Hemsedal is a ski resort city in Norway. It is probably best known for it's large alpine skiing area. Hemsedal is a municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hallingdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Trøim. In 1897, Hemsedal was separated from the municipality of Gol to become a municipality of its own.
Hemsedal is the second largest ski resort in Norway and has the largest number of millionaires per capita. From the museum farm Øvre Løkji, there are several trails up into the mountains.
The Norwegian word hems ("bed built in a small loftroom") is named (ironically) after the valley of Hemsedal. The Old Norse form of the name was Hemsudalr. The first element is the genitive case of a river name Hemsa (now Hemsil) and the last element is dalr which means "valley" or "dale". The meaning of the river name is unknown.
PLACE TO VISIT
The Hemsedal Bygdetun is located at Øvre Løkji in the village of Ulsåk. The museum has houses and artifacts from the first part of the 18th century and all the way to modern times. The farm is located in the middle of an agricultural landscape formed by old methods.
The waterfall Rjukandefossen located in the vicinity of the village Tuv.
During every autumn, winter and part of spring tourists travel to Hemsedal for skiing.
WHAT TO DO
One of the best rated ski resorts in Norway. 41 slopes and 18 lifts!
Afterski and nightlife is comparable to or better than the big resorts in the European Alps! Other Alpine facts:
The unique mountain scenery gives Hemsedal a decidedly "alpine" feel. It has the highest alpine point in all of Scandinavia, 1500 metres above sea level, and a vertical drop of 810 metres.
Variety and diversity characterises Hemsedal's network of pistes. The pistes are wide, well groomed and suited to all levels of expertise. Everyone can enjoy the clean fresh air, the panoramic view and the descent from the highest mountain, as there are green pistes all the way down to the base area, as well as more advanced runs.
Hemsedal on world’s top five to go boarding! The snowboard/ terrain park is considered one of Europe's best, known for its high standard and challenges for all. Big jumps, fun boxes, half pipe, two quarter pipes, rails and more attractions make this an ideal playgroound for the thrillseeker. There is also a separate park for beginners.
HOW TO REACH
Hemsedal is a 3 to 4 hour drive from Oslo. Alternatively you can take an express bus, but they have strange departure times; only on sundays for one for example som make sure it actually departs. You can also take a train to Gol and bus or taxi from there.
