2_9_ScanMag_75_April_2015_Text_Q9_MADS_Scan Magazine 1 07/04/2015 21:41 Page 71
Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Destinations to Visit in Norway 2015
Hemsedal – The Scandinavian Alps Hemsedal, mainly known as a great place to ski, has also a lot to offer in the summertime. The location in the mountains, midway between Oslo and Bergen, makes it the perfect place for adventures, summer and winter. Here, the mild east meets the wild and mountainous west. The famous fjords are located only an hour's drive away, perfect for a day trip. Text & Photos by Hemsedal Tourism
Hemsedal is an alpine-like village with long traditions of tourism. It can be traced back to the late 1800s and the first registered visitor was the well-known explorer, Fridtjof Nansen, in 1890.
In addition to skiing, try the popular dog sledding trips, cross-country skiing, an ice climbing crash course, the airy Winter via ferrata or snow mobiling. High spirits in the summery mountains
World class skiing Hemsedal Skisenter opened in 1961 and is the second largest ski resort in Norway. The resort has three peaks and offers nearly 50 different slopes, 3 parks and a large children’s area. There is skiing for all levels. For advanced skiers there are numerous opportunities for going off piste and randonées. The longest run is green, six kilometres long and has a height difference of 810 metres. A new slope opened last Christmas and finally connects the ski centre to the town centre. This means that skiers now can reach 18 restaurants. There is a shuttle bus that can take you back to the ski centre.
Beautiful scenery and a relaxed atmosphere; exactly what you need to leave behind the everyday stress, and to fill up your energy levels. Together with family and friends you can spend some great days in these mountains. Hiking is the main activity with 40 marked and signed routes in the area. The top 20 hikes bring you to 20 different peaks, with amazing views, rated from easy green to black day trips. Biking is also popular and a guided mountain bike trip is really recommended. A guide will show you the best tracks and give you valuable tips on biking technique. Downhill biking is fun to try and even pos-
sible for beginners. Fishing is possible in the four rivers and 18 lakes. The river Hemsila goes through the valley and offers world-known fly fishing. If you like some action or just want to try something new, river snorkelling and via ferrata are two fun activities, suitable for those over 12 years of age. You can also play golf on two golf courses, take a moose safari trip, go horseback riding and go climbing in the mountains. At the picturesque museum Hemsedal Bygdatun and the summer farm Ulsåkstølen you can experience Norwegian history and culture. Hemsedal Bygdatun is a restored courtyard dating from around 1730 and set in a scenic location. At Ulsåkstølen summer farm you can learn how to bake flat bread and meet animals. Also taste local food such as cheese, game sausages and traditional pastries. In short, the Norwegian mountains offer a great place for adventures, all year round. For more information, please visit: hemsedal.com
Issue 75 | April 2015 | 71