Gausta
A wild, snow-reliable Norwegian resort - with 32km of quiet pistes, 85km of cross-country trails, floating saunas, and a funicular that takes you to one of Scandinavia's most memorable descents.
What to expect at Gausta
Gausta sits at 960m in the Telemark region of southern Norway, the very birthplace of modern skiing. The striking pyramid of Gaustatoppen, one of Norway's most iconic peaks at 1,883m, dominates the skyline, and the UNESCO-nominated town of Rjukan lies in the valley below. This is ski country in its most elemental form: quiet, wild, snow-covered forests, uncrowded slopes, and a connection to the outdoors that runs deep. Gausta's atmosphere is calm and friendly, and the whole place has a stillness to it that makes the mountains feel closer.
The ski area covers around 32km of groomed pistes across three peaks, Fjellheisen, Skipsfjell, and Vatnedalheisen, served by 13 lifs. Terrain is genuinely varied, with plenty of gentle greens and flowing blues through sheltered forests for beginners and intermediates, alongside steeper reds and blacks, including the FIS-approved Svart'n, that make up roughly half the area. But the headline act is Gaustatoppen itself. The Gaustabanen funicular railway runs inside the mountain to the 1,883m summit, where on a clear day you can see one sixth of Norway, and from there you ski an extraordinary off-piste descent back down. Its high-altitude plateau keeps Gausta among Norway's most snow-reliable resorts, with a season running from late November through to mid-April.
Beyond the downhill, Gausta is a ski holiday that feels like a Norwegian mountain adventure. 85km of groomed cross-country trails wind through the surrounding landscape, and Rjukan's frozen waterfalls make it one of the world's premier ice climbing destinations. Floating saunas on Lake Kvitåvatn offer views of Gaustatoppen while you warm up between dips in the icy water. Night skiing runs several evenings a week, and dog sledding and snowshoeing add further ways to explore. Dining ranges from the Gaustablikk Fjellresort's brasserie, backed by a wine cellar of over 1,000 bottles, to mountain grill huts where you cook your own food over an open fire.
Gausta on film
Skiing and staying in Gausta
Gausta ski resort
Gausta, situated at 960m in Norway's Telemark region, lies at the historical heart of modern skiing. The resort is dominated by the majestic 1,883m Gaustatoppen mountain, with the UNESCO-listed town of Rjukan nestled in the valley below. This area epitomises the serene, wild, and snow-laden Nordic landscape, offering uncrowded slopes and a profound connection to nature. Gausta's ambiance is tranquil and welcoming, fostering a sense of calm that brings the mountains closer.
The ski domain encompasses approximately 32km of groomed pistes, spanning three peaks: Fjellheisen, Skipsfjell, and Vatnedalheisen, serviced by 13 lifts. The terrain offers genuine variety, from gentle green and flowing blue runs through sheltered forests, ideal for beginners and intermediates, to steeper red and black runs, including the FIS-approved Svart'n, which account for about half the area. A highlight is the Gaustabanen funicular, which travels inside Gaustatoppen to its 1,883m summit. From here, on a clear day, one can reportedly see a sixth of Norway, with the option for an extraordinary off-piste descent. The resort's high-altitude plateau ensures excellent snow reliability, with a season typically running from late November to mid-April.
Skiing at Gausta
Gausta provides a distinctive and memorable skiing and snowboarding experience, characterised by its wild and quiet pistes. Runs weave through birch forests and open mountain landscapes across three distinct peaks.
North-facing slopes across the resort maintain cold, dry, and firm snow, ensuring excellent conditions. The 13-lift system, which includes two high-speed quads, ensures efficient movement around the mountain with minimal queues.
- Fjellheisen features the primary intermediate and advanced runs.
- Skipsfjell offers some of the steepest pistes and prime access to off-piste areas.
- Vatnedalheisen provides long, flowing descents with expansive vistas.
Skiing for all abilities
Gausta stands out as one of Norway's most family-friendly resorts for beginners. Twenty green runs offer gentle, well-maintained terrain across the area, complemented by two dedicated nursery zones designed to make learning enjoyable. These Campetti-style learning areas feature gentle slopes and conveyor belts, while the Gausta Ski & Snowboard School provides lessons for all ages and skill levels, prioritising safety and fun. Beginner pistes are generally wide and well-separated, reducing crossover with more advanced traffic. Telemarksvingen is a particularly good run for progressing beginners: a long, winding, and impeccably groomed descent offering beautiful mountain views.
Intermediate skiers will find plenty to enjoy, with the Gaustaekspressen shuttle facilitating easy access to different parts of the mountain within a single day. The red runs off Skipsfjell offer sustained challenging terrain; Sondreløypa, in particular, provides fantastic views and is typically immaculately groomed, making it one of southern Norway's most rewarding intermediate descents. The runs from all three peaks back to base offer varied descents through birch forest and open terrain, with enough pitch and variety to remain engaging over several days. Confident intermediates should also explore the marked off-piste terrain accessible from the Skipsfjell lifts, which features excellent tree skiing through birch forests with generous spacing and manageable gradients, ideal for an introduction to off-piste skiing after fresh snowfall.
Advanced skiers have two primary attractions at Gausta. On-piste, six black runs offer genuine challenges, with Svart'n being a notable long, steep, and direct descent demanding good technique. Red runs off Skipsfjell also engage strong intermediates and advanced skiers. The marked off-piste areas, accessible from the same lifts, extend terrain options into trees and open bowls. However, the true appeal for experts lies with Gaustatoppen. The Gaustabanen funicular transports skiers inside the mountain to the 1,883m summit, from where, in suitable conditions, nearly 1,000m of untracked alpine terrain can be skied back to the resort. This is a significant backcountry descent through exposed mountain terrain, and a guide is highly recommended for those unfamiliar with the route. On a clear day, with fresh snow and views extending to Sweden, it represents one of Scandinavia's most memorable ski experiences.
Gausta in winter
Gausta piste map
The official Gausta piste map showing every run, lift and sector. Zoom in for detail or open it full screen.
Scroll or pinch to zoom, drag to pan. Map shown: 2020 season.
View and download Gausta ski map ↗Getting to Gausta
- Torp Sandefjord (TRF)3 h
- Oslo (OSL)3 h 15 min
Drive times are estimates based on typical winter road conditions. Book transfers in advance during peak Saturday changeovers.
Gausta FAQs
- What is the Gaustabanen and can anyone use it?
- The Gaustabanen is a funicular railway built within the Gaustatoppen mountain, transporting visitors from the base to the 1,883m summit in approximately 15 minutes. It is accessible to both skiers and non-skiers. You can ascend for the views and return via funicular, or, if sufficiently experienced, ski down. The off-piste descent from the summit is suitable for expert skiers, and a guide is advisable. A separate ticket is required for the Gaustabanen and is not included in the standard lift pass.
- Is Gausta suitable for families?
- Gausta is considered one of Norway's premier family ski resorts. It offers twenty green runs, two dedicated children's areas, and free lift passes for children under eight, alongside a ski school focused on enjoyment and safety, making it ideal for families with young children. Mountain grill huts provide a unique family dining experience, and activities such as dog sledding and the Gaustabanen funicular offer a range of memorable experiences beyond skiing.
- How does Gausta compare to Alpine resorts?
- Gausta is smaller than many Alpine resorts, with 32km of marked pistes compared to over 100km in larger French and Austrian areas. However, the experience is distinctly different, which appeals to many visitors. The off-piste terrain from Gaustatoppen, 85km of cross-country trails, floating saunas, ice climbing, and the authentic Scandinavian mountain atmosphere give Gausta a unique depth and character. Snow reliability is excellent, crowds are minimal, and the lift pass includes night skiing.
- Is the skiing challenging enough for experienced skiers?
- Yes, particularly due to Gaustatoppen. The off-piste descent from the 1,883m summit offers nearly 1,000m of vertical through exposed alpine terrain, providing a genuine backcountry experience. On-piste, the black and red runs off Skipsfjell offer considerable challenge, with marked off-piste areas and tree skiing adding further variety. While Gausta's pistes alone may not occupy an expert for a full week, the inclusion of Gaustatoppen descents, ski touring, and 85km of cross-country trails means there is substantially more skiing available than the piste map initially suggests.
- What is Rjukan and is it worth visiting?
- Rjukan is a town located in the valley below Gausta, approximately 15 minutes' drive from the resort. It is a UNESCO-nominated industrial heritage site, renowned for the Vemork hydroelectric power station and its role in the WWII heavy water sabotage mission. The Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum at Vemork provides a detailed account of this history. Rjukan is also a leading global destination for ice climbing, boasting 192 frozen waterfalls. During winter, the town famously sits in shadow, as the sun does not reach the valley floor, leading locals to install giant mirrors on the hillside to reflect sunlight into the town square.
Resort figures are checked against official resort sources each season. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
