Hemsedal

Sometimes called the Scandinavian Alps, Hemsedal is among Scandinavia's largest and very best ski resorts with steep, imposing mountains and a wide range of slopes. It is situated in Hallingdal in the middle of southern Norway and has two ski centres.

Hemsedal Ski Centre has wide, well-prepared pistes, a large terrain park and designated areas for children and beginners. Solheisen Ski Centre is a smaller resort situated in the nearby valley of Grøndalen. Hemsedal also offers excellent off-piste and cross-country skiing conditions as well as a vast repertoire of non-skiing activities.

Resort elevation: 650m (2,132ft) to 1,100m (3,642ft).

Top elevation: 1,450m (4,757ft).

Base elevation: 640m (2,100ft).

Number of lifts: 22.

Number of runs: 49.

Average annual snowfall: 3m (10ft).

Hemsedal is located in the Hallingdal district in the county of Buskerud in the middle of southern Norway, almost equidistant between Oslo to the east and Bergen on the west coast.

The season runs from late November until late April.

Hemsedal really offers something for everyone - from specially created areas for children and beginners to runs that are extremely fast and challenging to the vast off-piste areas. In between there are all the wide and gentle but still quite fast slopes that are perfect for intermediate skiers. Solheisen Ski Centre is great for relaxed yet fast skiing, with its wide, open slopes on the sunny side of Grøndalen. There is a mixture of chairlifts and drag lifts, all in tip-top shape.

In addition there are good terrain parks with two halfpipes, jumps, quarterpipes, corners, fun boxes and more. Snow conditions are reliable throughout the season, with snowmaking available on 16 slopes.

There are two ski schools and several ski hire outlets.

Cross-country skiing conditions are excellent, with 130km (81 miles) of machine-prepared trails and another 80km (50 miles) of marked mountain trails. Other available activites in Hemsedal include dog sledding, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, paragliding, guided mountain tours, paintballing and ice climbing.

Six of the slopes and seven lifts are accessible to children, and there is a snow playing area, a sledge slope and a troll park, as well as a wigwam with barbecues by the main ski centre. There are also skiing competitions for the whole family. Solheisen Ski Centre is particularly well suited for families.

Several hotels in the area have swimming pools. Trollia Créche (Hemsedal Ski Centre) can take care of children aged three months and older.

Hemsedal village has a number of good shops for clothing and sports equipment as well as for souvenirs and decorative items. Finbeck og Fia is the local fashion shop, while Hemsedal Sport has a good selection of sports gear and Skandinavisk Høyfjellsutstyr sells outdoor and mountain sport equipment. Stugu Husflid offers local handicraft items, and Kjellaren sells souvenirs, trolls and toys.

Askeladden Bar and Garasjen Bar (Hemsedal village) offer drinks and a cosy atmosphere, as does Skistua (Hemsedal Ski Centre). Hemsen Nightclub (Hemsedal Fjellandsby) and the nightclub The Edge (Skarsnuten Hotel) are great options if you are in a party mood.

The restaurant at the hotel Harahorn (Grøndalen) is one of the best in Norway and serves traditional and modern Norwegian dishes based on locally sourced and produced ingredients. Oxen Bar & Grill (Hemsedal Fjellandsby) is a very good steak house. For less expensive fare, a Peppe's Pizza is located in Hemsedal village.

Free shuttle buses take visitors from accommodations at Tuv, Trøim (the centre) and Ulsåk to Hemsedal Ski Centre, Solheisen Ski Centre and the cross-country area Gravset near Ulsåk.

Located at an elevation of 1,100m (3,609ft), next to Solheisen Ski Centre, the Harahorn (website: www.harahorn.no) offers both luxury hotel and cabin accommodation. Spend a romantic night in one of the suites or maybe one of the cabins and have a three-course meal delivered to your room from the hotel's excellent kitchen.

Luxury

Skarsnuten Hotel
This hotel has its own chairlift and ski tracks linking it directly to Hemsedal Ski Centre.

Near Hemsedal Ski Centre
Tel: 3206 1700.
Website: www.skarsnutenhotel.no

Moderate

Skogstad Hotel
Hemsedal's oldest hotel (more than 100 years) still offers comfortable and stylish accommodation.

Hemsedal village
Tel: 3205 5000.
Website: www.skogstadhotell.no

Budget

Hemsetunet
Modern, well-equipped apartments for six to 10 people, some with saunas. Budget in Norwegian terms.

Hemsedal village
Tel: 3206 0150.
Website: www.hemsetunet.no

Nearest airport: Fagernes (VDB); Oslo (OSL).

Distance to resort: 80km (50 miles); 270km (186 miles).

Driving time: 1 hour 10 minutes; 3 hours 10 minutes.

Nearest railway station: Gol.

Distance to resort: 30km (19 miles).

Driving time: 30 minutes.

www.skistar.com/hemsedal or www.hemsedal.com

Experts, Families, Intermediates, Beginners, Non-skiers, Snowboarders, Après ski, Snow reliability