36 kilometer på smalsti, med svaberg, skog, utsikt og flytpartier. Denne turen egner seg like godt nordover som sydover. På grunn av nærheten til sjøen er spesielt Tjøme normalt godt egna for piggfri sykling hele vinteren igjennom. Siden innbyggertallet på Tjøme femdobles i sommerferien, anbefales turen først og fremst fra september til april.
VARIGHET: Lengden er 33 til 37 km avhengig av rutevalg, med omtrent 500-700 høydemeter ifølge Strava. Det tar fra tre til sju timer avhengig av form og brekkasje på folk og utstyr.
MAT og DRIKKE:
Før: På veien til Verdens ende passerer man helt syd på Nøtterøy Kiwi (inntil veien i Kjøpmannskjær i Vrengensundet). Statoil ved hovedveien i Tjøme sentrum er siste sted for bunkring. Sikkert også det greieste stedet for drikkevann også, selv om det er et servicebygg på Verdens ende (v/gjestehavna).
Under: Man passerer Rimi på Tjøme etter en drøy time, altså er det et egna sted for en teknisk hvil og bunkring. I Vrengensundet ligger 8 glass (åpent i sommerferien, sånn cirka) snublende nær ruta på Tjøme-sida. Kiwi Kjøpmannskjær ligger jo heller ikke så langt borte fra ruta hvis man er desperat. I Vestskogen passeres Statoil/Kiwi i Kjernåsveien, men da er det kort vei igjen til Slottsfjellet og Tønsberg Brygge.
Etter: Havariet på Tønsberg Brygge og Roar i Bua er fine steder å få seg en matbit.
KART, GPS-spor og SIKKERHET:
Langs ruta er det alltid kort vei til nærmeste bilvei, og nummeret til taxi er 33301111. Men det hjelper å vite hvor du er hvis noe skulle skje. Så husk fullada telefon! Der har du selvsagt installert nød-appen til Norsk Luftambulanse. Jeg bruker oftest Navida-appen, som har gode kart og kan vise min posisjon. I nettleseren er mtbmap.no sjukt bra, i tillegg til egen posisjon kan den også vise lag med Strava-heatmap (som blir bedre den dagen vi kan skille på MTB og Road).
På den fullada GPS‘en bruker du OSM lasta ned fra frikart.no, med mtb Norway layer, oppskrift her: mtbmap.no/garmin
Hva skal du ha i sykkelsekken? Ekstra slange(r), lappesaker, pumpe, kjedekutter, tørt skift, gjerne en varm jakke, førstehjelpskit, kontanter til villkiosken i Tokeneskilen, fullada mobil.
Hva slags sykkel egner seg best?
Fulldempa stisykkel med 100 til 130 mm vandring er best. Men det går finfint på hardtail også. Dekkvalg er en smakssak. Her er det alt fra sva og stein til jordbunn og røtter.
Kollektivt
For de som ikke sykler tur/retur fungerer bussing rimelig greit. Se rutetider er her
Viktig: STIVETT
Vis hensyn til fotturister, de skal passeres med maksimal avstand, og hvis du ikke stopper opp for å la de gå først, skal du maks ha gangfart. OK?! Og låsing av bakhjul i nedkjøringer er ikke akseptert, og straffes som alltid med dårlig karma resten av livet. Det er FORBUDT å sykle i Moutmarka, som er en del av Færder Nasjonalpark. Så der må du eventuelt trille sykkelen.
For øvrig gjelder som alltid vanlig høflighet/folkeskikk, Kardemommeloven og NOTS’ stivettregler.
Hemsedal has it all. Predictable snow conditions, a central location, amazing offpiste, great variety in the slopes, in addition to nice restaurants and awesome night life. No other Norwegian resort can tick off as many boxes. Oh, and by the way, you have direct access to backcountry touring from “downtown” Hemsedal. Lifts normally run from the first weekend of November to May. The longest run is more than 6 kilometers (see video below), and you can do offpist runs with a 800 vertical meter drop. You can ski in all aspects of the mountain, and the variety in the groomers section is the best in Norway. 10 to 15 minutes on foot will give you runs with all the challenges you need. And way less tracks.
BUT
Skistar Hemsedal is (proudly) the most expensive resort in Norway, and snow conditions and the quality of the slopes may not necessarily reflect that. A two day lift pass will set you back 860 NOK, about a hundred euros (Oct. 2016). Unfortunately it is only the price that is premium.
A lot of young people go there to party, and if you’re not paying attention to where you book your stay, you could be sorry.
On Saturdays and holidays, the slopes to get crowded, so do the lift lines.
If you are good skier who goes there for off piste skiing or on not so busy days, you’ll normally be fine.
Variation in slopes
My favorite slope is Hemsedalsløypa. It’s just a shame it isn’t four times as long with an express chairlift next to it. This is why Hemsedal can’t get the top rating for the slopes. The good sections are too short, and require too much traversing. The exception is if you’re into green slopes. Then you’ll be doing great all the way from the very top (1450 masl) down to the base area of the resort, or along Sentrumsløypa to the centre of Hemsedal (new for the ’15 season, requires you to catch the ski bus back to the lifts). For experienced skiers, the best run is from the top of Hamaren and down Såhaugløypa or Hemsedalsløypa. On Fridays you can ski until 10 pm (some other nights until 7 pm), and in the high season you can go skiing from 7:30 am and have breakfast by the slopes some mornings.
Watch Lodgen Spiseri boss Iren Halbjørhus go to work from Totten (1450 – 610 masl)
Offpist skiing in Hemsedal – straight from the lift
When conditions are right, the options off the slopes are countless. Especially if you master (dense) forest skiing. Straight from the Totten II lift and Tinden lift everyone can get a taste of offpiste skiing in easy conditions above the tree line. (Super)Breidalen and Skaanebollen are legendary runs. Experienced skiers and snowboarders enjoy classics like Reidarskaret and Gummiskogen. And everything in between. I’m sorry that I’m not giving away the best runs. Powder snow is too precious for that. Hemsedal used to be one of the stops for the Norwegian Freeride Tour, actually the first place to host a freeride comp i Norway. Nowadays they just host the junior tour in Mortenskaret.
Skiing with kids in Hemsedal
The kids love Hemsedal. The children’s slopes by the Lodge has a lot of great things going on. And the easy runs on the rest of the mountain gives access to the next level of riding alongside mum and dad. There’s also a nursery (barnehage), Valles Barnepass, for the babies and when the older ones want to stay in while the parents get a few runs on their own.
Ski lessons aren’t that common among Norwegians, but all of us would have a lot more fun if we just would hire a ski instructor every now and then. Just ask my dad who relearned alpine skiing at the age of 70…
Hemsedal terrain park
Thanks to Burton snowboards’ yearly May photo shoot, Hemsedal gained massive attention in the terrain park segment in the late 90’s and early ’00s. After a decade or so of fading, it seems like the resorts interest in park riders is picking up. But the pros tend to go elsewhere to ride big features. Mikkel Bang and Mads Jonsson are among the stars who consider Hemsedal their “Home Mountain”. Obviously the skiers outnumber the boarders. Jon Olsson and Henrik Windstedt did one of their first big jump competitions abroad here. Now the rising star Øystein Bråten from nearby Torpo can be spotted on a regular basis, so can his brother Gjermund Bråten.
Backcountry ski touring in Hemsedal
Over the past ten years, touring has exploded in Hemsedal. Along the road over Hemsedalsfjellet, you see tracks all over the place. Skogshorn, Nibbi, Skurvefjell are all nice mountains with easy access. The latter you can get to from the Hemsedal village without a car.
Cross country skiing in Hemsedal Holdeskaret: Past the lifts you find groomed tracks to the south, including Flævasshytta by Flævassdammen. Some even take you to Bergsjøstølen and Ål. Gravset: The cross country arena with partly lighted groomed tracks – for as long as you want to go. The network of tracks in the area connects with Golsfjellet and Lykkja/Vaset towards Valdres.
Follow the tracks: There are also tracks on the valley floor. Check where the run and when they got groomed on Skisporet.no
Night life and restaurants in Hemsedal
The party scene in Hemsedal is only matched by a few resorts when it comes to the apres ski (afterski). On weekends and during holidays, late night clubbing is only matched by Oslo (if you ride Tryvann/Oslo Vinterpark).
15 years ago it all happened at Hemsedal Café when the lifts closed. Now it’s more spread out. My favorite recipe is an offpist run from Roni to Skarsnuten Hotel. By far the best view, and normally my kind of music. If it gets to low key, you just ski down to Stavkroa for the club feeling and dancing on the tables. Skistua normally offers live cover bands. The more mellow options are Hollvin and Lodgen. In the centre of Hemsedal, Hemsedal Café will probably cater to the ones who finish the day with “Sentrumsløypa”. Some will go to T-kroken or Champagneria. Through this first season with “ski in” access “downtown”, the crowd will decide where the action is. Late at night, Hemsen offers DJ gigs and concerts. Downtown, Bar(t) is the place, unfortunately unpredictable when it comes to DJ bookings.
Where to eat on the slopes: Hemsedal has evolved a lot when it comes to food over the last few years. My favorite is Fjellkaféen (outside peak hours). When Skigaarden opens, Bølgen & Moi will grant excellent food experiences. Lodgen Spiseri has changed A LOT for the better for the ’15 season, and Hollvin and Skistua are nice as well. I haven’t tried Skarsnuten lately, hopefully they have improved like the rest of the restaurants in Hemsedal. (I’ll update this post as soon as I know.)
Where to eat at night: The best places to eat tend to change with the chefs in the kitchen. For a long time Kjøkkenkroken has been the safest bet for Hemsedal. At Skogstad Hotel you now have both a sushi restaurant, plus tapas at Champagneria. If you’re into pizza, Peppe’s is found downtown. Steaks are presumably good at Big Horn Steak House by Stavkroa at the resort base area. Lodgen Spiseri is probably the best stop for dinner. And nothing beats the view at Skarsnuten, but until I try it again, I can’t vouch for the food there. At Skigaarden, Bølgen & Moi opened around New Year’s 2014.
Where to stay in Hemsedal
There are lots of rental cabins and apartments available. You need to decide whether you want lodging to be ski in/ski out, if you can do with access to the ski bus or if you’re fine about relying on the car to get to the slopes. Skarsnuten Hotel and Skarsnuten Panorama is my favorite place to stay. Sunny and nice, ski in/ski out, and the greatest view.
Accommodation booking: Skistar | GoHemsedal
How to get to Hemsedal From Oslo: By car the drive is up to 3 hours, depending on traffic (roads E16, RV7, RV52). You can go by bus or train+bus.
How to get around in Hemsedal
In high season, the ski buss service is really good. Unfortunately the taxi service in Hemsedal normally is a disaster.
How to get out of Hemsedal
Hemsedal doesn’t always get massive snow falls. But often the West Coast resorts Sogndal (2 hrs) and Myrkdalen/Voss (2:15) pick up snow from low pressures coming from Iceland. In Hemsedal, they need the low pressure to come from the UK/Denmark. Wind directions east and southeast mean nice snow falls and powder conditions.
What to do in Hemsedal in summer?
Downhill biking: Lifts run all summer, and the bike park is worth a visit. The area also offers gravel roads and singletrack trails for mountain biking. Here’s the 2021 edition of the lift served flow trail:
About me and Hemsedal: I’ve skied there for twenty years, worked there as a PR and communications manager one winter and write stories about it and shoot pictures there on a regular basis. As a skier I’m into easy access offpist skiing.
Petter Torgersen in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Petter Torgersen in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Frida Klang in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Rolf Henrik Lonnevig in Hemsedal, shot used for the calendar and much more. Photo: Simen Berg
Kathrine in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Kathrine in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Roni in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Didrik in Roni. Photo: Simen Berg
Mads Jonsson in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Aleksander Aurdal riding the terrain park in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Simen Berg in Hemsedal. Photo: Kathrine D Moen
Kathrine in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Snowboarding in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Per Ola Seim by the Easy Searcher area in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Skogshorn in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Kathrine in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Terrain park in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Overview of slopes in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Iren Halbjørhus in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Guide Jørgen Aamot at Svarthetta with Solheisen lifts, Hemsedal, in the background. Photo: Simen Berg
Full moon over Totten in Hemsedal. Photo: Simen Berg
Steffen Gulbrandsen downhill biking in Hemsedal Bike Park. Photo: Simen Berg
Rottefella ad with Kathrine shot in November light. Photo: Simen Berg
Another calendar shot with Rolf Henrik Lonnevig. Photo: Simen Berg
This year, I returned for the first time since biking took over as the number one spring activity seven years ago. And MAN, how great it was to be back. We lucked out with warm summer temperatures already 17th to 20th of May, with both lifts running from the very start on the pre-opening weekend.
After quite a few years with issues concerning the running of the resort, it now seems to be solved with new owners and an experienced and dedicated crew.
As long as Stryn didn’t live up to it’s potential for a period of time, both Juvass and Folgefonna have gained ground lately. Especially when it comes to the terrain park and photo sessions at Folgefonna.
The freeriders know what they get here, and are certainly on their way back. Because Folgefonna/Juvass can’t match the terrain. And with Stryn hosting the Snowboard national championships the second weekend of June in a killer park, they will work their way back to the top.
Facts below the pics
Folven Camping
Facts
Season:
Mid May – July (or whenever the snow melts)
Stryn and Folven Accommodation, Eating, Night Life
If you come here to go skiing and hang out with skiers, you need to be in the Hjelle and Folven area. Stryn is another 20 minutes by car further away from the skiing at Tystigen. With Folven camping as the happening place, it might be a bit loud on weekends. So if you admit to be too old, check out Nygård Camping or Hjelle Hotel. If you’re not into happy people at a bar, you should stay at Grotli, Strynevatnet or “downtown” Stryn.
Stryn Travel
For a hassle-free life at Stryn you would like to go by car. Nor-Way buses pass Folven Camping that has a ski bus service on weekends this summer.
What else to do
Ski touring, Glacier walking at Olden, Mountain biking, Beach volley at Hjelle, Surfing at Stad.
Why go to Juvass (Galdhøpiggen sommarskisenter) instead?
Fresh snow and long season. They normally run from May until the winter resorts open. Amazing early season skiing down to the valley.
Why go to Folgefonna instead?
Snowboard and ski camps and a great terrain park. Opens early May.
The best lift-served skiing in Norway is by far Narvikfjellet. The 1832 meter long gondola ride itself is worth the trip to Narvik.
2013 Links and video added below
Unfortunately it is far to travel, also for most of us Norwegians. But if you leave Oslo Thursday evening, and return Monday morning in time for work, anyone can do it without wrecking the relationship to your boss, smashing your budget or planning months ahead. Because you do want to know that the conditions are right. And in late April, you might very well encounter 30 cms of fresh snow that stays dry for the top 800 vertical meters.
The reasons why I rate it the best skiing in Norway (ahead of Hemsedal) is:
– The vast freeride terrain facing three directions right off a fairly effective lift system.
– The view of the fjord and the surrounding mountains.
– The runs from Mørkholla/Tredjetoppen that you reach after a 25 min hike.
– The fact that you’re in an actual city.
– The easy access by plane/bus (Widerøe to local Fagernes airport, Norwegian/SAS to Evenes)
– The short distance to epic touring in Lofoten or guaranteed snow at Riksgränsen.
Riders: Kathrine Duun Moen/Simen Berg
Obviously it’s an awesome place for freeride/downhill biking. This is Emil Carlson bombing. In 2011, locals started working on the not-so-downhill “Black kids” track, that will attract more normal riders. As opposed to the old and more hard core downhill track. Also Rallarveien from Bjørnfjell to Rombaksbotn is totally awesome on a FS or HT mountain bike.
Check out a full run, top to bottom, 888 vertical meters:
ACCOMMODATION On the main street, you can stay at Quality Hotel Grand Royal (redecorated in 2012) or the new landmark Rica Hotel Narvik from 2012. They both have nice rooms, great food and awesome sky bars.
MORE PICS
April 2013 pics on Fri Flyt
More powder freeride pics in my “Best of Norwegian Ski Resorts” gallery
(featuring skiing/snowboarding in Hemsedal, Narvik, Stranda, Fjellsetra and Norefjell)
At 884 meters above sea level, you find one of Norway’s architectural gems. Turtagrø Hotel has it’s origin back to 1880’s, when the Drægni family established their hotel business.
REOPENED 2002
Unfortunately the original hotel burned to the ground in 2001, but the late Ole Drægni decided to have a new hotel built. He hired the amazing architects Jarmund/Vigsnæs Arkitekter (jva.no), and from day one, the new hotel became a landmark. The pictures will have to speak for themselves. The interior and furniture is specifically designed, piece by piece.
Turtagrø Hotel. Photos: Bergphoto.net
HIKING and CLIMBING The hotel is the natural starting point for many of the most stunning hikes in Norway. With the third highest peak in Norway, Store Skagastølstind (“Storen”, at 2405 meters), as the most attractive for climbers, there are still handfulls of of other peaks to be reached without the use of ropes. Fannaråken has a DNT-hut at 2067 meters, and it’s just a three hour walk from the hotel. – Some pics from Fannaråken and Skogadalsbøen (also DNT) – Read my story from Fannaråken sunrise (pdf, in Norwegian, English, German)
Text/pics/vid/gps: Simen Berg
Text/pics: Simen Berg/Kathrine Duun Moen
Simen Berg - bergphoto.net 