Snowkiting on Hardangervidda: A Spot Guide from Haugastøl to Dyranut

Hardangervidda is the largest high mountain plateau in Europe, with more than 3,000 km² of rideable terrain. The snowkiting spots lie along Road 7, which crosses the plateau for about 50 km between Haugastøl in the east and Dyranut in the west. Conditions are best from February to the end of April.

We have been running snowkiting trips on Hardangervidda since 2009 and our centre stands right at Dyranut. This guide covers the spots we ride, the wind directions they work in and the rules you need to follow on Road 7.

Where can you snowkite on Hardangervidda?

Along Road 7 there are many ploughed parking places from which you can start your session. The spots follow one another from east to west.

Ørterdalen

Wind directions: W, E
2 km from Haugastøl, with parking right on the spot. It is small – quite full with ten kiters. Watch out for the power lines that cross it. In clear, cold weather the falling air blows 10–20 knots here even when the rest of the plateau has no wind.

Ørteren

Wind directions: all
A huge lake surrounded by mountains, usually with two or three ploughed parking places. A popular and safe starting point for beginners. Watch for cracks in the ice and marked areas with thinner ice. Westerly wind is stronger here.

Lillevann

Wind directions: NW, W, E, SE
Just above Haugastøl, about a 40-minute walk on touring skis, a splitboard or snowshoes. A lake suited to beginners, with varied terrain around it and often very good snow.

Lægreid – Fagerheim

Wind directions: all
At the end of Lake Ørteren. It needs more snow; mind the rocks and a small river that is not always frozen (usually marked). Ice blocks work as natural kickers, with freeride terrain above the lake.

Halne

Wind directions: all except N and W
The lake below Halne is sheltered from strong wind. When W and NW wind is too strong elsewhere, this is where to go.

Skulevika

Wind directions: mainly SW and NE
A small valley east of Skiftesjøen. A grass field in summer, so it needs little snow. A good start for trips south across the plateau.

Skiftesjøen

Wind directions: all
A shallow lake that freezes early, surrounded by rolling hills. In easterly wind it is stronger here than at Ørteren.

Dyranut

Wind directions: all, best from the east
South of the road there is a lake for beginners, north of it terrain for experienced riders. The ridges to the north almost always have more wind than the lake.

West of Dyranut

Wind directions: easterly
The terrain drops towards Eidfjord, so falling wind from the east works here. There are few parking places, but it is worth checking on light-wind days.

Which spot is best for beginners?

Lake Ørteren and the lake south of the road at Dyranut are the best places for your first kilometres: flat, open and free of obstacles. At Dyranut you also stay right on the spot, so your first rides start at the door and easy downwinders along the road are 5–15 km long.

What are the rules on Road 7?

In bad weather (fresh snow, strong wind) the road across Hardangervidda may be closed and traffic runs in convoys. The signs are visible from Geilo.

Agree with the driver of the first convoy where you can park. It is usually Ørteren.
When the road is closed, moving between spots without a convoy is strictly forbidden.
After your session you wait for the return convoy. Intervals are usually 2–3 hours.
Park only in ploughed parking places, never along the road.

Guests staying at Dyranut do not have to deal with road closures. You ride straight from the lodge and can stay out until sunset.

When are snow and wind best on Hardangervidda?

Conditions are best from February to the end of April. The freshest powder comes in January and February; in March the weather is more stable and the days are longer. Average temperatures are between −5 and −15 °C and statistics show around 80 % windy days.

The wind blows from all directions, changes from hour to hour and can be forecast reliably only one or two days ahead. Riding wind ranges from 3 to 15 m/s, so bring two or three kites of different sizes. The most common sizes are 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 17 m². Both inflatable and foil kites work. For the current forecast see Weather & Webcam.

Where to stay so you do not have to commute?

Our centre is at Dyranut, the highest point of the road across the plateau, in the middle of all the spots. Rooms are for 2–3 people, full board in the Norwegian restaurant is included, and there is a sauna for six and equipment storage right by the entrance. Every day our shuttle takes guests to wherever conditions are best, and our “downwind taxi” picks you up after a downwinder.

Weekly camps run from 27 February to 20 March 2027, with packages from €1,850 per person. Details are on the Snowkiting in Norway page.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a car in Norway?

Not with us. Every Saturday our shuttle runs between Oslo Gardermoen Airport and Dyranut (900 NOK per person), and we drive you between spots every day.

What if there is no wind?

Every participant gets skis with touring bindings, poles and skins; snowboarders get poles and snowshoes. Each week we also take a trip to the fjords and waterfalls.

How long are the downwinders?

Beginners ride 5–15 km with an instructor; advanced riders 10–50 km across open terrain.

Can I ride a foil kite?

Yes. We park right on the spot, so both foil and inflatable kites are easy to launch. In strong, gusty wind an inflatable kite is more practical.