Geilo skiing resort, Norway

Imagine in your mind’s eye a traditional Norwegian resort, with wooden, chalets grouped around a frozen lake and you have Geilo in a nutshell. The skiing is not the biggest and the mountains are not the highest; but what it lacks in height and length – it makes up for with traditional Norwegian charm in bucket loads.

The downhill skiing is made up from two areas either side of the valley, which are connected by a shuttle bus. The main skiing and village are on one side of the valley with Geilolia Skisenter on the other. There are a total of 20 lifts covering all manner of slopes and difficulties. The skiing is best described as family friendly, with many easy slopes for children and beginners. However because of the lack of queues, even expert skiers will get more miles under their belt than if they were to visit a purpose built French resort. Even in this relatively small resort there are three snow parks for those skiers looking for a little more adrenaline-fuelled skiing. Children are well catered for with a handful of children’s areas and safe skiing in beginner’s areas.

The really great thing about Geilo is that although the skiing is admittedly not the world’s greatest, there are so many other things to do other than ski. There are husky rides through the forest, ice fishing on the frozen lake, kiting to try, ice climbing, snow shoe tours, spas in the hotels to be pampered in and miles and miles of cross-country ski tracks. Another great feature of Geilo is that, unusually for a ski resort the transfer from the nearest airport is only half an hour.

I terms of accommodation, Geilo also has much to offer – from luxury hotels with spas and swimming pools to basic Norwegian self-catering cabins. Every Norwegian has heard of The Doctor Holms Hotel and the hotel is worth a visit, if only to have a coffee in one of the many bars or lounges. There are a half dozen other big hotels and plenty of opportunities to hire your own self-catering apartment or chalet.

If you are getting tired from the daily commute to work, need your batteries recharging and want some Scandinavian charm, then Geilo is for you!