Short answer
Hemsedal works well with children despite its reputation as an après-ski resort. The children's area with Valle skidland and a mini park is at the bottom by SkiStar Lodge, and the ski school always meets at Fjellreven (B1). Children can start Valle's ski school at three, six-year-olds and younger ski without a lift pass, and the ski bus is free. On Fridays there is evening skiing until 8 pm.
Hemsedal with kids at a glance
| What | Facts | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Children's area | Button lifts, magic carpets, Valle skidland and mini park | At the bottom by SkiStar Lodge |
| Ski school | Valle's ski school, ages 3–9 | Always meets at Fjellreven (B1) |
| SkiPass | Free up to and including 6 years | Cheapest when booked early online |
| Evening skiing | Fridays 6–8 pm | Non-stop Tuesday and Wednesday until 7 pm |
| Ski bus | Free for everyone | Runs between most accommodation areas |
| Height | 620–1450 m above sea level | Season all the way to early May |
Two thirds of the slopes in Hemsedal are easy, despite the resort's reputation for experienced skiers.
Hemsedal is called the Scandinavian Alps, and the resort draws many groups of friends with après-ski and long, steep runs. It is easy to think it is not for a family with small children. But two thirds of the slopes are easy, and what makes Hemsedal really good for families is that everything important is in one place: the children's area, the ski school meeting point and the big lodges. General information about the resort is in Hemsedal.
Everything gathered at the bottom
The children's area is at the bottom of the ski system, next to the two SkiStar Lodge buildings. There are button lifts, magic carpets and easy slopes for beginners of all ages, and Valle skidland, an area with Valle figures, plus a mini park with small jumps and boxes. Around the children's area there is a toilet, restaurant, playground, warming hut, barbecue area, grocery shop and the ski school meeting point.
For a family with small children it means you do not have to carry skis and kids long distances. If you stay by the children's area, a tired four-year-old can go in and warm up while the older siblings take one more run.
Tips: Further up, on slope 32, there is a Fun Ride with jumps, bumps and banked turns. It is green and fun even for children who have just learned to turn.
Ski school – always at Fjellreven
In Hemsedal it is simple: the ski school always meets at the Fjellreven (B1) base station, whatever the group. There are signs showing where each group should stand. Several groups start at the same time, so arrive in good time on the first day.
Children from three to nine go to Valle's ski school, and during lessons they are covered by accident insurance without you having to arrange anything. If you want to compare with a resort where the age groups are split even further, you can read about the ski school in Idre Fjäll.
Free for the youngest
Up to and including the age of six, children ski without a lift pass, and the ski bus is free for everyone. It runs between most accommodation areas and the ski area, so the car can stay at the cabin.
Evening skiing – and Non-stop
Hemsedal extends the ski day in two ways:
- Evening skiing on Fridays between 25 December and 19 March, 6–8 pm. The slopes are groomed and the lifts open again.
- Non-stop on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 22 December and 17 March, when some lifts run until 7 pm. There are extra dates during the sports holiday weeks.
Both times several green children's slopes are open, including Trolløypa, Valleløypa and the Fun Ride, and the children's lifts Valle 1 and 2 run. It is included in the SkiPass.
For slightly bigger kids: down to the village
Hemsedal has skiing from three peaks, all above 1,000 metres, and the highest, Totten, reaches 1,450 metres. The longest run is six kilometres. For children who ski confidently on blue slopes there is an adventure that often becomes the highlight of the trip: take slope 27 down from Totten 2 and continue on Sentrumsløypa, slope 49, all the way down to Hemsedal centre. Hot chocolate awaits there, and you get back to the slopes on the Totteskogen lift or the ski bus.
Dress the children warmly for the top – it is often windy at 1,450 metres even when it is calm in the valley. And bring a flask of hot chocolate.
Christmas in Hemsedal
Valle is there all Christmas, with activities for the children, and evening skiing starts on Christmas Day. Hemsedal is a good choice for families who want to celebrate Christmas in the mountains – more ideas for the holidays are in New Year in the mountains.
How to get to Hemsedal
Hemsedal lies between Oslo and Bergen, about 200 kilometres from Oslo.
- By car: Gothenburg–Hemsedal is around 490 kilometres, Stockholm–Hemsedal around 720. The road goes via Oslo or over Kongsberg depending on where you start.
- By train: From winter 2026/27 Snälltåget runs via the west coast to Oslo, and the bus from there to Hemsedal is included in the ticket. Another way is the Bergen Line to Gol and then a bus up the valley.
- Bus: direct buses run from Oslo to Hemsedal in winter.
Before the trip, the ski trip packing list has everything you need, and food for a ski week keeps costs down – Norwegian restaurant prices are quickly felt in a family budget.
Hemsedal, Trysil or Geilo?
- Hemsedal suits you if you long for high mountains, want everything for the children in one place and like skiing in April.
- Trysil is bigger and closer to the Swedish border – compare in Trysil with kids.
- Geilo is a quiet ski village on the Bergen Line, where the train stops in the middle of the village – read about Geilo.
Compare with more resorts in Norway's ski trips, read ski trips with children before the whole trip and check the 2027 sports holiday week for your municipality before you book.
Before Hemsedal with kids – easy to forget
Frequently asked questions
Is Hemsedal good for small children?
Yes. The children's area is at the bottom by SkiStar Lodge with button lifts, magic carpets and Valle skidland, and two thirds of the slopes are easy. Hemsedal has a reputation as an après-ski resort, but you mostly notice that in the evenings.
Where does the ski school meet in Hemsedal?
Always at the Fjellreven (B1) base station. There are signs showing where each group meets, and several groups start at the same time, so arrive in good time.
From what age can children go to ski school in Hemsedal?
Children from three can go to Valle's ski school, which takes children up to nine.
Do children ski for free in Hemsedal?
Yes, children up to and including six do not need a paid lift pass, and the ski bus is free for everyone.
When is there evening skiing in Hemsedal?
Fridays between 25 December and 19 March, 6–8 pm. Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 22 December and 17 March there is Non-stop, when some lifts run until 7 pm. Several green children's slopes are open.
