In a short time, Järvsö Bergscykel Park, has grown to become Scandinavia’s #3 bike park, behind Åre and Hafjell.
At first, the runs on the mountain might seem a bit short, but once you get into the groove, there’s plenty to get after over a few days.
If you’re into singletrack biking on a trail bike, check out Trysil Bike Arena.
Twist Twist (full run behind Kjell Arne)
Manolito –> Tuff Brud (full run behind Kjell Arne)
Malin –> Barbro (full run behind Kjell Arne and Julia)
Travel to Järvsö
A stopover in Järvsö Bike Park on the way to Åre Bike Park will do you good on the Scandinavian Bike Park Tour. Hafjell Bike Park in Norway is a must, and on weekends and some Wednesday nights, Drammen Skisenter, half an hour outside Oslo is also worth while.
With a mix of man made and natural trails, Drammen Skisenter, has something for everyone. Including a network of top notch singletrack from the top of the lift. Normally called “Aronsløypa” by the locals, this urban hill is easily within range from Oslo, just 30 minutes away.
A lot has changed from my first visit in 2006. In a good way. Fortunately, the awesome locals and hosts Erik and Guri are still around.
About the Drammen Bike Park trails Flyt is the easy trail that y0u easily could ride on your hardtail. The “113” trail has a few wooden features, and ,as the name implies, it requires a more dedicated riding style, with drops and gaps. Not too hard, but still not for beginners. On the easier note, you have Bollestien and Hennings. The first one fairly straight in the fall line along Kjøsterudjuvet, the latter less steep and a lot longer. From Flyt, you can mix it up with sections from NM-løypa.
About heavenly singletrack
From the top of the lift, you can access an enormous trail network, that will keep you smiling. A lot. And everytime you think back. With a mixture of slickrock and dense forest, the trails are smooth and flowy. The hillside is littered with trails, so with a full suspension trail bike, you can do lift supported runs all day. Or just do longer rides on the plateau and finish with some of the special stages from the DrammeEnduro that left grown men giggling (see map below).
Here’s the machine built Flyt, second by second.
Here’s one of my favorites, Bollestien. Full run, second by second.
Hennings trail, also full run, second by second:
NM-løypa + Rett ned (?)
TBE singletrack run, second by second. Not an official part of the bike park, but it gives you an idea of the terrain.
Makken flying high in Rollercoaster, Hafjell Bike Park. Foto: Simen Berg
Text/photo: Simen Berg
Hafjell BP opening hours 2015:
June 20th- through August: Thursday – Sunday (Mon-Wed closed)
September: Saturday + Sunday
October: Høstferien
Hafjell Bike Park continues (update Oct 27th ’14)
Alpinco threatened to shut down the bike park (see below), but now there are great news for the 2015 season (opening hours above). In a press release they announce a season running from June 20th to the beginning of October. Through August they will be open Thursday – Sunday. In other words, biking tourists will have to spend Monday – Wednesday on their trail bikes riding singletrack at Skeikampen or Hafjelltoppen/Pellestova area. The latter will, according to the press release, get more signs, and that’s a good thing.
The best biking trails in Scandinavia
180 kilometers north of Oslo, you find Hafjell, right by the Olympic city of Lillehammer. The host of the 2014 Mountain Bike World Championships.
Hafjell Bike Park already has a legendary status among the top downhill riders from the 2012 and 2013 World Cup events. Steve Smith named it “the best berms in the business”, and introduced #BermBoner. That tells you a lot, add to that Peaty’s remark from 2012, when he had to go back to the 90ies to remember a WC track that he liked as much as this.
For everyone But Hafjell is far from just racing. You can easily have a laugh on your hardtail. From top to bottom: Moetown – Parkløypa – Nameless – Ekspressen – Brattlykkja – Dessert
For more challenging singletrack, take Gressløypa or Old School / New School or NM-løypa and add Råbølstien.
If you like airtime, Rollercoaster is a lot of jumps, combined with “the best berms in the business”. Just ask Makken.
Singletrack mecca as well The network of trails for singletrack biking on a trailbike from the top of the lift is amazing. Birken (Birkebeinerrittet) and Ultrabirken trails and gravel roads are parts of what the Hafjell Plateau offers. View/downoad gps tracks from trailguide.no: Hafjell -Hitfjell-Kriksfjell-Reinsfjell and Hafjell-Nevelfjell
The trails at Skeikampen only 30 minutes away, are some of the most flowy in Norway.
Hafjell Bike Park continues (update Oct 27th ’14)
Alpinco threatened to shut down the bike park (see below), but now there are great news for the 2015 season (opening hours above). In a press release they announce a season running from June 20th to the beginning of October. Through August they will be open Thursday – Sunday. In other words, biking tourists will have to spend Monday – Wednesday on their trail bikes riding singletrack at Skeikampen or Hafjelltoppen/Pellestova area. The latter will, according to the press release, get more signs, and that’s a good thing.
Last season? See update on top! Unfortunately it seems like the Hafjell owner, Alpinco, with shareholders Pasab (Petter Stordalen/Buchardt) and Investinor are eager to shut Hafjell Bike Park down. With hardly any promotion at all and finishing off the season before they even have the “Closing weekend”, the most profitable weekend of the year, it seems obvious that the main goal is to make sure that the bike park loses money. For one thing, closing the day after the World Championships Downhill final is a bad idea. All riders, media and crew have their first “day off” of the season. After they sleep off the hangover, they go riding. With cameras. Also the weekdays before the Masters Championships, no lifts are running.
Hafjell in winter time
Obviously, the 1994 Olympics venue for Alpine skiing (snowboard was hardly invented back then) is a winter destination as well. But not for me, as I don’t care much for the slopes. But if you do, Hafjell is among top ten in Norway for carving.
Here’s Moetown and Parkløypa for you:
Here’s Expressen:
Hafjell eating and nightlife
Skavlen on top of the gondola serves lunch, I really enjoy the Pulled Pork with coleslaw and the Pizza. Waffles + “Kanelbolle” are OK, and although they don’t have a coffe machine, the Americano is OK.
The only place for afterbike beer is Woody’s in the base area. They also serve sad burgers, but 2015 news is that they finally have decent coffee.
At night there are no other options than going to Lillehammer, unless it’s the opening/closing weekend. Then there’s a party above the bike shop. 2015 news is that this place, Ryk & Reis offers a place in the sun for great pizza and burgers. Not to mention a beer, glass of wine, etc.
Hafjell accommodation
There are three major booking options. This far none of them seem interested enough to offer bundled packages with lift pass/accommodation/bike rental. Make sure that the place you book isn’t far away on the top of the mountain.
– norskhytteudlejning.dk – hafjellresort.no – hafjellbooking.com
Travel to Hafjell
Driving from Oslo takes 2 hours and 15 minutes on the main road between Trondheim and Oslo/Gardermoen Airport.
The train stops at Hunderfossen and Lillehammer – NSB.no (note that bringing bikes on the train could be a hassle)
The bus stops in Øyer, right by Hafjell. NOR-WAY.no (note that bringing bikes on the bus could be a hassle)
Scandinavian Bike Park Tour
If you’re already travelling far, add Swedish Åre Bike Park and Järvsö Bergscykelpark to your Great Scandinavian Bike Park Tour. For natural trails, Drammen Skisenter/Aronsløypa (half hour from Oslo) is worth while as well.
If you’re into singletrack biking on a trail bike, check out Trysil Bike Arena.
Åre is a true mountain bike resort, with a Whistler vibe. Not only because of all the vertical meters from top to bottom, but also because the cozy town is all about biking.
Every year we spend a few days in Åre, and with some friends among the locals, we know the place fairly well.
For years, Åre Mountain Mayhem was the main summer event. Now Åre Freeride Festival organized by Åre Bergscyklister in early July is the busiest week of the season.
The Bike Park The lift system runs from Åreskutan (lift to 1274 masl) down to 389 masl at VM 8:an.
From VM 6:an, Lilla Blå and Flinbanan (see film below) will get you started with a smile on your face. More hectic and challenging are Nelson/Tjernis and DH-banan. The next level is served by Hummeln, and gives access to quite a few trails, including the popular Shimano-leden. And the new (2014) trail Uffes, after the former bike park manager, Ulf Olofsson.
From VM 8:an you can do Månskogen/Getrappet and Bräckebäcksleden. Respectively smooth and rough happiness on two wheels. Keep going up, and you’re facing 9 km and 20 minutes of pleasure. Easy Rider is an amazing collection of berms, while 1000 metersleden and Hellrajd are all natural.
Preseason riding in May happens from Bergbanan on the lower slopes.
Åre Eating/Night Life
Get the daytime snack (fika) at Stormköket on top of Åreskutan. Fjällgården is more of a restaurant, but still on the hill.
The after bike spots are Dahlbom and Broken. The latter has amazing tex-mex.
Wersén’s has an excellent dinner menu. Including reindeer, that really blew my mind when I tried it.
At night, Dahlbom is the place for bubbles and drinks, if you didn’t get too many on their sunny terrasse in the afternoon. The best bar (by far) for bikers by bikers is Parkvillan.
Travel to Åre
The train connects Åre to Stockholm and Trondheim, just pay attention to distances and logistics when you book a place to stay. Getting the bike on the train in Trondheim might be tricky, but normally it works out. By plane you go to Trondheim or Östersund.
Driving from Oslo, I prefer to do 710 kms through Sweden (via Kongsvinger/Torsby). With a stopover in Järvsö Bike Park on the way. For the Scandinavian Bike Park Tour, add Swedish Järvsö and Hafjell Bike Park in Norway. On weekends and some Wednesday nights, Drammen Skisenter, half an hour outside Oslo is also worth while.
If you’re into singletrack biking on a trail bike, check out Trysil Bike Arena.
Åre Accommodation
To leave the car parked the whole visit, we usually stay close to the square. STF Åre Torg used to be a bargain, but still is a good deal in the midst of everything. We can also recommend bike in/bike out Hotel Granen. Skistar will normally have bike package deals, so check it out. Parkvillan also has accommodation.
A couple of films to give you an idea (more to come).
Tobbe Spesial, starting at Hummeln
On Tobias Liljeroth’s tail: Örnnästet – Rydbergs väg – Shimano-leden – Västra Stjärnvägen – Solstigen – Getrappet
Sondre (10) – first day on the new bike
A young man, Sondre (10), got a new bike and got to try it out with his dad Rune Dahl on his tail in Flinbanan. Seems like the youngsters already has his bike sorted out.
Åre Bike Park, Månskogen, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
PLEASE NOTE – THE BIKE PARK WILL NOT BE OPEN AFTER THE 2013 SEASON! Drammen Skisenter (half hour drive) and Hafjell Bike Park (two hours drive) are the closest alternatives.
On June 29th 2012, Norway got an addition to the list of lift served bike parks aimed at those who like to fly down trails on full suspension downhill/freeride bikes. Oslo Sommerpark now offers five trails, of which one is a hand built DH race track. Next year they will add another three trails.
Fairly new sport in Norway
Gravity based biking in bike parks really started off for real in Hafjell around 2005. Until then, most of the action happened in Frognerseteren, close to Holmenkollen. Served by line 1 on the Oslo subway system between Skådalen and Frognerseteren. And that’s the same stop you will get the closest to Oslo Sommerpark by the Tryvann tower. More about the other bike parks later.
About the park
This bike park is a totally incredible accomplishment, taking into consideration that it all was built from scratch in less than two months.
But here it actually is, and five trails are up and running, with three more to come in 2013. Bike Park guru Snorre Pedersen from Hafjell Bike Park designs the trails, so no rookie mistakes around here.
The five trails are:
Begynnern: Flowy and bermy out in the open.
Eastside: Some tables and berms, but mostly tight corners on a narrower, machine built trail in the forest.
Fri Flyt: High speed trail with a lot of air time.
Stiknuser’n: Singletrack
Ryehufsa: Sportsklubben Rye built a downhill track for Norwegian Cup events.
Note: Please note that the videos were filmed on the very first opening day, with loose and wet conditions.
BEGYNNER’N TRAIL June 27th
EASTSIDE TRAIL June 27th
FRI FLYT TRAIL June 27th
About the bikes
Begynnern and Eastside are smooth enough for hard tails until the brake bumps get to tiresome. With a full suspension trail / AM bike you’ll be fine in Stiknusern as well.
With a freeride/downhill bike you’ll be happy all over the place.
More Norwegian parks
Hafjell is the best bike park in Norway. Half an hour from Oslo, Drammen Skisenter offers excellent biking. In addition, you can enjoy lift served downhill biking at Geilo, Hemsedal, Ål, Narvik, Vrådal, Hovden, Ulriksbanen (Bergen), Fjellheisen (Tromsø).
Only 1.5 hours by car from Oslo, you can do one of Norway’s most amazing All Mountain rides on your mountainbike. The climb starts at approximately 800 meters (from the tree line), and follows a truly biker-friendly DNT trail to Høgevarde (peak at 1459m, DNT-hut at 1400m). If you go back down all the way to Krøderen Lake (132m), you’ll have one of the most majestic singletrack/doubletrack runs you can find in Norway. 25 kilometers downhill, of which only 3 kms on gravel/tarmac roads. And only a couple of handfulls of climbing meters.
From the Høgevarde peak you can enjoy a 360 degree view only surpassed by Gaustatoppen in southeastern Norway (straight to your west when standing there). You can also see Tryvannstårnet in Oslo on clear days.
EQUIPMENT
There’s just one short passage on the climb that’s a bit hard to climb, mostly because of loose rocks. In other words, you’ll be fine on a 120 mm full suspension mountainbike. With more travel, you’ll obviously be more comfy at higher speeds back down the hill. A hardtail will also be OK, but not ideal. Additional protection other than the helmet really isn’t necessary, but I’ll wear light knee/elbow pads the next time I go (watch the video and judge for yourself). Two cars make the shuttling easier, but you might get a lift back to the top, or call the taxi (could be expensive).
GETTING HERE
By car from Oslo, you go on E16 from Sandvika and Riksvei 7 from Hønefoss until you get to Noresund. Then you wanna take a look at the map and start planning. It’s 1.5 hours from Oslo, a little less from Drammen.
From August 4th to 7th, Hafjell Bike Park hosted the European Championship in downhill mountainbiking. The trail got really popular among the riders, and despite a few rainy days, the sunny day of the finals left everybody with memories of a perfect event.
I went to Hafjell to shoot some photos, and I published just about all of them on my website, Bergphoto.net. Please see below these shots for links to a couple of videos giving you the roundup of what happened.
Text: Simen Berg Photo/Video: Simen Berg
Simen Berg - bergphoto.net 