A week skiing in Trysil, Norway with kids

We love our trips to Scandinavia and skiing in this part of Europe really is special. There’s a gentleness about the approach which is ideal if you’re visiting with kids who are learning to ski. There’s a beauty unlike any other in the landscape with trees that decorate the hills, heavy with snow. And there’s a joy that is intrinsic in the people that is infectious. In our week skiing in Trysil, Norway with kids we found a place so special and packed with so many pleasures. If you’re looking for somewhere different to ski then look no further, we’ve found the perfect resort for your family ski trip in Norway.

Our guide to Norway with children

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Getting to Trysil

Trysil is around two hours north of Oslo. So it’s perfect to combine with a city break there if you fancy getting your fill of Vikings and city fun.

It’s very easy to get the Trysilekspressen bus which runs every day between Oslo and Trysil.

You can also fly into the relatively new Scandinavian Mountains Airport around 40 minutes away which is another accessible route in.

We flew in to Oslo and took a taxi to Trysil as we arrived on a late night flight. We checked in to the Radisson Blu Resort in the heart of the area, ready for a week away of fun.

About Trysil – A week skiing in Trysil, Norway with kids

Trysil is perfect for a family trip. Its a large resort, the largest in Norway and with 69 runs and 32 ski lifts there’s something here for everyone.

Blue runs wind their way alongside blacks meaning people of different abilities can still all hit the slopes together.

A week skiing in Trysil, Norway with kids

Ski lessons

The children were booked into ski lessons with Trysilguidene instructors (all booked through SkiStar).

There are various options available and we decided to really boost the children’s skiing with a private instructor for the 15 year old and a private instructor between the younger two together.

The oldest has always been the most confident skier and as soon as he met his instructor – Anton who was around 20 years old – he was really happy. They spent their days off through the mountains at Trysil, carving, doing jumps, perfecting skills.

The 15 year old was in his element and just didn’t want the days to stop.

The younger two met their lovely instructor Cecilia and were immediately put at ease.

The Scandinavian teaching method is all about learning with joy. There’s real kindness, patience and happiness in the lessons here.

The 12 and 10 year olds loved their lessons, doing small jumps, focussing on their technique, improving, growing in confidence.

On day two they both came to me to suggest, strongly, we ski here every year. With the same instructor. They loved her and loved the ski lessons and couldn’t wait to go off each morning.

What more can you ask from ski lessons for children?!

Other activities – A week skiing in Trysil, Norway with kids

We weren’t just skiing in Trysil though.

Husky dogs in Trysil

One of the absolute best things we did was take a trip to the outskirts of the town to Mountain King Husky Park. Here some of the best looked after huskies I’ve seen were waiting energetically to greet us.

They were such sweet dogs. Eager and full of energy but not aggressive in any way.

We split into two groups and took one of their eight kilometre trips out across the Norwegian countryside. It was such a wonderful experience.

My first time driving the sledge as we whooshed out and across the landscape, twisting and turning smoothly amongst the trees and with the Trysilfjellet mountain ever-present.

This was one of those life-affirming moments that make you feel alive and happy and to remember how beautiful the world is.

Half way through the trip we got to switch drivers and I’m so pleased the 15 year old got to have a go at mushing his own husky sled.

He was nervous to try but soon got the hang of it. Using the brake to slow it down when he needed to and allowing it to fly the rest of the time. He loved it and for all of us it will be one of those experiences we’ll never forget.

Activities at the Radisson Blu Trysil

Staying at the Radisson Blu Resort there were plenty of activities to enjoy here too.

The swimming pool for a start was a big hit with all the family. Warm water and with a climbing wall at one end which you can climb and fall back in to the water from the top from. This was great fun.

There was also a bowling alley and American themed diner in the resort and we spent a really fun evening playing on our own lane. Bowling, being competitive, having a great time. We really enjoyed this.

Valle – the ski mascot in Trysil

SkiStar who run the resort have their own mascot, a snowman called Valle. We loved seeing him pop up in the lobby of the hotel, at breakfast and even skiing down the slopes.

The 10 year old in particular loved Valle and the hotel also had fun meet and greet events with him and a cinema night with popcorn and fizzy drinks.

He’s a fun character and lots of the children’s areas around Trysil are themed around him.

In fact there are plenty of kids areas from a forest full of characters to spot to a fun, small jump area (which the ten year old decided he loved). It was fantastic for younger children to enjoy.

There was so much great skiing around Trysil and they organise some special events too from an early morning ski for experienced skiers in the Høgegga area complete with a special breakfast through to night skiing three days a week.

Night skiing – A week skiing in Trysil, Norway with kids

The children particularly loved the night skiing. A family friendly opportunity to come together and ski through the lit slopes and the forest areas which were glowing with the changing lights.

The kids didn’t want to come in until the lifts stopped.

Trysil town

We explored a little around Trysil. Taking the ski bus down to the man centre to enjoy the shops and a chance to pick up some hot chocolate.

It was lovely to walk through the town and see the houses and church in the older part. How life here would have been for so long.

This is certainly not a manufactured resort, it has real community and soul.

The children enjoyed time out in the snow too, sledging, playing in the big piles around the hotel.

They loved picking up the little sledges in the town which are free for anyone to use and perfect for getting around with.

Trysil is one of those ski resorts you absolutely could come back to year after year. There’s so much there to enjoy and to do and with fantastic, family friendly skiing there’s something for everyone.

SkiStar in Trysil

SkiStar run Trysil (along with a number of other resorts across Scandinavia) and are committed to ensuring the resort is as eco friendly as possible. This isn’t just lip service either, they are working tirelessly to keep striving for better (you can read more here). From increasing their recycling efforts through to finding more sustainable ways to produce snow if they need it. They have been recognised for their environmental efforts with a quality mark that is assessed regularly to ensure they continue to meet their objectives.

You can also visit Trysil in the summer, there are plenty of activities going on through the year and it’s the perfect location for a cycling holiday with kids for example.

If you are taking a winter trip like us, everything is bookable through skistar so your skis and passes along with accommodation are all easily organised together helping to make it an straightforward holiday. You can find out more through Skistar here.

We adore Norway, it’s a beautiful country with friendly people and the most stunning scenery. Our week skiing in Trysil was full of happiness, great family memories and some fantastic skiing. It’s a trip we will never forget.