Hemsedal, Norwegian Mountains

Hemsedal: 5 things to know before you go

Norwegian Mountains, Norway 🇳🇴

Hemsedal is Norway's freeride flagship, set under the dark walls of Totten at 1,450 m and nicknamed the Scandinavian Alps for good reason. The snow comes early in November and the bars stay open late, which is rare for a Norwegian fjell resort.

1.Is the snow reliable in Hemsedal?

Generally yes. From 640 m at the base to 1450 m up top, the profile holds snow well across a normal winter (score 86/100).

2.Do you need a car, or can you ski in and out?

Ski-in/ski-out depends on the address here: some hotels are on the snow, others need a short walk or shuttle. Pick a slopeside address if skiing from the door matters to you.

3.How big is the ski area, and who is it for?

With 53 km of piste on 22 lifts, it is a mid-size area, easy to get to know over a long weekend. The terrain is balanced (8 green, 17 blue, 17 red, 11 black), which suits a mixed-level group skiing together.

4.What is the resort like?

Hemsedal stands out for serious off-piste and freeride terrain, a family-friendly setup and lively après-ski.

5.When is the best time to go?

The season usually runs Nov 23 to May 1 (about 23 weeks). For the most dependable cover, the deep-winter window of January to February is the safe bet. Conditions soften as spring arrives, so earlier in the window is the safer call.

The full Hemsedal guide

Hotels, piste breakdown, snow month by month, lift and rental info, map and more.

See the full Hemsedal guide

More questions, answered

How much vertical drop does Hemsedal have?
About 810 m of vertical, from a 640 m base to 1450 m at the top.
Is Hemsedal part of a larger ski area?
No, it is a self-contained resort with its own 53 km of piste rather than part of a linked domain.
Is Hemsedal good for beginners?
Yes. With 8 green and 17 blue runs, there is plenty of gentle terrain to learn on.

Where to stay

Hotels we like for ski access and value. Prices are indicative; check live availability.

Fyri Resort
4.3976 reviews
145
Top pick

Fyri Resort

Very good · 976 reviews

Why we like it

A long-standing favourite in Hemsedal, trusted by thousands of guests before you.

Guests rate this hotel as very good (4.3/5 from 976 reviews). It sits about 850 m from the slopes. A mid-range option for Hemsedal, with live nightly rates shown for your exact dates so you always see the best price.

≈ 850 m to the slopesMid-range
From
145/ night
Check availability
Skarsnuten Hotel
4.3790 reviews
145

Skarsnuten Hotel

Very good · 790 reviews

Why we like it

A long-standing favourite in Hemsedal, trusted by thousands of guests before you.

≈ 3.2 km to the slopesMid-range
From
145/ night
Check availability
SkiStar Lodge Hemsedal
4.3711 reviews
160

SkiStar Lodge Hemsedal

Very good · 711 reviews

Why we like it

A long-standing favourite in Hemsedal, trusted by thousands of guests before you.

≈ 1.8 km to the slopesMid-range
From
160/ night
Check availability
Skogstad Hotell
3.8470 reviews
125

Skogstad Hotell

Good · 470 reviews

Why we like it

Moments from the lifts in Hemsedal, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.

≈ 150 m to the slopesMid-range
From
125/ night
Check availability

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Live snow reportSki-in/ski-out: Norway