Friendly, safe and fun for beginners, improvers and families would best describe winter at Beitostølen. Situated at the edge of the Jotunheimen National Park, in the area known as Valdres, Beitostølen enjoys a stunning setting.
Gentle, uncrowded slopes, a virtually queue-free lift system and an excellent snow record from November through to May. More challenging slopes and off-piste skiing can be found at Raudalen Alpine Centre across the valley, served by a daily ski bus service. Off the slopes, there are plenty of activities to choose from and during the winter, organised family activities every day.
Alpine skiing and snowboarding
Ski Centre
The Ski Centre is situated right in the centre of Beitostølen, facing south. It has a sunny location with easy access to a 6-seater chairlift, two 3-seater chairlifts and a T-bar lift, and five button lifts. There are 12 different slopes available, two of which are lit – allowing late night skiing. The ski lifts take you up to an altitude of 1,100 metres above sea level.
The ski centre also offers a large fun park with a great variety of rails and jumps.
Raudalen Alpine Centre
Across the valley from Beitostølen you will find Raudalen Alpine Centre. Here you find a chair lift streching 1,440 metres, and a button lift streaching 1,020 metres. Either lift will take you into the mountain, thus also offering a great starting point for cross country skiing. Large parking, no parking fees.
Ski bus
There is a regular bus service between Raudalen and Beitostølen.
For the children
At Beitostølen children's safety is very important - there is a designated ski slope and lift for kids in the ski centre, which is highly secure, allowing the children to develop their skiing skills in a playful environment.
Behind Bergo Hotel you will find a Children's Play Land - a safe and spacious playground for the youngest children.
Here you wil also find a field for snowmobile for children from 6 to 12 years old.
Beitostølen Ski School offers classes at most levels, including children.
Ski passes
The skipass for Beitostølen includes both the ski centre in the village winter park and the alpine centre in Raudalen. Children 0 - 6 years ski for free when wearing a helmet.
For all lifts, buying a key card is required. The price is NOK 90, and the key card can be reused the next time you are in Beitostølen.
Price examples for the 2012-2013 season
| |
Children/youths (7 - 15 years) |
Adults |
| 1 day |
NOK 260 |
NOK 340 |
| 5 days |
NOK 960 |
NOK 1,280 |
| 7 days |
NOK 1,130 |
NOK 1,555 |
| Weekend (Saturday + Sunday) |
NOK 465 |
NOK 625 |
| Season |
NOK 3,100 |
NOK 4,130 |
Ski rental
Beitostølen Ski Rental is situated in the Knutsstöl shopping quarters at the foot of the alpine slopes. Here you can rent any skiing equipment – alpine, carving, telemark, snowboard, cross country skis, sledges eand more.
The Ski Rental is also familiar with dealing with larger groups of people wanting to rent.
Price examples for the 2012-2013 season
| |
1 day |
2 days |
4 days |
| Alpine equipment height till 130 cm |
NOK 200 |
NOK 300 |
NOK 460 |
| Alpine equipment height 140 cm+ |
NOK 300 |
NOK 490 |
NOK 710 |
| Cross-country height till 150 cm |
NOK 150 |
NOK 240 |
NOK 370 |
| Cross-country height 160 cm + |
NOK 190 |
NOK 290 |
NOK 410 |
| Snowboard & boots height till 130 cm |
NOK 210 |
NOK 320 |
NOK 420 |
| Snowboard & boots height from 130 cm |
NOK 300 |
NOK 470 |
NOK 680 |
Ski school
Beitostølen Aktiv & Skiskole (ski school) is situated in the shopping quarters at Knutsstøl, at the bottom of the Ola-express lift, offering activities and classes for groups as well as individuals.
Beitostølen Ski School offers classes for most levels, including children. The ski school employs trained instructors in all types of skiing.
Cross-country skiing
Beitostølen offers 320 kilometres of prepared cross country tracks, some of which stretching into the Jotunheimen National Park and offering great views. There are different types of forest and high mountain tracks - depending on how challenging and how long you want your journey to be.
Also available is a late night cross-country track which stays lit till 10 pm.
You may study the description of each slope as well as the interactive track map.
The World Cup arena for cross-country skiing at Beitostølen is considered one of Norway's best, and has gained great international recognition. The arena is situated within walking distance of the centre of Beitostølen, and the slopes are open to the general public when there are no arrangements there.
On site you will find a five-kilometre long track which is lit up and stays open til 10 pm.
In addition to the World Cup Cross-Country Ski Trails, Beitostølen also offers a Biathlon arena with 30 targets at a 50 metre distance. The arena is constantly developing, and the arena was recently considerably upgraded.
Free skiing/off-piste skiing
Raudalen and the surrounding area are good for off-piste skiing - the area is famous for its snow condition and powder. However, always remember to consider the avalanche risk and have proper equipment when free skiing/off-piste skiing. If you do not know the area; always ski with a local or hire a guide.
Free skiing/off-piste skiing is always at your own risk and responsibility. Skiing outside the groomed pistes of Beitostølen Ski centre or Alpine Centre is also considered free skiing/off-piste skiing and at your own risk.
Winter without skis
There are scheduled winter activities such as dog sledding and snowmobile driving. You can also try snow rafting and ice fishing, and you can sign up for a lavvo evening.
Where to stay
When it comes to accommodation, there are plenty of places to spend your holiday. Beitostølen Resort offers two full service hotels – Radisson BLU Resort and Bergo Hotel. Both hotels also have a large variety of apartments and cabins to rent – 2,000 beds in all.
All units in walking distance to all the village's activities and all less than 800 metres from the ski slopes.
Book your accommodation online
Dining and nightlife
Beitostølen offers several restaurants and cafés, serving everything from traditional Norwegian food to tapas and pizza. If you feel like dancing the hotels offer dancing and nightclubs with live bands on weekends.
Enjoy after ski in one of the four bars in resort:
- Arnolds Pub
- Caféen
- The Lobby Bar at Radisson BLU Resort
- Svingen Pub
Live bands often play on weekends and during public holidays.
Live webcam
The webcam is delivered by beitostolen.com
Getting to Beitostølen
By car
Beitostølen is situated about half way between Bergen and Oslo, which means a little less than four hours driving from each.
By bus
Valdresekspressen will take you from the main bus station in Oslo to Beitostølen. There are several daily departures.
The Øst-VestXpressen Bus will take you from Bergen via Lærdal to Fagernes. From Fagernes there is a bus to Beitostølen.
By plane
There are daily services between Fagernes and Oslo Airport Gardermoen.