Hemsedal's ski area covers 53 kilometres of groomed runs and a significant amount of off-piste terrain in the mountains above the resort. The 20 lifts serve terrain from gentle beginner slopes at valley level to demanding ridge runs above the treeline. The highest point of the ski area reaches 1,450 metres, and the vertical drop of about 800 metres is respectable for a Nordic resort.
The terrain park at Hemsedal has a strong reputation among Norwegian freestyle skiers and snowboarders and attracts competitors training for international competitions. The dedicated cross-country ski trails (langrenn) network extends beyond the downhill area into the valley. Ski rental, ski school, and all the usual infrastructure are present and well-organised.
Lift queues are very rare by Alpine resort standards, even on busy weekends. The Norwegian market that fills Hemsedal on weekends mostly comes from Oslo by car, and the crowd dynamics are quite different from an international resort: regular visitors, serious skiers, fewer beginners.