Hovden, Norwegian Mountains

Hovden: 5 things to know before you go

Norwegian Mountains, Norway 🇳🇴

Hovden is a Setesdal-valley resort at 820 m, the southernmost serious ski mountain in Norway, three and a half hours from Kristiansand on the Skagerrak coast. 25 km of piste run on the Hartevatn-Røyrtjønn sector, alongside a long cross-country network spread across the open Hovden plateau. It is the closest big-mountain skiing to Denmark and southern Sweden.

1.Is the snow reliable in Hovden?

Usually, with help. From 820 m to 1175 m the resort leans on grooming and snowmaking in lean spells, so check the live report before booking early or late dates (score 78/100).

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?

It is a compact area, 25 km of piste on 9 lifts, best for a short break or a focused trip rather than a full week. The piste mix leans gentle (5 green, 12 blue, 7 red, 2 black), so beginners and early intermediates are well served.

4.What is the resort like?

Hovden stands out for a family-friendly setup and a broad winter-sports offering beyond skiing.

5.When is the best time to go?

The season usually runs Nov 23 to Apr 30 (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 Hovden guide

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

See the full Hovden guide

More questions, answered

How much vertical drop does Hovden have?
About 355 m of vertical, from a 820 m base to 1175 m at the top.
Is Hovden part of a larger ski area?
No, it is a self-contained resort with its own 25 km of piste rather than part of a linked domain.
Is Hovden good for beginners?
Yes. With 5 green and 12 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.

Hovdestøylen
4.4491 reviews
140
Top pick

Hovdestøylen

Very good · 491 reviews

Why we like it

Strong value for Hovden, with a high guest rating that punches above its nightly price.

Guests rate this hotel as very good (4.4/5 from 491 reviews). It sits about 2.3 km from the slopes. A mid-range option for Hovden, with live nightly rates shown for your exact dates so you always see the best price.

≈ 2.3 km to the slopesMid-range
From
140/ night
Check availability
Hovden Fjellstoge
4.3468 reviews
155

Hovden Fjellstoge

Very good · 468 reviews

Why we like it

A dependable, well-reviewed choice for a stay in Hovden.

≈ 5.2 km to the slopesMid-range
From
155/ night
Check availability

Ratings and review counts from Google Places. We may earn a commission on bookings.

Live snow reportSki-in/ski-out: Norway