Short answer
Kvitfjell is about 40 minutes north of Lillehammer and was built for the downhill races at the 1994 Olympics. The slopes go from 185 to 1,039 metres, with almost 40 kilometres of slopes and 14 lifts – more than half of them easy. Families like to stay at Kvitfjell Vest, close to the E6, while the Olympic downhill attracts experienced skiers. The train stops about a hundred metres from the chairlift, and the Fjellpass is also valid in Hafjell.
Quick facts
- Country / region
- Norway, Innlandet (Gudbrandsdalen)
- Ski area
- Kvitfjell
- Altitude (village – top)
- 185 – 1,039 m above sea level
- Pistes
- 39 km
- Lifts
- 14
- Season
- November – late April
- Nearest airports
- Oslo Gardermoen (about 2 h 30)
- Train
- The Dovre line to Kvitfjell stop, about 100 m to the chairlift
- Price level
- ●●●●● (1 = cheap, 5 = expensive)
Family rating
3,8 / 5
- Beginner slopes More than half of the slopes are easy, and there are children's areas for beginners.
- Snow reliability A long season from November to late April and snowmaking on the slopes.
- Distance from accommodation to lifts Lots of cabin accommodation on the slopes on all three mountainsides, and the train stops by the lift.
- More than skiing The Olympic slope and the cross-country tracks – but for city life and museums you have to go to Lillehammer.
The rating is our overall assessment for families with children based on the criteria above – not a paid placement.
Kvitfjell was built for one thing: the downhill races at the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer. But what began as a race slope has grown into a whole ski resort with three mountainsides, large cabin areas and slopes for all levels. The resort is in Ringebu in the Gudbrandsdalen valley, about 40 minutes north of Lillehammer, and more than half of the slopes are easy – so it is far from just for professionals.
The pistes
| Difficulty | Kilometres | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Easy (blue) | 21.5 km | 55 % |
| Intermediate (red) | 12.5 km | 32 % |
| Difficult (black) | 5 km | 13 % |
The slopes go from 185 to 1,039 metres, almost 850 metres of vertical, with around 40 kilometres of slopes and 14 lifts. That is somewhat less than in Hafjell but steeper, and the black and red slopes are long and challenging.
The Olympic downhill
The downhill course from the 1994 Olympics was designed by the Swiss downhill champion Bernhard Russi and is just over three kilometres long. World Cup speed races have often been held here at the end of the season. The slope is for experienced skiers – but standing in the finish area and looking up is an experience for the children too.
Kvitfjell with children – choose the west side
Kvitfjell has three mountainsides. The eastern one is the original Olympic side, and Kvitfjell Vest is the one best suited to families with small children: it is easy to reach from the E6 and has a service building with a ski café, ski rental and a sports shop. The third side, Varden, is being developed in the west.
- Children's areas with easy slopes for those taking their first turns.
- Children aged 0–6 ski free with a helmet.
- The lift ticket costs 699 kroner for adults and 569 for juniors per day.
We go through how to plan a ski week with children in ski trips with children.
One pass, two resorts
Kvitfjell and Hafjell are owned by the same company, and with the Fjellpass you can ski in both – plus Oppdal further north. That makes it easy to split the week: the easy family areas in Hafjell's slopes when the children are learning, and Kvitfjell's steeper slopes when the adults want to ski. The resorts are about 40 minutes apart along the E6.
The cross-country tracks in Kvitfjell also connect with the large track network of the Gudbrandsdalen valley. More about the tracks to the south is in cross-country skiing in Hafjell.
How to get to Kvitfjell
- By train: The Dovre line between Oslo and Trondheim stops at Kvitfjell stop, which opened in 1992 and is about a hundred metres from the chairlift. You can put your skis on at the platform. The Dovre line has sometimes had long closures in winter, so check that the trains are running before you book.
- By car: from Oslo and Gardermoen along the E6 through the Gudbrandsdalen valley, past Lillehammer and Hafjell. Allow just over two and a half hours from Gardermoen.
- From Sweden: by car via Kongsvinger or Hamar, or by train to Oslo and on along the Dovre line. More about the journey is in train to the mountains.
Kvitfjell or other resorts?
Kvitfjell suits families with slightly more experienced skiers and those who want a quieter cabin area than in Hafjell. For the very youngest Hafjell is better, and for cross-country skiing Sjusjøen is hard to beat. We compare all five resorts around Lillehammer on a 3D map in the ski resorts around Lillehammer, and larger resorts such as Trysil and Hemsedal are in Norway's ski trips.
Packing for Kvitfjell – easy things to forget
Frequently asked questions
Is Kvitfjell good for families with children?
Yes. More than half of the slopes are easy, there are children's areas for beginners, and the family side Kvitfjell Vest has its own service building with a ski café and rental. Anyone who wants even more easy slopes can go to Hafjell with the same lift pass.
Can you take the train to Kvitfjell?
Yes. The trains on the Dovre line stop at Kvitfjell stop, which is about a hundred metres from the chairlift. You can put your skis on at the platform.
What is the Olympic downhill slope?
The downhill course from the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, designed by Bernhard Russi and just over three kilometres long. World Cup speed races have often been held here at the end of the season.
Is the Hafjell lift pass also valid in Kvitfjell?
With the Fjellpass you can ski in Kvitfjell, Hafjell and Oppdal. A day pass costs 699 kroner for adults and 569 for juniors.
How far is it from Lillehammer to Kvitfjell?
About 40 minutes by car north along the E6, through the Gudbrandsdalen valley. Hafjell is on the way.
