If, like most Norwegians, you have an interest in skiing, a holiday in Morgedal is the perfect place for it. You can follow the same trails as the famous 19th-century skier Sondre Norheim. You can learn new and old skiing techniques or give snowboarding a try. In summer, you can explore the area thanks to its many cycle paths and hiking trails, or even go fishing in Lake Morgedalstjønni.
Morgedal is a small village in Telemark with a population of less than 1,300. The winters are cold and snowy, and the area has produced some of Norway's biggest names in skiing. Olav Bjaaland, part of Roald Amundsen’s expedition to the South Pole in 1911, also hailed from Morgedal. The torch for the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo was also lit in Morgedal.
A trip to Morgedal offers magnificent experiences in Norwegian nature. Visit Øverbø and Kleivjordet, and ski on the same slopes as the Norwegian skier, Sondre Norheim. Remember to visit Norsk skieventyr museum, situated alongside the E134, to learn more about the history of skiing and the Arctic. Grab a bite to eat at Innsvingen kafé, which serves hearty, home-made food.
Morgedal also offers courses to learn how to make your own wooden skis or you can buy a pair to hang on your wall as a souvenir. You can also learn to make flat bread from a traditional recipe. The village might be small, but the sense of community is strong and everyone contributes to a wonderful positive atmosphere for visitors to enjoy.
Morgedal is situated around 125 miles from Oslo and the journey takes around three hours. While there is a bus service, it is more practical to travel by car. The closest airport is in Sandefjord, from which the journey time is two hours and fifteen minutes.
A weekend trip to Morgedal provides you with the chance to experience the place where modern ski sports were born. Enjoy hours of fun on the ski or hiking trails and learn new tricks on the slopes.
