Resort Guide

Quick Answer 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. Quick Resort Facts Altitude: from 640m base Piste length: 48km across 82 marked runs Lifts: 24 (6 chairlifts, 18 drag lifts) Nearest airport: Oslo Gardermoen (240km) Season: late November to May Ski pass area: Vinterland / Winterland Best For / Not For Best for: intermediate-to-advanced skiers, freeriders and families wanting genuinely testing Norwegian terrain, strong childcare and free skiing for under-7s. It also suits skiers wanting to combine genuine challenge with a manageable, easy-to-navigate ski area. Not for: those wanting a huge, sprawling ski area, since Hemsedal's 48km is modest by Alpine standards, or visitors on a tight budget given Norway's generally higher cost of living. Overview Hemsedal sits in the Buskerud region of Norway, and has earned a reputation as the country's most testing ski area, nicknamed the "Scandinavian Alps" for its steep pitches and genuine technical terrain. The resort has hosted a World Cup Super Giant Slalom, giving it a racing pedigree that belies its relatively compact size. Jump to: Ski Area · Skiing by Ability · Snow Reliability · Lift Passes · Getting There · FAQs Hemsedal has also long been a hub for Norwegian snowboarding and freeriding culture, with terrain parks and steep sidecountry drawing riders from across Scandinavia alongside its family-friendly reputation. The village itself sits directly below the slopes, making it easy to walk between accommodation, restaurants and the lifts without needing a car once you've arrived. The Ski Area Hemsedal covers 48km of piste across 82 marked runs from a base of 640m, served by 24 lifts, 6 chairlifts and 18 drag lifts. The ski area is split across three sectors: gentle nursery slopes at village level and in Solheisen for beginners, and the steeper Tottenheis sector, home to the resort's World Cup Super-G run and its most serious technical terrain. A network of chairlifts and drag lifts connects the three sectors efficiently, and despite the resort's modest lift count, queues are rarely a significant issue outside the busiest Norwegian and Danish school holiday weeks. Despite its compact size, Hemsedal's varied sectors and genuine pitch make it feel more substantial than its piste length alone might suggest, particularly for visitors used to gentler Scandinavian resorts. Skiing by Ability Beginners Gentle nursery slopes at village level and in the Solheisen sector give beginners a confidence-building start, with ski school groups well catered for. Intermediates The bulk of Hemsedal's pistes suit confident intermediates, with long, well-groomed reds threading between the three sectors. Advanced & Expert This is where Hemsedal earns its "Scandinavian Alps" nickname: the Tottenheis sector offers genuinely steep, technical pistes, including the run used for a World Cup Super Giant Slalom, plus off-piste bowls and couloirs for those willing to hike. Freestylers & Freeriders Guided off-piste tours are available for visitors wanting to explore Hemsedal's more serious terrain safely and with local knowledge. Hemsedal has long been a hub for Norwegian snowboarding and freeriding, with terrain parks, natural hits and steep sidecountry that attract riders from across Scandinavia. Snow Reliability & Best Time to Go Hemsedal benefits from good snow reliability thanks to a combination of snowmaking and its northern latitude, with a season typically running from late November to May. December through February bring the coldest, most reliable conditions, while March and April offer longer days with generally good cover still remaining on the upper mountain. Given its relatively low base altitude for Norway, checking recent conditions before a late-season trip is worthwhile, particularly in warmer years. Lift Passes Lift passes cover the Vinterland/Winterland ski area, with day and multi-day options both available; children up to age 7 ski free. Adult day pass: from around 460 NOK Adult 6-day pass: from around 2,110 NOK Child day pass: from around 370 NOK Child 6-day pass: from around 1,680 NOK Children up to age 7 ski free Ski School & Ski Hire Hemsedal's ski school offers group and private lessons for all abilities, with strong family and children's facilities including the Trollia Kindergarten. Rental equipment is widely available in the village. English-language instruction is generally available, reflecting the resort's popularity with visitors from across Scandinavia and further afield. Accommodation Hemsedal offers a range of cabins, apartments and hotels spread through the village and surrounding area, most geared towards families and self-catering groups, reflecting the resort's Scandinavian holiday-home culture. Booking well ahead is advisable during the Norwegian winter school holiday (vinterferie) period, when domestic demand is at its highest. Food & Après-Ski Hemsedal has a lively village with a strong choice of bars and restaurants for a Norwegian resort, giving it a more sociable après-ski scene than some quieter Scandinavian alternatives. Self-catering remains common given the resort's cabin-heavy accommodation, with a supermarket in the village making it easy to cook rather than eat out every night. Families & Non-Ski Activities Hemsedal is particularly well set up for families, with the Trollia Kindergarten, free skiing for under-7s, and gentle beginner terrain alongside the resort's steeper, more testing sectors. Beyond skiing, the village offers snowshoeing and other winter activities suited to non-skiers or rest days during a longer stay. Getting There from the UK Most UK visitors fly into Oslo Gardermoen and drive around three to three and a half hours to Hemsedal, with a hire car generally recommended given the resort's rural location. Direct flights to Oslo from several UK airports keep journey times relatively short, even accounting for the onward drive. Practical Checklist Altitude: from 640m base Piste length: 48km / 82 runs Lifts: 24 Nearest airport: Oslo Gardermoen (240km) Season: late November to May Best for: intermediate-advanced skiers, freeriders, families with young children Pros & Cons Pros Some of the steepest, most testing terrain in Norway Excellent family facilities including the Trollia Kindergarten Children up to age 7 ski free Good snow reliability thanks to snowmaking and northern latitude Lively village with a strong choice of bars and restaurants Cons Relatively long transfer from Oslo Gardermoen (around 3-3.5 hours) Compact ski area compared with major Alpine resorts Norway's higher cost of living can make food and drink pricier than the Alps InTheSnow Verdict Hemsedal punches well above its size, offering genuinely steep, technical terrain rarely found elsewhere in Scandinavia, alongside excellent family facilities and a lively village atmosphere. It won't match the scale of a major Alpine resort, but for skiers wanting real Norwegian terrain without the crowds, or families wanting strong childcare and free skiing for young children, it's one of the country's best all-rounders. Its combination of genuine challenge and strong family infrastructure makes it a particularly good choice for mixed-ability groups travelling together. FAQs Is Hemsedal good for beginners? Yes, gentle nursery slopes at village level and in the Solheisen sector give beginners a confidence-building start, though the resort's reputation is built on its more testing terrain. Ski school meeting points are conveniently close to the village, minimising early-morning hassle for parents. How do I get to Hemsedal? Most UK visitors fly into Oslo Gardermoen and drive around three to three and a half hours to reach the resort. Is Hemsedal good for families? Yes, Hemsedal has excellent family facilities including the Trollia Kindergarten, and children up to age 7 ski free. What is Hemsedal's snow record like? Hemsedal benefits from good snow reliability thanks to a combination of snowmaking and its northern latitude, with a season typically running from late November to May. Snowmaking helps supplement natural snowfall, particularly at the start and end of the season. Useful Official Links Official Hemsedal website Back to Resort Guide

Resort Guide

Discover amazing ski resorts.

The most comprehensive database of ski resorts

Europe Resorts

Adelboden

Alpe d’Huez

Alta Badia

Andermatt

Åre

Arosa

Avoriaz

Bad Gastein

North America Resorts

Alta

Aspen

Banff and Lake Louise

Banff Sunshine

Beaver Creek

Big Sky

Big White Ski Resort

Breckenridge

Asia Resorts

Appi Kogen

Furano

Naeba

Niseko

Nozawa Onsen

Oceania Resorts

Mount Ruapehu

Perisher

Thredbo

South America Resorts

Portillo

Valle Nevado

Resort Guide

Discover amazing ski resorts.

Europe Resorts

Adelboden

Alpe d’Huez

Alta Badia

Andermatt

Åre

Arosa

Avoriaz

Bad Gastein

North America Resorts

Alta

Aspen

Banff and Lake Louise

Banff Sunshine

Beaver Creek

Big Sky

Big White Ski Resort

Breckenridge

Asia Resorts

Appi Kogen

Furano

Naeba

Niseko

Nozawa Onsen

Oceania Resorts

Mount Ruapehu

Perisher

Thredbo

South America Resorts

Portillo

Valle Nevado

Get exclusive updates and offers!