Hotels
Where to stay in Hafjell: hotels for a ski holiday
Hafjell works on two levels. Down at the ski centre, families queue for the lifts. Up on the summit, almost 1,000 metres above sea level, cross-country skiers step straight onto the tracks.
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In short
The best hotel in Hafjell for cross-country skiing is Pellestova Hotell, around 980 metres up with the trails right outside. For a downhill family holiday, Nermo Hotell at the foot of Hafjell puts you closest to the lifts, with ski-in ski-out access and the Hunderfossen theme park nearby.
Our first choice: Pellestova Hotell Hafjell. Check availability and prices
In 1994 the world’s best slalom racers came down Hafjell during the Lillehammer Winter Olympics. Today it is families in bright ski suits on the same slopes, while the cross-country crowd keeps to the top of the mountain.
Hafjell is in Øyer, about 15 kilometres north of Lillehammer and a little over two and a half hours from Oslo. Its hotels sit at two heights: up among the trails and down by the ski centre. Decide how you will spend your days first, and the hotel follows.
Choosing your altitude in Hafjell
On the summit: cross-country trails start outside, and the downhill slopes are a few minutes away. Best for Nordic skiing and quiet evenings.
At the bottom of the slopes: a short walk to the lifts and nursery slopes, with the Hunderfossen theme park close by. Best for downhill and families.
One thing to know: the summit is a long way from the shops in Øyer, so stock up before you drive up.
On the summit: where the trails begin
Pellestova Hotell Hafjell
Pellestova stands on top of Hafjell, around 980 metres above sea level, and has been a gathering place for cross-country skiers for generations, from weekend skiers to national team athletes. It has grown to 68 rooms, and the wine cellar downstairs is the hotel’s pride, with tastings for guests.
It suits couples and friends who want to ski all day and eat well in the evening. The drive up from Lillehammer takes about half an hour.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Pellestova Hotell Hafjell
Pellestova Hotell Hafjell
The wine cellar at Pellestova, where guests gather for tastings after a day on the trails.
By the ski centre: closest to the lifts
Nermo Hotell
Picolo has a commercial partnership with Nermo Hotell.
Nermo sits at the foot of Hafjell with ski-in ski-out access and a short walk to the ski centre. It has 74 rooms and apartments, and its timber storehouse suites are among the most distinctive places to sleep in the valley. In summer the golf course is next door, and the Hunderfossen theme park is a short drive away.
It suits families who want both the slopes and Hunderfossen within reach for the whole holiday. Read more in our review of Nermo Hotell, or visit Nermo Hotell’s own website.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Nermo Hotell
When to book a Hafjell hotel
February half term and Norwegian winter holidays: Hafjell is close to Oslo and fills early. Book before Christmas.
Easter: Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027, peak cross-country season on the summit. Book by January.
Weekends in January and March: good chances of a last-minute long weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Which hotel in Hafjell is best for cross-country skiing?
Pellestova Hotell is the strongest choice for Nordic skiers, because it sits in the middle of the trail network on the summit. It has been a base for cross-country skiers for generations. With its own restaurant and wine cellar, there is no need to drive down to the valley for dinner after a day on the trails.
Where should families stay in Hafjell?
Families do best at the bottom of Hafjell, where the nursery slopes and ski school are side by side. Nermo Hotell has ski-in ski-out access and is a short walk from the lifts. The Hunderfossen theme park is a short drive away, so you can add a day out to the ski holiday.
How do you get to Hafjell from the UK?
Fly to Oslo and drive for about two and a half hours on the E6 past Lillehammer. Without a car, take the train from Oslo Airport to Lillehammer and the bus on to the ski centre, which takes around 20 minutes. The summit hotels need a car or a taxi for the final climb.
Were Hafjell’s slopes used in the 1994 Olympics?
Yes. Hafjell hosted the technical alpine events, slalom and giant slalom, at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics. The slopes are now part of Hafjell Alpinsenter and are skied by everyone from beginners to racers, which is one reason the resort has such varied terrain for its size.
When should I book a Hafjell hotel for February half term?
Book before Christmas if you can, because Hafjell is close to Oslo and the busiest weeks fill early, especially the Norwegian winter holidays in weeks 8 and 9. Hotels nearest the lifts tend to go first. Weekends in January and March offer more choice at shorter notice.