Guide: Explore Hafjell

Where to stay

In Hafjell, there’s a place to stay for every kind of ski holiday. Settle close to the slopes for easy access to the lifts, head higher into the mountains for quiet days among the cross-country trails, or stay lower down for a slower rhythm with Lillehammer close by.

• Mosetertoppen is for groups who want alpine and cross-country skiing close to the same base. Our hosts like being able to head in different directions in the morning, then meet again for lunch or a coffee at Favn, the mountain village at the top of the gondola, at the Mosetertoppen Ski Stadium, the starting point for the cross-country trails, or back at the cabin.

• Hafjell base and Gondoltoppen suit travellers who want lifts, ski lessons and rental to set the rhythm. Stay here when the alpine day comes first, or when some from the group would rather take the gondola up for lunch and a mountain view.

• Pellestova and Øyerfjellet are for quieter days on cross-country skis. Higher up the mountain, the landscape opens into birch forests and wide views, with trails winding through the landscape and beautiful places to stop for a break before making your way home.

• Øyer and Lillehammer work well when the holiday should include more than skiing. Staying closer to the valley keeps shops, cafés, Maihaugen, an open-air museum of Norwegian cultural history, and the old town within easy reach, with Hafjell just a short drive away when you want to spend a day on the mountain.

Where to eat

In Hafjell, good food is part of the ski experience. Our hosts often plan their ski route around where they want to stop for lunch, choosing slopes and trails that take them to a favourite restaurant, café or mountain spot along the way.

• Skavlen at the Gondola top is a good stop for coffee, cake or lunch, with views across Gudbrandsdalen below. Take the gondola up if you want to enjoy the mountain and the view without spending the whole day skiing.

• Favn is a natural meeting point at Mosetertoppen, right in the heart of the ski area. Stop here for pizza, lunch or dinner, then stay for a coffee or a drink while the others finish their run. It’s an easy choice when some of the group have been skiing alpine and others cross-country — everyone can meet back here.

• Pellestova is a mountain hotel and a classic stop for lunch on a longer cross-country ski day. Set high in the mountains, it’s a good place to warm up with a coffee, a waffle or a hearty stew with mashed potatoes and lingonberries before deciding whether to turn back or continue further into Øyerfjellet.

• Rakkelhanen is a small café and pub near Mosetertoppen, known as a cosy stop for coffee, drinks and something to eat. It’s the kind of place to keep in mind when you want a shorter break without going far from the trails. Check the current opening days before heading over.

What to do

Hafjell is at its best when there’s room for more than skiing. Spend the morning on the slopes, head out on the cross-country trails, or swap skis for a walk, a sauna or a quiet afternoon at the cabin.

• Start with an alpine day. Families can stay near the gentler areas, while experienced skiers follow the mountain towards its Olympic terrain.

• Give cross-country skiing its own morning. From Mosetertoppen, choose a shorter loop or follow the tracks towards Pellestova with lunch as the turning point.

• Spend a day in Lillehammer, the small town just below Hafjell. Visit Maihaugen, an open-air museum with more than 200 historic buildings, wander through the town centre and settle into one of its cosy cafés for coffee and something sweet.

*Try one of the region’s Olympic winter experiences, from bobsleigh rides to tobogganing. It’s a different way to experience the mountains and a good choice when the group wants a break from skiing.

*Come home early. Several of our handpicked cabins have a sauna, fireplace or hot tub — perfect for warming up while gloves dry and dinner gets started.

Where to wander

The quieter side of Hafjell often begins just beyond the most obvious route.

• Take a walk through Lillehammer’s old streets, where wooden houses, small shops and cafés make for an easy afternoon away from the slopes.

*Around Mosetertoppen, you can keep things simple after skiing. Take a short walk, stop by the local ice rink or bring a sled and let the children have one last run before heading home.

• Stop at Gondola Top for wide views across the Gudbrandsdalen valley. Towards the end of the day, it’s a good place to pause and take in the mountains before heading back down.

Inspiration for your next escape

A winter holiday in Hafjell doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. One person can take the gondola up for the first runs, another can head into Øyerfjellet on cross-country skis, while someone else stays behind with a book and a perfect view from the cabin. Then come back together for dinner, a sauna or a quiet evening by the fire. The best days leave room for both doing your own thing and being together.

Explore Landfolk’s handpicked holiday homes in Hafjell.