The perfect ski resort and other Geilo, Norway General Tips

Favorite Thing: Situated half way between Oslo and Bergen, Geilo is one of the most popular Ski resorts in Norway. It doesn't have the bigest and longest ski slopes, but you can find any type of ski activity imaginable. Alpine, Telemark, Snowboard, kite-skiing and of course cross-country. It is perfect as a family resort and the nightlife is great!


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Favorite Thing: The altitude is at about 800 m and gives a fairly good guarantee for snow in the winter. The ski lifts also have snow canons for artificial snow in the off chance that the snow should arrive late.

There are several ski-schools and ski rentals. If you don't ski often it really pays to rent skis instead of buying them.

If you want to try something unusual, try the popular horse sleigh ride. You could also try the dog sleigh ride or snow scooter ride!

The best web page for Geilo is: www.geilo.no/
but it is Norwegian.....
Here is some English sites:
www.skiinfo.no/geilo/engelsk/
http://www.geilotaubane.no/engelsk/eindex.htm
And German: www.schwarzaufweiss.de/norwegen/geilo.htm


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Favorite Thing: The village is a traditional place, but different from the rest of Hallingdal because of all the hotels and private cabins. Prices are also on the stiff side, but I guess that is normal for a popular resort. On the other hand, you will find a lot of facilities for a village this size.
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Favorite Thing: Geilo hotel has been around since 1818, but Geilo first became a resort after the railway between Oslo and Bergen was built in 1909. This gave easy access from both East and West.


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Favorite Thing: At the top seasons the place can be fairly crowded and reservations must be done well in advance. Needless to say this is also the most expensive time to stay here and you will be walking in queue for everything.

Fondest Memory: This picture of the centre is taken Christmas morning and is unique because you see no people. Probably the only time of the year it is this quite.

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In the high season, it pays to leave your car at the hotel and just walk around the village.

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Favorite Thing: Geilo also has some traditional history to offer. There is an outdoor museum with several buildings and an archaeological site with Viking graves.

Further down the valley you will also find several outdoor museums worth a visit.

Fondest Memory: On the picture you see the small old wooden church of Geilo.

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Favorite Thing: There are many hotels, but cabins are also an important part of the 5000 beds Geilo has to offer. There are cabins in all sizes and price ranges. The cabins closest to the ski lifts are of course the most popular and expensive, but there are also many cabins in the surrounding areas that are popular for those that enjoy cross-country skiing (or hiking in the summer). Geilo has a few camping places that offer smaller cabins in the lower price range.

As to what accomodation to use, I'm afraid I'm the wrong person to ask. I always stay privat as I have family living there.


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Favorite Thing: Dr. Holm built this hotel the same year the railway opened in 1909. It has changed owners many times since then, but has kept it's name. The hotel has done many renovations up through the years but has managed to keep it's unique atmosphere.
Even if you don't live here I can recommend trying the bar for "after skiing" or the nightclub for some nightlife action.


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Favorite Thing: This is one of the new ways to ski - kite-skiing. Just like there is kite-surfing, there is also skiing with a kite. It is mostly done on lakes and other horisontal places, and you need some wind to pull the kite. Looks fun!


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Favorite Thing: As mentioned, Geilo is at the top end of the valley Hallingdal in unique surroundings. Near Geilo is the beautiful mountain Hallingskarvet and further west is Europe’s largest mountain plateau Hardangervidda. Even further west are the fjords that make Norway different from other places.

Fondest Memory: I lived in Geilo for 2 and a half years, and have many fond memories :-)

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