🎿👨👩👧👦 Family paradise: Hafjell through the eyes of parents and children
Hafjell is a resort where even the youngest tourists can easily become real skiers, and parents can enjoy a peaceful and comfortable holiday. So, what's the secret to this "family paradise"? We've been collecting reviews and tips from parents on Instagram and the TripAdvisor forum to tell you about the pros and cons of Hafjell's infrastructure, the best schools for kids and the most popular winter activities for the whole family.
🏅 Why is Hafjell the best choice for families?
Hafjell is one of Norway's largest and most popular family resorts, located just 15 minutes from Lillehammer. It's got safe slopes, pro ski schools and great facilities for families.
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🎿 Hafjell ski schools for children: what you need to know
One of the most popular questions parents ask is: "At what age can I put my child on skis and which school should I choose?"
● Age: lessons in Hafjell start from 3 years old.
● Best schools: Hafjell Ski School and Hafjell Kids.
● Languages: Norwegian, English and German, Russian-speaking instructors are also available on request.
● Cost: from NOK 300 for a group lesson and from NOK 700 for a private lesson (1 hour).
📌 Parent review from Instagram:
"Our son (4 years old) studied at Hafjell Ski School. The instructors are amazing! By the second day, he was confidently skiing down a small hill on his own."
🎡 Best children's areas and entertainment
🎠 Barneland (Children's Land)
The most popular area, located next to the lower gondola station. Here you will find:
● Safe and wide slopes for the little ones.
● T-bar lifts (carpet lifts), convenient for toddlers.
● A playground and a small children's café area.
📌 Life hack from parents on TripAdvisor:
"Barneland is the perfect place if one parent wants to relax while the other enjoys the adult slopes."
❄️ Lilleputthammer Children's Park
Located 5 minutes' drive from the slopes. The park is open on weekends and holidays during the winter:
● A mini town for children with attractions and entertainment.
● Sledding and tubing area.
● Children's entertainment and café.
📌 Instagram review:
"Lilleputthammer is a godsend for parents! Children play for hours, while adults can relax and enjoy a cup of coffee."
🚠 Pros and cons of the infrastructure in Hafjell (according to parents' reviews)
✅ Pros
● Excellent children's areas and convenient lifts.
● High-quality children's ski schools.
● Wide selection of family restaurants and cafes.
● Proximity to Lillehammer with additional entertainment options.
● Good medical infrastructure.
❗️ Cons (what to look out for):
● High occupancy on weekends and holidays (tip: choose weekdays).
● Expensive rental of children's equipment (book online in advance to save 20–30%).
🍽️ Best family cafés and restaurants in Hafjell
● Skavlen Restaurant:
Panoramic restaurant with a children's menu and play area. Average bill for a family is around NOK 600.
● Woody's Hafjell:
A cosy family café with excellent pizza and pasta, a children's corner and reasonable prices (from 400 NOK per family).
📌 TripAdvisor review:
"At Woody's, the kids are happy and the parents can finally eat in peace!"
🎒 Family Checklist Before Traveling
📸 Best places for family photos
● Barneland (especially for bright photos of children on their first day of skiing).
● View from the top station of the Hafjell Panorama gondola.
● Lilleputthammer Children's Park (snow sculptures and children's attractions).
📱 Useful Apps for Holidays with Children in Hafjell
🧸 Why do children love Hafjell so much? (opinions of young tourists)
Children especially like:
● Fun instructors at the ski schools.
● Cool and easy ski lifts that aren't scary.
● Lots of cafes with delicious hot chocolate and waffles.
📌 Quote from Instagram:
"I really enjoyed skiing in Barneland, especially the conveyor belt lift. And the waffles there are great!" — Anna, 5 years old.
Hafjell is everything it's cracked up to be – a "family paradise" that's truly living up to its reputation! Every detail has been meticulously planned to ensure that parents can fully unwind and savour their holiday, while their children eagerly learn to ski and have a blast! Follow our recommendations and you are guaranteed an unforgettable family holiday!
💬 Share your experience!
Have you already been to Hafjell with your children? We can't wait to hear all about your experiences and any useful tips you have for us! If you have any photo reports, blogs or links to interesting resources about family holidays in Norway, we would absolutely love to see them! We can't wait to share the best of these with you in our next articles!
