Fabulous scenery and excellent skiing conditions are Geilo’s calling cards. This quiet, unassuming town is a gateway to outdoor winter adventures with runs for all abilities, snowparks and children’s areas. Career down some of Europe’s finest slopes, drive through the snow in a snowmobile and hurtle at high speed in a toboggan.
Every year, thousands of skiers and snowboarders are lured to Geilo’s 21.7 miles (35 kilometres) of slopes. Shred some powder on runs for all abilities, including five nursery slopes. Meanwhile, freestylers have four terrain parks to choose from.
Away from the runs, there are approximately 342 miles (550 kilometres) of prepared cross-country ski tracks. They pass through forests and along mountainous terrain and some are illuminated at night.
You don’t need a pair of skis to enjoy hours of fun in the snow. Ride the chairlifts for panoramic views of the scenery. If you’re an adrenalin junkie, steer a custom-built sled along the 6,070-feet (1,850-metre) toboggan trail in Dagalifjell Park. This is the longest toboggan slope in Norway. You can reach speeds of up to 43.5 miles (70 kilometres) per hour.
Go husky dog sledding through the icy wilderness of Hardangervidda National Park. Try snowkiting on the Hardangervidda mountain plateau and look for elks on a snowmobile tour. More wildlife can be glimpsed at Langedrag Nature Park, overlooking freshwater lakes and mountains. See wolves, lynxes, reindeer, moose, deer and caribou.
Other activities include horse-drawn sleigh rides, bowling, spa treatments and guided snowshoe trips through a forest.
Children are spoilt with an abundance of things to do and places to go, such as their own ski slopes, treasure hunts, sledging slopes and indoor activities,
At the end of your day of adventure, head back to the village for the après-ski in its many bars, cafés, pubs and restaurants.
Geilo is located halfway between Oslo and Bergen and is easily reached from both cities by car and train. The village is a real gem among ice-capped Norwegian mountains, right between two national parks, Hallingskarvet and Hardangervidda. Hardangervidda is northern Europe's largest mountain plateau.
