Welcome to Ål

Welcome to Ål – a mountain community in the middle of southern Norway.

But what kind of community?
A community for:
- culture?
- out-doors?
- agriculture?
- health?
- tourism?
A community for living!

General information
- 4.700 inhabitants
- 1173 square km
- 220 km from Oslo
- 240 km from Bergen
- RV (State road) 7 and the Bergen railroad passes through
- Sundre is the name of the community centre
- three church-parishes; Ål, Torpo and Leveld
- six nurseryschools/kindergardens
- six elementary schools and three secondary schools
- Ål folkhighschool for deaf, Bakketeigen
- Hallingdal sjukestugu, local hospital

Trade and industry
- Ål is a traditional farming community, the largest livestock community in the county of Buskerud
- with the local hospital, together with Ål’s own municipal health services, give the community a high score on health expertise
- Tourism in Ål has another profile than Geilo, Gol and Hemsedal.  Ål does not have the big hotels, but rather more small scale cabins for families.
- Industrial firms like Kleivi Næringspark, Torpo Næringshage, Gullhagen and Oppsjø have strengthened Ål as a community of industry.
- There is considerable activity and high competence in building and cunstruction, like carpenters, electiciens, architects and consulting firms in the area.
- Media (Hallingdølen, Døves Video and other newley established mediafirms) and Ål culture-house has made culture an significant trade in Ål
Culture
Cultural activities have long traditions and diverse expressions in Ål.  In 1992 Ål cultural house was opened and has since given the public, both guest productions and locally produced performances of high international standard.
Riksteatret (The Norwegian State theatre, touring stage) has Ål kulturhus as one of it’s permanent stops

Yearly events
- March, Bend It – the world biggest alpinefestival for youngsters (0-11)
- April, Liatoppsprinten (biathlon) for youngsters (10 -17)
- April/May Ål cup – handball-cup for youngsters (10 – 17)
- May, Den norske folkemusikkveka (The Norwegian folkmusicfestival) comes every year the last week of  May
- June, Ålutstillinga (county fair) a weekend with animals, locally produced merchandise and other fair-activities.
- August, Ål-cup – football(soccer)-cup for youngsters (10-17)

Ål has several fine sports arenas, but none as magnificent as the mountain areas with 380 km with prepared cross-country trails.