norway-other-resorts travel wintersports Virgin Media
(photo:Utefoto.no/Innovation Norway)Norway resorts off the usual tourist piste
Because Norwegians love to ski, the country abounds with resorts small and large. Many of these simply don't register on visitors' radar - but they should. For instance, had you thought of Oslo as a skiing destination? Or considered Lillehammer Hafjell, home of the 1994 Olympics? Here are some of the resorts you may not have thought of.
Gaustablikk, to the west of Oslo, offers the earliest start to the skiing season. Open from the end of October, it often attracts national squads from Alpine countries. The 20 pistes include six green, nine red and five black. There are gentle, confidence-building slopes for beginners and children. Serious off-piste action is to be found at Mt. Gausta (1,883m), the highest in Southern Norway. Read more about skiing in Gaustablikk.
Trysil is ideal for families and Norway's largest resort. Close to the Swedish border, it offers runs of all levels on the volcano-shaped Trysilfjellet mountain. Runs are grouped together, so mixed ability groups can ski together. Floodlit skiing 3 nights a week on 6 slopes. There are also two terrain parks. Snow cover is superb - but just in case, Trysil has Norway's most advanced snowmaking facilities! Read more about skiing in Trysil.
Beitostølen in Central Norway is compact and very family-friendly. Everything is within walking distance and the runs are gentle and uncrowded, so perfect for building confidence. There's also a full programme of family-oriented activities every day, including dog-sledding, guided snowshoe hikes, horse-drawn sleigh rides and tobogganing. Read more about skiing in Beitostølen.
The historic town of Lillehammer Hafjell in Central Norway staged the 1994 Winter Olympics. Hafjell, just 10 minutes away, was the site of the slalom and giant slalom events. Together, they offer skiing fit for champions. The Hafjell Alpine Centre is third largest in Norway and offers 30 slopes, catering for all levels of skier. Other facilities include a bob sleigh run, where you can experience speeds of up to 85mph. Read more about skiing in Lillehammer Hafjell
The resorts
Oslo offers a matchless choice of restaurants, bars and cultural activities, while Lillehammer has all the charm of an old Norwegian town with traditional wooden buildings. But you can be sure that all resorts, regardless of size, will have shopping facilities, restaurants, cafés and bars and offer you a warm and friendly après-ski experience.
Accommodation
In Oslo you'll find hotels of all sizes and classes. Most other resorts offer traditional cabins, with some offering cabin apartments or modern self-catering apartments. Hotels of various grades are also available. You can always expect the accommodation to be of good standard with modern facilities and equipment. For more detailed information, check the websites of individual resorts and tour operators.
More information
For more information about holidays in Norway's ski resorts go to www.visitnorway.co.uk
You could be jetting off on an amazing trip to the Caribbean, China, Ireland or the Med. Enter now!
