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Geilo Ski Resort
This small mountain town in eastern Norway is easily one of the nation’s top ski resorts, home to some of its longest established ski areas which we’ve been enjoying for over a century and a half.
In the district of Hol, Geilo’s one of Norway’s five national park villages, with the Hardangervidda and Hallingskarvet mountains on either side. A collection of hotels, apartments and shops are bundled together between the fells. Home to 2500 residents, the town feels modern and friendly – it’s easy to navigate, making it brilliant for families and first ski holidays. It’s also a certified Eco-Lighthouse and sustainable destination for its commitment to protecting and respecting the environment.
Access is simple with the town sitting right between the major Norwegian cities of Bergen and Oslo. Both are 3.5 hours away by rail, which takes you straight into the station in the village centre. It was the arrival of this railway in 1909 that began Geilo’s growth as a destination - more and more buildings cropped up around the station as it grew into the resort we know and love today.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Buskerud, Norway
Established: 1890
Open: Nov - May
Downhill: 34km
View our detailed Geilo snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Geilo snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) | 210mins |
| Fagernes (VDB) | 75mins |
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| Top Altitude: | 1178m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 800m |
| Resort Altitude: | 800m |
| Longest run: | 2km |
| Slope Orientation: | N, S, E |
| Vertical Drop: | 378m |
| Skiable Vertical: | 378m |
| Night Skiing: | No |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 34km |
| Beginner slopes: | 55% |
| Intermediate: | 39% |
| Advanced slopes: | 6% |
| Lift Pass Price: | 1830 NOK (adult 6 day) |
| Nearby resorts: Hemsedal | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Geilo
Separate kids ski areas provide an environment for tots to learn safely away from the crowds, and with different areas linked by a ski bus there’s plenty to explore. On one side, the Geiloheisen area near the centre of town has a mix of runs, with the kid’s area accessed from the Havsdelen lift besides a red, green and blue piste. Vestila on the other side is home to slopes of every colour, including some lovely blues that stream down between the trees.
Advanced skiers and snowboarders might miss the amount of challenging slopes, but there are a number of ski parks for different levels if you fancy picking up some new skills. The Fjellparken in Havsdalen usually opens first in November, with its jump line, kickers, rails and boxes. It’s often up and running in the evenings too, for a spot of moonlit freestyling. X games champ Tiril Sjåstad Christiansen is the brains behind the Tiril Parken in Vestila, which has lines for every level and won Park of the Year in 2014. There’s also the Slaatta Snowpark for newbies and those who want to learn new skills.
Cross country skiers have oodles to enjoy, with over 200km of trails surrounding the resort and covering gorgeous fells.
Geilo Apres Ski
When it comes to mealtimes, we like Taubanekroa for burgers and comfort food, but for a good view, get lunch at Top Skicafe which looks out over the Hallingskarvet National Park. For something special, book a table at Restaurant Hallingstuene, where one of Norway’s favourite TV chefs, Frode Aga, whips up modern twists on Traditional Norwegian cuisine. On a Saturday, Havsdalskroa pleases the crowds with good drinks and grub, promising only to close when the last guest has gone home... Stugu over in Vestila is a good stop for live music. Look out for the Ice Music festival which celebrates art and music each first full moon of the new year.
There’s an armful of activities to have a go at, starting off with one of the longest toboggan runs in the country in Havsdalen. Husky and horse drawn sleigh rides are also a terrific way to explore the surroundings.
Geilo has a range of mainly outdoor activities although there is a swimming pool and cinema in the village. Ice climbing and ski orienteering are both popular pastimes and you could go on a wilderness camp to experience mountain life as it was in days gone by. No modern equipment is used and you will have the chance to try using a bow and arrow, practice wearing snowshoes and try your luck at ice fishing on the fiord. Some unusual modes of transport to try out and have fun at the same time include reindeer sledding and snowrafting.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Geilo
Best time to visit & ski Geilo
It might be moderate in size and altitude, but Geilo’s ski season holds out far longer than the majority of European resorts. The first slope is known to open as early as September / October. Geilo’s main season usually runs from the end of November up until late April, with cross country skiing often continuing into May. Wrap up warm, as temperatures tend to be a lot cooler in this neck of the woods (the average winter temperature is around -6°C. Sunlight hours are different too, with fewer hours of sunlight at the beginning of the winter (floodlights keep some of the slopes open) and longer days than we’re used to come spring.
Peak Dates
Spend an authentic Norwegian Christmas in Geilo , fuelled by generous mugs of gløgg and gallons of festive cheer.
Begin the year on skiing lovely crowd free fells over New Year in Geilo.
The town’s brilliant family offerings and less crowded pistes make for a great Half Term in Geilo.
More hours of sunlight but still plenty of snow are the norm over Easter in Geilo– where the slopes tend to stay open until the end of April.
Families in Geilo
Geilo’s compact, easy to navigate nature makes it very popular with families, who can also benefit from quieter pistes and excellent schooling. You’ll struggle to meet a local who doesn’t speak excellent English and fun extras like husky rides and the Trollklubben play area offer no end of excitement.
GroupsGroup Holidays Geilo
While advanced skiers might be better off in one of the bigger ski areas, Geilo’s perfect if you have a group of learners and non-skiers looking for winter fun. This is a cracking base to explore fells and fjords, take the train to nearby towns, learn to ski and freestyle and have a go at husky sledding on an action filled week in Eastern Norway.
Which are the best ski holidays in Geilo?
| Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Vestlia Resort | 7 | £ 909 |
| Havsdalsgrenda Apartments | 7 | £ 328 |
| Bardola Cabins | 7 | £ 374 |
| Forest Cabins | 7 | £ 412 |
| Hotel Dr. Holms | 7 | £ 491 |
| Highland Lodge | 7 | £ 347 |
| Bardola Apartments | 7 | £ 515 |
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