Skiing and snowboarding at Gausta has a quiet and wild quality, and the experience is memorable. Pistes wind through birch forest and open mountain terrain across three peaks, each with its own character:

• Fjellheisen has the main intermediate and advanced runs.
• Skipsfjell provides some of the steepest pistes and best access to off-piste
• Vatnedalheisen adds long, flowing descents with wide-open views.

North-facing aspects throughout keeps snow cold, dry, and grippy (aka, excellent condition!), and 13 lifts, including two high-speed quads, move you around without heavy queues.

The real headline is Gaustatoppen. The Gaustabanen funicular runs inside the mountain to the 1,883m summit, where experienced skiers can descend nearly 1,000m of untracked terrain back to the resort. Even if you don't ski off-piste, taking the train to the top just for the view is worth it: on a clear day, you can see one sixth of Norway. A free shuttle bus connects Gaustabanen with the main lifts, so you can combine a summit run with a full day on the groomed pistes.

WeSki insider tip: Download the resort's GPS app to track the grooming machine each morning. It shows you exactly which runs have been freshly groomed, so you can be the first to lay tracks on the best corduroy.

Skiing for beginners in Gausta

Gausta is one of Norway's most family-friendly resorts for beginners. Twenty green runs provide gentle, well-groomed terrain across the area, and two dedicated nursery areas make learning feel fun. The Campetti-style learning zones have gentle slopes and conveyor belts, and the Gausta Ski & Snowboard School runs lessons for all ages and levels, with a focus on safety and enjoyment.

Overall, beginner pistes are wide and well-separated, with minimal crossover between beginner and advanced traffic. Telemarksvingen is a standout run for progressing beginners: a long, winding, and perfectly groomed descent with beautiful mountain views.

WeSki insider tip: The Telemarksvingen is best skied in the morning when the grooming is fresh. It's long enough that you can really find your rhythm, and the views of Gaustatoppen and the Hardangervidda plateau are spectacular. See if you can ski the whole way down without stopping (it's become something of a local challenge).

Intermediate skiing in Gausta

Gausta has plenty to offer intermediates, and the Gaustaekspressen shuttle makes it easy to combine different parts of the mountain in a single day. Red runs off Skipsfjell provide the best sustained terrain. Sondreløypa in particular has fantastic views and is usually impeccably groomed, making it one of the most satisfying intermediate descents in southern Norway. The runs from all three peaks back to base provide varied descents through birch forest and open terrain, with enough pitch and variety to keep things interesting over several days.

Confident intermediates should also explore the marked off-piste terrain accessible from the Skipsfjell lifts. Here, you have excellent tree skiing through the birch forests, with generous spacing and manageable gradients. After fresh snow, it's a wonderful introduction to skiing beyond the groomed pistes.

WeSki insider tip: Ski the Telemarksvingen green run early in the week to warm up and get a feel for the mountain, then use it as your connecting route between peaks. Once you know the layout, you can link Fjellheisen's reds with Vatnedalheisen's blues in a single loop that covers the best of the resort without retracing your steps.

Advanced and expert skiing in Gausta

Advanced skiers at Gausta have two main attractions. On-piste, six black runs provide real challenge. Svart'n stands out as one of the longest and steepest in the resort, a sustained, direct descent that demands good technique. Red runs off Skipsfjell are demanding enough to keep strong intermediates and advanced skiers engaged ,too. The marked off-piste areas accessible from the same lifts open up further terrain through the trees and into open bowls.

Perhaps the real draw for experts is Gaustatoppen. The Gaustabanen funicular takes you inside the mountain to the 1,883m summit, and if conditions permit, you can ski nearly 1,000m of untracked alpine terrain back down to the resort. This is a proper backcountry descent through exposed mountain terrain, and a guide is strongly recommended if you don't know the route. On a clear day, with fresh snow and views stretching to Sweden, it's one of the most memorable ski experiences in Scandinavia.

WeSki insider tip: Book a guide for the Gaustatoppen descent, they'll take you down the best line for the day's conditions and snow. You can check conditions and availability with Gausta Summit Tour.

Snowboarding in Gausta

Gausta's natural terrain through birch forests is excellent for snowboarding, with generous spacing between the trees, natural features, and consistent snow quality on north-facing slopes. The off-piste terrain from Gaustatoppen is accessible to strong riders, and open mountain terrain above the treeline suits a board well. For freestyle sessions, you have two snow parks in the Gaustablikk and Hovdestaul areas equipped with jumps, rails, and boxes for riders of intermediate level upwards.

Off-piste skiing

Gausta's off-piste terrain is its best-kept secret, with marked off-piste runs accessible from the Skipsfjell lifts. One of its off-piste highlights is the Gaustatoppen descent, with nearly 1,000m of vertical through exposed alpine terrain from the 1,883m summit. The birch forest between the pisted runs holds excellent snow after storms, and the north-facing aspect means it stays in good condition. For ski touring, the surrounding Hardangervidda plateau and mountain terrain provide extensive backcountry possibilities. Local guides can take you to lesser-known peaks and valleys that see very few visitors.

Gausta ski school and lessons

The Gausta Ski & Snowboard School runs group and private lessons for all ages and levels, with English lessons widely available. Instruction here focuses on safety, technique, and enjoyment, while SkiPro courses are available for advanced skiers looking to improve specific skills.

Gausta terrain parks

Gausta has two snow parks in the Gaustablikk and Hovdestaul areas. Both feature jumps, rails, and boxes for freestyle progression, with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. As with much of Norway, the tree skiing off the sides of the marked slopes provides a natural freestyle playground with banks, drops, and features that are fun to play with.

1. Gausta Family ski holiday
2. Things to do in Gausta
3. Planning your trip in Gausta
4. How to get to Gausta
5. Gausta FAQs

Gausta family ski holiday

Gausta is one of Norway's strongest family ski resorts, and a lot of that comes down to how easy it makes everything. Slopes are uncrowded, all the runs from the three peaks feed back to the same base, children under eight ski free, and a shuttle bus connects the whole resort. It's the kind of place where parents can relax.

Two dedicated children's areas with magic carpets and gentle slopes give young skiers a safe, playful space to learn, and the ski school focuses on making those first days on snow fun. Plenty of wide greens and flowing blues through the birch forest let growing skiers explore with confidence, and as they progress, night skiing sessions on selected evenings (included in the ski pass) add a different thrill. Teenagers with ambition have the snow parks and, for those ready for it, the Gaustatoppen descent to aspire to.

Off the slopes, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and ice climbing taster sessions give families distinctly Norwegian experiences that go well beyond typical resort activities. The main hotel has a pool area, playrooms, and table tennis for winding down after skiing. Barbecue grill huts scattered across the mountain, open shelters with firepits where you bring your own food and cook it over the flames, make for a memorable family meal with a view. Restaurants throughout the resort are relaxed and welcoming, with children's menus as standard and the kind of informal atmosphere where nobody minds boots and snowsuits at the table.

Things to do in Gausta

Gausta's setting in Telemark, above the historic town of Rjukan, gives it a range of special off-slope experiences. A combination of Norwegian mountain culture, WWII history, wild natural landscapes, and Scandinavian wellness traditions makes for rest day and non-skiing activities something to look forward to.

Snow activities

Beyond skiing and snowboarding, Gausta and the surrounding area have an exceptional range of winter activities, including:

• Gaustabanen funicular: A railway inside the mountain to the 1,883m summit, with views of over one-sixth of Norway on a clear day.
• Cross-country skiing: 85km of groomed trails in varied terrain, with a 3km floodlit loop for evening skiing.
• Night skiing: Included in the lift pass, running until 8pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
• Ice climbing: Rjukan is a world-famous ice climbing destination, with 192 frozen waterfalls and guides for all levels.
• Dog sledding: Husky sled rides through the mountain landscape, with cocoa in a traditional lavvo (Norwegian tipi).
• Snowshoeing: Guided excursions across the mountain plateau and into the surrounding Hardangervidda terrain.
• Ski touring: Guided backcountry touring to lesser-known peaks, with avalanche courses also available.
• Ice fishing: Try your hand at fishing through the ice on mountain lakes in the quiet of the Telemark wilderness.

Non-snow activities

Gausta and nearby Rjukan have a depth of non-skiing experiences to fill your days off the slopes:

• Floating saunas: Two floating saunas on Lake Kvitåvatn, where you can heat up inside, then plunge into the icy lake with Gaustatoppen as your backdrop.
• Gaustablikk wellness area: Indoor pool, hot tub, steam room, and sauna at the Gaustablikk Fjellresort.
• Vemork (WWII museum): UNESCO-nominated site with the heavy water plant and museum telling the story of The Heroes of Telemark.
• The Sun Mirror: Since Rjukan sits in shadow during winter, the town has giant mirrors installed to reflect sunlight into the square.
• Rjukan town: A short drive down the valley for shops, cafes, and a walk through this historic industrial town.
• Tinn Museum: An open-air museum with traditional buildings from before the Black Death onwards.
• Hardangervidda National Park: Europe's largest mountain plateau, accessible from Gausta for winter hiking and touring.
• Grill huts on the mountain: Open-air barbecue shelters where you bring food and cook over the fire (wood and firelighters provided).

Gausta restaurants

Gausta's dining scene is compact but full of quality. The mix of traditional Norwegian fare and casual mountain eating gives you plenty of variety across a week. Gaustablikk Fjellresort anchors the food scene with Blikk Fjellbrasserie, which takes Norwegian mountain cooking seriously (and the wine cellar alone holds over 1,000 bottles). On-mountain grill huts are a unique feature: open shelters with firepits where you bring your own food and cook over the flames, often in stunning viewpoints.

• Blikk Fjellbrasserie: The resort's à la carte restaurant with refined Norwegian cuisine and views of Gaustatoppen.
• Den Lykkelige Sportsmann: 'The Jolly Sportsman', a pub at the lift base serving good-quality pizzas, burgers, and a range of beers.
• Gaustatoppen Turisthytte: A famous tourist cabin at the summit, renowned across Norway for its freshly made waffles with a view.
• Bakeriet: Serving freshly baked cinnamon rolls and sourdough bread, this is a go-to for morning coffee before hitting the slopes.
• Mountain grill huts: Several open-air barbecue shelters along the runs, with firepits, wood, and spectacular viewpoints.
• Gaustablikk Hotel dining: Hotel restaurant with a focus on local ingredients and traditional Norwegian mountain cooking.
• Loftet Afterski: Slope-side après venue with live music, drinks, and a lively atmosphere on selected evenings.

WeSki insider tip: Don't miss the waffles at Gaustatoppen Turisthytte. Take the Gaustabanen funicular to the summit, order a plate of freshly made Norwegian waffles with brown cheese and sour cream, and eat them while looking out over one-sixth of Norway. It's one of those experiences that defines a holiday.

Gausta après-ski

Après-ski at Gausta follows the Norwegian model, with a relaxed and sociable vibe that's centred around warmth rather than high-volume party culture. The floating saunas on Lake Kvitåvatn are the most distinctive après option, where you can heat up in the wooden sauna, step outside into the icy lake, and watch the last light fade behind Gaustatoppen.

Loftet Afterski is the main slope-side venue, with live music on selected days, and Gaustablikk's hotel bar serves cocktails with a fireplace-warmed lounge that's hard to leave. Night skiing sessions add another dimension to the evenings, included in your lift pass, they run until 8pm and give the mountain a completely different atmosphere under the lights.

Après-ski spots to know:

• Floating saunas (Kvitåvatn): Two floating saunas on the lake with views of Gaustatoppen. Heat, plunge, repeat. It's absolutely unmissable.
• Loftet Afterski: The main slope-side venue with live music, cold beers, and a sociable crowd.
• Den Lykkelige Sportsmann: Pub at the lift base with pizzas, burgers, beers, and a relaxed atmosphere.
• Gaustablikk hotel bar: Fireplace lounge, cocktails, and a wine cellar with over 1,000 bottles.
• Mountain grill huts: A unique après option where you cook your own food over an open fire as the sun sets on the mountain.

Planning your trip to Gausta

Gausta accommodation

Accommodation at Gausta centres around the Gaustablikk area on the mountain plateau, close to the lifts. Around the plateau, you'll find hotels, self-catering apartments, cabins, and smaller lodges, many with ski-in, ski-out access. Norwegian accommodation tends to be clean, functional, and comfortable, with a Scandinavian aesthetic that suits the mountain setting.

The accommodation is spread across a relatively compact area, and the Gaustaekspressen shuttle connects everything. The town of Rjukan, in the valley below, is an alternative base with more dining variety and the WWII museum, though it requires a drive up the mountain to reach the slopes. Most visitors stay on the plateau for convenience.

Gausta ski pass

The Gausta lift pass covers all 12 lifts and 42 runs, and - notably - includes night skiing sessions at no extra cost. Children under eight ski free. Day passes, multi-day options, and season passes are available. The Gaustabanen funicular to the summit of Gaustatoppen requires a separate ticket.

Check for multi-day pass options when booking your Gausta ski holiday package through WeSki to find the best fit for your trip.

Equipment hire

Equipment hire is available at Sport1 Gaustablikk and Gausta Ski Rental, both at the resort base. The range is comprehensive, with touring skis, freeride skis, carving skis, cross-country skis, snowboards, boots, and accessories. Staff are knowledgeable and can help match gear to your ability and plans for the day. Pre-booking is recommended during Norwegian school holidays and peak weeks.

Getting around Gausta

The Gausta resort area is spread across the mountain plateau, and the Gaustaekspressen shuttle bus connects the main accommodation areas, lift stations, and the Gaustabanen funicular throughout the day. Within the immediate resort base, most things are walkable. A car is useful for trips down to Rjukan (around 15 minutes' drive) and for reaching the Gaustabanen if you're skiing from the summit. Parking is available at the main lift stations.

How to get to Gausta

Gausta is approximately two and a half hours' drive from Oslo, making it one of the most accessible ski resorts from the Norwegian capital. The nearest airports are Oslo Gardermoen (around 220km) and Sandefjord Torp (around 170km), both with regular flights from the UK. The drive from Oslo follows the E18 to Drammen, then the E134 towards Kongsberg and on to Rjukan, and roads are well-maintained but winter tyres are essential. Hiring an electric car is a popular option, since Norway has excellent charging infrastructure and Gausta is within range of most modern EVs on a single charge from Oslo.

WeSki offers car rentals from the airport as well as private transfers to Gausta. Add them to your Gausta ski holiday package for seamless door-to-door travel.

Gausta FAQs

What is the Gaustabanen and can anyone use it?

The Gaustabanen is a funicular railway built inside the mountain of Gaustatoppen. It takes you from the base to the 1,883m summit in around 15 minutes. It's open to skiers and non-skiers alike, and you can ride up for the views and return by funicular or ski down if you have enough experience. The off-piste descent from the summit is for experienced skiers and a guide is recommended. A separate ticket is required (not included in the standard lift pass).

Is Gausta good for families?

Gausta is one of Norway's best family ski resorts. Twenty green runs, two dedicated children's areas, free lift passes for under-eights, and a ski school with a focus on fun and safety make it ideal for families with young children. Mountain grill huts are a unique family lunch experience, and activities like dog sledding and the Gaustabanen funicular give families a range of memorable experiences beyond skiing.

How does Gausta compare to Alpine resorts?

Gausta is smaller than most Alpine resorts, with 32km of marked pistes compared to 100km+ in the bigger French and Austrian areas. But the experience is fundamentally different - and for many visitors, that's the appeal. The off-piste from Gaustatoppen, 85km of cross-country trails, floating saunas, ice climbing, and the Scandinavian mountain atmosphere give Gausta a depth and character of its own. Snow reliability is excellent, crowds are minimal, and the lift pass includes night skiing.

Is the skiing challenging enough for experienced skiers?

Yes, particularly thanks to Gaustatoppen. The off-piste descent from the 1,883m summit provides nearly 1,000m of vertical through exposed alpine terrain, and it's a proper backcountry experience. On-piste, the blacks and reds off Skipsfjell provide genuine challenge, and the marked off-piste areas and tree skiing add further variety. Gausta won't keep an expert busy on-piste for a full week, but when you factor in the Gaustatoppen descents, ski touring, and the 85km of cross-country trails, there's a lot more skiing here than the piste map suggests.

What is Rjukan and is it worth visiting?

Rjukan is the town in the valley below Gausta, around 15 minutes' drive from the resort. It's a UNESCO-nominated industrial heritage site, famous for the Vemork hydroelectric power station and the WWII heavy water sabotage mission. The Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum at Vemork tells the story in fascinating detail. Rjukan is also one of the world's premier ice climbing destinations, with 192 frozen waterfalls. In winter, the town famously sits in shadow (the sun doesn't reach the valley floor) so the locals installed giant mirrors on the hillside to reflect sunlight into the town square.

How reliable is the snow?

Gausta is one of Norway's most snow-reliable resorts. The high-altitude plateau location at 960m, combined with modern snow-making facilities, means conditions are generally excellent from late November through to mid-April. The resort averages around 155 days of operation per season. The north-facing aspects of the main ski slopes preserve snow quality, and the cold Norwegian climate means the snow stays dry and grippy for extended periods.

Is Gausta easy to get to from the UK?

Gausta is straightforward to reach. Regular flights from the UK serve Oslo Gardermoen and Sandefjord Torp airports, and the drive to Gausta takes approximately two and a half hours from Oslo. Car hire is the most practical option, the drive itself is scenic and straightforward and winter tyres come standard with Norwegian rentals. Electric car hire is a popular and practical choice, as Norway's charging infrastructure is excellent and Gausta is within single-charge range from Oslo.