PlanetSKI Updates on its Spring Break in Gausta, Norway
30th March 2026 | Simon Wilson, Gausta, Norway.
Last modified on May 5th, 2026
PlanetSKI’s Simon Wilson reports on a family ski trip to Gausta in the Telemark region of Norway over Easter. He updates from inside the mountain of Gaustatoppen, before skiing its signature off piste route. UPDATED
The resort is a small ski area by alpine standards with only 35 km of marked pistes, but the resort makes up for it with a well designed lift system.
Plus mercifully empty pistes for anyone who’s used to skiing in the big resorts in the Alps over the Easter holiday period.
The resort has 35 slopes that are accessed by its 13 lifts.
Gausta averages over 2.5m of snow each winter, and is often the first resort in Norway to receive snow.
Gausta, Norway. Image c/o Norway – Home of Skiing
Plenty of cruising piste skiing is possible.
View this post on Instagram
And then there is this – Gaustatoppen mountain:
Gausta, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI
It is the main off piste attraction and starts with a unique funicular ride up the inside of the imposing Gaustatoppen mountain which towers over the resort and then a marked itinerary on the way down.
The train heads 850m into the centre of the mountain with a change to a funicular for the final 1,000m, 39° ascent.
It was the highlight of our stay in Gausta and was a remarkable pilgrimage to the top of Gaustatoppen.
The resort’s very own version of a winter ‘table mountain’ which at 1,883m towers over the ski area.
We chose a day with a forecast for clear weather as conditions are notoriously changeable at the exposed summit.
After a quick minibus hop from the resort hotel, we joined the short queue for the one-of-a-kind funicular which whisks skiers deep into the middle of the mountain and then – after a change of cabin – up to the summit.
Gausta, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI
The funicular and tunnel system itself is like something out of a 1960’s James Bond film.
The skiers and sightseers alike are squeezed into tiny carriages along dark tunnels illuminated by neon strip lights every few metres.
At the top, we emerged just below the summit to feel the full force of the late winter wind.
It was almost enough to blow one off one’s feet, which definitely added to the sense of adventure.
Gausta, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI
The summit itself is a further 50m hike up a steep path, not easy in ski boots.
Then buried deep into the ice and hoar frost just below the top is a perfect little chalet tearoom.
It serves hot dogs and waffles, and is full of books and photos about the mountain’s remarkable history.
Gausta, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI
After a quick bite and some warm drinks, four of us popped on our skis and began the off-piste descent back into the valley.
View this post on Instagram
The snow was a bit hard and icy with the odd exposed rock, but in good visibility even intermediate skiers would be able to make it down the well-marked itinerary.
In bad weather, I’d recommend a guide as there are various steep drops to either side of the main ridge.
All in all, a fantastic morning out.
The family mood was only improved when we got back to the resort and headed for a pre-booked floating sauna at the back of the hotel.
Then a refreshing dip in the ice-covered lake.
Gausta. Image c/o Norway-Home of Skiing.
I reflected on where we’d been over the past few hours and the unique experience on offer in the wonderful Norwegian resort of Gausta.
The complex in Gaustatoppen was originally built as a top-secret military listening post to spy on the Russians during the Cold War.
The area also played a pivotal role in the Second World War when Norway was occupied by the Germans.
The Nazis took over the hydroelectric power plant at Vemork, a UNESCO Industrial Heritage Site, that is next to Gausta.
As well as a marvel of engineering, the daring story about the 1943 sabotage of the heavy water plant here featured in the 1965 film ‘The Heroes of Telemark’, that starred Kirk Douglas.
The founder of Gausta Ski Resort, Olav Svartdal, was Kirk Douglas’s stunt double in all the skiing scenes that feature in the film.
With the proceeds from this, he was able to build the main hotel in the resort which was recently refurbished to a high standard in 2022.
Gausta, Norway. Image © PlanetSKI
Season: December – May
Nearest airport: Oslo Airport
Transfer time: 3.5 hours
Transport: Train / Bus / Private transport
Elevation: 3150 ft
Vertical drop: 1804 ft
Ski lifts: 13
Runs: 35
Grade: 10% Advanced, 40% Intermediate, 50% Beginners
See more about Gausta in this earlier post on PlanetSKI:
Gausta, Norway. Image © Simon Wilson/ PlanetSKI
We were in the resort in the week before Easter, and once the holiday weekend got underway it was busier with a larger percentage of Norwegian families on the slopes compared to earlier in the week.
And for the first time we started to see short lift queues of 15-20 minutes, whereas earlier in the week there were virtually none.
However, in contrast to some other parts of Europe, the lift queues here are terribly polite and orderly.
Gausta, Norway. Image © Simon Wilson/ PlanetSKI
There’s no pushing in and people quietly filling all the seats on the chairlifts to make sure the queue moves faster for others.
I know a few resorts in France – to name just one country – where this hardly ever happens.
View this post on Instagram
If Gausta sounds like your type of resort and ski experience it comes highly recomended by the Wilson family.
PlanetSKI: Number 1 for digital ski news
Your digital platform for ski news, resort information, travel, equipment rental, sport, money saving deals and everything connected with snowsports – web site, social media & more.
