Sjølisand: Ski Trail, Dance Tradition and Rendalen

Sjølisand is in the southern part of Rendalen. The surrounding area is characterised by Storsjøen, agricultural landscapes and commercial activity. In the village itself, a floodlit ski trail offers a specific connection to winter, while the Polskdansen is part of the regional dance tradition. Sjøli Church is about two kilometres to the north. When choosing a holiday apartment, it may help to distinguish between local points of interest, the nearby area and other destinations in the wider Rendalen area.

Getting your bearings and the ski trail in Sjølisand

You can follow the sequence of roads on the map to plan your journey: FV 215 runs from Åkrestrømmen through Sjølisand to the border with Åmot. A specific winter activity in the village is the 1.2-kilometre floodlit ski trail. It was built in 1983 and restored in 2016. During the municipal planning period 2018–2022, it was listed as operational; at the time, Sjølisand was one of three floodlit ski trails in the vicinity of settlements with this status. According to the organisational plan dated 18 March 2025, Rendalen Idrettslag’s ski group maintains the trail. Check local conditions before your visit.

Dance tradition and Sjøli Church

The Polskdansen in Sjølisand is one of Rendalen’s traditional dances and is known as “Løsset bis Andrå”. The name refers to a regional tradition, not to a confirmed event date. Sjøli Church is also a specific cultural point of interest nearby: it is about two kilometres north of Sjølisand and is a small, single-nave church dating from 1914. The architect H. J. Sparre designed the unpanelled wooden building; a roof turret sits above the main entrance, and the church is designed in the National Romantic style.

The interior furnishings have largely been well preserved since the church was built, although the colours have been updated. The altarpiece was painted by Lars Jorde in 1925 and depicts the Baptism of Jesus. The church’s design, wooden construction and altarpiece each add a different historical dimension. For travellers interested in architecture and art as well as the ski trail, these details add to the picture of the area around Sjølisand.

Water and trails in the nearby area

Storsjøen is part of the area around Sjølisand. The largest trout caught there weighed 10.2 kilograms—an exceptional individual catch, not a promise of what you will catch. There is also a private boat ramp at Botillen, listed as operational in the municipal plan for 2018–2022. The ramp is described as private; its operating status at the time says nothing about current or general access.

To hike to Byringen, turn north of Sjølisand towards Sjølimarka. The start of the trail is signposted after about eight kilometres. This information helps you find the trailhead; it does not describe the length of the hike. The area around Sjølisand thus offers a range of interests: the floodlit ski trail, traces of regional culture and specific directions for the trail to Byringen.

More destinations in the wider Rendalen area

The wider Rendalen area also offers a range of attractions. The Jutulhogget gorge has walls up to 240 metres high and is between 150 and 500 metres wide. There is a car park, toilets and picnic facilities at the western end. A good trail leads to Veslehogget and into the central areas of the gorge; several viewpoints are located along the entire northern rim. These landscape experiences are quite different from Sjølisand’s local winter and cultural attractions.

Rendalstunet is another place to explore the wider area’s cultural history. It includes the Old Berger School, “Gammelskola”, the Bull Museum, also known as Prestegårdstunet, with eight buildings, and Bergslia with four buildings. The Bull Museum is in the listed vicarage where the writer Jacob Breda Bull grew up. Rendalstunet also has a café and a country store selling local products; the café is seasonal, so check the dates for your visit.

When choosing a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether your trip will focus mainly on Sjølisand’s ski trail and the cultural attractions nearby, or whether you plan to visit other destinations in the wider Rendalen area. This lets you tailor your search to the experiences that actually matter to your travel group.

Discover more destinations: Rendalen, Hanestad, Åkrestrømmen.

Go to the main travel overview: Rendalen.