Bessheim through the year

Most people who visit Bessheim and Jotunheimen come to hike or go skiing, and many come for an enjoyable food experience, but there are also many other things to do here all year. For example, guided tours, rafting at Sjoa, Dog mushing, climbing, bicycling, visiting Glittersjå mountain lodge or one of our fine churches, and so on! During Easter and autumn break, week 40, we offer an extensive program with lectures, guided tours and a lot of great food.

In the mountain area around us the reindeer belonging to Vågå Tamrein AS roam free. This company belongs to the people from Vågå municipality. They have a herd of reindeer who give birth in the spring, and four full time reindeer herders. Ola and Jørn who you might have seen on the norwegian television show “Gjeterar i Jotunheimen” on NRK, run the company Jotunheimen Rein. They take guests on tours, sledging, and to see the reindeer herds when possible during the year. For more information visit their Facebook page.

Dog mushing

Dog mushing is a popular winter season activity, and hikes are arranged if there is snow and the trail conditions allow for it. The season is January – April. This is an activity suitable for both adults and children, and they offer both short and longer trips. It is two companies who offer dog mushing in the valley of Sjodalen. Read more at www.sjodalenhyttetun.no and www.jotunheimenhuskylodge.no

Jotunheimen reindeer festival

Beautiful Sjodalen in Jotunheimen is the kingdom of the reindeer – a special mountain valley filled with unique commodities such as food traditions, cultural history and lively activities related to reindeers. Through all seasons the mountain lodges in Sjodalen offer in cooperation with the Gjende boat a unique experiences with reindeer as the main attraction. You are welcome to enjoy reindeer food, reindeer experiences and reindeer tour pleasures – in short reindeer enjoyment at the gates to Gjende, Besseggen and Valdresflya. Read more at; reinensrike.no

Season 2023 – events

Season opening February 10th. From today we welcome guest to stay and eat. We have a la carte menu from 13:30 each day, and each night you can have a three-course dinner, remember to make a reservations. This starts at 18:30.

Opening evening with buffet! Saturday February 11th, we serve an exciting buffet with reindeer, mountain trout, moose, venison, cheese and
more. A good selection of warm and cold dishes and tempting desserts. Music after the dinner in the sitting room. Price for buffet: NOK 480. Make a reservation and/or accommodation on email: post@bessheim.no or on phone +47 61238913.

Sunday dinners winter 2023. Each Sunday from February 10th to May 16th we are open for Sunday dinner.

Besseggen at winter. You start at Bessheim, up to and across Bessvatnet, and up Besseggen with skis on your back. Highest point is Veslfjellet at 1743 MASL. Skis downhill back to Bessheim.

Knit and spin – weekend February 17-19th . Vågå Handicraft Association and the wollproducer Naturgull come and hold curses. We will spin, knit and eat good food. Four courses: spinning, sewing of leather-mittens and pad, sewing reindeer leather and a course in different knitting-techniques. NB: the course is held in Norwegian.

Practical course in carving / dividing a reindeer. Saturday, February 25th our head chef Bjørn Ekerbakke will teach you how to carve a reindeer. He divides a complete animal and teach you how to use the parts in the best way. The course is in the kitchen at Bessheim 12-15, lunch included. Price NOK 650. Max 10 places. Make a reservation and/or accommodation on email: post@bessheim.no or on phone +47 61238913. NB: the course is held in Norwegian.

Beer and steak night. Saturday March 4th, we are visited by Lom Brewery. We serve different steaks with a selection of garnish: potatoes, sauces and vegetables. Lom Brewery serve their beers at the tables. They make beer in Lom under the brand Lomb. Dei produce locally sourced beer at the farm Grjotheim. Price for dinner, including pre-course and dessert: NOK 480, children under 12 years half price, under 3 years free. Make a reservation and/or accommodation on email: post@bessheim.no or on phone +47 61238913.

Explore Jotunheimen – ski touring 11 – 18 and 18 – 25 March
3 guided tours and 3 days to explore Jotunheimen on your own.

This program includes a tour of the famous Besseggen Ridge. More than 60,000 people make the trip in summer, but in winter it is less than 100. The absence of people makes the trip even more spectacular! In addition, the guide, Iver Lund Aakre, takes you to peaks over 2000 metres. One of them is Besshø, the majesty in East Jotunheimen. From the summit, 2258 m.a.s.l., you get a fantastic view of the peaks in Jotunheimen National Park. The terrain at Bessheim is suitable for both ski touring and cross-country skiing. We recommend randonee/ski touring equipment for the guided tours.

More information and booking

Five course menu with vines presented by local importers Bertil&Martens. Saturday March 25^th 6.30 PM. Pål Bertil and Olav are local importers of vines, focusing on France and Italy. They have great knowledge of vine and are happily sharing with us. The menu will be: mountain trout in different forms, skrei (cod), reindeer, local cheeses and a dessert with chocolate and brown cheese. Price: NOK 590/person for the menu, excluding beverages. Bertil&Martens make a pairing with the food and tell us about the vines during the meal. Price of pairing: NOK 650,-  Make a reservation and/or accommodation on email: post@bessheim.no or on phone +47 61238913.

Easter 2023 In Easter, which this year is from April 1-10th we have a rich program and a different menu this week. See more in the menu, under EASTER.

May 17th we have a traditional large buffet with abundance of homemade and locally sourced food. Warm and cold dishes and desserts. We serve at 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00. Price NOK 410,- Children under 12 years half price, under 3 years free. Make a reservation and/or accommodation on email: post@bessheim.no or on phone +47 61238913. Welcome on our national day!

May 17th in the evening we close for the skiing season.

Friday June 9th Bessheim do open for the summer season.

Saturday June 10th Gjendebåten starts running on lake Gjende. Several trips every day lasting until October 10th , you can hike across Besseggen this whole period.

Race across Besseggen June 17th with a class for exercise and one for competition. In the 1960s this was held three times, and Reider Andreassen ran across in 1 hour 16 min. From 2011 the race has been held each year, from Memurubu to Gjendesheim, covering 14 km and 1100 meters up and down. The new record at 1.15.14 is held by Tomas Bereket, while Tuva Toftdal Staver
hold the ladies record at 1.35.31. Read more and sign up at www.bessegglopet.no

Wild game food weekends autumn 2023.
All Saturdays from August 25th to September 24th 2023 we set up a large buffet of cold and warm dishes and desserts. The focus is on meat made from locally sourced game. Many exciting tastes of reindeer, venison moose and mountain trout. Several weekends we have live music and party after dinner. The price of the buffet is NOK 480 per person. Children 3 to 12 years half price. Below 3 years free. Make a reservation and/or accommodation on email: post@bessheim.no or on phone +47 61238913. 

Hunting. Wednesday September 15 th the hunting for small game, including ptarmigan starts. If you want to hunt without a dog you can buy a time-limited permit (NOR: jaktkort) at Bessheim. (Make sure you also have your licence, gun-certificate etc.) If you want to hunt with a dog, apply to Vågå Fjellstyre (Vågå Mountain Board) at this link (in norwegian): https://www.vaga-fjellstyre.no/smaviltjakt#sknadsskjema-smviltjakt-2018 before April 1st.

Autumn school break, week 40: NB: We do close at October 8 the year 2023.

Practical course in carving / dividing a reindeer. October 5th our head chef Bjørn Ekerbakke will teach you how to carve a reindeer. He divides a complete animal and teach you how to use the parts in the best way. The course is in the kitchen at Bessheim 12-15, lunch included. Price NOK 650. Max 10 places. Make a reservation and/or accommodation on email: post@bessheim.no or on phone +47 61238913. NB: the course is held in Norwegian.

Sunday October 8 we close down for the winter. We take reservations for cabins after this if we are home.

Munch in Vågå

The painter Edvard Munch had relatives in Vågå through his father. He had a close relationship to Vågå his whole life. Based on his own letters and sketches we know that he came to Vågå between 1895 and 1939. If you travel to Vågåmo you can join in on a guided tour to the church and Ullinsvin, places he got inspiration. See more at www.munchivaga.no