Winter holiday
in the Scandinavian Alpes
Hemsedal – The Scandinavian Alps
Hemsedal, known as the Scandinavian Alps, is a winter paradise with its majestic mountains, thrilling alpine skiing, exciting activities, and legendary après-ski. During the winter holidays, families with children are the focus, with adventurous experiences for both young and old.
Alpine Skiing
It’s no secret that Hemsedal is Norway’s most complete ski resort, and at SkiStar Hemsedal, you’ll find skiing for all levels. In the large children’s area, kids of all ages can have fun and build their confidence on skis before taking one of the chairlifts up the mountain. Valle the Snowman is a regular companion, offering shows and skiing fun for the little ones, and we have several parks that invite both kids and adults to play and enjoy. Hemsedal also offers morning skiing on Saturdays, Non Stop Skiing, and evening skiing for those who want to make the most of their day on the slopes. In week 10, morning skiing is cancelled because on 8 March, Hemsedal Up N' Down is held – an exciting ski event for those over 14 years old who love speed and challenges.
During the winter holiday weeks 8-9, Solheisen Ski Centre in Grøndalen is also open daily from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. Solheisen is a smaller, yet soulful ski centre nestled idyllically between the mountains in Grøndalen. Here, you’ll find perfectly groomed slopes ideal for carving in the sunshine. For park enthusiasts, Solheisen offers jumps, rails, and boxes from top to bottom, and when the snow falls, the slopes become a haven for powder enthusiasts. During these weeks, several exciting events related to freeriding and alpine skiing are hosted at Solheisen.
Dog sledding
Join an experience straight out of a winter fairytale. With the majestic Skogshorn as your backdrop, you’ll race through the snow behind 5-6 beautiful huskies. You can choose to steer your own sled team or simply sit back and enjoy the ride. Children aged 3-9 can safely sit in the sled with an adult, while children from 10 years old can have the thrill of sitting alone. We recommend booking your tour in advance, as places fill up quickly. Check Hemsedal Huskies for booking.
Sleigh rides and horseback riding
Sleigh rides are a gentle and charming activity for the whole family. Relax in the sleigh and take in the beautiful views of Skogshorn and Tisleiafjorden, while the sound of jingle bells fills the air and nature surrounds you. Sleigh rides must be booked in advance. Looking for a bit more action? A guided horseback ride in the mountains might be just what you need. Read more about winter riding and book your session today.
Climbing
Do you love climbing, or have a child who’s a budding climber? In Hemsedal, the whole family can try both indoor and outdoor climbing. Hemsedal climbing center is open Monday to Saturday in week 8 and Wednesday to Saturday in week 9, where you can try both bouldering and wall climbing. Check the link for booking and more opening times.
Outdoors, you can try ice climbing with guides from Hemsedal Fjellsport. This is an adrenaline-filled yet safe experience that brings both a sense of accomplishment and plenty of laughter with the family. Read more about ice climbing and sign up now.
Tobogganing
In Hemsedal, you can experience real tobogganing at the ski centre with Hemsedal Fjellsport. Take the lift up and race down again on a snowracer. Helmets, warm clothing, and ski goggles are essential. Children aged 3-9 can ride with an adult, while those over 10 years old can ride on their own. The guide leads the way, and you can choose the speed that suits you best. This is an incredibly fun and adrenaline-packed activity that the whole family can enjoy.
Cross-country skiing
Hemsedal offers an impressive network of cross-country ski trails that stretch from Grøndalen and Bjøberg in the west to Ulsåk and Golsfjellet in the southeast. With a total of 250 km of groomed tracks, both in the mountains and valleys, you have the perfect opportunity to enjoy the stunning natural surroundings on skis.
Gravset Ski Stadium is a popular starting point, featuring a variety of looped trails with varying levels of difficulty, as well as illuminated trails that are open until 10 pm each evening. Additionally, you’ll find places to grab a bite to eat along the trails at Gravset, Holdeskaret, Tuv and in Grøndalen where you can take a well-deserved break. To stay updated on freshly groomed tracks, we recommend checking skisporet.no.
Looking to improve your cross-country skiing skills? Vis Motus offers private lessons with experienced instructors who can help you become a better skier.
Starting from the weekend in week 7, the high mountain trails will be groomed when the weather is stable, and Vy offers a cross-country ski bus to Bjøberg for easy access to the best tracks.
Culinary experiences
Hemsedal isn’t just about activities and adventure – it also offers an array of fantastic culinary experiences. Did you know that Hemsedal boasts one of Norway’s largest menus of waffles and hot chocolate? At Lodgens Spiseri, children can take a well-deserved break, and their creations are a delight for both the palate and the eyes. Lodgen is renowned for its speciality that brings joy to the young at heart – largest selection of hot chocolate and waffles.
Around Hemsedal ski resort you’ll find several restaurants, each with its own unique twist. You can, for example, take the Sentrumsløypa down to Fyri resort and get a pizza at Rambler for example, or continue all the way to the town centre, where a great selection of cafes and restaurants await. The ski bus is ready to take you back to the ski resort when you’ve finished your meal.
For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you have many restaurants and cafes to choose from. Here, you’ll find everything from typical ski lunches and local cuisine to cosy cafes and culinary artistry of the highest quality, spread throughout the valley. Take a look at our page on culinary experiences and make sure to enjoy delicious food during your holiday.
In Tuv you’ll find Hemsedal Flatbrødbakeri, a must-visit for anyone who loves local baked goods. We recommend stopping by to taste the delights and perhaps bring some treats back to your cabin.
Looking for catering or take-away? Almost all restaurants offer take-away, and many also provide fantastic catering and private chefs for your cabin. Learn more on our catering & Take-away.
Shopping
Fancy a shopping trip during your stay in Hemsedal? You’ll find just about everything you need here! We have several grocery stores offering a wide selection of products from around the world. In central Hemsedal, also known as Trøym, you’ll discover shops selling home decor, clothing, shoes, and sports gear. In Ulsåk, you’ll find a grocery store, a hardware store, and a charming farm shop offering everything from home decor to fashion. Around Hemsedal Ski Centre, there are several sports shops and ski rental outlets, perfect for upgrading your gear or renting equipment for a day on the slopes.
Cinema
If you need a break from outdoor activities, why not catch a film at the cinema? During the winter holidays, a selection of fun films is shown in Hemsedal, perfect for a cosy indoor day. Check here to see what’s on!
Skarsnuten Hotel also has its own cinema, where they show classic films every week. Learn more at skarsnuten.no.
