A Norwegian Easter

In Stein Eriksen's native Norway, Easter is an especially beloved holiday. Most Norwegians are given three days off of work, and all banks are shut down during those three days. The holiday is intensely reserved as a time for many to rest and spend time with family.

While Easter week is rooted in Christianity and the week tends to be marked by several religious events or services, it is also a time that Norwegians spend together with family. Easter Saturday is typically considered a 'rest day,' and most families get together to indulge in a large dinner. While there is no particular traditional Easter dish, roasted lamb is often a popular choice and is usually eaten with sides of potatoes and vegetables. Citrus fruit is also a typical Easter treat, and of course, the holiday would not be complete without lots and lots of chocolate. 

Easter in Norway is all about the color yellow. Dandelions and daffodils are some of the first flowers to bloom in Spring, and they can often be found adorning the Easter dinner table. In the weeks leading up to Easter, you will see yellow candles, napkins, and fluffy chick toys in shop windows and displayed throughout the town.

For many Norwegians, Easter also marks the last chance to get some skiing before the winter season's end. Whether downhill or cross-country, Norwegians can enjoy time outdoors and eat plenty of citrus fruits and chocolate.

Perhaps the strangest Easter tradition is the bizarre love for crime fiction during this festive period. From books to television series, Easter is a time to enjoy much of the crime fiction that has become popular in Scandanavia. Norwegian's love for crime fiction over Easter dates back to the Saturday before Easter in 1923. A publishing house paid for advertisements on the front page of several newspapers for their latest crime novel, leading many to mistake the advertisement for actual news. From that Easter on, every publishing house launched its new crime novels before Easter, and the tradition was born.

There are few things we look forward to more than holidays at Stein Eriksen Lodge, and Easter is no exception. Easter weekend is a time for family and endless fun, from the delectable family-style brunch at Glitretind Restaurant to afternoon laps at Deer Valley Resort.