Finse

Finse is a small mountain village on the Hardangervidda plateau in western Norway. It is located in Vestland county and lies along the Bergen Line, a railway connecting Oslo and Bergen. The area is known for its high-altitude, tundra landscape and for providing access to the Hardangervidda plateau and Hardangervidda National Park. The population is small and the settlement mainly serves tourists and seasonal workers. The village hosts the Finse 1222 hotel and a Nordic skiing centre.

Transportation and access: Finse Station on the Bergen Line sits at roughly 1,200 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest railway stations in Northern Europe. From the station, visitors can access the surrounding plateau by marked trails, snow-sure routes in winter, and summer treks. The region's climate is alpine, with long snowy winters and cool summers; weather can change rapidly.

Recreation and economy: Winter sport is a major activity, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In summer the area attracts hikers and researchers. The surrounding landscape features glaciers, rugged mountains, and open tundra, offering vistas across Hardangervidda.

In culture: Finse gained international attention as a filming location for Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980), where scenes were shot on the plateau to represent the ice world Hoth. Today, Finse remains a destination for outdoor recreation and serves as a base for scientific expeditions and film production.