Celebrate Christmas in Norway
A traditional Norwegian Christmas
Join us and celebrate Christmas in Norway
At Venabu Fjellhotell we celebrate Christmas as a traditional Norwegian family would. Outside it is snowy and there are winter activities to enjoy such as cross country skiing, horse drawn sleigh rides and dogsledding. Inside there is a roaring fire, a welcoming atmosphere and good food. Whether you are a couple, a family or a solo traveller you can be sure of a warm and festive welcome at Venabu.
Venabu is situated up in the mountains at approximately 950m asl. We are surrounded by a superb cross country ski area with a good snow reacord. Over Christmas and New Year we offer our Classic Cross Country Skiing Holiday and we have hotel and cabin guests who come to enjoy the festivities. Whatever kind of Christmas holiday you prefer: being active or taking time to relax, you can enjoy a Norwegian Christmas with us.
Christmas Eve
Christmas in Norway is celebrated on Christmas Eve. After a morning of skiing, or being cosy by the fire, the festivities begin.
Christmas starts on the afternoon of Christmas Eve with a service and Christmas music in the nearby mountain chapel. Before dinner we gather for a glass of sherry in the lounge. We serve a 3 course dinner of traditional Norwegian Christmas food including the special “Pinnekjøtt” lamb ribs and accompaniments from the local area. This is all followed by the Tvete family’s special Christmas dessert.
After dinner we gather in the lounge again for a telling of the Christmas story followed by music, singing and dancing around the Christmas tree. We host a friendly and inclusive evening and Father Christmas, or the “Julenisse”, makes a visit. The evening is rounded off with a light supper of fruit and nuts.
During the whole of Christmas week we have a special programme of activities. Find out what you can include in your holiday at Venabu.
A Norwegian Christmas with plenty of activities to choose from
- Venabu’s Classic Cross Country Ski Holiday
- Horse drawn sleigh rides
- Horseriding tours for young children
- Dog sledding
- Guided snowshoe tour to the dramatic icefall of Myfallet
- Cross country ski lessons
- Tobogganing next to the hotel
- Yoga classes
- Christmas Eve service with Chrisitmas music in the nearby mountain chapel
- New Year’s concert in the mountain chapel
Delicious food
Venabu takes great pride in serving delicious, good food. At Christmas, traditional Norwegian Christmas dishes are served, as well as lighter dishes. Vegetarians are, of course, welcome and we offer a good vegetarian menu.
We like to share our local food traditions and stories with our guests and many of our dishes are local specialities from Gudbrandsdalen. As part of our food philosophy we use locally sourced ingredients and local suppliers where ever possible.
Every Wednesday, including Christmas week, we invite you to “A taste of Norwegian tradition” – our popular 3-course dinner with traditional flavours and storytelling.
During December, as Christmas approaches, we offer “Julebord” weekends with a traditional rakfisk dinner on the Friday night and a five course pre-Christmas menu on the Saturday evening.
Travel to Venabu
It is easy to get to Venabu by car and public transport from Oslo and Trondheim. Venabu is a easy three and a half hours north from Oslo. Travel by public transport is also straightforward and we offer minibus transfers from Ringebu to connect with public transport.
Every week during the winter season, Venabu runs a direct bus from Oslo Gardermoen airport.
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“A piece of paradise”
“A piece of paradise, I wish I lived here. Thank you so much I will be back!!”
Beata (UK)
“Wonderful time”
“Thank you for providing us with a wonderful time and such happy memories.”
Martin and Annie (UK)
“Wonderful visit”
“Thank you to everyone at Venabu for yet another wonderful visit …. We will return!!”
Anne and Chris (UK)
“A special place!”
“Thanks for the wonderful stay. Food delicious, rooms great and good entertainment.”
Janet (USA)