Trip Report: Why Trysil is My New Favourite Ski Resort

As a reasonably competent intermediate, I’m quite easy to please when it comes to skiing. I like my runs anywhere between green and black and, to be honest, I’m not too fussy about conditions either.

However, as content as I'd be (and have been) in pretty much any ski resort, I have to say that Trysil is now decidedly my favourite.

Trysil took me back to what made me love skiing in the first place. That overlap between relaxation and exhilaration, that sweet spot where you're challenged but never overwhelmed, is easy to find amongst its vast network of varied runs.

Trysil hits the mark in almost every way for me, but in this blog, I'll just summarise a few of the things that made this trip great and what you can expect if you head there for your slopeside adventure.

To find out more about skiing in Trysil or to book your trip, call our team of experts on 01273 224060 or enquire online.

Trysil is quiet, very quiet. Unlike some other resorts I'd been to where the sheer number of people and general bustle can make you feel a bit overwhelmed, skiing here is a pretty chilled-out experience.

I saw why it's such a popular option for families and first-timers, or indeed anyone who's looking for a more relaxed and low-key atmosphere. The quiet village, friendly locals and having everything within easy reach is enough to put even the most nervous skier at ease.

The lack of crowds made our first morning on the slopes a breeze. Ten minutes was all we needed to get our equipment before joining a very small queue to board the Fjellekspressen chairlift.

On a particularly hushed Monday morning, the runs we passed over were almost empty, and while I expected the crowds to mass as the day wore on, it stayed quiet until the last lift at 16:30. A slope to yourself is a regular occurrence here!

The first-rate hospitality of the locals contributes to the relaxed atmosphere. Norwegians are straightforward, friendly and calm. They don't go in for razzmatazz or anything that's too 'in your face' so you're left to enjoy the skiing and laid-back apres scene at a leisurely pace.

In spite of our group's differing levels of ability (Jack managed to do a backflip in the snowpark, I crashed on one of the kids' jumps) we wanted to spend a good chunk of our time in Trysil skiing together.

Happily, the chairlifts straight out of the village give you quick access to a range of fun and gentle slopes. We did plenty of laps here and it was a great way of putting us on an equal footing.

Anytime you ski away from the main chairlift areas is when it gets really quiet, and skiing the meandering green runs through the picturesque forest in Vihammerskogen was about as pleasurable as it gets in any ski resort.

By her own admission, Victoria was not the most confident in our group. Here's what she had to say about her time in Trysil:

"Being a fairly nervous snowboarder (I can just about get down green/blues and reds but with no style), it was nice to authenticate how accessible Trysil is for all levels. For someone that feels they need to be given a wide berth when snowboarding, this put me more at ease.

There are runs for all abilities across the whole mountain so I felt comfortable exploring knowing that if we chose separate routes we could simply reunite at the bottom."

Everyone has different perceptions of their own skiing ability. In my case, I know that I'm a reasonably competent intermediate skier with a considerable overestimation of my ability to tackle more difficult runs.

If you're anything like me, you know what it's like to have to temper your expectations of what can be accomplished out on the slopes. Fortunately, Trysil is one of those resorts that is kind to skiers like us.

I found that the red and black runs around the resort and especially in Høgegga struck just the right balance between sheer fun and exhilarating challenge. Even the steeper slopes don't surprise you with sudden drops or uneven terrain. What you see is what you get - a long and even thrill from top to bottom.

For a further vote of confidence in the terrain, take it from Jack, the most experienced member of our group:

"Scandinavian skiing generally has a reputation for being a great choice for families with young children. This can leave parents or older teenagers asking whether there is enough terrain to keep them happy.

Having skied extensively across the world, I’m always pleasantly surprised by how good Norwegian resorts are and how varied the terrain is. Trysil is no exception. From easy warm-up groomers to 45 degree “Expert Runs” and some of the best snow parks in Europe, there is something to offer everyone.

Ski Safari top tip: do not form your opinions by looking at the piste maps. The ski area is a lot larger than it looks on paper!"

So the skiing was great, but what about the stay? I always think that the nearer you are to the slopes, the better ski holiday you'll have. Staying at the 4*+ Radisson Blu Resort Trysil emphatically checked this particular box.

Just a two minute walk followed by a magic carpet ride takes you up to the lifts, and you can even ski right to the entrance of the hotel once you're done for the day.

I remember getting back to the Radisson Blu on our second day after some hotel visits. There were 45 minutes until the lifts closed and I was weighing up whether it was worth heading back to the ski area. I decided to go for it. I grabbed my skis from the lockers, made my way to the lifts and easily managed to fit in two laps on the Fjellekspressen with time to spare.

The hotel itself was a joy to stay in. It had a relaxed ambience, friendly staff and great on-site options for eating. In fact, the food at the Radisson was one of the highlights of the trip for me. Lobster at the Brasserie T was particularly delicious, in spite of the fact that my attempts to dismantle the crustacean caused great amusement around the table.

Carina, who is herself from Norway, was equally impressed with the Radisson:

"It was great being back in Trysil after so many years, and the Radisson Blu (Turistsenteret side) were kind enough to host us. The staff here are welcoming, friendly and always happy to help. When you first walk in you’re immediately drawn to a great firepit in the reception which contributes to the warm atmosphere. We stayed in the Deluxe Family rooms, and we can promise you that even the wall-mounted beds and sofa beds are roomy and comfortable!

We had a quick walk around before dinner to see where we had to pick up our rentals the next morning, and the rental shop is conveniently located only a 2 minute walk away from the hotel. Upon checking in you can get access to the hotel’s free ski lockers which make skiing in and out a breeze."

One of the biggest reasons to go skiing in Norway is how late you can be sure of getting excellent conditions. We skied there in late March and the snow was as good as we could have wished for (it usually sticks around well into April too!). Plus, with so few skiers about, the groomed runs stay in great shape further into the day.

Of course, it helped that we were extremely lucky with the weather - from the first minute of our trip, the ski area was bathed in golden sunshine that magnificently illuminated the huge dome of the mountain that rises above the tree line.

The crystal clear skies allowed us to witness how beautiful Trysil is. The surrounding landscape which is covered in dense Norwegian forest stretches for miles and you can even see across the border into Sweden.

On the last day of our trip I was happy to find a few serene moments on my own at the top of Trysilfjell just to take in the incredible views...

All in all, our trip was an absolute blast and, for me, rivalled some of the best skiing experiences I've ever had.

If gentle runs, uncrowded slopes and a relaxed atmosphere sounds like your kind of ski holiday too, I'd strongly urge you to get yourself to Trysil!

We have a fantastic range of offers for the 2023/24 season including Christmas and half term. To book, you call our team of experts on 01273 224060, enquire online, or to find out more about the resort, take a look at our Trysil Ski Holidays.