Winter in Hemsedal

Hemsedal, also known as The Scandinavian Alps, is one of the best ski resorts in Northern Europe. The resort has in total 24 lifts and 48 slopes.

Alpine skiing and snowboarding

Hemsedal has two ski centers; Hemsedal Ski Resort and Solheisen Skisenter. Hemsedal Ski Resort offers skiing at all levels, from first time skiers to advanced skiing. Snow conditions are stable and very good from November to May every year thanks to Hemsedal’s location in the mountains halfway between Oslo and Bergen.

Here you can enjoy variable skiing – the ski resort offers 24 lifts and 48 slopes with different levels of difficulty, from very easy green slopes, to difficult black ones.

There are two terrain parks, one easy blue and one intermediate red. Both are well-known among snowboarders and ski enthusiasts all over the world.

Be the first to ski in nicely groomed slopes or in powder snow – go early morning skiing down three different slopes every Saturday from mid-February to the end of March. You can also enjoy evening skiing in 9 flood-lit slopes from the beginning of December to end of March.

Not far from Hemsedal Ski Resort (approximately 10 kilometers), in the Grøndalen Valley, you will find the smaller ski center called Solheisen Skisenter. Solheisen has 3 lifts and 6 slopes, and is a perfect place for those who want somewhere quieter.

For the children

The children’s area at Hemsedal Ski Resort is the largest in Norway. This is the perfect place for the little ones to take their first turns or for beginners who want an easy start. Situated in the children’s area, you can also find the activity park Lynx Land where children can play in the snow, go tobogganing and try the carousel. In addition to this, there is the Foxnest indoor nursery (baby sits children from 6 months of age). This offer is a perfect opportunity for parents who want to enjoy a couple of hours alone in the slopes taking a break from parenting.

Ski passes

The ski pass for Hemsedal includes both Hemsedal Ski Resort and Solheisen Skisenter. Book online and get discount and night skiing for free. Children 0 – 6 years ski for free when using helmet.

In Hemsedal you must buy a Ski*Direct card for all lift passes. The price is NOK 45 and the pass can be reused the next time you are in Hemsedal or at any of the other Skistar destinations.

Price examples (when you book online)

	Children/youths 7 – 15 years:	Adults 16 – 61 years:
1 day	NOK 285	NOK 345
4 days	NOK 995	NOK 1,215
7 days	NOK 1,305	NOK 1,580
Weekend (Friday evening + Saturday + Sunday)	NOK 490	NOK 610

Ski hire

Newly prepared equipment also gives you added ski enjoyment. The ski rental in Hemsedal offers snowboards, alpine skis, cross-country skis and telemark skis.

You can book and pay for the equipment online at Hemsedal Ski Shop and Skistar Hemsedal, so when you arrive in Hemsedal, you only have to pick up your gear before hitting the ski slopes.

Price example: Complete alpine carving equipment 16+ years from NOK 250 per day.

Ski school

Use your ski holiday to improve your skiing skills. Become a better skier and have more fun. Choose between two ski schools; Hemsedal Ski School or Sk’Esy.

Cross-country skiing

If you want to go cross-country skiing in Hemsedal, you can enjoy 120 kilometers of groomed cross-country tracks and 80 kilometers of mountain tracks in beautiful surroundings.

At Ulsåkstølen, by the track “Helsingvatn rundt”, and the Flævasshytta Cabin(open from week 7), by the track “Beihovdløypa”, you can have a break and enjoy something hot to drink and a waffle.

Free skiing/off-piste skiing

Hemsedal is also well-known for its free skiing/off-piste skiing, for example at Gummiskogen and Reidarskaret. You can join a guided tour with for example Norske Opplevelser or Norgesguidene, and learn more about free skiing/off-piste skiing and safety with a local guide to get the most out of it.

You must always remember to consider the avalanche risk and wear proper equipment when free skiing/off-piste skiing. If you do not know the area; always ski together with someone else who knows it or hire a guide.

Free skiing/off-piste skiing is always at your own risk and responsibility. Skiing outside the groomed pistes of Hemsedal Ski Resort and Solheisen Skisenter is also considered free skiing/off-piste skiing and at your own risk.

Winter without skis

Besides skiing, there are plenty of other things to do in Hemsedal. Some of the most popular activities during the winter are for instance:

• Dog sledding with Hemsedal Huskies
• Winter via ferrata (climbing route) with Norske Opplevelser
• Snowshoeing with Norske Opplevelser
• Ice climbing with Norske Opplevelser, Leslie Ayres or Norgesguidene
• Sledding with Norske Opplevelser

Where to stay

When it comes to accommodation, there are plenty of places to stay in Hemsedal. Enjoy ski in/ski out, for example at Skartsnuten Apartments or Veslestølen Cabins, or choose among cozy apartments and cabins a little bit outside the ski resort, for example Veslehorn Apartments or Hemsedal Hytte og Feriepark.

There is a free-of-charge ski bus service that connects the accommodation areas and the slopes.

Dining and nightlife

In addition to skiing and other winter activities, there are many good restaurants in Hemsedal with well-known traditional kitchens serving dishes using local food.

After a day’s skiing you should experience fun après-ski at Hemsedal Café, Skistua and Garasjen. Later you can dance or just have something to drink at Fjellbekk Nightclub at Skogstad Hotell, Hemsen Nightclub and Bar[t].

Source: VisitNorway