Vradal Ski Resort

Vrådal Panorama Ski Center sits in the heart of the Telemark province — the region where Sondre Norheim invented the ski binding around 1870 and revolutionised the sport of skiing. The family-friendly resort near the village of Vrådal offers runs of all difficulty levels, from wide beginner slopes and varied forest descents to steeper pitches with a decent gradient. The longest run measures roughly four kilometres. The mountain is served by a detachable eight-seater chairlift — the first of its kind in the world, built by Doppelmayr and commissioned in 1997. Additional lifts on the summit plateau extend the offering. A snow park with around ten obstacles caters to freestylers, and off the groomed runs there are opportunities for powder skiing.

Vrådal boasts the largest snowmaking system in Telemark. Roughly 80 per cent of the pistes can be machine-covered, which together with the altitude ensures a reliable season.

Two restaurants keep skiers fuelled. On the summit, Café Utsikten serves burgers and sausages with beer and wine and sweeping mountain views. At the base, the reception café offers a fuller menu with pizza, salads, soups and house specialities such as elk burgers and fish and chips from locally caught fish. On Saturdays, the restaurant opens for evening dining.

Roughly 35 kilometres of cross-country trails wind through quiet forests and across panoramic mountain plateaux. Horse-drawn sleigh rides, horseback excursions through the snowy winter landscape and snowshoe hikes are also on offer. For children, there is an illuminated toboggan run.

The rental shop offers equipment for alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country and telemark skiing as well as toboggans and snow racers. Free helmets are available for children. The ski school teaches all disciplines. A dedicated children's area with two conveyor-belt lifts and a practice slope is free to use and set apart from the main runs.

By car
There are several parking spots right in front of the ski lift.