Narvik – Skiing, Fjord and Railway History

The experiences vary in theme and format: Narvikfjellet focuses on skiing and fjord views, museums explore railway and wartime history, and trails lead into the mountains from the city.

Skiing at Narvikfjellet

Narvikfjellet is located in the city of Narvik, at the innermost end of the long Ofotfjord. The ski area has 16 downhill runs and 6 lifts, as well as extensive areas for lift-accessed freeriding and backcountry skiing. Facilities include family-friendly slopes, a terrain park, ski rental, and a ski school. So there are other ways to enjoy a day on the mountain besides downhill runs.

Skiing conditions range from illuminated slopes in December to continuous daylight in May. This is a distinctive seasonal difference to consider when planning days on the mountain. The summer cable car takes visitors to 656 meters above sea level; from the summit, panoramic views open up over the Ofotfjord, the city of Narvik, and the surrounding mountain landscape. Its current availability may change during construction work, so check before planning a visit.

Ofotbanen, ore transport, and the history of the city

The Narvik Museum covers the construction and operation of Ofotbanen, the long route taken by iron ore from Kiruna to Narvik’s ice-free port, and the city’s development over more than 100 years. Slide presentations, models, and films explore the topics in different formats; there is also a train ride in an authentic motor car. The museum park offers good views of the harbor and LKAB’s shipping facilities.

A ride on the Arctic Train offers a different focus: it travels from Narvik along Ofotbanen through fjord landscapes, past steep mountainsides and mighty waterfalls. Along the way, you can also see traces of the industrial and wartime history of Northern Norway. The museum experience focuses on the railway and its history, while the train ride combines scenery with historical traces along the route.

Rail travel is also an option for getting to Narvik. Narvik Station is on Ofotbanen, with train connections from there to Kiruna, Luleå, Stockholm, and Gothenburg in Sweden. As timetables and connections may change, check the operator’s current timetable before traveling.

Museums dedicated to wartime history

The Narvik War Museum covers the Battle of Narvik in April 1940 and the subsequent five years of German occupation. Original artifacts, interactive digital displays, texts, and photographs present the historical topics. The museum is in central Narvik, at Kongens gate 39. Its historical focus differs from that of the Narvik Museum: here, the focus is on the battle and the occupation, while the other museum also covers the railway, ore transport, and the city’s development.

Walking trails and mountain views

From central Narvik, visitors can reach the mountains in a short time and enjoy panoramic views of fjords, mountains, and Arctic landscapes. The outdoor recreation area in Tøttadalen has walking trails of varying difficulty. The nearby mountain hikes around Narvik range from easy to more challenging routes; many offer viewpoints. This lets you distinguish between walking trails in the outdoor recreation area and hikes with varying levels of difficulty, without treating the two as the same.

A fjord experience

The Arctic Sauna in Narvik’s harbor combines a city experience, warmth, and a fjord experience. It complements the mountain scenery at Narvikfjellet with a different connection to the water. When planning your days, you can choose between these different focuses—skiing and mountains, museums and railways, or an experience at the harbor—depending on what interests you most in Narvik.

Discover more destinations: Elvegard, Bjerkvik, Ankenesstrand

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