I loved visiting Norway.

But it was May.

Think hard about this.

I don’t think people understand, in December during Christmas (so right after the winter solstice), it’s around 5-6 hours of daylight, and that’s not full daylight (which is more like 4, 4 HOURS A DAY). So if you can handle thatm why not?!

I am not joking, it’s really weird with very little sunlight.

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/norway/oslo?month=12

short days in the winter...

Anonymous wrote:If you can deal with cold and dark, Norway really is gorgeous at Christmas-time, but it is even more gorgeous in the summer when it is light out until 11 pm or so

We went in the summer and it was light out until about 2 or 3am.

I lived in Norway as a kid and have great memories of Christmas there. It does get dark by mid afternoon, and it is well, wintery. If you are a hearty soul, why not. Just bring the right clothes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They have the Ice Hotel in winter. That could be interesting.

I remember looking into this. It was...complicated. There may be more than one, but after research I was no longer interested.

It’s not that it is too cold and too dark. It’s that summer is so much better.

I’m interested in ideas to do in the winter. I live in the UK and it costs like 15 dollars to fly to Norway right now.

There is a reason why it is only "like 15 dollars" in the winter.

Anonymous wrote:They have the Ice Hotel in winter. That could be interesting.

I remember looking into this. It was...complicated. There may be more than one, but after research I was no longer interested.

It’s not that it is too cold and too dark. It’s that summer is so much better.

I’m interested in ideas to do in the winter. I live in the UK and it costs like 15 dollars to fly to Norway right now.

Don't listen to these wimps about the cold and darkness. Embrace it with an adventurous attitude and you'll be happy and fine. Everyone uses light boxes, etc., in the winter. Lots to do. Have fun! Unlike the natives, you don't have to live there and won't be there long enough to get depressed, lol...

They have the Ice Hotel in winter. That could be interesting.

I’m not sure you can see the fjords in December. Someone correct me if I’m wrong. We went in late summer, and the season was already done.

But maybe there are a few touristy ferries that run during winter?

Not quite your question but I am considering a Finland trip in the winter and visiting the artic circle to see the lights and also visit Santa. They have very similar weather. I would not be deterred by the temps and the darkness.

I really wish we could go in summer but it's not really feasible so we were thinking about a Christmas trip to whet the appetite so to say. Our kids are teens/college age and of Norwegian heritage.

If you can deal with cold and dark, Norway really is gorgeous at Christmas-time, but it is even more gorgeous in the summer when it is light out until 11 pm or so

I strongly reccomend norway in summer. I think this is pretty obvious, but Norway is dark and cold and snows a lot in winter. You have to go way up into northern Norway to maybe catch the northern lights, and December is not the best month.

That being said Norwegians know how to survive these winters and there’s plenty to do. They love skiing. Lots of cross country. You can go on a sleigh ride. Lillehammer is nice in the winter. You can bobsled.

It’s just better in the summer.

Has anyone spent Christmas in Norway? Would you recommend it and if so, what should we not miss?