Skiftessjøen (Eidfjord)
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Skiftessjøen (Eidfjord) is a snowkiting destination on the Hardangervidda plateau built around a vast frozen lake surface and wide, treeless terrain. Launch is described as easy, and the site is known for having open space that supports long riding sessions without nearby trees or wires in the main area. Wind on the exposed plateau is described as reliable and usable from a very broad range of directions, with typical conditions reported around roughly 12–30 knots. Providers also emphasize that winter storms and mountain weather can be severe, so conditions can shift quickly even when wind is generally dependable. Safety is a major focus: riders should watch for cracks and possible unevenness on the ice and keep clear of the RV7 highway. High-voltage power lines near the road are identified as a specific hazard. Strict road-related restrictions apply (including not kiting while crossing and maintaining a safe distance from the road), and riders should follow any temporary no-kite zones when published. Wildlife awareness is also required. The area is noted as a place where wild reindeer must not be disturbed; if reindeer are spotted, riders should retreat calmly rather than riding towards them. Check road status before heading out, especially because road closures can occur during storms or convoy driving events.
- Large beginner-friendly frozen lake riding area
- Exposed plateau supports reliable wind
- Extensive open terrain for long sessions
- Beginner-friendly environment on a large open frozen area
- Exposed plateau typically provides strong, reliable wind
- Open terrain allows for long kiting sessions with extensive space
- Rules and guidance are available through local kite club ground-rule publications
- Winter mountain conditions can change rapidly (including whiteout risk)
- Proximity hazards from the RV7 highway and nearby high-voltage power lines
- Ice can have cracks and areas with unevenness
- Wild reindeer presence requires careful behavior and possible adjustments to riding/landing zones
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW
- Wind Range
- 12–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Exposed plateau setup supports predominantly gradient winds; works with most directions in practice.
- Reliability
- High reliability due to the exposed plateau location
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May
- Shadow Zones
- Minimal wind shadows due to the open plateau, though some turbulence can occur near the surrounding hills
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Beach/shore composition reported as sand by one source; another reports rocks.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Flat — Not applicable in the winter snowkiting context; wave notes only report flat conditions.
- Launch
- Big — Giant frozen lake surface with gradual hills; also described as large open areas on the frozen lake and snow-covered banks.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch is described as easy by providers.
Through the year
Can be popular on weekends but rarely crowded due to the massive size of the plateau
Winter storms are frequent and can result in road closures
By sport
What to expect for each.
A high-altitude snowkiting location on the Hardangervidda plateau with a massive frozen surface and open terrain for long sessions. Conditions are described as stable/open, with surrounding hills giving additional space for exploration (while staying mindful of safety hazards like the road and power lines).
- Snow Conditions
- Packed
From the spot
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Skiftessjøen (Eidfjord) in the full forecast view.
Skiftessjøen (Eidfjord) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–28 ktsGusts 47 kts
- Direction
- S188°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2528 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Temperature
- -3–4 °C
Over the next 7 days, Skiftessjøen (Eidfjord) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–28 kts, peaking around 28 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 47 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
- Cracks in ice
- Possible unevenness on the ice surface
- Proximity to the RV7 highway
- High-voltage power lines in the vicinity
- Rocks protruding through thin snow
- Rapidly changing mountain weather
- Whiteout conditions
- Sub-zero temperatures and wind chill
- Wild reindeer herd — must not be disturbed
- Power lines near the road
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Remote area; mountain rescue is available but not on-site.
- Emergency Info
- In case of emergency, dial 112 for police or 113 for medical assistance. The area is remote and rescue may take time.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism level noted as none.
Rules of the spot
Oslo Kiteklubb publishes joint ground rules for snowkiting on Hardangervidda. Launch/land at least 150 m from the road; do not kite while crossing the road; do not jump over the road; follow any temporary no-kite zones and any road-convoy/closure regulations.
- Respect wild reindeer herd and any temporary prohibited zones
- Launch/land at least 150 m from the road
- Do not kite while crossing the road
- Do not jump over the road
- Follow temporary no-kite zones when published by Oslo Kiteklubb
- Keep a safe distance from the highway and power lines
- Respect temporary road closures/convoy (kolonnekjøring) regulations
- Be considerate of wildlife: if you see reindeer, calmly retreat and do not ride towards them.
- Check road status and restrictions before you go (RV7 often closes during storms/convoys). If road rules are in place, follow them.
- Take particular care for cracks in the ice and possible unevenness.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Haugastol
- Nearest Town
- Haugastol
- Parking
- Limited parking in cleared pockets along the RV7 road; do not block traffic or snowplows.
- Access
- Accessible via RV7 mountain road across the Hardangervidda plateau; located about 26 km west of Haugastol on RV7 (east-side access about 2 km from Haugastol).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Norwegian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Haugastøl Turistsenter is described as the primary hub; lodging in Eidfjord/Haugastøl and nearby mountain lodges.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities at the lake; supplies available in Eidfjord or at Haugastøl.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental gear available at Haugastøl Turistsenter; equipment rental noted as available in the region.
- Gear Storage
- Available at nearby mountain lodges for guests.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repair services available at major centers in Haugastøl or Geilo.
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 Skiftessjøen (Eidfjord)?
The best overall months at Skiftessjøen (Eidfjord) are February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May.
Which wind directions work at Skiftessjøen (Eidfjord)?
Skiftessjøen (Eidfjord) works with N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW winds.
What skill level is Skiftessjøen (Eidfjord) suitable for?
Skiftessjøen (Eidfjord) suits these riding levels: Snowkiting: Beginner.