Easter in Jotunheimen

In 1901 the owner of Bessheim, Iver Storvik received 100 NOK from The Association for the Promotion of Skiing for keeping his lodge open during Easter. Since then the family have received ski-loving Easter holidaymakers every years. Easter at Bessheim is skitrips, lots of good food, Iver the reindeer, beer in the snow, lectures (in Norwegian), campfires, childrens ski races, guided trips and party on Easter evening.

Easter 2026 starts on Friday 27th of March, and lasts until Monday 6th of April.

From we open in February to end of Easter we prepare many kilometres of cross-country skitrails in Sjodalen, connecting Bessheim to Besseggen Fjellpark, Hindseter and Gjendesheim.

Below you find the program for activities and menu during easter 2026:

Activityprogram Easter 2026 – We are working on the program for 2026. It will be updated by December 2025.

Sunday March 29th – quiz
Quiz by the fireplace 20:30, welcome!

Tuesday March 31st – dinner buffet with a visit from the wine-importer Bertil&Martens
Dinner buffet local tastes and tranching of lamb. Desserttable. The local wine-importer Bertil&Martens from Otta presents a selection of their wines during the meal. You can go to dinner any time between 18:30 and 20:30 Dinner is NOK 570. Children 3 – 12 years half price. Wines are paid for separately. Remember to make reservation for table.

Wednesday April 1st – lecture on

?? gives a lecture on In Norwegian, by the fireplace 20:30.

Thursday April 2nd – familytrip
We go skiing to a campfire burning not a long way from Bessheim. Suitable for both kids and adults. Meet in the reception at 11:00.

Thursday April 2nd – lecture on the oldest cultural heritage in Jotunheimen

Lecture in Norwegian given by Reidar Marstein and Espen Finstad. Reidar is an experienced and recreational archeologist. Espen is a professional archeologist. Together they have found tracks, paths, remains of dwellings and artifacts popping out of the melting glaciers. Reidar have found a 3400 year old shoe, and last summer he found 7000 year old fishing arrangements in the lake Tesse. They come to talk about their work. In Norwegian, by the fireplace 20:30.

Good Friday April 3rd – guided ski trip to Besshø

On Good Friday April 3rd we will have a guided trip to Besshø. Departure from Bessheim 08:30. Experience from trips backcountry skiing at least 15 km is a prerequisite to attend the trip. You need: backcontry (not randonee) skis, warm clothing, wool base layer, windproof outer clothing, warm gloves, windproof gloves sunglases, food, warm drink, and the other equipment you need for a day outside in a potentially harsh climate.

Price NOK ???. SJEKK PRISEN!

Good Friday April 3rd – dinner buffet with warm and cold dishes.

Large easter buffet with warm and cold dishes and desserts. Some exiting tastes of local food – reindeer, moose, deer and mountain trout.

Good Friday March 3rd – quiz
Quiz by the fireplace 20:30, welcome!

Saturday April 4th – 11:00-14:00– Ride a sledge with reindeer
The reindeer herders Jørn Slettom og Ola Vaagaasarøygard are joined by their favourite reindeers Iver and Nils, and you can ride a sledge behind a reindeer on the lake. Suitable for children! Meet up when it suits you between 11:00 and 14:00. NOK 100 per person.

Saturday April 4th, 13.00 – Easter ski race
KLOKKESLETT!

We hold our annual easter ski race and skijump-comptetion! You can get your face painted from 12:00. We encourage everyone to dress up in costumes, but you are welcome however you are! We grill hotdogs and serve juice. Sign up in the reception by 11:00

Saturday April 4th, 19:00 – Easter evening
We serve a three-course dinner at 19:00. Dinner and party if you don’t have half pension is NOK 630 per person. Children 3 – 12 years half price. Make reservations in the receptions, on phone +47 61 23 89 13 or on email post@bessheim.no by 22:00 the night before.

Ice fishing
Ice fishing is a popular activity during easter. The most popular places are Øvre (Upper) and Nedre (Lower) SJodalsvatn, Gjendeosen and Nedre (Lower) Leirungen. All these lakes have great mountain trout waiting for you. You need to bring your own gear. Buy a fishing permit in the reception – children under 16 do not pay for the permit but should still have one. See more at the pages the Mountain Board, www.vaga-fjellstyre.no

Dog sledge riding during easter
At Sjodalen Hyttetun, 18 km north of Bessheim you can ride a dog sledge during the first weekend of easter, Thursday, Good Friday, 1. and 2. Easter day. See their English webpages for www.sjodalenhyttetun.no for details.

Dinner menu for Easter -We are working on the menu for 2026. It will be updated by December 2025.

Friday March 27

Baked cod
Game filet with vegetables, Hasselback potatoes and game sauce
Chocolate dessert

Saturday March 28
Dinner buffet with local tastes. Lamb from Vågå, tranched by our chef in the dining room.
Dessert table

Sunday March 29
“A taste of Jotunheimen” – a plate with a selection of local tastes
Fish of the day – local mountain trout.

Creme Brulle

Monday March 30
Soup of the day
Boiled reindeer meat served in traditional manner with onion sauce, root vegetables and mashed
potatoes
Cheesecake made of the Norwegian cheese Gudbranddalsost and berry mousse

Tuesday March 31
Dinner buffet with local tastes. Lamb from Vågå, tranched by our chef in the dining room.
Dessert table

Wednesday April 1
Menu from Christine Storm Munchs cookbook – Edvard Munchs great grandmother:
Local mountain trout
You choose between filet of ox and cod
Lemon tart

Thursday April 2
Creamed fish soup
Roasted leg of deer, tranched by our chef in the dining room. Served with baked potatoes and sauce.
Chocolate dessert

Friday April 3
Large Easter buffet with warm and cold dishes and desserts. Some exiting tastes of local food – reindeer, moose, deer and mountain trout.

Saturday April 4 Easter evening – Dinner served at 19:00 for everyone

Tastes of mountain trout
Local reindeer with fresh vegetables, game-sauce and mashed potatoes
Layered cake, cloudberry cream and skrylle/krumkake – a traditional local sweet bread

Sunday April 5
Cured meat of reindeer
Veal with vegetables, potatoes and sauce
Dessert of the day

Price of our three-course dinner is NOK 570 per person, 630 on Good Friday and Easter eve. If you have pension the dinner is included. Menu subject change.

Dinner is served each night 18:30-20:30 and reservations are taken per email to post@bessheim.no or at phone +47 61 23 89 13