Hotels
Christmas and New Year in the mountains: the Scandinavian ski hotels to book now
Snow on the ground, a fire in the lounge and skiing right outside the door. If you want to spend Christmas or New Year at a mountain hotel in Norway or Sweden, these are the hotels we would choose, and this is why you should book now.
In short
The best mountain hotels fill up first over Christmas and the week before New Year, so book in October or November. Our first choice for a quiet Christmas is Skarsnuten Mountain Resort & Spa in Hemsedal, rated 9.2 by guests on Hotels.com. For families, Radisson Blu Resort Trysil is the safest choice, and for a lively New Year, Fyri Resort in Hemsedal is a good place to be.
Our first choice: See rooms at Skarsnuten Mountain Resort & Spa
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It is the week between Christmas and New Year, and it has snowed all night. Outside the pistes are freshly groomed and almost empty, and inside the fire is crackling. No washing up and no Christmas stress, just another day on the slopes and a dinner someone else has cooked.
Warm light on a winter evening
Warm light from a cabin on a winter evening in Norway.
When should you book?
Book as early as you can. Christmas and New Year are among the busiest weeks at the mountain hotels, and the best rooms and cabins go first. Leave it until December, and the choice is often small and the prices higher.
Christmas Eve or the week after?
In Scandinavia, Christmas is celebrated on the evening of 24 December, and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are often quiet days in the mountains, with fewer people on the slopes. The week between Christmas and New Year, known as romjul in Norway, is high season, when families and groups of friends head for the mountains. If you want the slopes to yourself, the Christmas weekend itself is often the best time.
Dinner above the valley
From the restaurant at Skarsnuten you see the lights of Hemsedal far below.
Mountain hotels for Christmas
Skarsnuten Mountain Resort & Spa, Hemsedal
Skarsnuten sits at 1,002 metres, with the slope outside and a spa looking out on the mountains. It is a quiet hotel for adults who want a Christmas without stress. Guests give it 9.2. Read our full review of Skarsnuten.
Book your stay: See rooms at Skarsnuten Mountain Resort & Spa
Radisson Blu Resort Trysil
For families who want the pool and the slopes under one roof, Radisson Blu Resort Trysil is the surest choice. The children will have plenty to do all holiday. Guests give it 8.8. Read our full review of Radisson Blu Resort Trysil.
Book your stay: See rooms at Radisson Blu Resort Trysil
Trysil Hyttegrend
If you want to spend Christmas in your own cabin, Trysil Hyttegrend has cabins with kitchens and a sauna, five minutes' drive from the slopes and with a ski bus included. Guests give it 9.4. See more places in our guide to hotels in Trysil.
Book your stay: See rooms at Trysil Hyttegrend
Ustedalen Hotel, Geilo
Geilo is on the Bergen Railway, so you can take the train from Oslo or Bergen and avoid icy winter roads. Ustedalen Hotel is a short way from Geilo Ski and has an indoor pool. Guests give it 8.6.
Book your stay: See rooms at Ustedalen Hotel
A fire in the lobby
The stone fireplace in the lobby at Copperhill in Åre.
New Year in the mountains
Fyri Resort, Hemsedal
Fyri is a sociable hotel with a Pool Club and heated outdoor pools, and it is well suited to a New Year's Eve with friends. Guests give it 9.0. Read our full review of Fyri Resort.
Book your stay: See rooms at Fyri Resort Hemsedal
Copperhill Mountain Lodge, Åre
If you would rather see in the New Year in Sweden, Copperhill sits high above Åre, with a spa, a stone fireplace in the lobby and views of Åreskutan. Guests give it 9.2. Read our full review of Copperhill.
Book your stay: See rooms at Copperhill Mountain Lodge
Christmas in your own cabin
A cabin at Trysil Hyttegrend on a clear winter day.
What to check before you book
Ask about Christmas and New Year dinners. Many hotels have special menus over the holidays, but they are not always included in the price.
Check the minimum stay. Many places may require several nights over Christmas and New Year.
Read the cancellation terms. Holiday bookings often have stricter rules.
Buy lift passes in advance. The week after Christmas is one of the busiest on the slopes.
Celebrating in the city instead?
If you would rather have Christmas markets and a big city, you will find ideas in our guide to Christmas hotels. For New Year's Eve with fireworks over a city, we have gathered the best places in New Year's Eve at a hotel.
Christmas and New Year in the mountains: frequently asked questions
When should you book a mountain hotel for Christmas?
Book in October or November. The best rooms and cabins are the first to fill up.
Which mountain hotel is best for families at Christmas?
Radisson Blu Resort Trysil has a pool and ski-in, ski-out access, and is a safe choice for families.
Can you reach a mountain hotel by train at Christmas?
Yes. Geilo is on the Bergen Railway, with trains from both Oslo and Bergen.
Where can you celebrate New Year in the mountains?
Fyri Resort in Hemsedal and Copperhill in Åre are good choices for a New Year with a spa and skiing.