Hotels
Where to stay in Kvitfjell: hotels by the Olympic downhill
Kvitfjell was built for the downhill racers of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Today it is a small, easy-to-navigate resort, with one hotel right on the slopes and cabins around it.
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In short
The best hotel in Kvitfjell is Gudbrandsgard Hotell, with 79 rooms in the middle of the ski area, ski-in ski-out access and an indoor pool. If it is full, Hafjell further south in the Gudbrandsdalen valley makes a good base, and you can drive up to Kvitfjell for a day on the downhill runs.
Our first choice: Gudbrandsgard Hotell. Check availability and prices
In February 1994 the world’s fastest downhill racers waited in the start hut at the top of Kvitfjell. The run was built for the Lillehammer Winter Olympics, and it is still used when the World Cup speed races come to Norway.
Kvitfjell lies in Ringebu, about three quarters of an hour’s drive north of Lillehammer. The ski area is small next to Hafjell or Trysil, and most of the accommodation is cabins. So the choice usually comes down to the hotel on the slopes or a cabin nearby.
How to choose where to stay in Kvitfjell
The hotel on the slopes: the shortest walk to the lifts, breakfast included and a pool after the last run. Best for couples and families who want to leave the car parked.
A cabin or apartment: more space and your own kitchen. Check how far it is to the nearest connecting trail before you book.
Hafjell: more hotels and its own ski area further south. A good choice if you want two resorts in one trip.
On the slopes: where the Olympic racers started
Gudbrandsgard Hotell
Gudbrandsgard stands by the mid-station in Kvitfjell, with ski-in ski-out access. It was built in 1998 and has 79 rooms, and in the suites a double-sided fireplace warms both the living room and the bedroom. After the last run there is an indoor pool and a sauna, plus two restaurants and two bars.
It suits couples and families who want the slopes outside the door and dinner under the same roof. Breakfast is included.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Gudbrandsgard Hotell
Gudbrandsgard Hotell
The indoor pool at Gudbrandsgard, a place to warm up after a day on the Olympic slopes.
The alternative: stay in Hafjell
Hafjell lies further south in the Gudbrandsdalen valley and has more hotels, both on the summit and down by the ski centre. Many visitors stay there and spend a day in Kvitfjell when they want to try the Olympic runs. See the options in Hafjell hotels.
When to book a Kvitfjell hotel
February half term, Norwegian winter holidays and Easter: Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027. Book February before Christmas and Easter by January.
World Cup weekend: when the World Cup comes to Kvitfjell, the hotel fills quickly. Check the race dates before you book.
One thing to know: Kvitfjell has few hotel rooms, so it pays to book early for any of the busy weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Which hotel is closest to the slopes in Kvitfjell?
Gudbrandsgard Hotell sits in the middle of the Kvitfjell ski area, by the mid-station, with ski-in ski-out access. Most of the other accommodation in Kvitfjell is cabins and apartments, so the hotel is the easiest choice if you would rather not drive to the lifts. Breakfast is included.
Was Kvitfjell used in the Olympics?
Yes. Kvitfjell was built for the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics and hosted the downhill and super-G for both women and men. The runs are still used for World Cup speed races. For ordinary skiers that means long, varied descents, but there are also gentler slopes for those with less experience.
How do you get to Kvitfjell from the UK?
Fly to Oslo and drive for about two and a half hours on the E6, past Lillehammer and on up the Gudbrandsdalen valley. Without a car, take the train on the Dovre Line to Ringebu, and from there it is less than 20 minutes by car up to the hotel. Winter tyres are a must on the final climb.
Can you combine Kvitfjell and Hafjell in one trip?
Yes. The two resorts lie in the same valley, and many people stay in one and spend a day in the other. Hafjell has more hotels and suits families well, while Kvitfjell has the long Olympic runs. With a car it is easy to move between them during the holiday.
What is there to do in Kvitfjell apart from skiing?
Beyond the downhill slopes, Kvitfjell has cross-country trails leading into the mountains, and the hotel has a pool and sauna for afterwards. Down in the valley stands Ringebu stave church, one of the large stave churches of the Gudbrandsdalen valley. In summer the area is a base for walking and cycling.