Beitostølen

Beitostølen, Norway

Beitostølen (pronounced bait-oh-stir-len) lies on the edge of the beautiful Jotunheimen National Park and offers 320 km of groomed cross-country trails in the forest and mountains. It is a compact resort, easy to get around, and situated around the base of a downhill ski area. The resort facilities are all within easy walking distance and for a small village, there is a surprising number of restaurants, bars and shops to choose from, plus several supermarkets and bakery, all housed in attractive wooden cabins.

Getting to Beitostølen by Air


Oslo is the easiest airport to fly to and is about a 3 to 4 hour bus journey away. British Airways flights to Oslo on Sundays.


Fagernes is the nearest airport 45 minutes away, but there are limited flights there.

Transfer from Oslo by Bus


If you are travelling independently then you can catch the Valdres Express (Valdresekspressen). There are trains and buses that will take you to Oslo Bus Terminal. Bus transfer from Fagernes Airport Leirin to Beitostølen is only 45 minutes. You can also book a bus ticket from Gardermoen  Oslo airport to Beitostolen direct with Nor-way.no.

Taxi Services


The number of a local taxi service is  +47 613 406 00, which is handy to have for getting about.


Ski bus information/timetable
Ylläs cross country ski map

There is a free small ski minibus that runs between Beitostølen and the downhill resort at Raudalen. You can use this to start the routes further to the west, or to bus/ski in either direction from Beitostølen if you don’t want to ski both ways.


The bus picks up from the lay-by next to Huset Steak and Bones restaurant and the cafe at the foot of the Raudalen downhill piste. You may even find that if you are the only ones on the bus, they will drop you to your hotel if it is reasonably central.

Cross country ski map of Beitostølen and the resort
Cross Country Ski Tracks and Routes

The best way to plan your route is to use the interactive map of ski tracks and information on when the ski tracks were last groomed. This map can be accessed from a phone and is useful on the trail, and also gives the route profile and length. This information is available for the whole of Norway so can be used in other resorts.


The local association is a collaboration bewteen industry, cabin owners, residents and landowners who produce a report on how they are preparing the tracks for the season.


Don’t be fooled by the Green and blue labelled trails. I found nothing flat except some tracks around the stadium, and some of the green’s are quite deceptive and not that easy for beginners!  Head towards the ski stadium if you want to be on the flat for a bit of technique training, or challenge yourself to the World Cup course there.

Beitostølen Cross Country Ski Routes

  • Green Trails

    Green 1 (from the centre towards the top of the lifts - 6.K

    Starting point: From Gjestegaarden Resort apartments, behind the Radisson Blu hotel . Walk down the road going to Raudalen and the track starts on the right hand side of the road. The map classes it as an easy trail suitable for beginners and facilities with small children. Dogs must be on a leash. However, once the initial part next to the road is finished, you will immediately start to climb up and there are also several short sharp downhills to keep you entertained.


    Green 2 ( extra loop to Gr.1 at Garli) - 5K

    Starting point: Via Green 1 from Gjestegaarden Resort apartments, behind the Radisson Blu hotel . Extra loop to Green 1.


    Green 3 (light woodland trail) - 4K

    Starting point: Via Green 6, mounting from the Grønolen Mountain Farm.


    Green 4 (light woodland trail to the ski stadium) - 4K

    Starting point: From Hegge Apartments , below the Radisson Blu hotel.


    Green 5 (light woodland trail v / Raudalshytta) - 8K

    Starting point: From Raudalshytta, go to Ulvildsete.


    Green 6 ( Linkage between Gr.3 and Gr.4) - 3K

    Start Point: Start at Green 4 down Haugsynlia.


    Green 7 ( at the stadium , floodlit until 22:00) - 5K

    Starting point : Green 4 passes into green 7 down at the World Cup stadium.


    Green 8 ( Extension of Gr.7) - 5K

    Starting point : Green 8 is a mounting for Green 7 at the World Cup stadium.

  • Blue Trails

    Blue 1 (easy  trail around Knausen) - 6K

    Start from the top of Ola-Expressen. Around Knausehøgda.


    There is a GPS of  Blue 1 and 3 routes Below


    Blue 2 (Forest and mountain v / Garli / Smørkoll) - 6K

    Start from the parking Garli south or from Beito, just after the cattle guard on the road to Lykkja.


    Blue 3 (medium trail from Bitibua around Grønekinnkampen) -  4K

    Start by leaving the Blue 2 straight down Fjellstølen.


    Blue 4 (extra loop to Blue 2) - 8K

    Start by leaving the Blue 2 straight down Fjellstølen.


    Blue 5 (between chairlift and Garli) - 1K

    Start from the top of the chairlift the trak goes to the parking spots at Garli south and north Garli.

  • Red 1 Trail - Moderately difficult trail to Karifjorden - 17K

    There is a GPS of this  route below in the frame.


    Total ascent – 500m Total descent – 597m

    This tour follows groomed tracks and is a scenic 17.2 km loop,  suitable for advanced and well trained cross country skiers.


    There are two ways you can start:

    1. take the chair lift or ascend on skies along the edge of the ski slope to the top station of the main ski lift (straight uphill). The trip starts on a 500 m connection track that leads to track Blue 1, right underneath the hill ridge of Knausehøgdene. Follow Blue 1 to the left and keep straight ahead onto Red 1 after another 800 m, where Blue 1 turns to the right. After 900 m, keep straight ahead (slightly to the right fairly steep downhill) in the junction where Blue 3 exits to the left. On the other side of the downhill run you need to climb again to the saddle at Gravolstjednet.
    2. Start your route where the Red 1 climbs out of the town by the Kiwi supermarket. You can either walk down the road to get here, dependent on where you are staying, or start from the Green 1 (south) from town which joins onto the Red 1 if you make a left hand turn at the Hytte Restaurant. Walk across the road and after a 100m climb over 1.25K you will reach a junction with the red route coming in from the left. Take a right here. Be prepared - this starts at a 144m climb over 1.4km and will get the heart pumping!

    Now you’re high up and during the slight downhill run to Lake Vinstre/ Karifjorden you can enjoy a fabulous view towards Jotunheimen! There’s a warming up hut at Ole called Olsbu where you will need a stop before you tackle the next stretch marked "!" on the map. This is a long ascent which takes you to the highest point of the route: the saddle between Svoloberget and Olefjellet. It is a 100m climb over 1.25km. Brace yourself for a steep and long downhill run to the eastern end of Lake Olevatnet. Under good conditions this is great fun (watch out for skiers in the opposite direction, though), but under difficult and icy conditions you might want to take off your skies and walk down here.


    The trip continues flat around Lake Olevatnet. There is another hut stop here called Fjellbua.  At Melbystølen, you can choose between Blue 1, leading higher up along the hillside and offering a beautiful, long downhill run in the end, or Red 1, which leads on a lower track through the birch forest, back to the centre of Beitostølen. Both alternatives are about equally long but the Blue 1 version gives a great downhill run.

  • Red 2 to Red 10 Trails

    Red 2  to Bygdin - 18K (Opens 1st February)

    Moderately difficult mountain trail with panoramic views of Red 1 in Gravolen to Blue 7 by Smørkoll. Refreshment kiosk at Båtskaret. From Red 1 by Gravolen to Green 2 at Smørkoll is 10.4K..


    Red 3 (Extra trail to Red 1 on Landslides Alen) -  13K (Opens 1st February)

    This is an extension of the Red 1, which takes off the south end of Olevatnet and goes around Stryteberget and has great panoramic views.


    Red 4 (Panorama trail) - 13K (Opens 1st February and groomed by snowmobile)

    A trail from the top of Raudaen alpine slopes to Blue 4 by Trollhovd.


    Red 5 (From the top of Raudalsheisene) - 8K (Opens 1st February)

    Easy mountain trail starting at the top of the Raudalen alpine slopes. Nice views up very exposed. It paralels Green 5 at Ulvidlsete.


    Red 6 - Moderately difficult Panaoram Trail - 7K (Prepared only at Easter)


    Red 7 Easy Mountain trail -  4K (opens 1st February)

    Start by leaving Red 1 over Knausehøgdene.


    Red 8 - 2.6K

    Connecting trail between Green 3 and 4. Demanding descent.


    Red 9 - 2K

    Connecting trail between Blue 4 / 7 to Beito. Demanding descents.


    Red 10 - 8.4K (opens 1st February)

    Connection trail from Red 2 to Bygdin Fellhotell. In high season there is a bus from Beitostølen to Båtskaret and onwards by belt-wagon to Bygdin. The track is preapred when Bygdin is open. From crossing the Red 1/Red 2 by Gravolen to Bygdin is 8.4K.

  • Black 8 - 4K


The Stadium have their own website, with detailed information the stadium at Beitostølen.  There are 12.5 kms of world approved tracks and 7.5 kms of artificial snow are laid down for an early season start is a lit trail of 5 kms.  In summer there is a roller ski course suitable for beginners and intermediates. And the biathlon range has 30 targets for all levels.

There is a charge for use of the stadium and you can see the various layouts below.

    • Beitostølen stadium photo
    Cafes on Cross Country Routes

    The nearest you get to a café on the trail in Norway are small cabins to warm yourself along the route. They are quite difficult to spot sometimes, but are marked on the trail map as blue huts. Around Beitostølen several cabins are open daily during the winter weeks 7 – 8 – 9 and Easter. In some of the small cabins they serve food and beverages during high season periods. But usually be prepared to bring a packed lunch and thermos flask for your refreshment stop. If you're lucky there will be a log burner to warm up by.

    Where to Stay


    There is a good choice of accommodation of all types within the village. Popular hotels are the Radisson Blu and the Bergo, and Apartments are also at the Bergo. There is a selection of tour companies who service this resort which are detailed in the section below.

    Webcams
    View from the top of the Bergo Hotel towards the downhill piste.
    View from the Radisson Blu hotel towards Raudalen downhill piste.
    View of Garli and the summit Bitihorn at 1609m.
    View from the lower part of the Alpine Centre in Raudalen.
    Weather

    The early days of winter can be particularly cold and especially windy, resulting in some icy snow conditions for skiing. However, early February onwards is a lot more hospitable. There are some lit tracks in the local area, and especially at the ski stadium.
    Bars and Restaurants


    There is a good choice of places to eat in Beitostølen if you don't have half board in your hotel, but be aware that prices in Norway are quite high, especially alcohol. Popular one are -  Peppes Pizza (burgers and pizzas) and Chen's Beijing House (Chinese). I think they both also do takeaways and they are opposite the Bergo hotel.


    Popular bars - The Svingen Pub.


    Cross Country Ski Rental/Retailers


    Mikkel at Beitostølen ski rental is one of the best ski rentals for cross country skiing in Beitostølen. It is also conveniently located for the Bergo and Radisson Blu hotels next to Intersport. Here are the xc rental prices for 2023.


    Supermarket


    There are 3 supermarkets in town. One opposite the Bergo hotel which is the largest, another down past the Bergo near the Tourist office on the right hand side of the road, and the Kwik supermarket at the end of the town, just next to where the Red 1 starts.

    Cross Country Ski Races

    

    The Valdres March is a popular ski race (classic style) from Beitostølen to Danebu, a distance of 65 km. You can also choose a shorter distance. The race was first organized in 2001.  Information can be found here  although it appears it has not been run since 2020 due to lack of organisers.

    Tour companies who feature Beitostølen

    British Airways

    Beitostølen Tourist Office | Resort Information | Twitter/X | Facebook | Instagram


    This is the main Beitostølen tourist information website. You will find the tourist office a little further down from the Bergo Hotel going towards the bottom of the town.


    Beitostølen on Twitter/X is @Beitostolen


    The official Instagram account is https://www.instagram.com/beitostolenresort/


    Beitostølen Stadium Facebook page



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