Bringing ski flights to Norway

– At Norway Home of Skiing (NHOS), we have been working to promote Norwegian alpine destinations for many years, and there is no doubt that interest in Norway is strong and growing. Norwegian alpine destinations are more than competitive with other European destinations both when it comes to price and quality, says NHOS CEO, Trevor De Villiers.

Selling Norway with pride

Avinor and NHOS will now work strategically to market Norwegian alpine skiing in targeted markets where skiing is in high demand.

– Together with NHOS, we see a significant, untapped potential in promoting the Norwegian winter and alpine skiing to tourists in Europe and the American East Coast. Norwegian destinations have been revolutionized over the past few decades. They are no longer small ski lifts with limited restaurants in the resorts. They are large, well-developed resorts with all modern facilities. We need to tell the world, because this is Europe’s best kept secret, says Joachim Westher Andersen, Senior Director Hub Development at Oslo Airport.

Not worried about competition from the more established markets

– For most people, Norwegian slopes are sufficiently long and steep. Not everyone is born with skis on their feet, as we tend to say about ourselves in Norway. Moreover, Norwegian alpine destinations have become more than just skiing. They utilize the entire winter season, making them perfect places for families to visit. This is highly attractive in markets like the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and the UK—large markets where many people ski, but where knowledge about Norwegian mountains and alpine possibilities are limited. We need to drive demand. That is our mission, emphasizes Westher Andersen.

De Villiers and NHOS believe that systematic work with airlines, tour operators, and a strong presence at major and relevant events is crucial for their continued efforts with Avinor.

– At NHOS we have worked for many years to promote Norwegian alpine skiing to tour operators worldwide. And we are noticing that interest in Norway and the NHOS resorts is growing. When Avinor brings its relationships with airlines into the mix, we can accelerate this interest even further. I think this is a great example of how key players in Norway are working together towards a common goal: to increase market shares. Norwegian mountains and winters are second to none. Winter is in our DNA, and we will get this message out in the relevant markets," De Villiers emphasizes.

NHOS chairman, Roger Espeli, believes the partnership with Avinor will increase the chance of bringing more skiers to Norway

– We will be taking our business to another level of international success by bringing the strength of the two brands together, and by working in the international markets to bring even more guests to all NHOS destinations.

And what about the actual interest from airlines and tour operators?

– We are in the early stages of our work, but we can honestly say that the interest is significant. The most surprising thing is how little knowledge and awareness there is about the Norwegian winter and our alpine destinations among airlines. We are having many exciting conversations with several major airlines and have great confidence that this project will lead to more people choosing Norway over other alpine destinations in Europe, concludes Westher Andersen.

Norway Home of Skiing is an association of alpine destinations including Voss, Myrkdalen, Narvikfjellet, Norefjell, Gausta, Beitostølen, and Geilo.

In April, Avinor entered a similar partnership with Alpinco.