Norway: Snow-sure Resorts, Uncrowded Slopes -
Norway’s number one ski and snowboard destination is the charming village of Hemsedal. Nestled in the unspoilt Hallingdal Valley, the area offers some of the highest skiing and best snow conditions in Europe. The ski season in Hemsedal begins in early November and finishes in May.
Hemsedal is popular with all levels; beginners will find English-speaking instructors and plenty of wide, gentle slopes; intermediates have a good choice of blue and red slopes on which to hone their skills; and expert skiers can enjoy the exciting off-piste and challenging red and black runs.
Snowboarders flock to Hemsedal for its 600-metre-long fun park with fun boxes, quarter pipes, two half pipes, rails, and big hits. The park has hosted international snowboarding big air events. Keen cross-country skiers will find more than 200 kilometres of trails to explore.
Lillehammer/Hafjell is one of Norway’s most established resorts and hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics. Lillehammer boasts a wide choice of shops and restaurants and is just 25 minutes away by ski bus fro the ski centre of Hafjell – a traditional mountain village with plenty of ski-in/out accommodation.
The ski area is suitable for all levels: Beginners will find lots of English-speaking ski instructors and wide, gentle slopes; intermediates have plenty of red and blue slopes connected by fast, modern lifts; expert skiers can test their skill on the challenging off-piste known for its excellent powder. Snowboarders have their own fun park with rails, a half pipe, and fun boxes.
The village of Geilo is surrounded by scenery of outstanding natural beauty. Visitors have been flocking to Geilo since the late 19th century. This friendly, laid-back resort is particularly popular with families. Geilo is best suited to beginners and intermediates with its English-speaking ski schools, reliable snow conditions, uncrowded pistes, and fast modern lifts. Expert skiers also have access to challenging black runs and mogul fields. Snowboarders can practise tricks at the fun park with its kickers, rails, big hits and quarter pipe while cross-country skiers explore the 220 kilometres of trails.
The ski resort of Beitostolen is known for its quiet, uncrowded slopes and relaxed atmosphere. Families will find plenty of off-slope activities and entertainment. The town centre features a good choice of ski-in accommodation, shops and restaurants. Beginners are particularly well suited to Beitostolen for its wide gentle nursery slope and English-speaking instructors. Intermediates may feel slightly limited in the number of challenging slopes, but they will benefit from a fast, modern lift system. Expert skiers can tackle the powder-packed off-piste. Beitostolen's Fun Park has a half pipe, jumps, rails and fun boxes.
Skeikampen is particularly popular with young families and is known for its reliable snow conditions and friendly atmosphere. The resort is catered towards beginners and intermediates with its English-speaking instructors. Expert skiers and snowboarders may find the slopes slightly limiting but there is plenty of challenging off-piste as well as a terrain park with rails, kickers and pipes.
Set beside a lake, Voss boasts beautiful scenery and traditional Norwegian charm. The Mount Hangur cable car transports skiers to the plateau area where beginners will find plenty of English-speaking ski instructors. Intermediates have 40 kilometres of varied terrain to explore while experts enjoy the challenging runs and plenty of off piste. The area also benefits from a fast modern lift system with virtually no queues. Snowboarders will find plenty to do in the fun park.
Trysil – one of the largest ski areas in Norway – offers 64 pistes to suit all levels. Beginners and intermediates will find plenty of green, blue and red slopes, English-speaking instructors, and virtually no lift queues. Experts have their own advanced skiing area with 11 black runs, moguls, and powder-packed off-piste.
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