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 sjodalenhyttetun.no and 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.

Season 2025 – events.

Season opening February 7th. 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 8th, 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 540. Make a reservation and/or accommodation on email: post@bessheim.no or on phone +47 61238913.

Cross country skiing in Sjodalen . Go for a cross-country ski trip in Jotunheimen this winter!  Join Discover Norways ultimate winter adventure through the captivating landscapes of Jotunheimen. From Lemonsjøen to Sjodalen and Bessheim, this journey will ignite your passion for the great outdoors!

Highlights: Cozy cabins and a warm fireplace await! Beautiful landscape.  Delicious food. Well prepared tracks.

This is a self-guided tour where you can discover the untouched winter beauty of this region. Enjoy the tranquility of the wilderness and savor every moment. You stay 2-3 nights in each lodge, and we transport your luggage to the next accommodation when it is time to change location. Read more at: https://discover-norway.no/skiturer-norge/skitur-i-jotunheimenloeypa/ Available February – March 2025.

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. About seven hours.

Knit and spin – weekend February 21-23 . Vågå Handicraft Association and the wollproducer Naturgull come and hold curses. We will spin, knit and eat good food. Five courses: spinning, sewing of leather-mittens and pad and a course in different knitting-techniques. NB: the course is held in Norwegian.

Jotunheimen Haute Route is a five-day randonée ski tour into the heart of Jotunheimen National Park. The route crosses at least eight glaciers and seven 2000-meter summits, including the mountains Glittertind and Galdhøpiggen. Overnight accommodation is at staffed lodges. Each leg is approx. 15 km, with 1000-1500-meter elevation gain.

Season open from March 22 – April 21 in 2025: Bessheim: February 7 – April 21. Gjendesheim: February 17 – May 1. Memurubu: March 27 – April 21. Glitterheim: March 22 – April 21. Spiterstulen: March 15 – May 5. Leirvassbu:  March 15 – May 5. Krossbu: March 22 – september.

Five course dinner. Saturday March 22 Five course dinner. Price for dinner: NOK 540. Make a reservation and/or accommodation on email: post@bessheim.no or on phone +47 61238913.

Dinner buffet and music. Saturday March 29 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 dinner: NOK 540. Make a reservation and/or accommodation on email: post@bessheim.no or on phone +47 61238913.

Evening with dinner buffet! Saturday April 12, 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 540. Make a reservation and/or accommodation on email: post@bessheim.no or on phone +47 61238913.

Easter 2025 In Easter, which this year is from April 11th – April 21st we have a rich program and a different menu this week. See more in the menu, under EASTER.

May 11th in the evening we close for the skiing season.

May 17th Closed.

Friday June 6th Bessheim opens for the summer season.

Saturday June 7th 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 14th 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 2025.
All Saturdays from August 22th to October 5th 2025 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 540 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 before April 1st.

Practical course in carving / dividing a reindeer. October 3rd 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.

Evening with dinner buffet! Saturday October 4th, 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 540. Make a reservation and/or accommodation on email: post@bessheim.no or on phone +47 61238913.

Sunday October 5th 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 https://ullinsvin.no/edvard-munch/