cost of reaching a remote part of central Norway and staying in mountain lodging nearby. Because it is a single day activity rather than a packaged ski holiday, most visitors fold it into a wider Norwegian summer trip of hiking and driving rather than budgeting it as a ski vacation.
If you are pricing a real Norwegian ski holiday instead, you are looking at the winter, where a week lands around $2,000 to $4,000 per person. In August, the honest budget advice is to treat any skiing as a bonus half day inside a summer touring trip, not the reason for the journey.
Who should ski Norway in August, and who should wait?
August glacier skiing suits a narrow group: dedicated summer skiers and snowboarders who want turns year round, race and freestyle teams training in the off season, and curious travelers already in the Jotunheimen mountains for hiking who fancy a morning on snow. For these visitors it is a rewarding novelty in a stunning setting.
Almost everyone else should wait. Families, beginners, intermediates and anyone wanting a real ski holiday with a linked area, varied terrain and apres ski will find nothing of the sort in a Norwegian August. For that, book the December to May winter, and aim for March if you want the best blend of reliable snow and long bright days. The country is at its summer best for walking, kayaking and driving the fjord roads, so the sensible plan is to enjoy Norway as a summer destination and save the skis for winter. August in Norway is a glorious month to hike the fjords and fells, but it is not a skiing month.
August in Norway: the case for and against
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Where to ski in Norway in August
For August we would point you first at these, each with our full review:
- Hemsedal. Closed in August; book it instead for the December to May winter, when it is Norway's biggest and most varied area.
- Trysil. Shut in summer; the resort to choose for a family winter week once the season returns.
- Geilo. No August skiing; a relaxed, snow sure choice when you come back for the real winter season.
Sources we checked
Common questions
Can you ski in Norway in August?
Only on a glacier. Every Norwegian alpine resort is closed in August, and the one option is the small Galdhopiggen summer ski center high on Norway's tallest mountain, which runs into early November. It is a short, gentle glacier pitch best treated as a specialist day out, not a ski holiday.
Are any Norwegian ski resorts open in August?
No mainstream resorts are open. Hemsedal, Trysil, Geilo and the rest are fully closed through the summer. The only lift served snow is the Galdhopiggen summer glacier, and Norway's other summer glaciers have struggled or closed in recent years, so options are limited.
When should I go skiing in Norway instead of August?
Book the December to May winter season for a real Norwegian ski holiday. March is the standout month, combining the deepest, most settled snow with long bright days and milder cold than midwinter. August is a month for hiking the fjords and fells, not for skiing.
What does skiing cost in Norway in August?
There is no resort week to price because the resorts are shut. A day on the Galdhopiggen glacier is a modest lift ticket plus the cost of reaching and staying in a remote part of central Norway. Most visitors fold it into a wider summer trip rather than budgeting it as a ski holiday.
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