Alpine, cross-country and snowboarding
The Rjukan area has facilities for both traditional skiing and the more modern winter sports. So whether you want to go snowboarding or prefer slalom, Telemark skiing, or perhaps go for long cross-country skiing or orienteering trips in the high mountains, you will find something to suit you here. Why not take a wind chute and allow the wind to blow you up the hills and on to the mountain plateau?
Gaustablikk Ski Centre
Gaustablikk Ski Centre offers skiing lessons in alpine skiing, snowboard, Telemark and cross-country. There are well prepared cross-country ski trails, traversing open mountain terrain and also running through sheltered forests.
- Lifts: 12
- Downhill runs: 32
- Longest downhill run: 3,500 metres
- Vertical drop: 635 metres
- Ski school
- Ski hire
- Cross-country skiing tracks: 80 kilometres
Take a look at the piste map.
Møsvatn Ski Park
20 kilometres west of Rjukan you will find Møsvatn Ski Park. Møsvatn is one of the gateways to the mountain plateau of Hardangervidda. Hardangervidda has superb terrain for cross-country skiing, there are many prepared cross-country skiing tracks there. Lake Møsvatn is known as one of the best in Norway for ice fishing.
This is an excellent ski centre for families with children, offering alpine pistes and a 900-metre toboggan run. The children's slope has facilities for ski jumping, mogul skiing and slalom.
Only open on weekends, during the Norwegian winter holiday and at Easter.
- Lifts: 2
- Downhill runs: 5
- Longest downhill run: 800 metres
- Vertical drop: 150 metres
- Cross-country skiing tracks: 52 kilometres
- Toboggan run: 900 metres
- Ski hire
For the children
This winter a new play area will be opening in Gaustablikk Ski Centre. Here the children can learn how to ski while playing, the best way to learn.
At Møsvatn Ski Park the toboggan run is always popular for children.
Ski passes
Ski passes for children from 0 up to 7 years are free (key card must be bought separately).
Prices at Gaustablikk Ski Centre 2011/2012
|
Adults (from 16 years) |
Youths (8-15 years) |
| 1 day |
NOK 355 |
NOK 280 |
| 2 days |
NOK 650 |
NOK 515 |
| 3 days |
NOK 905 |
NOK 690 |
| 4 days |
NOK 1,120 |
NOK 865 |
| 5 days |
NOK 1,305 |
NOK 1010 |
| 6 days |
NOK 1,485 |
NOK 1,155 |
| 7 days |
NOK 1,595 |
NOK 1,260 |
| 8 days |
NOK 1,705 |
NOK 1,365 |
Ski hire
Gaustablikk Ski Centre has a brand new ski hire. Here you will find well-prepared equipment in all sizes.
Price example: Complete alpine carving equipment for one day NOK 325 (for season 2010/2011).
You can also hire ski equipment at Kvitåvatn Fjellstoge.
Ski school
Gaustablikk Ski Centre offers skiing lessons for both alpine, snowboard and cross-country.
Gaustabanen funicular
Gaustabanen is a spectacular and dramatic funicular that goes inside the Gaustatoppen Mountain, and takes you right to the top of the mountain at 1,883 metres above sea level.
Cross-country skiing
In the Rjukan area there are tremendous opportunities for cross-country skiing. Go skiing along more than 200 kilometres of cross-country trails, most of them at Gaustablikk, Skinnarbu or in the Skirvedal Valley.
Winter without skis
Ice climbing
In recent years Rjukan has become Northern Europe's number one place for ice climbers from all over the world. Over 190 icy waterfalls in an especially long and stable winter season provide excellent conditions for climbers.
There is climbable ice in the Rjukan area from the end of October through to early April. However, the best and most reliable time to visit is mid-January to mid-March. At this time, there are more daylight hours and ice will be in abundance. There is an annual Ice Climbing Festival in Rjukan in February.
Sledge rides
Snuggle deep down under warm sheepskin rugs and allow the horse to draw you through the forest winter wonderland. Sledge rides in horse-drawn sledges are available in the mountain villages and districts.
Rjukanbadet Swimming Centre
A visit to Rjukanbadet is a wonderful way to relax. This is not just a swimming complex, but a centre for well-being and comfort. With children's pools, sports pool, climbing wall, jacuzzi, therapy pool, steam bath, sauna, two water slides, a brand new outdoor section, several diving boards, café, fitness room, solarium and much more.
Other
Try other winter activities such as snowshoeing or ski sailing/kiting. Krossobanen and the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum are open all year.
Where to stay
If you stay at Gaustablikk Høyfjellshotell, Gaustatoppen Booking or Kvitåvatn Fjellhytter you have ski in/ski out possibilities.
In the centre of Rjukan you can for example stay at Rjukan Hytteby or Rjukan Gjestegård.
A free buss service runs between Gaustablikk Ski Centre and the town of Rjukan.
Dining and nightlife
There are several restaurants, pubs, after ski and cafes in the Rjukan area. Rjukan Hytteby for instance offers the best pizza in town Gaustablikk Høyfjellshotell next to the ski centre has a big restaurant with breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the western part of Gausta-area a new servicecentre opened last winter; Bygget. Here you will find Gaustatoppen Booking, as well as a convenient store, sport store, a skicafe with after ski.
Live webcams
The webcam is from Gaustablikk and delivered by skiinfo.no