Cross-country skiing in Sjusjøen
approx. 350 km.
Check the grooming before you go. The trail map below is live: green means groomed in the last day. Pick your loop at breakfast, not at the trailhead.
The trails in numbers
| Total groomed km | Approx. 350 km of groomed tracks in Ringsakerfjellet, connected to the Nordseter, Hafjell/Øyer and Lillehammer networks |
|---|---|
| Floodlit trails | 5 km floodlit loop at Sjusjøen Langrennsarena (plus two 5 km competition loops); the Natrudstilen arena is also lit. Visit Lillehammer lists the Sjusjøen floodlit trail as 3.4 km with 74 m height difference. Lighting hours not published. |
| Highest trail point | The Birkebeiner trail passes Sjusjøen at 880 m a.s.l.; its highest point, Midtfjellet, is 910 m. The Natrudstilen summit above the alpine centre is 954 m. |
| Season | Snowmaking at Sjusjøen Arena Natrudstilen gives guaranteed tracks from 1 November (announced 14 Sep 2026 for 2026/27); the destination describes a six-month ski season |
| Trail funding | Grooming is run by Sjusjøen & Omegn Skiforening, financed by landowners, businesses and voluntary membership; cabin owners and day visitors are encouraged to join |
| Parking | Paid parking at the Sjusjøen Langrennsarena car park (the usual start point). The Sjusjøen Skisenter/Natrudstilen car park (Rømåsen 1190) has 625 spaces with camera-based payment |
| Nearest trail from the resort centre | The 7.2 km Sjusjøen Rundt loop and the 12-19 km mountain loops start from the centre of Sjusjøen; Sjusjøen Langrennsarena sits at the top of the village |
| Trail grooming | Junctions are signposted with place names, distances in km and trail maps |
Figures from the destination and trail organisations, checked 8 November 2026. Snow decides what is actually open – use the live map.
Where to ski
Sjusjøen Langrennsarena
The competition arena at the top of Sjusjøen, with a 5 km floodlit loop and two 5 km race loops. The car park here is the main start point for Gjesbusåsrunden (about 14 km) and the Birkebeiner trail east to Rena (43 km). Suits everyone from evening training to long tours.
Natrudstilen (Sjusjøen Arena Natrudstilen)
Snowmaking arena and national-team training venue next to the alpine centre, with lit trails and tracks from 1 November. A 17.8 km trail (261 m height difference) links Natrudstilen with Sjusjøen. Best for early-season skiing and skiers who want prepared stadium loops.
Sjusjøen Rundt
A 7.2 km loop around the village with 122 m height difference, mostly flat with a few gentle descents. Aimed at young families and first-time skiers.
Mountain loops via Midtfjellet (Mosterrunden, Solrunde)
From the centre of Sjusjøen the Birkebeiner trail leads up to Midtfjell, then loops return over Snørvillen, Mostefjell and Sollifjell: Solrunde is 12 km, Mosterrunden about 14-19 km and partly demanding, around 3 hours. Open fell terrain that needs enough snow to be groomed; for experienced skiers.
Birkebeinerløypa
The 54 km Rena-Lillehammer race trail crosses the whole area and passes Sjusjøen at km 40 (880 m) before descending to Lillehammer. Gjesbusåsrunden uses its first 5 km east from Sjusjøen in easy terrain at about 860 m.
Your first day on skinny skis
Start on Sjusjøen Rundt, the 7.2 km mostly flat loop around the village described as ideal for first-time skiers and young families, or on the stadium loops at Sjusjøen Langrennsarena, where private beginner lessons are held.
Rental and lessons
Sjusjøen Skisenter at Natrudstilen (Rømåsen 1190) rents cross-country skis and sells a 90-minute private cross-country lesson (listed at 1,350 kr) meeting outside its rental shop. Aktiv i Natur (Nordseter Fjellpark Ski School) runs 90-minute private cross-country lessons at Sjusjøen Langrennsarena: beginner, classic and skating. Ski Rental Nordseter Fjellpark at nearby Nordseter also rents cross-country and skating equipment.
Races and events
| Event | When | What |
|---|---|---|
| Birkebeinerrennet | Saturday 20 March 2027 | The 54 km classic-technique race from Rena to Birkebeineren Ski Stadium in Lillehammer, skied with a 3.5 kg pack. The course passes Sjusjøen at km 40 (880 m) after the high points Raudfjellet (880 m) and Midtfjellet (910 m). Final Grand Classics stage of Ski Classics Season XVIII. |
| TurBirken | Friday 19 March 2027 | 53 km Rena-Lillehammer on the Birkebeiner trail, free choice of classic or skating, 3.5 kg pack, with a chosen start time. Seeding race for the following year's Birkebeinerrennet. |
| HalvBirken (ski) | Saturday 20 March 2027 | Shorter Birkebeiner option starting at Sjusjøen Ski Arena and finishing at Birkebeineren Ski Stadium in Lillehammer; classic technique, 3.5 kg pack, minimum age 16. |
Getting to the trails
Most cabins and lodges sit directly on the trail network, and the Sjusjøen Rundt and mountain loops start from the village centre. Day visitors use the paid car park at Sjusjøen Langrennsarena or the 625-space car park at Sjusjøen Skisenter/Natrudstilen. A ski bus runs several times a day from Lillehammer Skysstasjon to Sjusjøen (last season 13 Dec 2025 to 12 Apr 2026, timetables via Innlandstrafikk/Entur); local bus 501 also connects Lillehammer and Sjusjøen.
Live grooming report
Which trails were groomed this morning, straight from the grooming machines. Opens in a new tab.
Open today's trail map — Sporet.no →
Trail data: Sporet.no
Facts from: birkebeiner.no, de.visit-innlandet.no, en.lillehammer.com, en.lillehammer.com, en.lillehammer.com, en.lillehammer.com, en.lillehammer.com, en.lillehammer.com, en.lillehammer.com, en.lillehammer.com, en.lillehammer.com, en.lillehammer.com, en.lillehammer.com, en.lillehammer.com, en.visitostnorge.no, en.visitostnorge.no, sjusjoen.skiperformance.com, sporet.no, apcoa.no, skiclassics.com, visitsjusjoen.no, visitsjusjoen.no, visitsjusjoen.no.