Hovden Alpine Centre
With a 42.5 km trail network and 8 lifts/tows up to over 1200 meters above sea level.
Hovden Alpine Center is located at the top of Setesdal and is among Norway's largest and most snow-sure alpine resorts. The lifts take you up to the mountain peaks Hovdenut and Storenos, the latter of which is over 1200 meters above sea level. Here you will get a magical view that will surely give you an Alpine feeling.
Hovden Alpine Center is Southern Norway's largest ski resort with a total of 33 slopes, 2 chairlifts, 5 ski tows, and 1 ski carpet distributed across three areas. The total trail length is 42.5 km, and the maximum vertical drop is a full 420 meters. Additionally, the resort has two parks and a ski cross trail. The lift capacity is over 9,000 people per hour, so even during a busy weekend, you will always find a tow or a lift without a queue. The trail network extends across three ski areas: Breivesiden and the areas around the mountain peaks Hovdenuten and Storenos.
At the base of Breive, you will find an unattended warming hut with restrooms where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and your packed lunch. From mid-February to the end of the season, we set up a fire pit that everyone can use.
Storenos-side
Here you will find the main part of the facility with parking, a welcome center, ski rental, and a sports shop, as well as the activity center Hovden Aktiv, which offers everything from ski school to tobogganing. You will also find the restaurants Skikroa and Offpiste here. The latter, in our opinion, serves Norway's best Italian pizza made in a wood-fired oven and hosts après-ski events with space for over 1,000 people. Midway down the slope is the Hovden Alpin Lodge restaurant, built in traditional log style, with an atmosphere that makes you feel like you are in Aspen or the Swiss Alps. Here, you can enjoy both lunch and dinner in a rustic style, made from high-quality local ingredients.
The slopes on the Storenos side range from black runs to green beginner slopes. Here you will also find the play area Tusseland, in addition to both parks and the ski cross trail. The 4-seater chairlift takes you to the top in nine minutes, and if you don't want to go quite that far, you can choose between three ski tows and a ski carpet. What’s unique about the Storenos side is that the whole family can take the chairlift to the top and find slopes that suit them, regardless of skill level. This is also where the black slopes approved by FIS for slalom. The children's and cross-country slopes also start from this top, and on the way down, the park is strategically located. So here, everyone in the family can choose their slopes, meet at the bottom, and take the lift together back up again.
Breive-side
Breive is a paradise for those who want to carve perfect turns, especially if you want to make the first tracks of the day! Here, you'll find the steep slopes and often have more space to enjoy your skiing.
There are three slopes here, all served by a 4-seater chairlift, each offering varied terrain and a level of difficulty that challenges most skiers. The main slope, Breivelia, is a popular training ground. Ski clubs from all over the country come here to practice slalom.
Hovdenut
Hovdenut is situated over 1100 meters above sea level, and for environmental reasons, the T-bar lift stops at 1000 meters. There is only one groomed slope down, but for those who love freeriding, we highly recommend this area. Many skiers carry their skis on their backs and hike all the way to the top, where you are promised a fantastic view and many exciting tracks down.
Remember that skiing outside the marked trails is at your own risk, and always check avalanche information before you set off. From this area, you can also take the trails back to the base area on the Storenos side if you don't want to complete the entire loop via Breive.
Trail Map
The trail network spans three ski areas: Breivesiden and the areas around the mountain peaks Hovdenuten and Storenos. Hovden Alpine Center is Southern Norway's largest ski resort with a total of 33 slopes, 2 chairlifts, 5 ski tows, and 1 ski carpet distributed across three areas.