About us

From goat to beer...

Christian Gaard Bygdetun in Trandal started out as a small farm with goats, chickens and a few heifers – but gradually developed into a very special gathering place in the middle of the fjord and mountains in the beautiful Hjørundfjord. At the heart of this was Frank – a creative and visionary man with an ability to see opportunities where others saw limitations.

When Frank started to develop his property, he quickly encountered resistance from the bureaucracy. The municipality thought the buildings violated the Building Act, but Frank had a simple but ingenious answer: These were not buildings – they were works of art. And works of art are protected by the Intellectual Property Act. This laid the foundation for a particularly unique and creative yard, created outside the usual framework.

It all started small – a farmhouse with room for around twenty guests. But as word of the distinctive town spread, so did the need for more space. With the help of good friends, an extension was built. And then another. And then a large terrace. And then another. Step by step, Christian Gaard grew to become what it is today – a meeting place for music, culture, good food and genuine rural enjoyment.

In 2007, the yard got a big boost when Tussa Kraft opened the new power station at Trandal. They invited people to a party – and the Baarelaget band played for dancing from a newly built stage. This was the start of Trandalblues, a blues festival that has since attracted music lovers from all over the country to the small village with no road links. The festival has become one of the most distinctive music events in Sunnmøre.

From family heritage to future-oriented operations

After Frank and Toril Storeide passed away in 2010 and 2015 respectively, the next generation took over the baton. Today, siblings Daniel and Lenita own and run Christian Gaard Bygdetun.

Daniel is the day-to-day manager and boat driver, while Lenita has the main responsibility for the restaurant. Together with his siblings Linda and Øystein, Daniel’s partner Ivonne and the boy next door Jørn, they keep their parents’ vision alive and have developed the town into a holistic tourism experience. With several shuttle boats in operation, they offer both transportation and experiences in the Hjørundfjord and all of Møre og Romsdal.

Today, Christian Gaard Bygdetun employs six people year-round and is involved in catering, accommodation, festivals and boat transport. With an annual turnover of more than NOK 16 million, they have established themselves as an important hub for tourism and culture in the region. The Trandalblues, Trandalrock and Trandal Country Festivals attract thousands of visitors every year, and the spectacular journey across the fjord has become an icon on social media.

Through targeted efforts and collaboration with other players in the Hjørundfjord, Christian Gaard continues to be a vibrant meeting place where history, nature and culture merge – in honor of the legacy of Frank and Toril, and with an eye to the future.