Oppdal is one of the largest local councils of Mid-Norway, located in the mountains between the two great mountain regions Dovrefjell and Trollheimen. More than 55% of the area is national park or protected landscape. The place has a population figure of 6.615 people.
There is short distance to the nearest cities at the coast, Molde, Kristiansund and Trondheim. Respectively 2 hours by car to Molde and Kristiansund, and 1.5 hour by train to Trondheim. That’s why Oppdal has the largest number of private cabins in the Central and Northern Norway, approximately 3000 and almost 500,000 visitors a year. In addition 200,000 guests stay at different commercial accomodations. On a national scale Oppdal has the third largest growth in new building of cabins in Norway during the period of 2000 – 2007. Oppdal also is a well known alpine winter resort. Axel Lund Svindal, the alpine World Champion in 2007 had his first instructions at the alpine High school of Oppdal.
Besides Røros, Oppdal is the only inland council of Central Norway with population growth over the last 20 years. Oppdal also has the largest volume of trade per inhabitant in the county by 132.000 NOK a year.
The region has a wide structure of employment. The largest employment comes from industrial activity. Oppdal also provides a large number of jobs in travel, building and farming. Oppdal has the largest sheep ranges in the country with approximately 45,000 sheep in the mountains each summer. In addition Oppdal is known for its slate industry, producing the only building material more valuable for each year in use.
You can reach Oppdal by either railroad or the European highway 6. It is also possible to land a small plane (10 passengeres) at a 1000m airfield nearby. If you are lucky, you can observe muskox along the higway through the Dovrefjell National Park on your way northward. A herd of 200 animals live in the park and are often seen from road.
Key Facts
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6,615 inhabitants
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2,271 sq km
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2,100 commercial guest beds
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210,000 commercial overnight stays a year
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3,000 private cabins
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495,000 private overnight stays
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865 million NOK in retail sales
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1.5 hours by train to Trondheim
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Awarded "The Best Drinking Water" region of Norway 2001
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The largest "sheep region" in Norway - 45,000 sheep
Structure of business:
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4.6% public administration
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7.2% Education
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13.5% Health services
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19.1% Industry
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11.7% Farming
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11.9% Construction and building
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18.0% Retail trade and hotel industry
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4.2% Transport & communication
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4.4% Commercial services
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1.6% Finance
18% Tourism and travel industry (compound business)