For Norwegians, skiing is a way of life and children start skiing from the age of three so it comes as no surprise that in Norwegian ski resorts, children’s facilities are as important as facilities for adults.

Many resorts also offer free ski helmet hire and free ski passes for children. More information on children’s facilities in Norwegian ski resorts below.

For those who want a break from skiing, there are an abundance of other activities to indulge in including husky dog sledding, tobogganing and horse drawn sleigh rides.  Find out what activities are available in your chosen resort below.

Children's facilities

Skiing starts at a very early age in Norway, which means the children's facilties are superb. Below is some information about the facilities you will find in each of the resorts.

Hemsedal
Hemsedal boasts one of Norway’s largest children’s areas - Trollia, which was recently expanded further. With its own pistes, lifts and terrain park, this is a mecca for the youngest skiers. The area has an English speaking crèche where children get used to playing in the snow. Activities include treasure hunts through the magical troll forest, torch lit descents and firework displays. The resort also has a green run which runs from its highest point - Mount Totten - to the ski lifts at the bottom, so both beginners and more experienced skiers can enjoy the amazing views.

Every Wednesday, there will be a family race day, where families can compete against each other or against other families! There is also a family festival every Friday in the children’s area.

All youngsters can hire helmets for free and under sevens get free lift passes.

Voss
One of the greatest attractions of Voss is the fact that everyone, including beginners and young children can enjoy the resort’s spectacular views from day one as the easy runs fan out from the mountain plateau high above the village.

For children, there is a dedicated ski area which hosts the English speaking ski and snowboard school. There is also a play area where children can borrow free sledges and keep warm with free hot dogs and hot drinks.

Any child under seven who hires a ski helmet is entitled to a free ski pass.

Geilo
Renowned for being one of the most family friendly resorts in Norway, Geilo offers four children’s areas in total.  At the bottom of the slopes you will find the Troll Club which has its own toboggan run and parents can leave their children here to be cared for by English speaking qualified nannies.

Under sevens get free lift passes and youngsters are catered for from as young as three months to the age of 12. You can even meet the characters from children’s TV station Nickelodeon, including Spongebob Squarepants!

Activities in the resort include treasure hunts, riding camp, tobogganing and ski orienteering along with a host of other events.

Trysil
Trysil is Norway’s largest ski resort and has wonderful children’s facilities.  The resort’s Høyfjellssenter area is the ideal destination for families with children as it has been specially designed with them in mind. The dedicated children’s area is located between the accommodation units and the alpine facilities.

The Turistsenter area has been expanded to become Norway’s largest dedicated children’s area covering 80,000 square metres. Completed in time for this season, The Children’s Adventure Centre is a paradise for kids.

The resort offers an adventure area for children along with nine lifts spread across three ski areas and a minipark where the youngest skiers can try jumps, rails, boxes and other ski challenges normally found in the full scale parks. Like other Norwegian resorts, Trysil has english speaking crèches and ski schools. Children under seven who use helmets receive free ski passes.  

Hafjell
At Hafjell, there are two dedicated children’s ski areas as well as five levels of ski school from Troll Club (age four-six) to Hafjellclub (16 plus). There is also a crèche with English speaking nannies and an English speaking ski school.  Children under eight receive free lift passes throughout the resort. 

Gaustablikk
Gaustablikk is the perfect family destination for families who like all facilities in close proximity. It is particularly family friendly - under eights not only get free lift passes and helmet hire, but free ski and boot hire too. There is a dedicated ski area for children as well. 

Beitostølen
Beitostølen is renowned for being a family friendly resort and children have their own designated lift and ski area. There is a children’s club with a weekly programme where they can play in the snow, join in activities, use the playroom and watch cartoons. There is a weekly family slalom and toboggan competitions. Under sevens get free lift passes. 

Røldal
Røldal is a compact resort and all the lifts are up on the mountain so it is great for families and everyone gets for enjoy the views. It may be well known for its off piste possibilities, but Røldal also offers a great range of gentler runs and superb on piste facilities for skiers from beginner/lower-intermediate level and upwards. 

Haukelifjell
Haukelifjell is a compact and family-friendly resort. The slopes are wide which means there is space for everyone and it is great for beginners. There is a new 80 metres ski conveyor for children and beginners and a very easy to use 500 metres ‘family ski lift’. 

Hovden
The ski school in Hovden is arguably one of the country’s finest, with english-speaking instructors and special children’s classes. There is also a special children’s area, Tusseland, with gentler slopes, daily activities and a cabin where they can relax and warm up. And children under seven get a free lift pass if they wear a helmet.