Accommodation
Hemsedal is Norway’s answer to the Alps – a compact but genuinely testing ski area nicknamed the “Scandinavian Alps”, with steep pitches, a World Cup Super-G pedigree and a lively village geared towards families, freeriders and snowboarders alike. It suits intermediate-to-advanced skiers looking for real terrain without the price tag or crowds of the main Alpine resorts, while strong childcare and free skiing for under-7s make it easy for families too.
One of Norway‘s leading resorts, Hemsedal boasts some of the country’s most testing terrain and has been the site of a World Cup Super Giant Slalom. The village, which markets itself as “The Scandinavian Alps”, offers high-quality accommodation, facilities and ever-improving deals for families with young children. Hemsedal’s reputation for steeper, more technical skiing than most of Norway sets it apart from gentler resorts elsewhere in the country, and it has become a magnet for freeriders and snowboarders drawn by the terrain around Totten (1,497m) and the resort’s consistently good snow record for a relatively low-altitude area. The excellent Trollia Kindergarten takes children from 3 months old and provides free safety helmets for children, while children up to age 7 ski free – making Hemsedal one of the more family-friendly bases in Scandinavian skiing despite its harder-edged reputation among adult skiers.
Hemsedal’s ski area spans 48km of piste across 82 marked runs, served by 24 lifts including 6 chairlifts and 18 drag lifts. The terrain rises from a 640m base to a high point around Totten, and the resort is unusually compact and steep by Norwegian standards, which is precisely why it draws comparisons to the Alps. Three linked sectors – Tottenheis, Roggden and Solheisen – give a good spread of gradients, with Tottenheis home to the steepest and most technical pistes, including the World Cup Super-G course. Before you travel, browse our ski gear guides for kit recommendations suited to Scandinavian conditions, and check current ski holiday deals to Norway.
Hemsedal receives an average of around 350cm of snowfall per season, and with 53% of the ski area covered by snowmaking, conditions are kept reliable even in leaner years. The resort’s northern latitude compensates for its relatively modest altitude, and the core season from December through to April is generally snow-sure, with the longest run stretching 6km from top to base.
Lift passes are sold under the Vinterland / Winterland pass scheme covering Hemsedal.
Prices vary by date and demand, so it’s worth checking the official Hemsedal website for current rates and comparing ski holiday deals before booking.
Hemsedal’s ski schools cater well for all levels, with a particular focus on family-friendly instruction. The excellent Trollia Kindergarten takes children from as young as 3 months old and provides free safety helmets for young skiers, while structured lesson programmes help beginners and improvers progress on the resort’s varied terrain. Sort your equipment before you go with our gear guides, or hire locally from shops at the base of the lifts.
Hemsedal village offers high-quality accommodation ranging from hotels to self-catered cabins and apartments, with continually improving deals aimed at families. Options are concentrated close to the lift base, keeping ski-in/ski-out convenience within easy reach for most visitors.
With 17 restaurants and 14 bars in the village, Hemsedal has a solid range of dining and après-ski options for a resort of its size, from casual mountain cafes to more substantial Norwegian restaurants. The village atmosphere is relaxed and sociable, popular with the young Scandinavian crowd the resort attracts.
Hemsedal punches above its weight for families thanks to the excellent Trollia Kindergarten, which takes children from 3 months old and supplies free safety helmets. Children up to age 7 ski free, and the resort’s compact layout keeps logistics simple for parents managing young skiers alongside more advanced family members tackling the steeper Tottenheis pistes. See our family ski holiday guide for more tips on choosing the right resort and accommodation for your family.
The nearest international airport is Oslo Gardermoen, around 240km away, with a transfer of roughly 3–3.5 hours by road. Regular buses and shuttle services also connect Hemsedal with Oslo, making it accessible without a hire car. The resort’s enhanced website features a webcam pointing at the slopes, updated three times daily, useful for checking conditions before you travel.
Hemsedal’s nickname, the “Scandinavian Alps”, is well earned – this is genuinely testing terrain by Norwegian standards, with a World Cup Super-G pedigree and enough steep, technical skiing to satisfy advanced skiers and freeriders. Combine that with a family-friendly ethos, excellent childcare from 3 months old and free skiing for under-7s, and Hemsedal manages to be both a serious skiers’ resort and a genuinely easy option for family groups. It won’t match the scale of the Alps, but for a Scandinavian ski trip with real character, it’s hard to beat.
Hemsedal has nursery slopes and beginner-friendly areas, but it’s best known for its steeper, more testing terrain, so intermediate and advanced skiers get the most from a visit.
The nearest airport is Oslo Gardermoen, around 240km away, roughly a 3–3.5 hour transfer by road or bus.
Yes – the Trollia Kindergarten takes children from 3 months old, provides free helmets, and children up to age 7 ski free.
Hemsedal averages around 350cm of snowfall per season, with 53% snowmaking coverage helping maintain reliable conditions through the winter.
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