Hemsedal reviews - World Snowboard Guide

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Sat 25 August 2007 esd
Visited once in Feb 2007 after a good snowfall.The park(s) we're lookng well but didn't attack them as riding with an injury. Instead we headed to the extremes of the resort and were suitably rewarded with empty pistes and some sweet side country tree runs during a white out. Don't expect the steeps of the Alps or motorway pistes (this IS Norway !) but it could be a great minibreak or part of a road trip.

Pre-season Norway

Mon 4 December 2006 Boardcore

Pre season snow was the quest and we got it in Hemsedal, transfer from Oslo is more like 3 - 3.5 hours, hard driving, not the 2hrs stating on the site.

Conditions - icy enough at the minute, but a few more snowfalls will take care of that. No park set-up yet, but that could be a blessing. If you stray off-piste, there are some challenging tree line descents.

The beer ain't cheap, but worth splashing out on to get to know the locals, super friendly when your the only Irish in town. Top marks.

Pros - Lifts, locals, trees, boarding in November

Cons - Expensive everything

Resort Statistics

Resort Type: Alpine
Winter: Nov to May
Summer: None

Lifts

Total Lifts: 17
Chair lifts: 6
Drag lifts: 11
Max people per hour: 22,600
Board Leashes required: No

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 34
Total ride area: 42km
Longest run: 3.7miles (6km)

Top lift: 1450m
Vertical drop: 810m
First lift: 650m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 56%
Red runs: 27%
Black runs: 17%

Lift Passes

Lift Passes:
Half-day 285
1 Day pass - 320
2 Day pass - 640
6 Day pass - 1320
Season 4295
Lift times:9.30am to 9.30pm

Snowfall

Average annual snowfall: 3m
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 25%

Facilities

Snowboard Schools: 90 min lesson 420 (weekend)
5x90mins lesson 595 (week)
Private lesson 430 for 50mins
Snowboard Hire: Several companies in town. Hemsedal Sport Skiservice charge 310 per day for board and boots
Night Riding: : Tuesday-friday until 9pm. 5 slopes lit.