Sunnmøre Alps

The Sunnmøre Alps in Møre og Romsdal, western Norway, form one of the most striking ski touring regions in the world. What makes the range unique is its extreme vertical relief: peaks rise almost directly from sea level at the fjords, allowing continuous descents from high summits all the way to the shoreline.

Hjørundfjorden is the dramatic core of the area, a deep, narrow fjord hemmed in by mountains that drop straight into the water. The upper slopes hold snow well into spring and often into summer, creating a long, reliable ski season. This combination of sea-to-summit terrain and sustained snow cover has given the Sunnmøre Alps an international reputation among ski tourers and ski mountaineers.

The range is dense with classic objectives. Well-known peaks include Slogen (1,564 m), Kolåstinden, Saksa, Skårasalen, and many others, offering everything from moderate ridge tours to steep, committing lines that demand full ski mountaineering skills. The concentration of quality terrain is exceptional: it is possible to ski a different major peak every day for weeks without repeating a route. As a result, the Sunnmøre Alps are often mentioned alongside the Lofoten Islands and the Lyngen Alps as among Norway’s finest ski touring destinations.

The maritime climate brings heavy snowfall and a long season, with skiable conditions often stretching from November to June in good years. The same Atlantic systems that build the snowpack also bring rapid weather changes and strong winds, making careful route choice, avalanche assessment, and weather awareness essential.

Norangdal valley is one of the principal access corridors into the heart of the range. It is a narrow, steep-sided valley lined with towering peaks, providing approaches to some of the most celebrated tours in the Sunnmøre Alps. The valley road threads through scenery that feels almost unreal in its scale and steepness, even by Norwegian standards.

Access is relatively straightforward. Ålesund, the regional hub, has direct flights from Oslo and several European cities. From Ålesund, most ski touring bases and trailheads in the Sunnmøre Alps are reached by 1–2 hours of driving, depending on the objective. Ferries across Hjørundfjorden offer an alternative and particularly atmospheric way in, with boats passing beneath mountains that rise hundreds of metres straight from the water—an arrival that perfectly sets the tone for skiing in this extraordinary landscape.

Highlights

Peak map

18 ski touring peaks in Sunnmøre Alps

Practical Info