krs24

Hi my names kris, I'm 19 years old and I'm from Australia, I want to go to Norway in 2017 and needing someone to go with or meet over there, I'm easy going an easy to get along with and happy to do whatever I have never been outside Australia nor have I seen snow before so will be a real good experience, please message back if your interested in chatting and possibly meeting me in Norway, might be a long shot but surely there's someone out there

sparkchaser

You might have better luck on Lonely Planet's Thorntree because most Fodorites are old enough for you to be their grandkid.

krs24

Haha no worries thank you

nytraveler

Strongly reco that you look locally as well as online to find a companion. This can be a very dicely proposition and it's much better if it's someone you have met and spent time with so you can determine some of the many potential causes of conflict in traveling with someone you don't know well:

Early bird or night owl
Budget and attitude towards spending
Free spirit versus dependent (once got stuck on a trip to London and Paris with a young woman who would not leave the hotel room by herself and then still terrified of being alone even for a moment. After 3 days I gave up and got my own room - have no idea what she did after that.)
Party hardy dragging strangers back to the room at night or enjoying a little privacy

krs24

Thanks for your advice will definitely take that into consideration

BigRuss

<<You might have better luck on Lonely Planet's Thorntree because most Fodorites are old enough for you to be their grandkid.>>

Speak for yourself, sparky, I'm only old enough to be his pop.

Loacker

You don't have to look for a travel companion. If you stay in a hostel, you will get to meet many travellers your age.

Also, try Tinder. It's a dating app but a good way to meet people while abroad.

BigRuss

I will say this:

Why Norway? Norway is NOT an Alpine skiing destination. The Olympics splits skiing into "Alpine" and "Nordic" categories for a reason: the Scandinavians historically skied (and hunted from skis) for a purpose - transportation and navigation through their snow-swamped forests. Alpine skiing (aka downhill skiing) is a leisure activity. In Europe, prime Alpine skiing destinations are concentrated in . . . wait for it . . . the Alps!

If you're an Aussie on an austere budget who's really just going to go somewhere for a legitimate winter, why not go to Colorado (or Utah or Whistler, Canada or Reno/Lake Tahoe)? G-d knows it's great scenery there, it has TON(NE)S of people your age, the US is far less expensive than Norway, and the skiing in Colorado is far superior.

Plus, the American girls will like your incomprehensible speech patterns.

MmePerdu

Another occasion for suggesting Hospitalty Club hospitalityclub.org. Join now, it sometimes takes time to complete, it's free and you can contact people in your own age group who live at your destination, to contact in advance to meet, possibly stay with, all free. Much easier than hunting for a travel companion you may or may not enjoy.

Loacker

For skiing, I recommend the French Alps. Maybe split your way between Paris and an Alpine resort. You don't wanna travel all the way to Europe just to ski.

Norway is too dark and gloomy in winter. Also, very expensive. Many backpackers avoid it for that reason.

The Alps tend be sunnier and livelier.

krs24

Thanks all for your suggestions but I'm pretty set on going to Norway, Iv been researching it a lot lately and like the sounds of it, thanks though for your suggestions

Loacker

This generation is too hard to persuade :/

janisj

>>I'm pretty set on going to Norway, <<

Then you'd better save up a boat load of money . . . Norway is a very expensive destination - one of the most expensive in all of Europe.

artsnletters

Also look into couchsurfing.org. This is primarily a site for organizing a free place to stay with locals, but many members are also willing to meet for drinks or a meal or will take you around for the day, even if you're not staying with them. My son used this site to travel all around Europe, including Norway, and had wonderful experiences - met lots of local people and saw the side of countries that doesn't show its face to tourism, more "real" if you like.

artsnletters

I should also have added, it's frequented very heavily by young people. My son was 21-22 when he used the site and met lots of people around his own age.

krs24

Your not going to persuade me to go anywhere but Norway it's the country I want to visit so why not? Thanks a lot artsnletters very helpful

krs24

And money isn't a problem

sparkchaser

krs24, if you want to visit Norway then do it. Don't listen to the haters.

Couchsurfing is a good suggestion.

If you join Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree, this is the sub-forum you want: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntr...vel-companions

krs24

Thank you!!

Loacker

I wasn't trying to put you off Norway. It's a stunning country but one that is is best experienced in summer, when the days are long and "warm".
Winters are so gloomy and desolate most Norwegians flee to Thailand.

As a responsible Fodorite, it's my duty to ensure that my fellow travelers have the perfect holiday.