Trysil Resort Guide

1. Voted Norway’s best family resort. For multiple years, Trysil has been voted as Norway’s best ski resort for families. The child-friendly facilities are hard to beat, with superb children’s ski areas that feature magic carpets and forest trails.

2. Snow guarantee. Hugely confident in their snow conditions, Trysil offers a very generous snow guarantee: if the snow cover isn't extensive enough, you'll receive a refund on your lift pass, accommodation, ski rental and tuition.

3. Norway’s largest ski area. There’s plenty to keep you busy here, with more than 40 miles of ski slopes. The well-planned piste network means that all levels can ski together.

4. Uncrowded slopes. Even during peak weeks, Trysil’s slopes are blissfully quiet in comparison to the Alps. The wide, open pistes give you plenty of space for building confidence and enjoying the immaculately groomed terrain.

5. Friendly, English-speaking locals. Genuinely friendly and exceptionally helpful, Norwegians speak English as their second language. From the lift operators to the locals, we always find that everyone in Trysil is hugely welcoming.

6. Super-convenient resort hubs. Everything you need (from bars, restaurants and grocery shopping to ski rental and ski school is located at the two main base areas at Trysil Turistsenter and Trysil Høyfjellssenter.

7. Slope-side accommodation. More than 80% of the accommodation in Trysil is ski-in ski-out. The properties have been perfectly laid out so that you can easily ski back for lunch without having to use a shuttle.

8. Low-altitude amenities. Sheltered from the elements by the surrounding trees, the resort amenities sit at relatively low altitudes. This also makes the drive here easier and faster, with no hairpin bends to contend with.

9. Long season. Trysil’s long ski season typically runs from mid-December to the end of April, making it a great place for an Easter or late-season ski trip. Particularly with that fantastic snow cover guarantee (see reason no. 2).

10. Easy to reach. An easy two and a half hour transfer from Oslo airport, there are lots of options for getting here, with direct two-hour flights leaving from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Norway's largest ski area sits mostly below the tree line, so you can look forward to scenic trails and great visibility when it snows. Intermediates have plenty of piste miles to explore, and the mountain is almost conical in shape so you can ski most of the way around it, with great views from the exposed summit.

Trysil’s forte, however, is in its gentle, cruising runs and wide-open spaces that make those first turns feel safer and stress-free. Perfect for families and mixed-ability groups, the well-planned piste network means that you can all jump on the same lift, choose your favourite run down and meet again at the bottom. Beginners can also get a feel for the whole ski area with easier runs at all altitudes.

That doesn't mean that experts have been forgotten, however: for challenging runs, the Høgegga area has some seriously steep blacks including the 45° Run 75.

The long season means that off-piste conditions can still be good as late as March and April. We often find that the Trysilfjellet area is particularly good fun. To arrange a guide for help finding the best powder stashes, just ask a member of our team for details.

Home to Norway’s largest ski school, Trysil has some of the best ski instructors in Scandinavia. They offer tuition for all ages and levels, from toddlers and first-timers to expert skiers. As well as private lessons and week-long courses, you can try taster sessions in snowboarding, cross-country and telemark skiing. Just ask our team about the best options for your level and budget.

Adults - Graded from green through to black, all adult sessions aim to build on your existing skills and either teach you the basics or fine-tune your technique. You can choose between group lessons or one-to-one tuition.

Children and teens - One of the best places in the world for children to learn, Trysil ski lessons use fun and play as a foundation for helping children build confidence and develop new skills. Group lessons are divided into four age categories: 3years; 4-6 years; 7-9 years; and 10-15 years.

The convenience of having all the facilities you need (bars, restaurants, grocery shopping, ski rentals and ski school) in one place is something our family guests hugely appreciate in Trysil. The Trysil Turistsenter and Trysil Høyfjellsenter areas are particularly good in this respect.

Skiing at Trysil Turistsenter - The large beginner area by the Radisson Blu has three child-friendly lifts, a slalom course and a self-timed piste, as well as a green jump and rails, a sledging slope, cafe, and barbecue huts. When your family is ready to try more challenging slopes, the whole Trysil ski system is easily accessible from here.

Skiing at Høyfjellsenter - With gentle and unintimidating slopes, the sheltered skiing away from the main base area is ideal for little ones, first-timers and nervous skiers. The slopes are often deserted and the self-contained ski area allows everyone to build confidence in a safe environment.

We’ve tested and tasted our way around a huge variety of Trysil’s restaurants and bars. Here are some of our top recommendations.

Skihytta - Serves hearty dishes at the base of slopes 3 and 4. Try the lunchtime soup special - it’s served inside a holed-out loaf of bread!

Knettsetra - A traditional log cabin in the trees, near the snowboard park. Order a gourmet burger at lunch or ski here on floodlit slopes in the evening for a moose fondue. Get a lift back to your hotel on a snowmobile.

Laaven - Serves rustic meals at the base of the main chairlift in Trysil Turistsenter. Fuel up at their lunch buffet or try the speciality grill buffet on Friday and Saturday evenings.

La Pasteria - Slopeside fresh pasta, open for breakfast lunch and dinner.

Fjellroa - Formerly the Skipaviljongen, the newly built Fjellroa is in the middle of run #53 in the Fageråsen area (Trysil Høyfjellssenter) serves burgers, Asian bowls, draught beers, wines, coffees, cold drinks, pastries and a magnificent view of the slopes.

Chill Bowl & Dine - American-style diner beside the Radisson Blu’s basement-level bowling alley in Turistsenter.

Peppes Pizza - Excellent eat-in, take-out and delivery pizzas in Trysil Turistsenter.

Puben Sankt Olav - Serves a lunch buffet, pizza and pub-style menu. Also does a pizza delivery service. In Høyfjellssenter.

Barbacoa - Right by the Fjellekspressen chair lift, serving American and Mexican-style BBQ and tacos. Also offers takeaway and delivery.

Barken Restaurant - Scandinavian and international restaurant at the Park Inn, Fageråsen area (Trysil Høyfjellssenter).

Happy Faces - Eat-in or take-away burgers, bowls and sushi at Trysil Turistsenter.

Pilegrimen - Decent steakhouse in Trysil Høyfjellsenter for lunch or three-course dinners. Has a children’s menu and play area with games and films.

Après Ski (or, as the Norwegians call it, Afterski!)

Stabben Afterski - Relaxed bar at the Park Inn, with live music on Fridays and Saturdays from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, and 11pm till 2am.

Ski Pub’n - A rustic, cosy pub with family-friendly après ski, music and food. In Trysil Tursistsenter.

Laaven - The après programme runs from 3pm to 7pm, Monday to Saturday, with a nightclub on Saturdays. Trysil Tursistsenter.

Trysil has a particularly good selection of non-ski activities for all ages, whether you want to have fun as a family or relax with adults only.

1. Dog sledding - Great fun for the whole family, choose anything from a 20-minute sled ride to an overnight trip with Siberian and Alaskan huskies. A fantastic way to see more of Trysil’s beautiful natural landscapes. Visit Mountain Kings Sledehundkennel or Fjell-Huskies for details.

2. Horse sleigh ride - Take a sleigh ride into the forest and arrive in style to an evening meal served in a lavvu tent (teepee). Go after dark and under torchlight for the best experience.

3. Bowling - The Radisson Blu has an eight-lane ten-pin bowling alley and an American-style diner. A perfect combination for a fun family evening.

4. Spa - The SkiStar Lodge Kulpen Spa has an indoor-outdoor pool, outdoor hot tubs and several saunas. Alpine Spa & Relax at the Radisson Blu Resort has nine treatment rooms, plus a Jacuzzi, Finnish sauna, Turkish steam room and an aromatic laconicum.

5. Surfing and swimming - The FlowRider indoor surfing wave at the Radisson Blu is seriously good fun. Anyone can have a go, from children and complete beginners to pro-level surfers. Join a taster session or book some tuition. The pool complex also has a glass climbing wall and an indoor pool with currents.