Is Oppdal good for beginners?

Yes — Oppdal has excellent beginner terrain across several of its four mountains, with dedicated children's areas and a strong ski school. The Vangslia sector is particularly gentle and well-suited to first-timers and families. The resort is also considerably less expensive than more internationally-known Norwegian resorts, making it a good-value choice for beginner packages.

Oppdal Ski Resort Guide — Norway

Q: How do you get to Oppdal?

Oppdal has excellent train connections — it sits directly on the Dovre Railway line between Oslo and Trondheim, with multiple daily services. Oslo is approximately 3.5 hours by express train (Vy/NSB). Trondheim is 1.5 hours. The train station is in the town centre, a short distance from the ski area. Driving from Oslo takes about 4 hours on the E6 motorway north. Trondheim Airport (TRD) is 1.5 hours by car.

Q: How many runs does Oppdal have?

Oppdal ski resort has around 180km of groomed runs across four linked mountains: Hovden, Stølen, Vangslia, and Dindalen. There are approximately 42 marked runs and 25 lifts. The resort is one of the largest in Norway by trail kilometres, behind Hemsedal and Trysil in terms of trail count but competitive in terms of vertical drop and terrain variety.

Q: What is the snow like at Oppdal?

Oppdal has one of the best snow records in Norway. The resort sits in the Dovrefjell mountain area at altitudes up to 1,402m, and its continental climate means dry, cold snow with good preservation between storms. January and February are the coldest and most reliable months. The north-facing aspects of Hovden hold snow particularly well.

Q: Is there off-piste skiing at Oppdal?

Oppdal has significant off-piste terrain, particularly on and around the Hovden mountain and in the Dindalen sector. The Dovrefjell plateau above the resort is open for ski touring and backcountry skiing with appropriate equipment and guide. The relatively open Norwegian mountain landscape makes visibility and navigation easier than in more heavily forested Alpine areas.

Q: What else is there to do in Oppdal besides skiing?

Oppdal offers reindeer safaris with the Sami people of the Dovrefjell area, dog sledding, snowmobile tours, ice climbing, and snowshoeing in the Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park. The national park is also famous for its wild musk oxen — guided musk ox safaris from Oppdal are a unique winter experience. The town has good restaurants and a relaxed, authentic Norwegian character.

Oppdal is Norway’s most centrally located ski resort and, measured by trail kilometres, one of the country’s largest. Situated on the Dovre Railway line between Oslo and Trondheim — both reachable by direct train — it is the only major Norwegian ski destination that requires no car to reach from either of the country’s main cities. The skiing spreads across four linked mountains above the small market town of Oppdal, with 180km of groomed runs and a summit altitude of 1,402m. The Dovrefjell plateau that rises behind the resort is one of Norway’s great wilderness areas, home to wild musk oxen and traditional Sami reindeer herding — giving Oppdal an off-slope dimension that most ski resorts cannot match.

Resort overview

Oppdal town has about 7,000 residents and a distinctly Norwegian, non-tourist character. The ski resort, operated by Oppdal Skisenter, has developed gradually since the 1960s and now spreads across four mountains: Hovden (the main sector and highest point), Stølen (intermediates and families), Vangslia (gentle, good for beginners), and Dindalen (varied terrain, less crowded). All four are linked by the lift system and share a single pass. The combination of authentic town life with a large, varied ski area has made Oppdal popular with Norwegian families and weekend skiers — and increasingly with international visitors seeking an alternative to better-known Scandinavian resorts.

Getting there

Oppdal’s train connection is its standout logistical advantage. The Dovre Railway runs direct services from Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) to Oppdal in approximately 3.5 hours — a comfortable, scenic journey through the Norwegian highlands. From Trondheim, the journey is 1.5 hours. Trains run multiple times daily and can be booked at reasonable cost on the Vy (formerly NSB) website. For those flying, Trondheim Airport Værnes (TRD) is 90 minutes by car. Driving from Oslo on the E6 takes about 4 hours. The ski area is a short taxi or bus ride from Oppdal station.

Looking for flights? Search flights to Oppdal Ski Resort Guide — compare prices across airlines and find the best deal for your dates.

The skiing

Terrain and pistes

The four mountains offer markedly different characters. Hovden, with the resort’s highest runs and a vertical drop of around 820m, has the most demanding terrain — several red and black runs on the upper mountain with consistently good snow. Stølen is the classic intermediate sector: wide-open cruising runs on north-facing slopes that hold snow reliably into April. Vangslia is the family zone, with gentle slopes, a good children’s ski school, and a magic carpet for absolute beginners. Dindalen, the newest and least-developed sector, has interesting varied terrain and is typically less crowded than the main mountain.

Total groomed terrain of approximately 180km is genuinely substantial by Norwegian standards — comparable to Trysil but with more vertical relief. The terrain mix is roughly 25% easy, 45% intermediate, 30% advanced.

Off-piste and ski touring

The Dovrefjell plateau above Oppdal is one of the great Norwegian ski touring landscapes — wide-open, above-treeline terrain with excellent snow and dramatic scenery. Guided backcountry tours operate from the resort and can include overnight stays in mountain huts (DNT huts). The terrain is exposed and weather can change rapidly — a guide is strongly recommended for first visits.

Ski school and lessons

Oppdal Skiskole offers group and private lessons for all ages. Instruction quality is high and English-language lessons are available. The children’s programme in Vangslia has a strong local reputation.

Lift passes

Day passes at Oppdal are approximately NOK 450–550 (around €40–50) — significantly less expensive than most Alpine equivalents and comparable to other Norwegian resorts. Multi-day passes offer good value. There is no connection to a Norwegian multi-resort pass system, so the Oppdal area pass is the standard option. Online purchase in advance gives a small discount.

Where to stay

Oppdal has a range of accommodation concentrated in the town centre and at the base of the ski area. Quality Hotel Oppdal is the largest hotel and convenient for both the town and the lifts. Skifer Hotell is a newer boutique option with a strong restaurant. Self-catering cabins (hytter) are a Norwegian tradition and widely available in the forested areas around the resort — a more authentic and typically more affordable alternative to hotel rooms. Cabins can be booked via the resort website or Norwegian cabin rental platforms. Oppdal’s accommodation is generally more affordable than equivalent options at Trysil or Hemsedal.

Book Oppdal activities — reindeer safaris, dog sledding, musk ox tours — via GetYourGuide.

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Après-ski

Oppdal’s après-ski scene is relaxed and authentically Norwegian. Alpinhytta at the Hovden base is the classic post-ski stop, busy from 3pm on weekends. The town has several good restaurants — Stølen Grill is the most popular for casual eating. For a Norwegian mountain experience, the Dovrefjell National Park visitor centre in nearby Hjerkinn organises evening events including musk ox observations. The pace is significantly quieter than a Scandinavian party resort like Hemsedal, which is a positive for families and nature-focused visitors.

Best time to visit

January and February offer the coldest temperatures and most reliable dry snow. March is excellent for skiing — longer days and often good deep snowpack. Easter (late March–April) is extremely popular with Norwegian families and accommodation fills months in advance. The resort occasionally stays open into early May on the upper Hovden slopes in good snow years. Christmas week is a popular family period — book well ahead.

Oppdal ski tips

Book the train from Oslo or Trondheim in advance for weekend trips — popular departures sell out
Start on Hovden on your first morning to assess snow conditions across the mountain
Book a musk ox safari from Hjerkinn — the Dovrefjell herds are one of Norway’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences
The north-facing Stølen slopes hold powder longest after a snowfall — prioritise them after a storm
Rent a cabin (hytte) for the authentic Norwegian ski holiday experience — many sleep 6–8 people at good value

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to Oppdal?

Direct trains from Oslo (3.5 hrs) and Trondheim (1.5 hrs) on the Dovre Railway — the only major Norwegian ski resort with direct train access from both cities. Trondheim Airport (TRD) is 90 minutes by car.

How many runs does Oppdal have?

Around 180km of groomed runs across four linked mountains (Hovden, Stølen, Vangslia, Dindalen), with 25 lifts and approximately 42 marked runs. One of the largest ski areas in Norway.

What is the snow like at Oppdal?

Excellent — Oppdal’s continental climate produces dry, cold snow with good preservation between storms. Summit altitude of 1,402m keeps the upper slopes in good condition January through March.

Is there off-piste skiing at Oppdal?

Yes — the Dovrefjell plateau above the resort is a major ski touring landscape. Guided backcountry tours include overnight hut stays. The open Norwegian terrain is well-suited to touring.

What else is there to do in Oppdal besides skiing?

Reindeer safaris, dog sledding, musk ox tours in Dovrefjell National Park, snowmobile tours, ice climbing, and snowshoeing. The musk ox herds are a unique Norwegian wildlife experience.