The best spring ski tours in Sunnmøre

Sunnmøre is one of Norway's best ski touring regions, with steep peaks rising straight from the fjords around Stranda, Valldal and Geiranger. The main season usually runs from January to May, and April and May bring long days and great spring snow. Our favourite tours include Geitfonnegga, Hegguraksla and Auskjeret. Beginners should start on gentler terrain or join a guided tour with certified local guides.

Ski touring in Sunnmøre: fjords, peaks and long spring days

Spring might just be our favourite season for ski touring. The days are long, the sun warms the air, and there is still plenty of snow in the high mountains. Sunnmøre, and the Sunnmøre Alps in particular, is one of the best places in Norway to experience it. Steep alpine peaks rise straight out of the fjords, and on many tours you start close to the water and finish with a long descent back down. From our home base in Stranda, and from Valldal and Geiranger, some of the country's finest ski touring is right outside the door.

In this guide you will find when to go, our favourite routes, which tours suit beginners, how to stay safe in spring snow, and how to join a guided ski tour if you would rather leave the planning to someone who knows the terrain.

How long does the ski touring season last in Sunnmøre?

The first tours can happen as early as October or November when the early snow arrives, but that snow does not always hold. The main season usually runs from January to May. It is not unusual for us to take the final ski tours in June or even July, especially along the high mountain roads from Geiranger towards Strynefjellet and at Trollstigen. These roads typically open in late spring and give access to snow that can last far into summer. Some of our guides have actually skied every single month of the year!

Midwinter, from January to March, offers the best chance of cold powder, but the days are shorter and the weather more changeable. The real spring season kicks off in April. After a long winter the snowpack has built up a solid base, giving way to fantastic skiing. Early in the season you might have been picking your way around bare rock; now the turns are smoother and the snow is softer. If you are lucky, you will still find dry powder on north-facing slopes.

What is World Champion Snow?

In Norwegian we sometimes call excellent spring snow conditions VM-snø, or World Champion Snow. It happens when the snow surface freezes overnight and then softens just enough in the sun to give a smooth, grippy layer of corn snow. When the direction of the slope, timing and weather all align, anyone can feel like a champion on skis!

The trick is timing. East-facing slopes usually soften first in the morning, south- and west-facing slopes later in the day, while north-facing slopes may keep wintry snow for weeks. Planning your tour around the sun is half the fun of ski touring in Sunnmøre in spring.

Our favourite spring ski tours in Sunnmøre

Geitfonnegga

This peak towers above Geiranger and gives you breathtaking fjord views. The tour starts relatively high, which means good snow conditions persist well into spring. If you want more, you can continue on to Eidshornet for another great descent. Be aware: parts of this area are exposed avalanche terrain, so where you place your track, both ascending and descending, matters. This is a tour for experienced ski tourers or for groups with a guide.

Hegguraksla / Blåfjellet

A popular ski tour near Valldal, starting from Hauge, with wide views over the fjord and the surrounding peaks. It is perfect in the afternoon, especially if you like descending in the sunset glow. Combine it with a stay in Valldal and you have a relaxed spring day in one of the quietest fjord villages in the region.

Auskjeret

Just across the mountain from Stranda, this route is great for anyone wanting a good, well-rounded ski tour. We often use it on our first day together: a chance to get to know one another, practise companion rescue and ease into the touring rhythm.

Looking for something bigger? The peaks around Hjørundfjorden offer some of the most dramatic fjord-to-summit skiing in Norway. Read about ski touring around Hjørundfjorden, or about four days of hut-to-hut skiing in our article on the Geiranger Haute Route from Tafjord to Geiranger.

Easy ski tours in Sunnmøre for beginners

The Sunnmøre Alps are known for steep terrain, but there are gentler options too. Auskjeret above Stranda is a good introduction, and many peaks have rounded ridges or lower shoulders where you can turn around before the terrain gets steep. When choosing an easy ski tour, look for:

• Slopes mostly below 30 degrees, which also reduces avalanche exposure
• Short approaches and a clear, well-known route
• Ridges and open terrain without gullies or other terrain traps
• A turnaround point you are happy with, even if you do not reach the summit

You should be comfortable skiing parallel turns off-piste in varied snow, and have the fitness for several hours of steady uphill walking. Kick turns and skinning technique are quickly learned with some help. A basic ski touring course in Stranda is a great way to start, and our ski touring school covers the basics. Travelling with someone who does not ski? Snowshoeing is a good way to enjoy the winter mountains together.

Avalanche safety on spring ski tours

Spring snow is often more stable than midwinter snow, but it changes through the day. Check the regional avalanche forecast on Varsom.no before every tour. Start early, and aim to be off steep, sun-exposed slopes before the snow becomes wet and heavy in the afternoon heat. Stay well back from cornices on ridges and summits, and avoid travelling below them.

Everyone in the group should carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and know how to use them. Learn more on an avalanche course, in our article about essential avalanche gear, or read how we work with operational avalanche safety at Uteguiden.

Guided ski touring in Sunnmøre

If you would rather explore with someone who knows the terrain, weather and snow, our certified local guides are ready. We work in small groups and choose the route each day based on conditions and the group, so you get the best skiing the day has to offer. Some ways to join us:

• Ski touring week in the Sunnmøre Alps: for those who want a full week of guided touring among the fjords and peaks.
• Guided ski tours in Sunnmøre: join our guides for a day in the mountains.
• Ski touring weekends in Valldal and at Hotel Union in Geiranger.
• Fjord to summit backcountry skiing in the Sunnmøre Alps and ski and sail in the Sunnmøre Alps.
• Want to build your own skills? Try the 5-day ski touring course or the advanced ski touring course in Stranda.

We offer both open group trips and private guiding, and many trips can be tailored, with guide, accommodation, transport, meals and gear rental arranged to your preferences. Read more about guided ski touring in Norway's fjord Alps, see everything on our ski touring page, or contact us at travel@uteguiden.com.

Gear and rental

For ski touring you need touring skis with skins, touring bindings and boots, poles, a helmet and the avalanche safety trio of transceiver, shovel and probe. In spring, ski crampons, sunglasses, sunscreen and an extra thin layer are well worth packing, as conditions can go from frozen crust to warm sunshine in a few hours. If you do not have your own equipment, we rent out skis and avalanche gear. See our guide to ski rental in Ålesund and Stranda.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time for ski touring in Sunnmøre?

The main season usually runs from January to May. Midwinter gives the best chance of powder, while April and May offer long days, a solid snowpack and great spring snow. In high terrain you can often ski into June.

Are there easy ski tours in Sunnmøre for beginners?

Yes. Auskjeret above Stranda is a good introduction, and many peaks have gentler ridges or shoulders where you can turn around before the terrain gets steep. Choose slopes mostly below 30 degrees and consider a basic ski touring course or a guided tour to start.

Do I need a guide for ski touring in the Sunnmøre Alps?

Not if you have the experience, equipment and avalanche knowledge. Much of the terrain is steep and avalanche-prone, so if you are new to the area or to ski touring, a certified local guide helps you find the best snow and the safest route for the day.

How do I check the avalanche danger?

Check the regional avalanche forecast on Varsom.no before every tour. In spring, also plan around the sun: start early and get off steep, sun-exposed slopes before the snow turns wet and heavy, and keep well clear of cornices.

What equipment do I need, and can I rent it?

You need touring skis with skins, touring bindings and boots, poles, a helmet, and an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. Ski crampons and sun protection are useful in spring. Uteguiden rents out skis and avalanche equipment.

What skills and fitness do I need?

You should be able to ski parallel turns off-piste in varied snow and manage several hours of steady uphill walking. Uphill techniques such as kick turns are quickly learned with help from a guide or on a course.

Can you ski tour in Sunnmøre in June or July?

Often, yes. When the mountain roads from Geiranger towards Strynefjellet and at Trollstigen open in late spring, they give access to high terrain where snow can last far into summer. Conditions vary a lot from year to year.