When and Where to Find Snow

Norway is among the snowiest countries in Europe, particularly in the mountain regions and the far north. The main winter season runs from December to March, though snow often arrives as early as November and can last until May or beyond.

  • High mountains retain snow until June, while Troms, Finnmark, and Svalbard often see snow from October to late spring.
  • Svalbard offers snow and ice almost year-round in the glaciers, making it a unique choice for productions seeking Arctic conditions.

Regional differences are significant:

  • Inland regions such as Trøndelag, Hedmark, and Gudbrandsdalen feature cold, dry winters with stable snow, ideal for filming continuity.
  • The fjords along the Western coast have milder coastal climates, but their mountain ranges provide dependable snow just a short drive inland.
  • Northern Norway, especially Troms and Finnmark, is renowned for heavy snowfall, Arctic light and dramatic snowstorms — perfect for cinematic winter scenes.

Snowy towns and cities like Røros, Lillehammer, and Trondheim offer authentic urban winter settings with architecture of various epochs. Røros, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its preserved wooden architecture and long, snowy winters. It was featured in the Netflix series Home for Christmas and several other productions.

Winter view of the UNESCO World Heritage town of Røros, Norway, with colorful wooden houses and snow-covered rooftops under a clear blue sky.
Røros in winter – The UNESCO World Heritage town of Røros is known for its colorful wooden houses, historic mining heritage, and long, snow-filled winters. Its preserved 17th-century architecture and atmospheric streets make it one of Norway’s most cinematic winter locations. Photo by Sven-Erik Knoff / Visit Norway

Glaciers and High-Altitude Snow

Norway’s glaciers and high mountain passes ensure snow is available well beyond the regular season. Locations such as Jostedalsbreen, Galdhøppigen and Folgefonna provide year-round access to snow and ice, even during summer months. These locations offer unmatched flexibility for productions requiring consistent winter conditions outside the typical winter season.

Snow-covered landscape at Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Centre in Jotunheimen, Norway, with surrounding mountains and clear blue sky.
Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Centre, Jotunheimen – Located near Norway’s highest mountain, Galdhøpiggen, this ski centre offers access to snow year-round. The area’s high altitude and glacier conditions make it possible to ski and film in consistent snow even during summer months. Photo by Galdhøpiggen Summer Ski Centre.
Briksdalsbreen Glacier in Jostedalsbreen National Park, Norway, showing crevasses and blue ice with a group of people walking across the glacier.
Briksdalsbreen Glacier, Jostedalsbreen National Park – Briksdalsbreen is one of several outlet glaciers from the Jostedalsbreen ice cap in Western Norway. The glacier is accessible year-round and is known for its crevasses and blue ice formations.

Ski Resorts and Accessibility

Norway’s many ski resorts and mountain destinations are not only snow-reliable but also well-equipped for film crews. Destinations such as Trysil, Hemsedal, and Voss combine:

  • Consistent snow security
  • Accommodation and infrastructure for crews
  • Proximity to major airports and European hubs such as London.
Myrkdalen Ski Resort near Voss, Norway, showing snow-covered slopes, ski lifts, and surrounding mountain landscape under a cloudy sky.
Myrkdalen Ski Resort – Located near Voss, Myrkdalen is one of Norway’s most snow-reliable ski destinations, with a long winter season and extensive facilities for visitors and winter sports.
Voss train station in Western Norway in winter, with passengers walking beside the Bergen Line train and snow-covered mountains in the background.
Voss Station – The Bergen Line (Bergensbanen) connects Voss with Bergen and Oslo, providing easy access to major ski resorts and winter destinations in the region. The train journey offers direct, year-round transport through scenic mountain landscapes.
For Hjem til jul (Home for Christmas), DesignIce Norway brought real snow to the historic town of Røros — transforming its colorful wooden streets into a winter wonderland. Even in mild weather, the team delivered and spread tons of natural snow to recreate the feeling of a true Norwegian Christmas.

DesignIce makes real snow and ice possible year-round

DesignIce Norway is a company based in Eastern Norway that harvests natural ice from frozen lakes and creates authentic snow environments for film productions across Norway.

They deliver real snow for productions, even in +18°C.

Featured in James Bond: No Time to Die, Netflix's Home for Christmas and NRK’s latest Christmas series.

The image shows snow setup for Home for Christmas. To ensure consistent winter conditions during filming, real snow was used in several scenes of the Netflix series. The snow was harvested and transported by DesignIce.

Useful information for productions

Winter season

December–March (longer in mountains and the north)

Snow reliability

Higher altitude = more snow security (above 800–1000 m)

Extended snow access

Glaciers and Svalbard offer snow well into summer

Accessible resorts

Trysil, Hemsedal, Voss, Geilo

Lighting conditions

Arctic twilight, blue hour, and northern lights provide unique visuals

Travel

Short flights from major European cities (e.g. London, Amsterdam, Berlin)

Weather updates

yr.no for accurate forecasts and live snow maps from SeNorge.no

Average annual snowfall

~171 cm nationwide

Did you know?

Norway has provided snowy backdrops for major Hollywood films. The Rauma Line railway in Western Norway appeared in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, where the stunning, snow-covered landscape doubled for the journey to Hogwarts.
Discover Norway through 10 famous films

The Rauma Railway, Western Norway – The Rauma Line runs between Dombås and Åndalsnes, passing through some of Norway’s most dramatic mountain landscapes. In winter, the route offers views of snow-covered peaks such as Trollveggen (the Troll Wall) and Romsdalen Valley. Sections of the railway were featured in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
The Rauma Railway train traveling through the snowy Romsdalen Valley in Western Norway, surrounded by steep mountains including Trollveggen. Photo by SJ Norge

Filming Highlights and Atmosphere

Light and mood
The blue hour, northern lights, and soft Arctic twilight create cinematic visual tones.

Variety
Norway offers everything from urban snow in Oslo and Trondheim to remote Arctic vistas in Svalbard.

Local expertise
Experienced Norwegian film crews are skilled in winter production logistics and cold-weather equipment.

Infrastructure
Reliable roads, power supply, and accommodation even in remote regions make filming in Norway practical year-round.

Snow-covered landscape near Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway, in late April, with mountains and the Arctic Ocean in the background.
Svalbard, Arctic Norway – View over the snow-covered landscape near Longyearbyen in late April. Svalbard experiences snow and ice for most of the year, offering Arctic conditions suitable for filming well beyond the mainland winter season. Photo by Norwegian Film Commission
Winter view of Geilo, Norway, with snow-covered houses and illuminated ski slopes in the background during evening light.
Geilo, Eastern Norway – Geilo is one of Norway’s oldest mountain resorts, located between Oslo and Bergen. The town offers reliable snow conditions throughout winter, with ski slopes, accommodations, and infrastructure suitable for film productions.