Are vs Hemsedal: which should you book?
For a family or first timer, book Hemsedal. Its wide, gentle valley nursery slopes, calm setup and excellent ski school make it one of the most reassuring places in Europe to learn, and the snow is dependable. Book Are in Sweden instead if you want the largest ski area in Scandinavia, a proper lively town and more variety for mixed ability groups. Both are superb for beginners and far less intimidating than the high Alps, so this comes down to gentle calm against size and buzz.
Last reviewed June 2026
The short answer
Hemsedal in Norway wins for families and nervous beginners, with the gentlest valley learning terrain and a calm, contained base. Are in Sweden wins for size, town life and variety for mixed groups. Both are cold, snow sure and kind to first timers.
Are and Hemsedal are the two best known resorts in mainland Scandinavia, and both are a world away from the intimidating high Alps. Are is the largest ski area in the region, a real town beside a frozen lake in central Sweden, with a long history and a lively scene. Hemsedal is Norway's family favorite, sometimes called the Scandinavian Alps for its steeper top terrain, but loved most for the broad, forgiving learning runs along its valley floor. Both are gentle, friendly places to find your ski legs, so the choice is about the kind of week around the learning.
The numbers side by side
| Are (Sweden) | Hemsedal (Norway) | |
|---|---|---|
| Ski area | around 100 km, largest in Scandinavia | around 45 km |
| Terrain | Long gentle runs, some open exposed top | Gentle valley base, steeper summit |
| Learning | Excellent ski schools, friendly slopes | Outstanding wide valley nursery zone |
| Village | Real lakeside town, lots to do | Compact resort base, calm |
| Apres | Lively, the best in the region | Quieter, family friendly |
| Snow | Cold and reliable, short midwinter days | Cold and reliable, short midwinter days |
| Nearest airport | Are Ostersund, short transfer, or Trondheim | Oslo, roughly 3 hours |
The skiing
Are is the bigger and more varied area, with long gentle runs that are a gift for improvers and a more open, exposed upper mountain that can close in high wind. Hemsedal is smaller but cleverly arranged, with a broad, sheltered valley of easy terrain at the bottom and steeper, more challenging slopes up top for when you progress. Winner: Are for size and mileage, Hemsedal for the best beginner to intermediate progression in one tidy package.
Beginners and learning
Both resorts are among the friendliest places in Europe to learn, with patient, English speaking ski schools and gentle terrain, but Hemsedal has the edge for a true first timer. Its wide valley nursery area is broad, calm and forgiving, the sort of slope where a nervous beginner can spread out and build confidence without feeling crowded or rushed. Are teaches superbly too and has lovely long greens to graduate onto, but its town setting and busier base make it feel a touch livelier around the learning. Winner: Hemsedal for the most reassuring first few days.
The village
Are wins here for anyone who wants a real place to stay. It is a proper town beside a frozen lake, with a good choice of hotels, restaurants, shops and things to do off the snow. Hemsedal is a compact, modern resort base with the essentials and a calm feel rather than a town buzz. Winner: Are for town life, Hemsedal for a quiet, contained family base.
Families
Hemsedal is the stronger family pick. The gentle valley terrain, the calm and contained base and the excellent children's ski school make it one of the easiest family weeks in Europe. Are is very family friendly too, but its larger, livelier town and more exposed upper slopes make it a slightly busier choice. Winner: Hemsedal.
Apres and evenings
Are wins comfortably. It has the liveliest nightlife in Scandinavia, a real town scene of bars and restaurants that picks up at the weekend. Hemsedal is quieter and geared to families, with cozy evenings rather than late nights. Winner: Are.
Cost
Both land most groups in the $2,000 to $4,000 per person band for a week, with Scandinavian lift passes a little cheaper than the marquee Alps but food and drink notably pricey. Neither is a budget bargain once you have eaten out a few times, so build that into your plans. Winner: roughly even.
Access and snow
Hemsedal is around three hours from Oslo, while Are has its own nearby airport and good rail links, which can make it the easier journey from some cities. On snow, both are cold and reliable through a long winter, with the important caveat that midwinter days are very short and dark this far north. Winner: tie on snow, with access depending on your departure city.
The verdict
Book Hemsedal for a family or a nervous beginner, because its broad, gentle valley nursery terrain and calm, contained base make it one of the most reassuring places in Europe to learn to ski. Book Are if you want the largest ski area in Scandinavia, a proper lively town and more variety for a mixed ability group.
Both are kinder to first timers than almost anywhere in the high Alps, and both reward you with reliable cold snow. See where they sit among the region's best in our best ski resorts in Scandinavia list, read up on Norway in our Norway destinations guide, browse Finland for solo travelers, or start with our first ski holiday guide before you book.
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Common questions
Is Are or Hemsedal better?
For families and nervous beginners, Hemsedal is better, thanks to its wide, gentle valley nursery slopes, calm base and excellent ski school. Are is the better pick for the largest ski area in Scandinavia, a lively lakeside town and more variety for mixed groups.
Which is better for beginners?
Hemsedal, by a small margin. Its broad, sheltered valley learning area is one of the most forgiving in Europe, ideal for a first timer. Are also teaches superbly and has lovely long green runs to progress onto, so neither is a wrong choice.
Which has the bigger ski area?
Are, with around 100 km, is the largest ski area in Scandinavia. Hemsedal is smaller at around 45 km but packs in a clever spread from gentle valley terrain to steeper summit slopes.
How cold and dark is it?
Both are cold and snow sure through a long winter, but they sit far north, so midwinter days are short and the light is low in December and early January. February and March bring more daylight and are the best months for a brighter trip.
Which has better apres ski?
Are, clearly. It has the liveliest nightlife in Scandinavia, with a real town scene of bars and restaurants. Hemsedal is quieter and family friendly, geared to cozy evenings rather than late nights.
How do you get there?
Hemsedal is around three hours from Oslo by road. Are has its own nearby airport and good rail links and can be reached via Ostersund or Trondheim, so the easier journey often depends on which city you fly from.