Hafjell Resort Guide

If you’re looking for a larger Scandinavian resort that is easy to get to from any part of the UK then Hafjell is for you. With a really diverse amount of terrain, this is a great resort to suit many different abilities.

Hafjell ticks so many boxes - beautiful scenery, easy transfer to resort, large amount of terrain for all abilities, excellent lift system and ski school plus a fantastic choice of restaurants and non-ski activities both on and off the mountain. What more could you want!

1. Great for mixed ability groups - whether you’re a family or group of friends, Hafjell has terrain suitable for all abilities. What we love most is there’s a beginner area right at the top of the mountain which means even first time skiers can get to the top without feeling out of their depth.
2. Excellent lift system - Hafjell has a high-speed gondola to take you up, from where you can take a covered and heated chairlift to the top peak. Everything works so efficiently and has been well-designed allowing you to really maximise your ski time.
3. Ski school - Hafjell has one of the best ski schools in Norway and that’s a high accolade bearing in mind the world-class tuition Norway is renowned for. Group sizes are small and they often have more than one instructor per group!
4. The train to resort - with the train to Lillehammer (1hr 40 mins) departing straight from Oslo airport and a short 15 minute taxi ride to your hotel this is not only one of the easiest resorts to get to, it’s also a lovely part of the holiday with beautiful scenery to pass the time.
5. Visit Lillehammer - As host to the 1994 winter Olympics, Lillehammer is a fantastic town to explore as an add-on to your ski trip. Regular buses run between here and Hafjell so you can easily visit after a day’s skiing.

Hafjell ski area offers a large amount of varied terrain suited to all abilities and with empty slopes, it all stays perfectly groomed throughout the day. Unusually, there is beginner terrain right at the top of the mountain, so first-timers can get an all-mountain experience that’s normally restricted to intermediates or above - and the views are spectacular! For intermediates or more experienced skiers, there are nice long runs with undulating terrain to really perfect your technique.

• Vidsyn - the views are unbeatable from this modern mountain restaurant. Run by the same people as the Nermo, you know that the food will be delicious and local.
• Skavlen - a fantastic convenient stop for everyone at the top of the Gondola with superb views down the valley.
• Sætra - a café with a rich menu and a large terrace, also at the top of the Gondola
• Gaiastova - easy self-service food, high-end tapas or a bit of crazy après ski Norwegian style, Gaiastova at the top of the mountain is the place to go.
• Woody’s - a typical English pub-style restaurant at the base of the mountain.
• Hafjell Pizza - the popular pizza restaurant has opened a new location on-mountain at the resort base, offering over 20 American and Italian style pizzas.
• Olympiatunet - ideal for a quick stop, serving fast food, soups, baguettes and wraps - plus a waffle shop on good weather days, weekends and holidays.
• Lodgen Mat & Drikke - tasty and hearty traditional Norwegian dishes, and easily accessible from the slopes.
• Restaurant Favn - as part of the Favn apartment complex, all tastes are catered for under one roof - from the café and bar, to the wine cellar and chef's table. 

Top tip - if you’re heading out for spring skiing, stop at the supermarket up at Gaiastova and head to one of the free barbeque stations. The resort has several, all lit and maintained by the resort so no need to light your own. You just need to supply and cook your food - a brilliant way to have a very social and frugal lunch!

• Fjoset Steakhouse & Bar – within close walking distance of both the Scandic hotel and the Hafjell hotel
• Hafjell Pizza Drive & Restaurant
• Restaurant SMAK

Hafjell offers floodlit night skiing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until 20:00.

Just 3 km from the slopes in Hafjell, this is Norway’s own mini, frozen Disneyland. With a Norwegian fairytale castle, Hunderfossen is a magical place for families to visit with lots of fun activities such as sleighrides, snowrafting and icebowling. Or if you’re a couple or group of friends the Ice Hotel bar is well worth a visit. Look out, you may encounter some Norwegian trolls along the way!

For families with kids whose energy is never-ending head to the soft play area at the Hafjell hotel. With ball pits and slides, it’s 800 square metres of fun, fun, fun.