Alpine, cross-country and snowboarding
The Rjukan area has facilities for both traditional skiing and the more modern winter sports. So whether you prefer snowboarding or slalom, Telemark skiing, or perhaps want to 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 skiing. There are well prepared cross-country ski tracks, 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 at Gaustablikk Ski Centre. Here the children can learn how to ski while playing, the best way to learn.
Also new this year is a section for youth where they can edit and watch movies they have taken out on the slopes.
At Møsvatn Ski Park the toboggan run is always popular for children.
Ski passes
Ski passes for children up to 7 years are free (key card must be bought separately).
Prices at Gaustablikk Ski Centre 2012/2013
| |
Adults (from 16 years) |
Youths (8-15 years) |
| 1 day |
NOK 355 |
NOK 280 |
| 2 days |
NOK 660 |
NOK 515 |
| 3 days |
NOK 920 |
NOK 690 |
| 4 days |
NOK 1,125 |
NOK 870 |
| 5 days |
NOK 1,310 |
NOK 1010 |
| 6 days |
NOK 1,490 |
NOK 1,155 |
| 7 days |
NOK 1,650 |
NOK 1,260 |
| 8 days |
NOK 1,820 |
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 costs NOK 325 (for season 2012/2013).
You can also hire ski equipment at Kvitåvatn Fjellstoge.
Ski school
Gaustablikk Ski Centre offers skiing lessons for alpine, snowboard and cross-country skiing.
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 tracks, 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 ice climbing destination. 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.
Two of Rjukan's ice-climbing enthusiasts have created an amazing
ice park. The idea of pumping water from the gorge in Rjukan has finally been realised. The water is sprayed over 60-70 metre high cliffs, creating more than 15 climbing lines.
Snowshoeing
Guided snowshoeing trips are a new and popular activity. At Kvitåvatn ski hire you can rent snowshoes for your own use or order guided tour to Ørnenipa, Djuptjørn or Gaustatoppen. New, modern snowshoes are easy to wear. With snowshoes you have 100% control, whether you go up or down, and you have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery along the way.
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
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 bus service runs between Gaustablikk Ski Centre and 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 serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the western part of the Gausta-area, a new service centre opened last winter - Bygget. Here you will find Gaustatoppen Booking, as well as a convenient store, sport store, a ski cafe with after ski.
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