Fagerheim (Hardangervidda plateau)
- Freeride, Freestyle
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Fagerheim is a well-known snowkiting base on the Hardangervidda plateau, centered around wide, open, snow-covered terrain with giant lakes and gradual hills, and described as having a treeless launch environment with no trees or wires in the main riding areas. Wind is typically stable and weather-driven across the exposed plateau, with the best wind directions commonly cited as SE and NW. The strongest period is associated with winter and spring: the spot’s best season is generally given as February through April, while broader seasonal information also includes January through May depending on conditions. Typical reported wind ranges are roughly 12–30 knots. Riding safety is tightly linked to winter hazards: ice cracks, uneven snow/ice surfaces, and the possibility of restricted areas having less ice are emphasized as key no-go constraints. Conditions can also shift quickly with extreme cold and whiteout situations, and local guidance notes the need to check RV7 road status before travel (including possible closures or convoy requirements during storms). In terms of setup, launch is described as easy with large open snow areas near the mountain lodge and the main road, but power lines near the road are specifically mentioned as a hazard. Rescue is described as limited, and emergency support is available via 112 with nearest medical facilities in Geilo. Overall, it’s a large, high-altitude snowkiting destination that suits a wide range of abilities, while advanced planning and self-sufficiency are important given the arctic environment.
- One of Europe’s most established snowkiting areas on the Hardangervidda plateau
- Wide, unobstructed terrain with good kite-access from the lodge base
- Stable winter wind with commonly best directions SE and NW
- Powder snow during winter season
- Huge, open, treeless snow arena with gradual hills and rolling terrain.
- Wind is described as reliable/stable across winter and spring, with best directions commonly given as SE and NW.
- Kite-out-the-door style access from the lodge base.
- Powder snow is commonly expected during the season.
- Extreme cold, rapid weather changes, and possible whiteout conditions.
- Road closures (RV7) can affect access—check conditions before heading out.
- Power lines are present along the road; stay aware near launch/transport corridors.
- Do not ride into restricted areas where there is less ice.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, NW
- Offshore directions
- SE, NW
- Wind Range
- 12–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Wind is primarily weather-driven across the exposed Hardangervidda plateau; commonly strongest/cleanest from NW and SE.
- Reliability
- stable
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- February, March, April
- Shadow Zones
- Minor turbulence can occur immediately downwind of the lodge buildings.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand described for beach composition in the snowkiting base context.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Launch
- Medium — Flat/open terrain; large open snow-covered areas adjacent to the mountain lodge and RV7 road.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
- Bottom Type
- Sand
Through the year
Busy during Easter holidays and weekends, but space on the plateau is usually available.
Winter storms with high winds and snow are common from December through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Premier high-altitude snowkiting on the Hardangervidda plateau with vast open snow-covered terrain (including giant lakes and gradual hills), typically with powder snow and reliable winter wind. Suitable across beginner to advanced—however, intermediate-to-advanced riders are often better matched to the extreme conditions (cold, whiteouts).
- Snow Conditions
- Powder
From the spot
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Fagerheim (Hardangervidda plateau) in the full forecast view.
Fagerheim (Hardangervidda plateau) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–25 ktsGusts 41 kts
- Direction
- S189°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2525 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Temperature
- -3–5 °C
Over the next 7 days, Fagerheim (Hardangervidda plateau) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–25 kts, peaking around 25 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 41 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- ice-cracks
- uneven-surface
- restricted-areas-with-less-ice
- extreme cold
- rapid weather changes
- whiteout conditions
- power lines near the road
- road closures (RV7)
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services can be reached via 112; the nearest medical facilities are in Geilo.
Rules of the spot
Do not ride to restricted areas where there is less ice. Respect wildlife (reindeer) and keep a distance if they are spotted on the plateau.
- Do not ride to restricted areas where there is less ice.
- Take care of cracks in the ice and possible unevenness.
- Visibly marked restricted areas with less ice are no-go.
- Always check RV7/road status before heading out, as it can close or require convoy driving during storms.
- The terrain is vast; carry a GPS and safety gear as it is easy to lose orientation in a whiteout.
- If reindeer are spotted on the plateau, keep a distance.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Haugastol
- Nearest Town
- Haugastøl
- Parking
- Direct parking at the base (Fagerheim mountain lodge).
- Public Transport
- Accessible via the Bergen Railway (Bergensbanen), with stops at Haugastøl and Ustaoset providing direct access to the plateau.
- Access
- Accessible via the RV7 road; Fagerheim is situated on the mountain plateau between Haugastøl and Eidfjord. Haugastøl is about a 4-hour drive from Oslo, then Fagerheim is about 12 km westwards on Route 7; parking is available at/near the Fagerheim mountain lodge.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Norwegian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Mountain lodge accommodation at/near the base; also mountain lodge rooms/cabins directly at the spot are mentioned.
- Food & Drink
- Hot meals and drinks served by the mountain lodge during the winter season.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental gear generally may not be available strictly on-site; visitors often bring their own or rent elsewhere in Haugastøl. Equipment rental is also described as included in camps/courses.
- Gear Storage
- Seasonal storage at the base/lodge.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Fagerheim (Hardangervidda plateau)?
The best overall months at Fagerheim (Hardangervidda plateau) are February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Fagerheim (Hardangervidda plateau)?
Fagerheim (Hardangervidda plateau) works with SE, NW winds. Offshore directions are SE, NW.
What skill level is Fagerheim (Hardangervidda plateau) suitable for?
Fagerheim (Hardangervidda plateau) suits these riding levels: Snowkiting: Beginner to Advanced.