Snow-sure ski holidays in Hemsedal: Norway’s most family-friendly alpine slopes, and more
Hemsedal Ski Centre has 47 slopes for every level of skier
Dog sledding, snowshoeing, ice bathing, snow kiting – the list goes on
And at the end of the day, a mountain farm to yourselves, 17 km from the lifts
A family ski holiday in Hemsedal, the alpine village three hours from Oslo
Hemsedal, in the heart of what Norwegians call the Scandinavian Alps, is one of Europe’s most reliable winter destinations: high peaks, deep valleys, frozen waterfalls and snow you can count on. Skiers of all ages have 55 kilometres of groomed, family-friendly runs, with proper off-piste for those who want it. Huso Lodge is a mountain farm 17 km from the lifts, with cottages where a whole family stays, cooks and gathers under one roof.
Why Hemsedal is gaining ground with European skiers
In 2023 the readers of Condé Nast Traveler rated Hemsedal one of Europe’s 20 best ski destinations.
Part of that is snow. As conditions in the Alps have become less certain, families have gone looking for somewhere they can rely on, and Hemsedal has stayed reliably white. Part of it is price: Norway is no longer the expensive country it once was for Danish, British and German visitors.
Why Hemsedal for a family ski holiday
Hemsedal sits midway between Oslo and Bergen, about three hours by car from Oslo. If you fly in, a hire car from Oslo Airport gives you the most freedom.
It is widely regarded as Norway’s best ski resort, and it is especially good for families. Eight reasons:
- Slopes for every level: 22 lifts and 47 runs across all grades, so Hemsedal Ski Centre has something for every age and every level of skier and snowboarder.
- More than skiing: cross-country tracks, dog sledding, skating and ice bathing on the frozen lakes, indoor climbing, ice climbing on waterfalls, sledging, snowshoeing through deep forest and snow kiting off the summits. Even sleigh rides.
- Good places to eat: Hemsedal has casual restaurants at every price. Try the tomahawk steak at Skigaarden, or the El Royal potato-bun burger at Kroken Bar & Bistro.
- Made for children: ski school just for the kids, or dog sledding for the whole family.
- Somewhere to stay that suits you: ski-in, ski-out hotel rooms, or a large, cosy cottage where the whole family stays, cooks and gathers under one roof, tucked away in the mountains.
- Sauna and ice: for the grown-ups, alternating a wood-fired sauna with a plunge through the ice is something you have to do outdoors to understand. Some hotels have outdoor pools and saunas; some cottages have their own wood-fired barrel sauna and hot tub by the water. A few will even cut a hole in the ice for you. We do.
- A long season: from the December holidays to the long, bright days of April, so Easter works as the annual winter escape too.
- The mountains are free: no tolls, no entrance fees, and endless trails and back-country to explore.
Three tips for planning a winter holiday in Hemsedal
A few recommendations for families who want the week to go well.
1. Book early, and look at the shoulder weeks
Christmas, New Year, Easter and the Norwegian winter school holiday (late February to early March) are booked almost a year ahead. Early January, March and late April have the lowest prices and the fewest people, and the snow is still there. Skiing before Christmas is worth a thought too.
2. Stay in a cottage
Coming back to a timber cottage after a day outside is how you get real hyttekos – the warmth of a wood stove, rooms built for being together, wood everywhere and untouched nature outside the window. Don’t forget your favourite slippers.
3. Book activities before you arrive
Guided trips fill up fast. If you want a family dog-sledding trip, a day skating on the lake or a snowshoe walk on the mountain, book before you come. We’re happy to help plan it, and a good deal of it is free here at the farm – the saunas, for a start.
Choose your cottage
Choose your dates and how many you are — the cottages that are free stay lit.
Or contact us for a group booking or a property takeover.
Five reasons to stay at Huso.
Secluded in nature
A mountain farm behind its skigard fence, 800 metres above sea level.
What we grow, catch and preserve here, cooked by our chef at your table — or delivered as a box for you to cook yourself.
Outdoor hot tub & sauna
Warm up under the open sky after a day on the mountain.
Trails from the door
Groomed cross-country tracks begin a hundred metres from the houses.
17 km to the slopes
Hemsedal Ski Centre is a 20min drive from the door.
Ready to book your cottage?
Pick your dates above and the cottages that are free light up; the dates go with you to the booking. If you would rather talk it through first — several families sharing a yard, a private chef for the week, or the whole farm to yourselves — write to us and we’ll help you plan it.