MOUNTAIN RETREAT

Local information

• Geilo is a charming and lively mountain village at the foot of Hardangervidda and Hallingskarvet. It is the perfect destination for those who want to experience a wide range of activities year-round in a stunning setting. You are also close to all the amenities and facilities that the modern and vibrant town centre has to offer. Geilo offers a rich selection of restaurants, cafes, and shopping. There are more than 40 shops and eateries, ranging from sports, fashion, furniture, building materials, food, and pharmacy to a liquor store. Geilo has many dining options – including traditional quality food at the well-known Hallingstuene, fantastic TT Tomahawk at Smakeriet Beefbar, authentic Italian pizza at Highland Lodge, and delicious French pastries at Á Tartiner Bakeri.
• For the past four years, Geilo has been voted “Norway’s Best Ski Resort” by the World Ski Awards. There are slopes suitable for all levels, from children and beginners to experienced ski enthusiasts.
• The fantastic ski resort features 21 ski lifts and a total of 45 runs, ranging from fun children’s areas and gentle green slopes to challenging terrain parks and steep black slopes. The resort is located on both the north and south sides of the valley, and the ski bus easily takes you from one side of the valley to the other. In the resort’s base areas, you can rent modern and well-prepared skis. Geilo also has several ski schools.
• Offering more than 500 kilometers of groomed trails, both in the valleys and on the mountain plateaus, Geilo’s cross-country season usually starts in October/November and lasts until May. For enthusiasts, it is often possible to ski in the higher mountain areas well into June.
• Geilo is the perfect starting point for fantastic cross-country skiing trips over white expanses. Geilo is the gateway to both Hallingskarvet National Park and Hardangervidda National Park. Here, you will find some of the best cross-country skiing areas in Norway.
• For those who enjoy activities other than skiing, there are a number of exciting options such as sledding, fat biking, ice karting, snowmobile safaris, dog sledding, horseback riding, snowshoeing, ice fishing, sauna, and ice bathing. For those hungry for speed and excitement, there are many challenging winter activities beyond alpine and cross-country skiing. Geilo also offers fantastic skiing experiences such as world-class kiting on Hardangervidda or ski touring to the majestic Hallingskarvet.
• The hiking season starts in June and lasts until the snow falls in October/November. With a base at Laftehovda, you get the perfect starting point for challenging mountain hikes, leisurely berry and mushroom picking in the local area, or pleasant fishing trips to one of the many lakes on the plateau west of Kikut.
• Geilo is well-equipped for cycling, and starting at 800 meters above sea level, you will find a number of great bike trails and facilities for the whole family, as well as tough high mountain trails for those seeking an extra challenge. The mountain metropolis of Geilo is a complete year-round destination that offers a wide range of activities and experiences.
• To get to Geilo we recommend an eco-friendly and relaxing train ride. It takes about 3 hours from Bergen and about 3.5 hours from Oslo, and the train has up to five daily arrivals/departures. The train journey along the Bergen Railway is an experience in itself, as it passes through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Norway.
• When you get off the train, the Kikut bus takes you further from the station all the way up to Solhovda parking lot at the entrance to Hakkesetstølen, within walking distance from Laftehovda. The Kikut bus corresponds with most trains from Oslo and Bergen during the ski season.
• If you drive, National Road 7 is the shortest way to Geilo, both from Oslo and Bergen. This is a national tourist route over Hardangervidda and along the Hardangerfjord, offering magnificent nature. From the south, you arrive via County Road 40, which runs all the way from Larvik via Kongsberg. You will find Geilo halfway between Bergen and Oslo, at the top of Hallingdal, surrounded by mountains and national parks. This charming mountain village is easy to reach by car, train, and bus from various places in Norway.
• Geilo boasts a snow-sure winter season that typically extends from early November to late April, ensuring excellent skiing conditions throughout the winter months. The resort’s reliable snow cover and varied terrain make it a prime destination for winter sports enthusiasts.