Eastern Norway » Morgedal Destination

Welcome to Morgedal – Birthplace of Modern Ski Sport
Skis in some form or another have been around for at least 4000 years – but skiing as a modern sport can trace its beginnings back to the little mountain valley of Morgedal which is in Telemark, Norway. Perhaps you have heard of Sondre Norheim... the Father of Modern Skiing? In 1868 in the nation’s capital - Sondre skied his way into history demonstrating new dynamic techniques, shorter carving skis and telemark heel bindings…. This new “telemark skiing” style was a revelation and the public were awe-struck by what this poor country farmer from Telemark could achieve on a pair of skis. A ski revolution had begun...

The international word Slalom comes from the local dialect word here in Morgedal and describes the tracks made in powder snow as the villagers played and skied down the steep hills, dodging trees and leaping into the air over small cliffs and drops. These hills - the world’s first slalom slopes – remain untouched since those glory days. Today Morgedal is a beautiful little valley, completely unspoilt by development, a place where there are no big ski lifts or resort lodges, no après ski, flashy ski suits or overpriced food - just Sondre Norheim’s cabin situated high on the hillside and your own leg power to take you up there to pay your respects.

Maybe it’s time you connected with the roots of the sport you love. Come to Morgedal – we will take you out onto the world’s first slalom slopes, tell you the stories, ski with you on the original pioneer gear and help you reconnect with the soul of skiing. Morgedal of Norway – home to ski pilgrims worldwide.

Attractions:

• Norwegian Ski Museum (open all year). Øverbø – open air museum
• Winter Olympic Flame. Activities: (winter)
• Specialist Telemark ski instruction, family friendly ski slope and fun park. Pilgrim ski tours on original gear . Ski making workshops
• Backcountry ski tours

Activities: (summer)

• Guided tours – ski history and wilderness experiences, network of walking trails. Mountain biking trails, free fishing

Events:

• International Telemark skiers’ festival – early March
• Sondre Norheim outdoor concert – early June
• Ordalsåta Mountain Run – end of June
• Multisport Morgedal – 3rd weekend in August

Accommodation Info:

• Morgedal Hotel – (the first hotel in Norway to be heated using bio-energy) is a 70 room Hotel, renowned for its friendly staff, superb traditional food and warm atmosphere. Amenities include: heated indoor pool, live band 6 days a week, tennis courts and minigolf. Opening hours: All year - 4 seasons hotel
  Website: http://www.morgedal.no/ - E-mail: post@morgedal.no
  Tel: +47 35 06 89 00 - Fax: +47 35 06 89 01
  Address: Morgedal Hotell, Morgedal 3848, Norway
• Morgedal Camping – Parklike camping ground on the shores of the lake here in Morgedal. Amenities include: cabins, powered caravan and campervan sites, tent sites, playground, beach and swimming float. Row boats, canoes and mountain bikes are available for hire.
  Opening hours: May 15 – September 15
  Website: http://www.morgedalcamping.no/
  E-mail: camping@morgedal.com
  Tel: 35054152 / 95947227
  Address: Morgedal Camping, Morgedal 3848, Norway