Trysil Resort Guide

Find out what you can do at Norway’s largest and most popular ski resort with our Trysil Resort Guide, packed with tips and honest recommendations from our team.

Trysil is home to a variety of terrain for all ability levels, catering particularly well to beginner and intermediate skiers. It has the most runs (69) and lifts (31) in Norway - plus, it'll soon boast a new gondola for the 2025/26 season.

The whole ski area wraps around almost the entire mountain, and you can enjoy beautiful views from the summit. Dozens of runs sit within the tree line, so you can look forward to scenic trails and shelter for better visibility when it snows. Trysil has a total of 78 km groomed pistes, as well as ungroomed areas and a 685 m vertical drop.

Turistsenter (Tourist Centre) is Trysil’s most developed base on the southern side, featuring accommodation, shops, restaurants, bars, ski school and a beginners' area. On the opposite side of the mountain is Høyfjellssenter, a smaller developed area with a selection of cabins, apartments and a few restaurants and shops.

Getting to Trysil is straightforward too, taking approximately two hours to transfer from Oslo Airport. And with Trysil's long season (from mid-December to end of April), it's an ideal resort for an Easter or late-season ski trip.

Glance over Trysil’s piste map and you’ll see the mountain’s covered in runs from greens to blacks. But which are the best runs in Trysil? Whilst it’s mostly geared towards beginner and intermediate skiers, there are also some more challenging runs.

Over 30% of Trysil's pistes are graded beginner - or 'very easy'. Both the Turistsenter and Høyfjellssenter offer great beginner skiing with short greens and magic carpets to make the experience as unintimidating as possible. If you are a beginner in a mixed-ability group, we highly recommend starting at the Turistsenter area, as both chairlifts provide access to green, blue and red run starting points, so everyone can head up together.

Best beginner/easy runs:

• Greens 21 and 56 (Turistsenter) - short, quiet, tree-lined bunny slopes at the base of the mountain but away from the busiest area. The ski school is here too.
• Greens 57 and 66 (Høyfjellssenter) - these nursery slopes are easy to access from the very bottom of the mountain, and form part of an open area of multiple green runs.

Where do we begin!? Intermediate skiers have plenty of piste miles to explore in Trysil across all four resort areas, with over 50% of Trysil being graded as intermediate. We particularly like the pretty Knettsetra area, with numerous tree-lined blue runs that are easily accessible from Turistsenter. For wider, cruisy ‘motorway skiing’ on mostly blues and reds, then jump on the T1 & T2 Chairs, where there’s a group of straight line runs that get progressively steeper.

Best intermediate runs:

• Blue 13 and 61 (Turistsenter) - the straight, wide, tree-lined blues beside the T1 Chair are perfect for progressing, and anyone looking to pick up some speed and practice their turns.
• Red 77 (Turistsenter) - a little trickier, this wide, groomed run is a great progression from the nearby blues, with some steeper sections.
• Blue 35 (Knettsetra) - one of our favourites, this fun trail winds through the trees down to Høgegga (adjacent to Turistsenter), and can be joined from other blues higher up the mountain.
• Red 53 (Summit) - a route with a view, this is a popular choice for intermediate skiers due to its wide, undulating and relatively straight line down, with a gorgeous vista on a clear day.

Trysil’s black runs cut down the mountain from the summit and end at all base areas except for Høyfjellssenter. The Høgegga area features some of Trysil’s steepest black runs. It’s a favourite area for many alpine ski stars.

Best advanced runs:

• Black 30 (Høgegga) - a fun and fast trail, with playful rollers and steep sections. We love how easy it is to interchange the route too, with easy mergers like powder route 82 or the narrower, snaking 84 blue.
• Black 75 (Høgegga) - tempting skiers with its 45° gradient, this black diamond is Trysil's steepest slope. If you drop in, be prepared for an intense descent - this is one for the thrill seekers!

There is plenty of cross-country terrain to keep you occupied in Trysil. Over 500 km of maintained trails weave through the trees and over the mountains in all four resort areas.

Trysil has several slopes in the Høyfjellssenteret and Turistsenteret areas that are illuminated for night skiing until 8pm on select weekdays.

Trysil has recently expanded its terrain parks, grading sections of the park like the slopes with green, blue and red markers. Turistsenter is best for variety, with two snow parks, complete with jumps, rails, boxes and walls. Additionally, one of two ‘skier cross’ courses is located here, which combines velodrome-style curves, with humps and bumps.

If you’re itching to learn new tricks, Trysil has a freeski academy. Plus, ski cross, slalom, speed ski and time trials are all located in the Turistsenter too!

Off-piste conditions in Trysil are somewhat limited, as most of the mountain is manicured, but Trysilfjellet is the best area to explore.

If you're considering a Norway ski holiday with a greater variety of accessible terrain, we suggest these alternative resorts, which are a similar distance from Oslo. Previous Winter Olympics hosts Kvitfjell and Norefjell offer more varied on and off-piste terrain. As does Gausta with its iconic Gaustatoppen mountain. They have excellent ski schools and beginner to intermediate slopes too - ideal for mixed ability groups.

The best resorts in Norway with lift-accessible off-piste terrain, we recommend considering resorts like Narvik, Voss and Myrkdalen, where we can organise specialist guiding as well as ski touring options too.

Whilst Trysil is a large resort, only six of its 31 lifts are chairs (mostly in the Turistsenter area). Buttons and t-bars give you access to everywhere else. It's useful to know this because crossing the mountain (e.g., from the south-facing slopes at the Turistsenter to the north-facing slopes at Høyfjellssenteret) can take at least 45 minutes. So, give yourself plenty of time if you need to return to base by a certain time. This is due to change with the new gondola due winter 2025/26.

More than 80% of the accommodation in Trysil is ski-in, ski-out. The properties have been perfectly laid out so that you can easily ski back for lunch without having to use a shuttle.

Most of Trysil’s hotels, lodges, apartments and self-catering services are based in Turistsenter, close to the main ski school, rentals, and a lively après scene. On the opposite side of the mountain is Høyfjellsenter, nestled in the pine trees. It has a smaller selection of apartments and one main hotel.

In the heart of Turistsenter, the ski-in ski-out 4*+ Radisson Blu Resort is super convenient with everything you need just outside the hotel building. It has exceptional facilities, including a bowling alley, indoor surfing, climbing wall, family play area, multiple restaurants and a range of differently sized rooms, suites and apartments.

Just beyond the Radisson, you’ll find some excellent alternative self-catering apartments which are close enough for you to utilise the Radisson’s facilities if you choose (booking is advisable for the restaurant, and some facilities are payable locally). This includes the stylish 4* The Lodge Trysil, which is a contemporary collection of two to four-bedroom apartments with a fresh, Scandinavian design, plenty of space, and separate ski lockers.

For a rustic setting, the pine-clad cabins at 3*+ Solbjørnlia provide cosy, alpine-style self-catering apartments with a full kitchen, living area and large fireplaces. Up to five-bedroom cabins are available to book, which is ideal for big groups. Similarly, the apartments at 3* Vikinggrenda are equally charming and also have a sauna.

For a full-facility hotel, we recommend the 4* SkiStar Lodge Trysil at the base of the Fageråsen ski area. It has two restaurants, an après bar, a gym, a spa and a pool, with rooms ranging from standard-sized to 3-bedroom apartments. You can ski out from the hotel straight onto t-bar F13, which takes you up Høyfjellssenter’s green runs and the Toppekspressen chair to the summit.

If Norwegian country charm fits your mood, then 3*+ Fjellblikk provides a quaint self-catering option close to the slopes, shops, restaurants and nearby forest trails. Great for kids, with ‘The Talking Tree’ and Gammelgård open-air museum nearby. These pine apartments are fitted with full kitchens, with a living area and an inviting fireplace, sleeping up to eight people.

Dedicated ski buses run between Høyfjellssenter (or ‘Høyfjellssenteret’) and Turistsenter (or ‘Turistsenteret’) from early December through until the end of the season. The route map is colour-coded so you know which buses go where. Restaurants, shops and hotels at both bases are all within walking distance of each other, so you won't need to hire a car to move around the resort.

Local supermarkets are located in Turistsenter and Høyfjellssenter for all your self-catering essentials. There is also a pharmacy.

We’ve tested and tasted our way around a huge variety of Trysil’s restaurants and bars. Here are some of our top recommendations.

• Laaven (Turistsenter) - a buzzing central hub at the base of slope 15, serving rustic meals and family favourites. Fuel up at their lunch buffet or try the speciality grill buffet on Friday and Saturday evenings.

• La Pasteria (Turistsenter) - offers fresh pasta, salads, focaccia and deserts. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Seterstua Restaurant + Waffle Room (Knettsetra) - traditional log farm buildings surrounded by forest, halfway down the mountain and only accessible on skis/board. Tuck into gourmet burgers or waffles with all the toppings. We recommend the moose fondue before skiing the evening floodlit slopes and getting a lift back to your hotel by snowmobile.

• Fjellroa (Høyfjellssenter) - halfway down run 53 in the Fageråsen area, serving burgers, Asian bowls, draught beers, wines, coffees, cold drinks, pastries, and has a magnificent view of the slopes. Open daily.

• Nero Fjellbistro (Høyfjellssenter) - last but no means least, this cosy little restaurant is a great all-rounder, serving coffee, cakes, grazing plates, burgers, and a relaxed après vibe. Open daily.

• Skihytta ‘The Ski Hut’ - serves hearty dishes at the base of Skihytta ski area. Try the lunchtime soup special, served in a bowl made of bread! Open daily.

Head over to Trysil.com for a list of all in-resort restaurants.

Here are the best après ski locations in Trysil (or 'afterski' as the Norwegians call it).

• Ski Pub’n (Tursistsenter) - a rustic, cosy pub with family-friendly après ski, music and food.

• Laaven (Tursistsenter) - the après programme runs from 3pm to 7pm, Monday to Saturday, with a nightclub on Saturdays.

• The Lounge (Tursistsenter) - unwind and relax in the Radisson Blu’s newly renovated hotel lounge. Open till late.

• Stabben Restaurant & Afterski (Høyfjellsenter) - a relaxed bar at SkiStar Lodge, with live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, and 11pm to 2am.

See 'village dining' for a few more pub/après options.

• Chill Bowl & Dine (Turistsenter) - American-style diner in the Radisson Blu’s basement-level bowling alley. Open daily.

• Barbacoa (Turistsenter) - flavour-packed American-Mexican fusion restaurant, serving smoky BBQ, tacos and lobster rolls. Takeaway and delivery are available.

• Peppe’s Pizza (Turistsenter) - freshly made eat-in, take-out and delivery pizzas. Open daily.

• Taste Mat & Vinhus (Høyfjellssenter) - French cafe/gastropub, home to Trysil’s largest wine cellar. Serves fresh ‘surf and turf’, soups and stews. There's a kids' menu too. Open for lunch, dinner, and afterski with live music at the cafe, Thursday to Saturday.

• Happy Faces (Turistsenter) - brings you a tasty offering of sushi, bowls and burgers - eat in or take away available. Located next to the Skibuben pub and après bar.

• Barken at SkiStar Lodge (Høyfjellssenter) - a Scandinavian and international restaurant in the Fageråsen area, serving breakfast and dinner buffets.

• Pilegrimen (Høyfjellsenter) - à la carte steakhouse, serving three-course dinners. It has a children’s menu and play area with games and films.

Trysil has a particularly good selection of non-ski activities for all ages, whether you want to have fun as a family or relax with adults only.

Dog sledding - a thrilling experience for the whole family, Siberian and Alaskan huskies love pulling you across the snow. It’s a wonderful way to see more of Trysil’s beautiful natural landscapes. Visit Mountain Kings Sledehundkennel or Fjell-Huskies (who also offer nighttime rides) for details.

Horse sleigh ride - ride into the forest, sitting on warm furs and accompanied by torchlight before finishing with an evening meal served in a lavvu tent (teepee). Go after dark for the best experience. Visit Trysil Hestesenter for details.

Torchlight skiing - a traditional event held during select weeks, including Christmas and New Year. You'll take to the slopes as night falls, guided by your flickering torch, which casts dancing light over the snow. Just ask, and we'll tell you when they're happening next.

Bowling and games - enjoy a fun family evening of games at The Radisson Blu. It has an eight-lane ten-pin bowling alley, shuffleboard and a games arcade, with an American-style diner alongside.

Surfing and swimming - from children and complete beginners to pro-level surfers, anyone can have a go at the FlowRider indoor surfing wave (pictured) at the Radisson Blu - it is seriously good fun! Join a taster session or book tuition. The pool complex also has a glass climbing wall and an indoor pool with currents.

Spa - the Kulpen Spa at SkiStar Lodge has an indoor-outdoor pool, outdoor hot tubs and several saunas. Alpine Spa & Relax at the Radisson Blu Resort has nine treatment rooms, plus a Jacuzzi, Finnish sauna, Turkish steam room and an aromatic laconicum.

Home to Norway’s largest ski school, Trysil offers tuition for all ages and levels, from toddlers and first-timers to expert skiers.

Group and private lessons are available in alpine skiing, snowboarding, freestyle and parks, cross-country and telemark skiing. Ask our team about the best options for your level and budget if you're not sure where to begin.

Adult lessons

Graded from beginner (green) to advanced (black), all adult sessions aim to build on your existing skills to teach you the basics or to fine-tune your technique. Choose from group lessons or one-to-one tuition, as morning, afternoon or half-day sessions. Adult lessons start from 16 years+.

Children and teen lessons

Trysil ski lessons use fun and play as a foundation for helping children build confidence and develop new skills. Group lessons are divided into four age categories: three years, four to six years, seven to nine years, and 10 to 15 years. Lessons run Monday to Friday, with groups starting from 9am for the youngsters, mid-morning for seven to nine year olds, and 1:15pm for the 10 to 15 year olds.

Trysil Turistsenter and Trysil Høyfjellsenter are well-catered for families with young children. Restaurants, grocery shops, ski rentals and ski school are all in one place, alongside other family services and amenities, such as childcare and play areas. Better still, much of the accommodation is located close by, which is incredibly convenient!

Childcare - available for children from two to nine years old. Childcare staff join your children for playtime and activities like reading, arts and crafts. Located by the ski slopes at Turistsenteret, beneath the T2 Fjellekspressen chair lift. Please note that the babysitting service must be booked in advance.

Kids' activities - Trysil's beloved cuddly mascot, Valle the Snowman, isn't just the face of the kids' ski school. He also loves being silly and has lots of fun games up his sleeves. Weekly programmes include treasure hunts, fun ski play, kids disco and the infamous World Cup event. For indoor activities, whilst Trysil doesn't have any dedicated softplay facilities, there's plenty more to keep the youngsters entertained when not on the slopes. The Radisson Blu features a bowling alley and games room, plus a pool with a surfing wave.

Kids' skiing - three of Trysil's base areas - Turistsenter, Høyfjellsenter and Skihytta - have short, easy green slopes that are accessible via magic carpets. We recommend you start with Turistsenter's large beginner area, as it offers the greatest variety for all ages. The three child-friendly lifts make moving up the slopes a breeze. There's also a slalom course and self-timed piste here, as well as a green jump and rails, a sledging slope, a cafe, and barbecue huts.

Høyfjellsenter, meanwhile, is a sheltered area away from the main base with gentle and unintimidating slopes. To reach the longer green runs, you will need to be comfortable using button lifts and t-bars, as there are no chairs from the bottom.

Après: good to know - the après scene in Norway and Sweden is usually adults only, which is the case for Trysil. One of the few Scandi resorts where you can bring your little ones to afterski is Stöten, Sweden.

There are several daily direct flights from London Heathrow or Gatwick to Oslo. Limited direct flights are available from Edinburgh and Manchester, but flights typically only once per day, and they are not available every day of the week.

The quickest option is to drive to Trysil from Oslo. We recommend opting for a transfer for a comfortable and hassle-free journey.

As with all of Norway's ski resorts, Trysil is a great location for seeing the Northern Lights, thanks to the wide open expanses of surrounding wilderness and minimal light pollution. However, Northern Lights are elusive, and sightings are not guaranteed. The most likely time you will see the lights is between early December to late February, as the nights are longer.

Typically, December to February is best for reliable powder for that full winter experience. March to April is milder weather with more sun, which is a great time for spring skiing and family holidays. Fortunately, Trysil receives frequent snowfall from December through to March. The resort also uses extensive snowmaking, covering around 80% of pistes, to ensure good conditions, even during low-snow periods.

Between December to February, temperatures average -6°C to -10°C in the daytime and -10°C to -20°C at night, with the coldest month being January. We recommend bringing warmer base layers during this time. By March and April, expect temperatures to average 0°C to -5°C, along with longer hours of daylight and more sunshine - ideal for more slope time and après ski. In comparison, December to January daylight hours are short, with four to six hours of daylight.

Heli-skiing and cat-skiing are not available in Norway. However, close to the Norwegian border, Scandinavian heli-skiing is possible in Riksgränsen, Sweden. Intended only for advanced skiers.

Very few places accept cash. This is common not just in Trysil, but in all Norwegian resorts and major Norwegian cities. Currency-loaded travel cards can be used in Trysil. Providers include Post Office, Monzo and Chase.