In short: Røldal (690–1,300 m, western Norway) is one of the snowiest ski areas in Europe. OnTheSnow statistics show about 544–571 cm of snowfall per year, while the resort quotes up to 11 m. For us, it is the base of our club freeride camps in early 2027.
Røldal in numbers: how much snow really falls
Røldal lies between Bergen and Stavanger, at the edge of the Hardangervidda plateau. The resort reaches 690–1,300 m (about 610 m of vertical), has 6 lifts and endless off-piste terrain above the tree line. However, snow data come from several sources and use different methods, so treat them as an order of magnitude.
| Month in Røldal | Average snowfall (cm) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| November | 91 | OnTheSnow |
| December | 169 | OnTheSnow |
| January | 142 | OnTheSnow |
| February | 130 (another series: 136; average depth 177 cm, max 330 cm) | OnTheSnow |
| March | 88 | OnTheSnow |
| April | 46 | OnTheSnow |
| Year (total) | 544 (another series: 571; about 45 snow days) | OnTheSnow |
For comparison, using the same OnTheSnow method, Hemsedal gets 267 cm and Chamonix 517 cm. In other words, Røldal receives roughly twice as much snow as Hemsedal.
Røldal compared with other freeride destinations
| Resort | Average annual snowfall | Method / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Røldal (Norway) | 544–571 cm (resort: up to 11 m) | OnTheSnow; the resort quotes a higher value |
| Hemsedal (Norway) | 267 cm | OnTheSnow |
| Chamonix (France) | 517 cm | OnTheSnow (other sources quote about 1,090 cm higher up) |
| Madarao Kogen (Japan) | about 835 cm | 14-season average 2012–2026, measured at the base (SnowJapan) |
| Myoko Kogen (Japan) | 12–13 m | typical value according to japow.travel |
| Niseko (Hokkaido) | about 13.7 m | 6-season average, upper station of Grand Hirafu |
Measurements at the base give lower values than measurements higher up the slope, so Japan and Norway are not directly comparable. Even so, Røldal has an unusually stable snowpack, although Japanese powder is lighter and drier.
An honest word about Røldal: the west coast also means weather
Røldal lies close to the Atlantic, so besides heavy snowfall you can also get thaws and rain. For instance, in February 2026 the snow depth in the terrain was about 62% below the average of previous seasons (as of 18 February 2026, freeride.com). That is why we spend part of each camp in Røldal and part in a second area, depending on conditions.
Our camps in Røldal: dates and fees
| Camp | Dates | Areas | Regular fee | Premium Card + Early Bird |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Røldal & Hemsedal | 29 Jan – 6 Feb 2027 | 4 days Røldal + 3 days Hemsedal | €1,570 | €1,328 |
| Røldal & Gausta | 6–14 Feb 2027 | 4 days Røldal + 3 days Gaustatoppen | €1,570 | €1,328 |
| Røldal, Myrkdalen & Sogndal | 14–22 Feb 2027 | Røldal, Myrkdalen, Sogndal | €1,500 | €1,269 |
| Norway Freeride Pro Camp | 6–14 Feb 2027 | with pro rider coaching | €1,870 | €1,582 |
The fee covers 8 nights (7 in a hytta + 1 in a hotel), 7 riding days with a local guide, 4×4 van transport with fuel, ferries and road tolls, and a sauna. Flights, lift passes and food are not included.
Cost comparison: our Røldal camp and similar trips abroad
We compare our camp with five international organisers of freeride and ski touring weeks in Norway. The formats differ: ours is lift-assisted freeride and short tours in Røldal plus a second area, while most others run pure ski touring further north. All amounts come from public websites; DKK was converted at about 7.46 DKK per euro.
| Organiser / trip | Cost | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeride Transfer Club: Røldal & Hemsedal or Gausta (our camp) | €1,328 – €1,570 | 7 riding days, 8 nights | Guide, 4×4 van, sauna. No flights. |
| Thule Expeditions (Denmark): freeride course Hemsedal | 5,800 DKK (about €780) | 5-day course | Course only; accommodation and lift passes extra. |
| Lyngen Outdoor (Norway) | €1,850 | 8 days of ski touring, cabin | No flights. |
| Rockbusters / Snowbusters (Czechia): Sunnmøre | €1,990 | 7 days of ski touring with a camper | Ascents of 1,000–1,500 m per day. |
| Lyngen Sail & Ski (Norway) | €2,499 | ski touring and sailing, 10–17 Apr 2027 | No flights. |
| Held Adventure (Austria): Sunnmøre | €2,590 (Early Bird €2,500) | 6 days of ski touring, fjord lodge with sauna | Flight to Ålesund about €450–650 extra. |
- Among full-week trips with accommodation, our regular fee (€1,570) is the lowest in this comparison.
- The Thule course is cheaper on paper; however, it covers coaching only, without accommodation or transport.
- Moreover, we do not go ski touring in the far north but ride in Norway’s snowiest resort, and the vans and sauna are included.
Frequently asked questions about Røldal
How much snow falls in Røldal?
According to OnTheSnow statistics, Røldal gets 544–571 cm of snow per year on average, with the most in December (169 cm) and January (142 cm). The resort itself quotes up to 11 m, so the difference comes from where and how snow is measured.
Is there always a lot of snow in Røldal?
Not always. The snowpack is usually stable, but weaker seasons and rain on the west coast do happen. For example, in February 2026 the snow depth in the terrain was about 62% below the long-term average. Therefore our programme stays flexible, and the second venue (Gausta, Hemsedal or Myrkdalen) gives us a plan B.
How much does a freeride camp in Røldal cost?
The regular fee for our club camps is €1,570 (Røldal with Hemsedal or Gausta) and €1,500 (Røldal, Myrkdalen and Sogndal). In addition, with the Premium Card and Early Bird the cost of participation starts at €1,328 and €1,269. Flights, lift passes and insurance are paid separately.
When should I go to Røldal?
February is a great choice, because statistically it brings about 130–136 cm of new snow and an average snow depth of 177 cm. Our dates are 29 January – 6 February 2027, 6–14 February 2027 and 14–22 February 2027.
Sources (as of 29 October 2026): OnTheSnow: Røldal · Snow-Forecast: Røldal · Freeride.com: Røldal · OnTheSnow: Hemsedal · OnTheSnow: Chamonix · Thule Expeditions · Snowbusters · Lyngen Sail & Ski · Held Adventure