Geilo

Geilo is one of the most famous and popular ski resorts in Norway. The first ski lift started running here in 1954. Today there are 20 lifts and 39 slopes of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty. There are slopes for children and beginners as well as for top-level alpinists, and the well-prepared terrain parks are excellent for snowboarding.

In addition, there are 220km (137 miles) of trails for those who like cross-country skiing, and the kite-skiing conditions are among the best in the world. Geilo is easy to get to, as it is located halfway on the main road between Oslo and Bergen.

Resort elevation: 800m (2,625ft) to 1,025m (3,363ft).

Top elevation: 1,178m (3,865ft).

Base elevation: 800m (2,625ft).

Number of lifts: 20.

Number of runs: 39.

Average annual snowfall: 1.5m (5ft) to 2.4m (8ft).

Geilo is situated in the mountain region of Hallingdal, in Buskerud county in the middle of southern Norway. It is overlooked by the Hallingskarvet mountain range (the highest peak is the 1,933m/6,342ft Folarskardnuten) and bordered by Hardangervidda, the largest mountain plateau in Northern Europe.

The season runs from November until April.

Geilo's slopes cover the mountains on both sides of the town, which sits in the bottom of the valley. The two sides of the valley are not linked, so skiers must use the shuttle bus between them, but all the slopes on each side are interlinked by lifts and by runs criss-crossing the hillsides.

Most of the slopes are wide and comfortable even for inexperienced skiers, and all the runs are extremely well prepared and maintained. The lifts are new, modern and comfortable.

There are three terrain parks and one of the best superpipes in Europe. Night skiing is available on four runs.

Several ski schools offer instruction in alpine skiing, telemarking and cross-country skiing, and a number of outlets offer ski hire. There is usually plenty of snow throughout the season, although snow cannons are used to top up the base when snowfall is poor.

Geilo has a lot to offer in terms of winter activities other than skiing. Snowshoeing, dog sledding, sleigh rides, ice skating, snow rafting and snowmobile safaris are all on offer. In addition, there is bowling and a cinema as well as several swimming pools, spas and gyms.

Childcare is offered at the various ski centres, at the resorts and also at some of the hotels. There is a kindergarten, Trollklubben (the Troll Club), at Geilolia ski centre.

Tobogganing designed for small children as well as for those a little bit older (10 to 14 years) is a popular activity at Geilo. The family parallel slalom competitions are always great entertainment. Treasure hunting and ski orienteering are other fun options. The biggest hotels have children's play rooms and swimming pools.

There are plenty of shops in Geilo town centre, including grocery stores, sport shops selling ski gear, clothing stores, gift shops and florists. Several furniture shops sell traditional and rustic Norwegian furniture and decorative objects.

Most après-ski activites take place in the hotels. Skibaren (Dr Holms Hotel, Timrehaugveien 2) is a popular piano bar for grown-ups, while Recepten Pub in the same hotel caters for a younger audience, with après-ski parties. Barock'n Orkesterbar (Bardøla Høyfjellshotell, Bardølavegen 33) is a bar offering dancing and live music six nights a week.

Bowl and Dine (Dr Holms Hotel, Timrehaugveien 2) is a fun eating place modelled on a 1950s American diner and offers both eating and bowling. More sophisticated and offering an atmosphere more typical of the region is Restaurant Hallingstuene (Geiloveien 56) in Geilo town centre, one of the region's best restaurants.

Not as expensive, but with a decent à la carte menu is Smiu Biffverksted (Highland Hotel, Lienveien 11) which, as the name implies (biffverksted = steak workshop), is a great place to visit for true carnivores. There are several other restaurants and pizza places as well.

The slopes are on the hillsides on both sides of Geilo town centre, and there is a shuttle bus running between the sides of the valley. There are also buses taking visitors from the hotels to the slopes and back again.

At Vestlia Resort (website: www.vestlia.no), the spa and fitness centre takes up 1,000 sq m (10,760 sq ft). There is a climate zone with swimming pool, Jacuzzi and different types of sauna. Why not try the full three-hour spa treatment which includes a hydrotherapy bath, body wrap, back and neck massage and a facial?

Luxury

Dr Holms Hotel
A luxurious hotel with comfortable rooms, great bars and a lovely spa.

Timrehaugveien 2
Tel: 3209 5700.
Website: http://drholms.no

Moderate

Ustedalen Hotell Geilo
A comfortable family hotel with swimming pool, piano bar and a nice view of the Ustedal Fjord.

Gamleveien 32
Tel: 3209 6700.
Website: www.ustedalen.no

Budget

Ro Hotel
A decent budget hotel located near the railway station.

Geilovegen 55-57
Tel: 3209 0899.
Website: www.rohotel.no

Nearest airports: Fagernes (VDB); Oslo (OSL).

Distance to resort: 105km (65 miles); 300km (186 miles).

Driving time: 1 hour 20 minutes; 3 hours 30 minutes.

Nearest railway station: Geilo.

www.skigeilo.no or www.geilo.no

Intermediates, Beginners, Families, Après ski, Snowboarders