Page "Hemsedal" Paragraph 21

One of the first tourists in Hemsedal was the famous Norwegian polar explorer Fritjof Nansen who visited in 1898 and stayed at the Bjøberg Fjellstue.

Tourism had little impact on Hemsedal before 1960s.

Before then people only came to spent Christmas and Easter in the Mountains.

Activities were primarily hunting, fishing and hiking.

The main industry was still agriculture.

In 1961 Hemsedal Ski Area was formed and the first ski lift installed.