The climb to Saufjellet, Øksendalen behind

Little-Known Epic Ski Tours Around Sunndalsøra

The mountains around Sunndalsøra have some of Norway's longest - and best - ski descents.

Ski Touring Moderate, Difficult

Description

The mountains around Sunndalsøra are huge and stretch 1800 vertical metres from the fjord up to glaciated peaks. It is not as popular as Sunnmøre or Romsdalen, probably because it's a more concentrated area, but the skiing is some of the best in the country. Here you can enjoy the good stuff and be all alone in the mountains!

Sunndalsøra and its mountains has a long season which often starts in October and lasts until May. The combination of a coastal climate and elevated mountains often gives a lot of snow, which can provide blower powder days. The highest mountain in the area, Kongskrona, has an ice cap on its summit plateau, and a glacier descent with a reputation of being the Norwegian “Vallée Blanche”.

The area has two main valleys, Innerdalen and Øksendalen. Innerdalen is a bit more alpine with the glacier at Kongskrona and ridges where you can practice your rope work. Øksendalen is the valley of epic descents and deep powder snow, but also the legendary Trolltind-Åbittind-traverse which requires some alpine skills. A general characteristic of both valleys is that the ski tours have relatively long approaches, as these mountains contains some of the biggest vertical drops in the country! But this only means a huge payoff for the effort when going back down.

Sunndalsøra is a natural base located in the middle of the mountain range, only a 2 hour and 45 min drive from Trondheim. Here you have groceries, gas stations and accommodation. It is also possible to rent camping huts in Innerdalen at https://www.dronningkrona.no.

The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) has cabins in Innerdalen, Øksendalen and Sunndalen.