Narvik

Narvik combines alpine skiing with railway and cultural history, as well as experiences in the surrounding landscape. Narvik Ski Resort has 16 slopes and 6 lifts. Family-friendly slopes and a terrain park are part of the offering, along with alpine terrain and freeride opportunities. There are also views of the Ofotfjord; the resort is close to the town of Narvik. This gives you a clear basis for deciding whether winter sports should be the main focus of your stay or whether you would also like to plan visits to museums, train rides and hikes.

Skiing and scenery

The different features of the ski resort appeal to different interests: the slopes make up the alpine offering, the terrain park adds a distinct attraction, and freeride opportunities round out the description of the terrain. The family-friendly slopes are a practical point of reference for families. With 16 slopes and 6 lifts, Narvik Ski Resort gives you a clear overview of its alpine offering. When planning, you can weigh up winter sports alongside other activities in Narvik rather than infer specific accommodation features from what the resort offers.

Narvik also offers ways to experience the landscape beyond the ski area. Tøttadalen is one of the largest designated recreation areas in Narvik. It is home to Taraldsviktoppen, an easy mountain hike close to town, with views of Narvik, the fjord and the surrounding mountains. If you would like to include a hike in your trip, this offers a different way to experience the surroundings than the ski slopes. Nine areas in Narvik Municipality are protected under the Nature Conservation Act or the Nature Diversity Act.

Railway and excursions

The Ofoten Railway is part of the region’s history and remains a notable travel theme today. It was built to transport iron ore from the mines near Kiruna to Narvik’s ice-free port and opened in 1902. The railway was strategically important during the Battle of Narvik in 1940. Trains from Narvik Station run towards Kiruna, Luleå, Stockholm and Gothenburg in Sweden.

Another way to experience the railway landscape is aboard the Arctic Train, which runs along the Ofoten Line through Arctic scenery, with views of the Rombaksfjord, high mountains and waterfalls. The “Hike across Norway” day trip combines a train ride on the Ofoten Line with a hike along the historic Navvy Road. The return journey from Rombaksbotn is by boat and bus as part of the tour. The excursion brings together rail travel, hiking and a return journey using other forms of transport.

The Navvy Road was created in connection with railway construction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This historic construction road along the Ofoten Railway is now used by hikers and cyclists. This lets you distinguish between a mountain hike in Tøttadalen and a route connected with railway history, without treating the two experiences as the same.

Museums, history and your stay

The Narvik War Museum tells the story of the Battle of Narvik in April 1940 and the subsequent five-year German occupation. It is located in the centre of Narvik at Kongens gate 39. Narvik Museum focuses on the construction and operation of the Ofoten Railway and the journey of the iron ore from Kiruna to Narvik’s ice-free port. Slideshow presentations, models and films are among the ways the story is presented; a train ride in an authentic railcar is also offered. The grounds of Narvik Museum offer views of the harbour, LKAB’s shipping facilities and the town below.

At Brennholtet, there is an elk figure around 5,000 years old, carved into the rock. The rock carvings are protected under Norway’s Cultural Heritage Act of 1978. Brennholtet is about 1 km from the centre of Narvik and can be reached on foot in approximately 12 minutes. For a stay that includes history and local experiences as well as skiing, places like these add further themes to your picture of the town.

For information about the region, Narvik’s centrally located tourist information office offers maps, brochures, magazines and practical information. There are also various dining options, including cafés, bakeries, restaurants and pubs, as well as seafood and local flavours. The Arctic Sauna in Narvik harbour offers warmth and a sea swim. For comparison, you can also visit the town pages for Narvik and Ankenesstrand.

For the broader travel overview: Nordland.