Oppland region is a skiers’ paradise! With breathtaking views, plenty of possibilities to do many kinds of popular winter sports. However, the most popular by far is – as you can imagine – skiing. While there are many slopes where you can practice the ‘’slalom’’, Oppland area is most famous by being the biggest cross-country skiing surface in the world – with its xxx (insert surface) to enjoy on a sunny cold day! Just don’t forget about the safety!

 

Sjusjøen

Located 20 km of Lillehammer, Sjusjoen is a nice slalom and XCS mountain. The top of it is around 1000m above sea level. Even if you are not the adrenaline junkie, you have 350 km of XCS trails available, making it the biggest XCS terrain in the world.
Sjusjøen is known as an eldorado for skiing enthusiasts, and is ideal for hard workouts as well as more recreational trips. The Birkebeiner Trail weaves its way through the area. Sjusjøen comprises two cross-country ski arenas suitable for competitions at an international level. The skiing is available from the October til the end of March.

Skisport.dk

 

Nordseter

Is located near Sjusjøen and only 14 kilometers away from Lillehammer. The area is located at an altitude up til 850 meters above sea level and also has some amazing sceneries. Fun fact: Nordseter and Sjusjøen were originally used as a farming surfaces and later got rearranged into winter ski terrains. They are very easily reachable with Lillehammer public transport – don’t be surprised to see many people with skis on the bus!

 

Hafjell

Hafjell offers slopes of all levels, from the easiest children slopes to the most advanced black slopes, so no matter what your skill is, you can enjoy Hafjell. The entire ski resort is facing the sun and has good snow conditions from mid-November till mid-April. In addition to great  and various slopes, Hafjell got a complete park offer for all levels, and one of Norway’s largest trails of cross-country skiing. After the sun goes down, it is also possible to enjoy cross-country skiing at Mosetertoppen with 7km of  trails. Also, the view is fantastic!

Halfjell has been proclaimed as the ski resort winner 2017. With its reliable snow, 44 kilometers of slopes and 15 ski lifts it is a very popular skiing destination. 835 m (195 m – 1030 m)

Kvitfjell

Developed for the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, it is one of the most modern resorts in the world, with snowmaking on 80% of the alpine pistes. Based near the river Gudbrandsdalslågen, the resort offers 23 pistes: 5 green (nursery), 9 blue (beginner), 6 red (intermediate), and 3 black (advanced).
Kvitfjell is also home to a terrain parkand 120 km (75 mi) of cross-country pistes, with access to 480 km (300 mi) extra in Skei and Gålå.

Kvitfjell is probably best known for hosting the men’s and women’s alpine speed events at the 1994 Winter Olympics.

 

Consider booking your stay at the HI Lillehammer Statjonen and you won’t have a long way to your transport 🙂

Written by Sandra Meglić,
an EVS volunteer for Hostelling international
Funded by Erasmus+ and Aktiv Ungdom