Choosing between Norway’s two heavyweight resorts, Hafjell and Trysil, is a dilemma every skier faces for the 2026 season. While both offer world-class Olympic heritage and impeccable grooming, the “right” choice depends entirely on whether you value technical progression or expansive mountain variety.
| Feature | Hafjell | Trysil |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical Drop | 864m | 685m |
| Lifts / Runs | 19 Lifts / 50km | 31 Lifts / 71km |
| 2026 Day Pass (Est.) | 699 NOK (£51) | 715 NOK (£53) |
| Best For | Progression & Parks | Families & Large Groups |
| Travel Time (from OSL) | 2h 15m (Train/Bus) | 2h 30m (Coach) |
Norway 2026: Lock in Your Base
Hafjell and Trysil both see high demand for the 2026 season. We recommend booking Hafjell for easy rail access and technical parks, or Trysil for Norway’s best ski-in/ski-out family convenience.
Verified for 2026: Look for “Ski-in/Ski-out” tags on Expedia to skip the morning shuttle lines.
Get the full video at everysnowday.com/resort/trysil
Which is better for beginners?
Our team found that Hafjell is the undisputed king of progression. Uniquely, Hafjell places its nursery slopes at Mosetertoppen (the top of the gondola), meaning beginners get the “big mountain” views usually reserved for experts. The “Frontyard” and “Backyard” areas are masterclasses in slope design, allowing you to build confidence away from the high-speed traffic.
Trysil, however, is the master of convenience. As Norway’s largest resort, it is built 360 degrees around a single mountain. For beginners, the Høyfjellsenter area offers wide, sun-drenched green runs that are incredibly easy to navigate. If you are staying at the Radisson Blu, the beginner slopes are literally on your doorstep.
🚠 2026 Insider Update: The New Trysilgondolen
“I recently rode the new gondola—it completely changes the flow of the mountain, especially for families at the Turistsenter.”
- ⚡ High Capacity: Moves 3,000 people per hour in 10-person cabins, effectively killing the old T-bar queues.
- 📍 Key Route: Connects the Eventyr area directly to Hesten (T10), making mid-mountain access effortless.
- ❄️ Weather Proof: Provides a shielded, warm ride to the top on those notoriously windy Norwegian days.
Resort Stats: The Data Breakdown
To help you decide, we have pulled the latest 2026 verified stats from our resort database.
Hafjell Stats
- Top Altitude: 1,059m
- Vertical Drop: 864m
- Pistes: 50km (50 runs)
- Lifts: 19
- Terrain Parks: 3 (World-class)
- Full Hafjell Stats Guide →
Trysil Stats
- Top Altitude: 1,132m
- Vertical Drop: 685m
- Pistes: 71km (69 runs)
- Lifts: 31
- Night Skiing: Extensive (Several nights a week)
- Full Trysil Stats Guide →
Insider Tips: Our Team’s Verdict
Hafjell Transit Hack: On Saturday mornings, the main Gondola (Lift 1) can develop a queue. Our team found that taking Kjusheisen (Lift 4) to the middle station is almost always a walk-on, getting you to the higher terrain 15 minutes faster than the crowds.
In Trysil, avoid the lunch rush at the main lodges in Turistsenter. Instead, head to Skihytta on the sunny side of the mountain. It’s a hidden gem for local waffles and offers a much calmer atmosphere during peak hours. If you’re an advanced skier, don’t miss Høgegga; it contains the steepest groomed runs in Norway, and because it’s north-facing, the snow stays crisp even in late March.
Travel Logistics: How to Get There
Both resorts are exceptionally accessible from Oslo Airport (OSL), but the method of transport differs significantly.
- To Hafjell: Take the train (VY or SJ Nord) directly from the airport terminal to Lillehammer (1h 45m). From there, the 141 Bus takes just 15 minutes to the resort. Detailed Hafjell Logistics Guide →
- To Trysil: The Trysilekspressen coach is the gold standard. It departs from outside the arrivals hall and takes roughly 2.5 hours. Detailed Trysil Logistics Guide →
Logistics Tip: While you’re checking out the Norway region, don’t miss our 2026 Hafjell Ski Bus Guide for the latest transit times and stop locations.
2026 Summary: Which should you choose?
Choose Hafjell if you want to visit a historic Olympic valley with world-class freestyle parks and a focus on steep, technical runs. It’s also the better choice if you want to spend an afternoon exploring the charming town of Lillehammer.
Choose Trysil if you have a family or group with vastly different abilities. The “360-degree” mountain layout means everyone can meet for lunch easily, and the sheer volume of ski-in/ski-out accommodation is hard to beat anywhere in Scandinavia.
🏔️ Mastered Norway? Level Up to the Three Valleys
If you love the family-friendly atmosphere and reliability of Hafjell or Trysil, your next logical step is Les Menuires, France. It offers the same friendly vibe but sits in the heart of the world’s largest ski area (600km of runs).
The Neilson Edge: Booking a package to Les Menuires often costs less than a DIY trip to Norway, and it includes your flights and mountain transfers.
To keep our mountain guides free for everyone, we partner with some of the transport providers mentioned above. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend services that our team has researched and found reliable for winter travel.