The grass is turning greener, flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and temperatures are rising. Spring is in full swing! And with that, people are ready to emerge from winter’s cold and darkness to take advantage of the beautiful outdoors.
Although many think of spring as the gateway to summer, spring in Norway is treated as a special time with its own uniqueness and exciting offerings. Norwegians are not afraid of the cold, so when “cold” turns into “less cold,” they are outside, even before the frost melts.
A unique Norwegian tradition that invites many Norwegians outside is “utepils.” “Ute” means “outside” and “pils” is a pilsner, a type of pale lager beer. Although the translation seems self-explanatory, it has a deeper meaning that highlights Norwegian’s love for the outdoors. “It’s a celebration of the changing seasons and the beauty of nature.”
Springtime in Norway is also a great time to explore the fjords. The landscape awakens and the melting snow creates waterfalls that cascade down the mountainside into the fjord. A boat tour through Geirangerfjord is one activity that is particularly stunning this time of year.
Vårskiturer (spring skiing) is another activity that is quite common during the Norwegian spring. The days are warmer and sunnier—some even say you need to wear sunscreen and sunglasses to protect from sunbeams that reflect off the snow. A ski resort in the north, Narvikfjellet, is known for the ability to ski from the top of the mountain all the way down to the fjord – oftentimes until June!
There are so many good things that spring brings about in Norway. In fact, they even have a word for the cheer it brings – vårfølelse– which means “spring feeling.” It encompasses the feeling of hope you get at the sign of new life in nature or the warm sunlight on your skin. Spring feeling triggers serotonin and dopamine – the “happy hormones”—and who couldn’t use more happiness in their life? So, take a moment this spring to breathe in the fresh, crisp air and enjoy spring for all of its one-of-a-kind offerings.