Tromsø: Learn to Ski - Developed With Local Olympic Champion｜Norway

Your journey begins at the meeting point at Tromsø Skistadion, where your guide welcomes you with a smile and provides all the necessary ski equipment: skis, poles, and boots.
After a quick fitting and introduction, you’ll step onto the snow and start with a short, easy lesson covering the basics of cross-country skiing. No prior experience is required, and your guide will ensure that everyone feels comfortable and confident before setting off.

The structure of the lesson has been developed with local Olympic champion and co-owner Erik Valnes, so the exercises are designed to help complete beginners make quick and natural progress. This doesn’t make the tour hard or competitive – it is still relaxed, social, and even better adapted to complete beginners.

Once ready, you will glide into the peaceful Arctic landscape just outside the city center. The pace is relaxed and beginner-friendly, with plenty of stops along the way to enjoy the snowy surroundings and take photos. As you move through the winter scenery, your guide will share stories that bring Norway’s national sport to life. You’ll learn how skis were once vital for survival - used by Vikings for hunting, by the Sami people for travel, and by farmers and soldiers who relied on them to cross long distances in harsh winters.

This is not just a ski tour, but a cultural journey. While learning how to balance, glide, and turn on skis, you will also discover why skiing is woven into Norwegian identity. From the expression “Norwegians are born with skis on their feet” to the role of skiing in building community and resilience, every step on the snow connects you to centuries of tradition.

Halfway through the activity, you’ll pause for a warm drink and a Norwegian snack, giving you a chance to relax, chat, and take in the stillness of Tromsø’s winter nature. Then, with renewed energy, you’ll continue the journey, practicing your skills while feeling more at ease on the skis.

The experience ends back at the starting point, where you return the equipment and say goodbye to your guide. You’ll leave not only with the joy of learning a new skill, but with a deeper understanding of Norway’s soul - and the unique place skiing holds in our culture and history.

Please note: This tour is developed in collaboration with Olympic champion and co-owner Erik Valnes. Our experienced local guides run the daily tours, so Erik will not normally be present as a guide.