Voss Resort's history
Historic ski resort with an important position in alpine history
Read about the history and development of Voss Resort. From the first ski lift in Bavallen in 1948, to today when Voss Resort is one of the largest ski centers in Western Norway.
From Bergeners to Americans
Americans, Britons, and people from Bergen have flocked to Voss for great skiing experiences since the 1960s.
When the Old Hangursbanen railway was built in the late 1960s, the people of Bergen began to notice the skiing opportunities in Voss. Then, as now, they could take the train to Voss and experience real skiing pleasure. This is how Voss Resort became a very popular activity offer for the people of Bergen in the 1960s and 1970s and it still is today.
A story of moving volunteer efforts
«"Get the ski cover, I'll guarantee the rest of the money," said an anonymous Vossinger in the spring of 1947 – and we haven't looked back since.
Before World War II, Vossingane dreamed of a breakthrough in the sports community.
When the war ended, they learned of a ski lift in Eastern Norway after the Germans, which was now in the hands of the "Directorate for Enemy Property". Then the thinking began - how to get hold of the ski lift for approx. NOK 200,000? Neither Voss Herad nor local banks wanted to invest in old German property.
The local initiators did not give up, and established L/L Voss Skitrekk and sold lutes at NOK 100 to the local community. We are talking about real volunteer work here!
One Saturday in the spring of 1947, the Vossing family had a coffee – when they read in Dagbladet that the ski tow they were looking for was for sale. They got busy, but they were short of 27,000 kroner to make their dream come true. An anonymous man sponsored the remaining amount and the rest is history.
This is how the longest ski tow in Norway came to Voss in the summer of 1947! And as one of the first in Norway, it opened with a bang on January 25, 1948. In 1964, the Gamle Hangur restaurant opened and quickly became a popular gathering place for young and old.
Real skiing since 1948
In 2023, Voss Resort turned 75. A lot has happened since its opening in 1948. From Bergen, you can use the gondola to get dry-shod all the way up to Hangurstoppen at 818 meters above sea level.
Strap on your skis and head down freshly prepared alpine trails, try freeriding in powder or test the gently rolling cross-country trails.
Our local heroes
Alpinist Nils Een
In 1959, Nils Een was given the chance to race the World Cup event in Voss through the organisers’ quota.
Ola and Yasmin
Born with skis on their feet – both are familiar faces at Voss Resort season after season.
Mildrid and Kjersti
These immigrants moved to Voss to live closer to the mountains and the ski slopes.
Industrial designer Per Finne
Voss Resort and Hanguren have, in many ways, shaped his entire life.
Disruptive development
The company has gone through several phases and with different names:
L/L Voss Ski tow in the 1950s
Folk company
- Built and operated the first ski lift in Bavallen.
L/L Voss Ski and Mountain Lifts in the 1960s-80s
Folk company
- Took over L/L Voss Ski Lift.
- Built and operated the Hangursbanen (Dinglo and Danglo), the Hangursheisen, the first Slettafjellstrekka lines, the old Tråstølheisen, the old Bavallsheisen and the Horgaletten.
- Built Hangursrestauranten and Storastova.
Voss Mountain Lifts AS 1990-2007
Joint stock company First owned by the hoteliers and a few business people in Voss, from 1998 owned by the Adolfsen Group.
- Took over L/L Voss ski and mountain lifts.
- Built the Hangur Line, the Alfa Lift and the Express Lift (New Bavall Lift).
- Built the first snowmaking facility.
Voss Resort 2007 – present.
Joint stock company where the majority is owned by companies represented by the Adolfsen Group, in addition there are local owners from Voss and Bergen.
- Took over Voss Fjellheisar AS, Voss Prosjektutvikling AS and Bavallstunet (formerly Bavallstova) in 2007.
- Completed cabin construction in Bavallstunet, total 136 units.
- Built and sold new cabins and apartments at Tråstølen, approximately 330 units.
- Built Voss Gondol and Hangurstoppen with restaurant and ski rental.
- Expand the snowmaking facility with an elevated pool and more snow cannons.
- Established new trails and family areas with children's ski lifts and ropes.
- Built the new Tråstøl Elevator.
- Currently runs all operations at Voss Resort.