Excellent: Skiers and snowboarders at this level will be thrilled at the choice and challenge the slopes have to offer. You can enjoy the breathtaking views before breaking away down the many exciting fast and smooth red slopes or long and wide blues. Intermediates - Whilst in Hemsedal, intermediate skiers will find that there are plenty of challenging, long red slopes, with impressive down hills and well-groomed piste to help improve their technique.

The seven black runs here are challenging, varied and interesting, especially when shooting through forest and mogul fields. However most experts will be ready for something else before long, and as there's not much more of a challenge on piste at Hemsedal, it's lucky the off-piste is fantastic and often exceeds expectation. Hemsedal also has one of the best terrain parks in Scandinavia, featuring jumps, half pipes, quarter pipes and rails. The resort stages international snowboarding and freestyle skiing events that attract pro skiers and riders from all over the world.

The ski school and crèche are located at the base of Hemsedal ski centre and offer group and private lessons for every ability.

The Adventureski Company
http://www.adventureski.no/
E-mail: info@adventureski.no
Phone: +47 91 52 62 20
Hemsedal Skisenter Ski School
http://www.skistar.comcompany/
E -mail: skiskolen@skihemsedal.no
Phone: +47 32 05 50 67 / +47 32 05 53 90

Whether you prefer a quiet drink after you leave the slopes, or showing off your moves on the dance floor, Hemsedal should have something for you. The nightlife can be lively but not rowdy in a variety of bars and pubs. For cosy, relaxed drinks try Askeladden Bar or hit Hemsen Nightclub if you are looking for a big night out. There's a variety of restaurant to suit different tastes and budgets. Grab a pizza from Pepe's or try some authentic Norwegian food at Harahorn.

The beautiful surrounding area offers lots of opportunities to get outdoors when not on the slopes, with great hunting, fishing and mountain hiking nearby. The scenery is worth exploring - spectacular rivers, waterfalls, snow-capped and mountain farms. It is only 85km from the ski resort to Norway's longest fjord, and along the way are numerous beautiful glaciers and waterfalls. Hemsedal has an activity centre open every day with four bowling lanes, a golf simulator, billiards, darts, games and big screen TV, as well as restaurant and bar. There are a number of good shops to check out and for kids there is a snow playing area, a sledge slope, troll park and a wigwam with barbecues by the main centre. You can also try: ice climbing, kite skiing, paragliding, horse sleigh rides, dog sledding, snowmobiling, paragliding, guided mountain tours and paintballing. 

From the UK you can fly directly to Fagernes (80 km), Oslo (270 km) or Bergen, from where you can either take a bus, a train to Gol and then a bus, or hire a car to drive to Hemsedal.

Fjord1 bus company offers a variety of transfer options from the airport to the resort.
Fjord1
www.fjord1.no
Central office Boks 354, 6902 Florø 
Phone 57 75 70 50 / fax 57 75 70 01  
E-mail: fjord1@fjord1.no

Travelling by train from the UK to Hemsedal involves taking the Eurostar from Waterloo station to Brussels, and then a sleeper train to Copenhagen. From Copenhagen, you can take a connecting train to Oslo. Norway has a very efficient railway system. From both Oslo and Bergen you can get a direct train to Gol (30kms from Hemsedal) and then a bus transfer the rest of the way.

If you would like to drive to the resort, head to Newcastle, from where you can catch a car ferry to Bergen. Once in Bergen, continue your journey by car along Highway seven until Gol, and then take highway 52 from Gol to Hemsedal. The distance between Bergen and Hemsedal is 273kms.