Ski holiday in Norway - Geilo

First ski holiday in Geilo - How to plan

Transport and airport shuttle - Geilo is located midway between Oslo and Bergen. From Oslo it is approx. 220 km and from Bergen approx. 244 km by car. The easiest and fastest way to get to Geilo is to take the train. The train goes directly from Oslo Station and Bergen Station, if you come by plane to Oslo or Bergen airport, there is one train change, and then directly to Geilo. Geilo also offers, in collaboration with Norefjell, an airport shuttle for those arriving by plane, or wanting transport to and from Oslo Airport.

Accommodation - Stay at one of the hotels with a central location in relation to the center and the ski resort. Hotels such as Vestlia Resort, Geilo Hotel, Ustedalen Resort and Dr. Holms Hotel are all well located and can offer, among other things, a swimming pool and sauna, ski-in ski-out, restaurant and bar. Do you want to live together in a cabin or in an apartment, but still close to everything? Then we have several self-catering properties that are just perfect.

Ski school and ski rental - It is recommended to book the ski school in advance, as the ski schools cannot guarantee an available time at short notice. Ski equipment can be rented in several places in Geilo, here we would recommend choosing the ski school and ski rental that is closest to the accommodation you choose to stay at.

Ski pass - Pre-order your ski pass and collect it easily from one of several drop boxes near the accommodation or in the ski resort.

Ski bus - Whether you come by train or car, one of three ski buses will take you around in Geilo. Both to and from the ski centre, as well as to and from the center when you go shopping. The ski bus is completely free, with and without skis on!

Winter activity - To get a break from skiing, we recommend pre-booking an outdoor winter activity that is suitable for the whole family. How about ice bathing and sauna, dog sledding or guided snowshoeing?

Book a table - Regardless of where you want to live, it is nice to be able to go out to a restaurant for a good meal.

Shopping - The center of Geilo consists of a cozy pedestrian street, with many shops and cafes. Take a break from skiing, explore the center of Geilo and all it has to offer!

SkiGeilo - The family-friendly ski centre

The ski center at Geilo consists of 46 slopes, 4 chair lifts, 4 children's areas and 2 terrain parks. The ski resort is spread over two valleys surrounding Geilo, the ski bus takes you easily from one side of the valley to the other completely free of charge, so that all ski slopes are easily accessible. In all base areas you will find slopes and a "magic carpet" perfect for children and beginners, these are free to use. The base areas are also connected by larger slopes and ski lifts. The ski pass is valid in the entire ski resort at Geilo.

Geilo has two ski schools that help you with skiing and technique. In all base areas, you can also hire modern and newly prepared skis for all levels. In Vestlia, you also have the option of childcare while you are skiing yourself.

See pist map

Ski holiday with accommodation suitable for everyone

At Geilo there are accommodation options suitable for everyone, you can choose between hotel, cabin, apartment and camping. There are several different areas both in Geilo and the surrounding area. To make it easy for you as a ski tourist, we have described the various areas below, there are four areas in particular to choose from - Kikut, Vestlia, Center of Geilo and Havsdalen.

Kikut

Kikut is over 1,000 meters above sea level and is a sunny area all year round. Here, it we offer modern and stylish apartments which is suitable for large families and friends. These self-catering apartments are located right next to the ski slope. Kikut Bistro is the nearest restaurant, a few meters away. They offer both lunch and dinner. There is no ski rental at Kikut, so Vestlia is the closest place to rent skis. Kikut is located approx. 5 km from the center of Geilo.

Vestlia

Vestlia is 2 kilometers from the center of Geilo. This is an activity eldorado for young and old. Here you`ll find Vestlia Resort and Geilolia Cabins and apartments. Both are very family-friendly and are located right next to the ski resort, and there are many winter activities right outside the door. The ski bus runs right by and takes you to and from the center and to the ski resort on the other side.

Center of Geilo

In the city center you can choose from several different accommodation options. Dr. Holms Hotel is a family-friendly hotel in the city centre, right by the train station and Slaatta Ski Centre. Geilo Mountain Lodge is idyllically situated just before the center of Geilo, 650 meters from the train station. This is a hotel with fantastic interior with exquisite food, suitable for adults who want something a little out of the ordinary. Highland Lodge offers hotel rooms and apartments, as well as a swimming pool, own bakery, a pizza restaurant and Smakeriet Beefbar restaurant. Geilo Hotel is located 500 meters from the train station after the city centre, they have a long history and traditions dating back to 1880, here you can enjoy the traditional style in modern comfort. The hotel is also right next to the ski slope and Geiloheisen. Right before the center of Geilo is Bardøla Fjelltun which offers cabins and apartments approx. 1.6 kilometers from the train station and Ustedalen Hotell & Resort offers apartments and hotel rooms, 1 kilometer west from the train station. They are family-friendly and offer, among other things, a swimming pool, bar, gym and a restaurant. They are also very close to the ski slopes.

Havsdalen

Havsdalen is 1,000 meters above sea level and approx. 4.2 km from the center of Geilo. Havsdalsgrenda offers modern, high-standard apartments in the middle of the ski slope, you also have access to a sauna and swimming pool. Here you can choose between several apartments of different sizes. 

Fun activities for a successful ski holiday

No ski holiday is complete without a fun winter activity that adds that little something extra. At Geilo there are many exciting activities to choose from, try your luck with ice fishing, tobogganing on Norway's longest groomed hill, give your body a real shock with an ice bath combined with sauna or how about a nice snowshoe trip with a guide and bonfire? Some of the activities require transport as they are outside the center of Geilo.

See all winter activities

For the whole family

How about a guided snowshoe trip in a beautiful winter landscape, dog sledding on the fjord, experiencing wolves up close or sleigh rides with steaming horses at dusk?

For the adrenaline seeker

How about a snowmobile safari with opportunities for moose spotting, tobogganing on Norway's longest groomed track, a guided fat bike tour in the mountains or other motor sports in Dagali?

For the daredevil

Have you tried ice bathing? How about combining ice bathing with a visit to a cozy sauna with a panoramic view?

Good to know before the ski holiday

There is a lot to think about when going on a ski holiday and it requires a bit of planning before you go. We have therefore written down some advice and tips that you should think about both before you book, before you leave and what you should think about when you have arrived in Geilo.

Advice

• Pre-book accommodation and transport some time in advance. Once this is in place, we recommend pre-booking ski passes, ski school and winter activities. Mostly to avoid unexpected expenses and for it to be sold out. Especially ski school as they cannot guarantee an available time at short notice.
• Check the weather forecast a few days before you go to Geilo! It can get cold in the mountains, so remember to pack warm clothes and shoes. Bring your own ski clothes, as there are no places that rent out ski clothes, but you can buy this and woolen underwear in the center of Geilo.
• Check your ski equipment! Consider whether the equipment is good enough, and whether it is worth paying for extra luggage in relation to the price of renting. At Geilo you can rent ski equipment in several places, and if you order online you get a 10% discount.
• Check all orders and order confirmations before you leave, if you are coming from abroad, remember your passport. If you have booked transport by train, bus or plane, double check the date and time. Also check that you have valid insurance that covers you when travelling.

Tip

• Orient yourself around Geilo before you arrive, read a bit about the restaurants, shops and what activities you can do.
• When is the ski season at Geilo? The ski season at Geilo usually starts in December and lasts until the end of April. The busiest month with the most people is February, and the best month is March. Then the days are longer, the sun warms and the snow conditions are good. January can be a cold month, so check the weather forecast before you go.
• Even if you have skied before, the benefit of ski school is very important. They help you become more confident in yourself, in the ski lift and when skiing.
• If you order a ski pass online, you get a 10% discount!