The Skiers' Guide to Trysil

Tucked away in Norway's eastern region, Trysil is the country's largest ski resort, offering a blend of family-friendly slopes and reliable snow conditions. The resort stretches across Trysilfjellet Mountain at a modest altitude of 1100m, with a base elevation of 475m.

Our Snomad community gives Trysil an overall rating of 4.12/5, with particularly high marks for family friendliness (4.79/5) and groomed runs (4.67/5). The resort also excels at providing quiet slopes (4.47/5) - something that many users highlight in their reviews.

Mark, an advanced skier, notes: "The consistency of snow, quality of runs, yet within a family sized resort where you can get your bearings easily makes this a great choice." This sentiment is echoed by many in our community who return year after year.

Transfer options include the Trysil Express coach service connecting to Oslo and Gardermoen Airport, while recent years have seen the opening of a dedicated nearby airport with London connections.

Trysil boasts 67 pistes spread across three sides of the mountain, with 23 beginner runs, 11 intermediate runs, and 17 advanced runs. The ski area is serviced by 7 chairlifts and 35 drag lifts, covering a diverse range of terrain.

One Snomad community member, Jonny, shares: "The quality of the pistes is excellent and despite being a relatively small resort it has some great variety in terms of runs. In April we managed 110km of runs and 10,000m vertical in one day which was a good effort."

The resort receives 4.33/5 for beginners and 4.13/5 for intermediates, making it ideal for families and progressing skiers. Advanced skiers aren't left out either, with the resort scoring 4.17/5 for advanced skiing.

The Hogegga area is popular among skilled skiers, featuring what locals consider black runs (though some users compare them to French red pistes in difficulty). Run 45 stands out as the true challenge, especially when icy conditions prevail.

Tree skiing enthusiasts will enjoy 4.08/5 for tree runs, with many pistes snaking through forests. The resort also offers 3.93/5 for snow parks, featuring a competition-standard terrain park with pipes, jumps, and rails.

Andrew, an advanced skier, observes: "If you want to ski non-stop all day and aren't looking for double black runs and are happy to mix some blacks and reds with the odd blue ones as you move around the mountain you won't be disappointed."

The resort scores 3.21/5 for eating out, reflecting the limited but adequate dining options. Food prices tend to be high, as is typical across Norway.

There are several mountain restaurants worth visiting. Jack, an advanced skier, recommends: "The deer burger at Knettsetra is fantastic!" Mark echoes this sentiment, suggesting "a coffee and waffle at Knetsettra!"

The dining scene is primarily geared toward families, with options concentrated around the hotels and main resort areas. While you won't find the variety available in larger Alpine resorts, there's enough choice to keep most visitors satisfied during a week's stay.

Trysil receives 2.89/5 for après-ski, reflecting its family-oriented nature rather than wild party atmosphere. Most of our users describe the nightlife as "limited" but suitable for families.

Annabelle, an advanced skier, notes: "A really good resort, thoroughly enjoyed several holidays there, perfect for all levels of skier, very safe compared to French resorts I've been to, however less apres although there are one or two bars that are very fun."

Stian, an advanced snowboarder, offers a more enthusiastic take: "The après-ski scene here is amazing! Live music is rife and fun, and an inclusive atmosphere means it suits all ages prepared to dance and drink with their boots still attached. Beware though, drinks can be expensive, as is common across Scandinavia."

The resort features a few pubs and bars, primarily around the hotel areas. Evening entertainment tends to be family-friendly, with activities like bowling available at hotels such as the Radisson Blu.

Trysil truly shines for families, earning an exceptional 4.79/5 for family friendliness. This strength is consistently highlighted in user reviews.

Tess, an intermediate skier, shares: "We love this place and keep going back. Great variety of slopes for all ages and abilities. Our kids have learned to ski with under sixes getting free ski lessons in early season. It's super fun for families."

The resort offers excellent 4.45/5 for ski school quality, with instruction available in multiple languages including English. Jack notes that "The ski school offers everything from beginner lessons (group and private) to off-piste adventures for the more experienced."

Night skiing on floodlit slopes adds extra excitement for families, though Louise points out it's somewhat limited in scope: "Great night skiing, great ski parks and the lifts and runs were lovely and quiet."

Beyond skiing, activities like swimming and bowling are available at the resort hotels, making Trysil an excellent choice for families seeking a comprehensive winter holiday.

The resort earns 4.36/5 for accommodation options, with a good range of ski-in/ski-out properties and convenient access to slopes.

Accommodation ranges from hotels like the popular Radisson Blu to apartments and cabins. Gavin, an intermediate skier, suggests: "For groups, consider the Prestige apartments at the Radisson Blu which can only be booked via the official resort website called SkiStar."

Many properties offer direct access to the slopes, particularly around the Turistsenter and Høyfjellssenter areas. For those not in ski-out locations, the resort operates a ski bus service connecting the town centre and various accommodation areas to the slopes.

Tan, an intermediate snowboarder, shares: "Stayed at the Radisson Blu which had friendly and helpful staff plus a fantastic breakfast buffet to give you plenty of fuel for a day of boarding!"

Several users mention that accommodation is more affordable than equivalent options in the Alps, especially outside peak periods like Christmas and New Year.

Trysil has made notable strides in sustainability, though specific environmental initiatives aren't frequently mentioned in our user reviews. The resort benefits from Norway's high proportion of renewable energy, with hydroelectric power providing much of the country's electricity needs.

The resort's design minimizes environmental impact by concentrating development in key areas while preserving surrounding forests. The extensive tree cover throughout the ski area helps maintain biodiversity and contributes to carbon capture.

Public transport connections via the Trysil Express coach service from Oslo help reduce car dependency, though many visitors do drive to the resort. As with many Scandinavian destinations, there's a cultural emphasis on environmental responsibility, evident in waste management systems and conservation efforts.