Hemsedal Resort Guide

The Skiing

On the mountain, there are wide well-groomed pistes suited to all abilities, plus some superb terrain parks drawing enthusiasts from all over. Hemsedal actually lays claim to being the most photographed resort by the snowboarding press. There is even a green run from the highest point (1,497 m) leading all the way to the base, allowing confident beginners to ski from the top to the bottom, making it quite unique.

When conditions permit, Hemsedal offers easily accessible off-piste skiing. It's perfect territory to advance your skills with plenty of forgiving terrain and the option to easily get back on groomed trails when you need a break.

The local climate provides snow-sure conditions and the resort even boasts a snow guarantee: at least 628 m of vertical drop from 23 November through to 01 May. This is usually due to reliable natural snowfall, but if required there's backup in the form of a modern snowmaking system covering 95% of the lift capacity, and 45% of the slopes, securing six months of excellent skiing conditions.

For those more experienced, Hemsedal offers some easily accessible off-piste opportunities and there are excellent courses available allowing you to make the most of this. Freestylers will get to enjoy one of the best parks in Europe.

If you want some extra skiing and to have slopes to yourself, then head to nearby Solheisen Ski Centre in Grøndalen - you'll be hard-pushed to find any form of lift queue.

The runs at Hemsedal Ski Centre conveniently all lead back to one base where there is an excellent children’s area and nursery slopes. If you have a young family this facility is hard to beat!

Food and drink

With a great selection of dining options available at the ski base and in the village centre, you won't go hungry.

At the ski base, choose from a small selection of restaurants, including gourmet food at Lodgen Spiseri, and the American-style sports bar O'Learys.

Or head into town on the regular bus (runs until late). If you like burgers and milkshakes, go to Kroken Bar & Bistro (just on the left as you come into the town from the resort base), which has amazing burgers and the best milkshakes.

Hemsedal has a fun party spirit, especially during weekends and holidays. For a relatively small village, there are no less than three nightclubs in its centre and a fourth up at the ski base. Not bad for a village that only has around 2,000 permanent inhabitants year-round!

Activities

Husky Sledding - drive or relax in the sledge with your team of huskies. Transport is included and the trip lasts around three hours. Pick up is from the Alpin Lodge next to the Lodge Suites.

Ice Climbing - there are many companies in Hemsedal offering ice climbing, even for beginners!

Night skiing - the lifts run until 8:30pm on Fridays if you want to maximise your time on the slopes or fancy skiing under floodlights.

Indoor Climbing Wall & Bouldering - The Lodge Suites have an indoor complex for climbers. The main wall goes up to 14m high and there are 6 lines with 16 routes. For all levels.