Hemsedal is one of the most accessible ski touring areas in Eastern Norway, with everything from gentle slopes on the Hemsedal mountain pass to demanding lines on Skogshorn. The best season is usually February to April, when days are longer and the snowpack is more stable. If you are new to backcountry skiing, take a basic ski touring or avalanche course before heading into steep terrain on your own.
Why go ski touring in Hemsedal?
Hemsedal is a valley in Hallingdal, roughly between Oslo and Bergen in southern Norway. It is best known for its alpine ski resort, but the valley is also an excellent base for ski touring and backcountry skiing. It is within reasonable driving distance of both Oslo and Bergen, and many tours start right from the road or a parking area. The terrain is varied: there are gentle, open mountainsides suited to beginners, as well as steep couloirs and slopes where avalanche danger must be taken seriously.
This combination of easy access and varied terrain makes Hemsedal a great place to learn ski touring. You can practise technique and decision-making in simple terrain and gradually work your way towards more demanding objectives.
Popular ski tours in Hemsedal
Below are some of the best-known areas. Always check the latest avalanche forecast on varsom.no (the Norwegian avalanche warning service, available in English) and assess conditions on site before you go. These tours are meant as inspiration and are no substitute for your own planning.
Skogshorn
Skogshorn is Hemsedal's most iconic peak, rising well above 1,700 metres above sea level. The mountain lies north of the valley, in the area around Vavatn lake. The tour is long and physically demanding, and parts of the route cross terrain steeper than 30 degrees, which means avalanche danger needs careful assessment. The summit views are huge, and the descent offers plenty of vertical. Skogshorn is for experienced ski tourers and for those who have completed an avalanche course.
Totten and the terrain around the ski resort
From the top of Hemsedal Skisenter you can use the lifts to gain height quickly and continue on skins from there. This gives short tours with lots of skiing and is a good way to get to know your equipment. Remember that terrain outside the groomed pistes is not controlled. The same avalanche assessments apply there as on any other ski tour.
The Hemsedal mountain pass along Route 52
Along Route 52 (Rv52) towards Lærdal there are many gentle and moderately steep mountainsides a short distance from parking. The area is popular early and late in the season. It suits you well if you want to practise skinning, kick turns and assessing the snow without entering the steepest terrain. Be aware that the mountain pass can be closed or run with convoy driving in bad weather.
Tours on the valley sides
In Hemsedal itself there are several forested valley sides and peaks that make good alternatives on days with poor visibility or high avalanche danger in the high mountains. The trees give better contrast and shelter from the wind. Steep forest can still release, so check the slope angle here too.
When is the best time for ski touring in Hemsedal?
The season depends on snowfall, but roughly speaking it looks like this:
- December–January: Short days and often cold. The snowpack can be thin and unstable. Best for short tours in simple terrain.
- February–March: Longer days and often good powder. For many, this is peak ski touring season in Hemsedal.
- April: Spring snow and sunshine. Start early so you get your descent before the snow becomes too warm and wet.
Whatever the month, the weather and avalanche forecast matter more than the calendar. A tour that is safe one day can be irresponsible the next.
Ski touring gear you need
- Touring skis with skins and bindings that lock for the descent
- Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. Everyone in the group must carry them and know how to use them.
- Helmet, and ideally an avalanche airbag pack
- Warm, windproof layers, plus spare gloves and a hat
- Food, drink, map and compass or GPS, and a charged phone
- First aid kit and an emergency bivvy bag
Avalanche gear only helps if you have practised using it. Companion rescue has to happen fast, and those skills require training.
When should you take a ski touring course?
Many people start ski touring with friends and learn as they go. That can work out fine, but it is easy to become confident too quickly. A course gives you a shared language for assessments and helps you make good decisions on your own. We recommend a course if any of the following apply to you:
- You have never been ski touring, or only in simple terrain
- You are unsure how to read the avalanche forecast and apply it in the terrain
- You own avalanche gear but have not practised companion rescue
- You want to start planning and leading tours yourself
- You want to move into steeper terrain, such as Skogshorn
Basic or advanced?
A basic ski touring course in Hemsedal is for those who want to learn the essentials: uphill technique, using your equipment, tour planning, simple terrain assessment and companion rescue. If you have done a fair number of tours and want to make more independent decisions in demanding terrain, the advanced ski touring course in Hemsedal is the natural next step.
Avalanche courses: the foundation for all ski touring
If you want to focus on snow and avalanches, a dedicated avalanche course is a good choice. On the basic avalanche course in Hemsedal you learn to understand the avalanche forecast, recognise avalanche terrain and carry out companion rescue. The advanced avalanche course in Hemsedal goes deeper into snowpack analysis and decision-making in the terrain. You can find an overview of all our avalanche courses here.
About our courses
Uteguiden has been guiding since 2012. Our courses are led by certified guides, and we keep groups small so you get personal follow-up. Each course is adapted to the conditions and participants on the day. If you don't have avalanche gear, you can rent it from us. To see more tours and courses, for example in Sunnmøre, visit our ski touring page.
Summary
Hemsedal has ski tours for every level, from short tours by the ski resort to long days on Skogshorn. February to April is usually the best period, but the avalanche forecast and your own skills should guide your choice of tour. If you have little experience, a course is the quickest route to safe and rewarding tours on your own.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for ski touring in Hemsedal?
Usually from February to April, when the days are longer and the snowpack is often well developed. March often brings powder, while April offers spring snow. Always check the avalanche forecast before your tour.
Which ski tours in Hemsedal are good for beginners?
Gentle slopes on the Hemsedal mountain pass along Route 52 and short tours from the top of the ski resort are good places to start. Skogshorn is long, has steep sections and is best suited to experienced ski tourers.
Do I need an avalanche course to go ski touring in Hemsedal?
It is not required, but it is strongly recommended. Many ski tours in Hemsedal cross terrain steeper than 30 degrees. An avalanche course teaches you to assess avalanche danger and rescue a companion.
What is the difference between a ski touring course and an avalanche course?
A ski touring course covers the whole tour: uphill technique, equipment, planning and decision-making in the terrain. An avalanche course goes deeper into snow, the avalanche forecast and companion rescue. Many people take both.
What gear do I need for ski touring?
You need touring skis with skins, an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, a helmet, warm layers, food and drink, a map and a first aid kit. Avalanche gear can be rented from Uteguiden.
