HEMSEDAL AT A GLANCE

WHY WE LOVE VOSS?

Voss, Norway, is considered a great destination because it combines breathtaking nature, thrilling adventure, and authentic culture all in one place. Here are some reasons why it stands out:

1. Adventure Capital of Norway

• Known as the country’s adrenaline hub, Voss offers skydiving, paragliding, white-water rafting, mountain biking, and even an indoor wind tunnel.
• Extreme Sports Week (Ekstremsportveko), the world’s largest extreme sports festival, happens here every summer.

2. Stunning Natural Scenery

• Nestled between fjords, mountains, and lakes, Voss is surrounded by postcard-worthy landscapes.
• Visitors can explore waterfalls like Tvindefossen, nearby fjords such as Nærøyfjord (UNESCO World Heritage site), and peaceful lakes perfect for kayaking or swimming.
• Winter: Two ski resorts—Voss Resort and Myrkdalen—offer excellent slopes for skiing and snowboarding.

Beginners

1. Gentle and Green Slopes
   Voss Resort has quite a few easy (green) slopes and gentle blue ones. There are areas specially designed for learners. For example:

• Trollbakken at Hangurstoppen: a gentle slope with a magic carpet (~65 m), very accessible from the gondola top station.
• Grebbesbakken in Bavallen: another easy slope with a 50-m ski carpet, good for beginners to build confidence.
• Badnakrokjen slope for children and absolute beginners.

1. Good Instruction and Support
   The ski school is well-set up for beginners:

• You can take group lessons at green or blue level (often 2-5 days courses) or private lessons.
• Meeting points include Hangurstoppen (top of the gondola) or Bavallen.
• Lessons cover everything from your first snow-plough (wedge braking) to full turns, balance and even stepping up to more advanced stuff.

1. Kid-Friendly / Family Features
   If you’re learning as part of a family or with children:

• Free lift pass + helmet & ski equipment for children aged 0-6.
• Dedicated children’s areas so they’re not mixing with faster skiers on steeper runs right away.

1. Access and Transport

• Gondola from Voss town centre takes you up in ~9 minutes. This makes getting to the slopes pretty easy without a long drive or lift-transfer.
• Ski pass covers a wide range of slopes, including easy ones.

What It’s Like for Beginners

• Terrain: The beginner slopes are wide and forgiving—good for practising stopping, turning without fear, and getting a feel for the gradient. Not overly steep.
• Snow & Conditions: Good infrastructure and snow-making help ensure slopes stay in decent condition. That’s helpful when early/late in the season.
• Weather: As with many mountain resorts, weather can affect visibility, temperature, and snow quality. On bad weather days, the gentler, tree-lined or sheltered runs are more comfortable.

 Tips to Make Learning Easier

• Book lessons in advance, especially private ones or group ones during peak times.
• Arrive early at the meeting point, especially if you need to rent gear, etc. It takes time.
• Dress appropriately: layer up, waterproof outerwear, gloves, goggles. Even on sunny days, wind and cold can matter when you’re just starting.
• Take breaks: learning is physically demanding. Expect to be tired, especially your legs.
• Start small: use the magic carpets and simple lifts first, aim for confidence on gentle slopes before trying steeper blues.
• Safety: always wear a helmet; know how to fall/tumble safely; keep control; and ensure you understand signage, slope markings (green, blue, red, black).

Pros & Cons for Beginners

Pros Cons / Challenges-very good learning zones close to lifts or gondola-some of the higher/more open slopes can get wind-exposed or more challenging, so staying lower until ready is wise.High quality instruction in English/language options Peak times (like weekends or holidays) might be busy; queues can frustrate learners.Family-friendly, with kid areas and free stuff for young children If snow is thin or weather bad, the easier slopes are still better but might be icy or hard in parts.Scenic, beautiful Norwegian terrain; a nice mix of convenience & “real mountain” feeling Altitude isn’t like big Alpine resorts — fewer super high runs, but still enough for beginner to intermediate.

Intermediates

1. Terrain & Variety

• Voss has around 40 km of groomed alpine slopes in total, with 24 different pistes/lifts.
• For intermediates, this means there are quite a few medium-steep slopes (blue/red depending on local grading) that let you practice carving, linking turns, managing speed, etc.

1. Longest and More Challenging Runs

• The main downhill run is about 3,600 metres long with ~ 900 m vertical drop. That gives you long runs where you can sustain speed and rhythm.
• There are also steeper runs, including a Super-G slope and an international giant slalom course. These aren’t for beginners, but as an intermediate who wants to push a bit, they’re good goals.

1. Lift Access & Layout

• There are 10-11 lifts, including a gondola from Voss town centre up to the slopes.
• The gondola (or lifts from Bavallen) gives access to different peaks: Hangurstoppen, Slettafjellet, Horgaletten. That means you can mix and match runs, choosing steeper or gentler ones depending on energy and mood.

1. Evening / Night Skiing

• There is night skiing several nights a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday). More than 10 km of floodlit trails at green, blue, red, and even some black slopes.
• This is great for extending your ski time and practising in different light/conditions. It also tends to be less crowded.

1. Off-Piste & Touring Potential

• While much of the skiing is on groomed trails, there are off-piste areas and forest skiing for those who want to explore beyond the pistes.
• Also, the surrounding terrain (e.g. Lønahorgi) offers ski-touring routes. Good for intermediates wanting to try more adventurous days.



Pros:

• Long runs help build stamina, speed control, turning technique.
• Decent lift infrastructure; gondola gives quick access, less time riding, more skiing.
• Night skiing gives more options, especially if weather is changeable.
• Scenic: views over fjords and mountains add to the experience.
• Less crowded than many big Alpine resorts (often). More relaxed feel.

Challenges:

• Weather & snow conditions in Norway can be more variable than in the bigger mountain ranges. Warmth, snow-rain, etc. may affect snow quality.
• Some of the “intermediate/blue” runs might, in practice, feel steeper or more technical (especially near red/black ones); if you’re not solid, some routes might feel demanding.
• Getting familiar with what the slope grades really mean locally helps avoid over-stretching.

Advanced

🎿 Alpine Terrain for Advanced Skiers

The resort boasts 40 km of groomed alpine slopes, including:

• The World Cup Course: A challenging giant slalom run stretching from Hangurstoppen to Bavallen, featuring steep gradients and technical turns.
• Tealøypa: A red-graded route accessible via the Slettafjellet T-bar, offering a mix of carving opportunities and terrain park features.
• Black Slopes: The resort includes several black-graded slopes, providing steep descents for expert skiers.

🏔️ Off-Piste & Backcountry Adventures

Voss is renowned for its abundant snowfall and off-piste opportunities:

• Freeride Zones: Areas like Horgaletten, Slettafjellet, and Hanguren offer untouched powder slopes, ideal for freeriders.
• Ski Touring: The surrounding mountains provide diverse terrain for ski touring, with routes suitable for advanced skiers seeking longer descents and varied conditions.
• Guided Backcountry Trips: For those unfamiliar with the terrain, guided tours are available, ensuring safety and access to the best powder conditions.

🏂 Terrain Park & Snow Features

The resort features a snow park catering to all levels:

• Big Air Jump: A prominent feature in the park, offering advanced skiers and snowboarders opportunities to showcase aerial skills.
• Freestyle Elements: Various jumps, rails, and boxes are integrated into the park, providing a dynamic environment for freestyle enthusiasts.