Visit the Star Wars planet Hoth – in Norway
The opening part of Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back takes place on Hoth, an icy and freezing cold planet. To make the scenes as realistic as possible, the crew headed to Norway. More precisely, to the glacier Hardangergjøkulen in the western part of the country. And it is possible to visit for an unforgettable nature experience.
Panoramic view of the remote, small mountain village of Finse in Norway. This is where Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back, featuring film stars such as Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, was filmed in 1979. Photo: Hotel Finse 1222
As proud Scandinavians, we love it when the international movie industry – famous film directors, movie stars and their crews - head to our Northern part of the globe. «Everyone» in Norway knows that Tom Cruise loves filming his action-filled Mission Impossible films in Norway, but let´s go back a few decades to the late 1970s when another action-filled success was made on a remote glacier.
To many the classic Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is ranked at the very top of the Star Wars series. This second film in the epic space drama (retrospectively number five after the later release of the series' three prequels) made its way to the movie theaters in 1980.
The opening part of Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back takes place on Hoth, an icy and freezing cold planet. To make the scenes as realistic as possible, film director George Lucas, his stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and the rest of the crew headed to Norway. More precisely, to the glacier Hardangergjøkulen in the western part of the country.
The opening scene of Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back as well as the battle scenes from Hoth were filmed on the glacier. Starting in the beginning of March 1979, the filming lasted till late June the same year due to the area's worst snowstorm in 50 years. The majestic Hardangergjøkulen is Norway's sixth largest glacier, and is reached by foot, bike or on skis.
The film crew stayed in the small village of Finse, located only five kilometers from glacier. This is remote destination in its own right – only able to be reached by train (or by foot, bike or on skis) as there are no roads leading to this part of the mountain range. The nature is wild and spectacular – visitors can easily imagine Luke Skywalker right here, in the middle of a snowstorm.
A Storm Trooper skiing next to the train at Finse train station in Norway. Photo: Teodor Bjerrang
How to visit: Take the train route Bergensbanen going between Oslo and Bergen, and exit at Finse station which at 1222 meters above sea level is the highest located station of the country's railway system.
Stay at: Finse 1222, a historical hotel dating back to 1909 and newly renovated by the world famous Norwegian architect studio Snøhetta. The hotel is placed next to the lake Finsevatnet, and is where the Star Wars team stayed in 1979 – the hotel has unique memorabilia from the filming.
What to do: In the summer and autumn, there are a variety of mountain tours available, whether you want to climb mountain peaks or want a more leisurely walk through nature, drinking melted water from the glacier or visiting historical sites from when the railway line was built in the 1880s. Glacier hiking is possible during the summer season, and in winter you can do mountain skiing, go on a randoée hike, or try ski sailing. Perhaps you'll even discover some of the views made famous from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back?
Hotel Finse 1222 is the centre of the small village of Finse, and has been so since it opened in 1909. This is where the cast and crew of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back stayed while shooting the film's famous scenes set on the icy planet Hoth. In recent years, the hotel has undergone a major renovation in collaboration with the Norwegian architect studio Snøhetta, internationally known for the Opera House in Oslo. Photo: Ivar Kvaal
Ski surfing in Finse. Photo: Bård Basberg
