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Geilo, Norway

Geilo is a traditional mountain town, situated in the Hallingdal Valley in the municipality of Hol, Norway, between Oslo and Bergen.  Although it is both a winter and summer destination it is very popular for winter sports activities. The town lies at 800 metres above sea level and has three beautiful (frozen in winter) lakes: Vestlefjorden, Slåttahølen, and Ustedalsfjorden.

Although it is one of Norway’s larger ski areas, the town has retained its authentic charm.  Geilo has two ski areas attached to the resort which lie on either side of the valley, connected by a free ski bus service.  The ski area comprises 39 ski runs and 20 lifts (6 chair/14 surface) and has terrain for skiers of all levels.  Floodlit night skiing is available several evenings per week. Geilo also has two terrain parks for boarders and jibbers. There are ski schools for alpine and snowboarding, as well as ski rental facilities.  

Geilo is very family-friendly, with plenty of activities for children, a children’s ski school, ski area, and the Troll Club for the very young.

Geilo also offers plenty of cross-country ski trails, 5km of which are floodlit.  Telemark skiing, snowmobiling, snowboarding, tobogganing, ski orienteering, ice-fishing, dog sledding and winter wildlife safaris are also popular activities in the area.  Die-hard adventurers can try climbing the ice falls!

Geilo is situated 250 km from Oslo and accessible by train to Bergen in the west, or Oslo to the east.  Oslo is the closest major international airport. 

The town has a variety of shops and restaurants, a sports complex and a cinema.  It offers a good selection of accommodation, from hotels to cosy cabins with fireplaces, and B&Bs.  The après ski scene is perhaps not exciting enough for serious partiers, but there are plenty of hotels, pubs and bars to relax and unwind and enjoy a drink and some good food.

The Geilolia Skisenter snowboard park is famous for hosting BigAir events, and is suitable for all levels of ability.  Geilo is also known for its kite skiing, and instruction is available

The large network of trails for cross-country skiing includes the nearby Hardangervidda plateau.  There are lodges along the way to warm up and have lunch or a hot snack.  Geilo is the venue for ‘Skarverennet’, a huge annual cross-country ski race event.  The race takes place usually on a weekend at the end of April, but check the dates to be sure as the town can get very busy.