Lillehammer, Norway

Resort Overview for Lillehammer:

Lillehammer has a long history in winter sports and is generally regarded as Norway's oldest Alpine skiing centre, but its highly successful staging of the '94 Olympics brought to the forefront of the international winter sports world. The community feel of those Games were especially memorable for many. Lillehammer was able to put across an image of a comparatively small community pulling together in a spirit of enthusiastic goodwill, rather than the large and rather bland event organised by big nations in partnership with big corporations, that has tainted the image of the Olympic spirit over the past few decades.

Lillehammer remains a charming resort, located on wooded slopes above Lake Mjøsa it is a delightful place of traditional wooden buildings, parks and gardens. There are wonderful views in to the romantic Gudbrandsdal Valley which stretches for more than 200km (125 miles) through the heart of Norway. The success of Lillehammer spear-headed a revival in the fortunes of Scandinavian skiing in the early 1990s, when destinations in Sweden and Norway that had been largely ignored since the 1960s by the rest of the world saw a rapid resurgence in interest. The major selling points were and remain the friendly local people, good childcare, good natural food and a good snow record - assets that had proved popular with the major resorts of the Alps now seen as increasingly over-developed, over-crowded and poor value, with less reliable snow cover.
The negatives of Scandinavian skiing - cold dark winters and high prices, were fought with arguments of strong flood lighting on the trails, modern lifts, cosy accommodation and the fact that, overall, prices worked out lower than the Alps.

Lillehammer is not in itself a traditional skiing village but, like Innsbruck or Banff, instead is the hub of a number of ski areas which guests can travel out to each day. These include Hafjell, 15km/9 miles away, the centre for slalom and giant slalom alpine events at the Lillehammer Olympics, and Kvitfjell, 50km/31 miles north, Norway's newest ski area, where the downhill courses were especially created for the Olympics. The small Birkbeinerbakken facility, with one drag lift, at Sjusjøen, 20km (13 miles) from the town, is primarily a cross-country skiing centre and was the location for the Nordic events in the Olympics. Nordseter, only 12km (7 miles) from the town, with its three drag lifts is the 'local' family/beginners' area.

Finally, there is the Kanthaugen Freestyle Park, which is within walking distance of Lillehammer town centre and located behind the Olympic ski jumps. It is one of the most compact freestyle facilities in the world and includes a 230 metre mogul field with a gradient of 26 degrees, and six take off points for aerials, the highest 3./2 metres in the air. In a triple somersault the jumper is about 12 metres off the ground. There is also a 220m long ballet hill on which lessons are now offered.

The Lysgårdsbakkene jumping hill with twin jumps is located nearby, whilst the Olympic bobsleigh and luge track are about 15km (9 miles) north of Lillehammer at a fifth location close to the Hunderfossen Family Park.

The Skiing in Lillehammer:

There are three real choices for downhill skiers staying in Lillehammer. First is the small but nearest slopes of Nordseter, 12km (7 miles) away where the three surface lifts serve two beginner and two easy runs. Secondly Kvitfjell, established for the '94 Olympics, where the downhill events were scheduled. Now with 6 drags and one chair lift, there are more than 20km (12 miles) of trails here for all abilities. The resort participates in the Troll Pass, which covers five centres in the area and brings the total on the ticket up to 80km (50 miles). The third option, and for many the 'happy medium' between Kvitfjell and Nordseter is Hafjell, also on the Troll Pass.

Located 15km (9 miles) from Lillehammer, Hafjell was the centre for slalom and giant slalom alpine events at the Olympics, and is also linked into a remarkable network of cross-country trails. Snowmaking and tuition in all disciplines are available, along with night skiing until 8pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Since the Olympics, Hafhjell has further developed the resort with improved trails, new faster lifts, increased snowmaking and many other improvements. Most of the skiing is beginner or intermediate standard, but three of the trails, including the 4km (2.5 mile) long Kringelåsløypa, which drops 750 m in its vertical length, is rated intermediate / advanced. The slopes can now be reached both from the base and Gaiastova at the summit. Both places have parking, ticket sales and ski rentals.

Those who find the runs starting at these locations too steep may find easier runs round Råbølhenget and Marsteinschuss. Cross-country skiers may return down to the base by both chairlifts for free.

Après Ski in Lillehammer:

With a small-town-sized year round population of 25000, Lillehammer has a lively après ski scene even without the tourists, largely centred on the pedestrianised main street which is lined with bars, restaurants and night clubs as well as shopping. Many visitors use the evenings to try out the off slope leisure facilities in the area. These include a cinema, swimming, ice rink and many other indoor sports.

Accommodation in Lillehammer:

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