Geilo

For the 9th-century bishop of Langres, see Geilo (bishop).

 Geilo is a centre in the municipality of Hol in Norway, in the valley of Hallingdal, with around 2300 inhabitants. The Bergen Line facilitated its development as the first skiing resort in the country, and it is still one of the largest. It is also famous for having the most luxurious and expensive holiday homes in Norway.

Geilo is primarily a ski resort town, but also offers summer activities. Geilo is in a valley with mountain ranges on each side. The center of the town lies at 800 meters above sea level, and its highest point is 1178 meters above sea level. It is 250 km from Oslo and 260 km from Bergen.

It has a train station (Geilo stasjon) with roughly five trains a day going to either Bergen (to the west) or Oslo (to the east). The closest airport is Geilo Airport, Dagali (24 km away), while the closest airport that accepts international flights is Fagernes Airport. Geilo has three lakes, Slåttahølen, Vestlefjorden, and Ustedalsfjorden, by far the largest of the three.

The name

The ski resort is named after the old farm Gjeilo. The name is the dative plural of geil f 'fenced road for cattle'.

Skiing

View of the Slaatta ski area from the Geilolia (Vestlia) side of the valley

Cross country track at Slaataa

The ski season in Geilo is much like the rest of Norway, roughly from late November until late April. Geilo has Four ski centres that make up one resort, which goes by the name Geilo skiheiser. This includes the Geilo town side of the valley, Havsadalen over the other side of the mountain and Slaata to the side which is excellent for beginners and small children as well as Geilolia (formerly Vestlia) which again is excellent for small children and beginners which also connects to the Kikkut area. All the Ski hire offer free helmet loan for children which is an excellent safety measure for worried parents. Geilo skiheiser has 39 slopes covering 33 km accessed by 20 lifts (14 plate, 6 chair). Geilolia skisenter (formerly Vestlia skisenter) tends to have the easier green and blue runs and is where the three ski schools that operate in Geilo take place, whereas Slaatta skisenter has the blue and red runs. There is also an extensive cross country system in Geilo, offering 220 km of tracks, including 5 km under floodlight. There are free pamphlets available in the ‘info’ boxes dotted around the town next to the maps showing the cross country trails and lengths. Skiing options include alpine skiing, cross country (XC) skiing, telemarking, snowboarding, dog sledging, toboggan, ski orienteering, and evening skiing most evenings. Another activity that has become very popular of late is 'kiting' (skiing or snowboarding whilst attached to a 'kite' or parasail) with the area around Geilo being rated among the best in the world. You will also see paragliders floating down from the top of the slopes with courses run in the area occasionally, although mostly in the summer months. Both sides offer a 'big air bag' where all with twin tip skis or snowboards can jump onto an enormous air bag. This is a hit with people of all ages, with children as young as 4 having a go. On Wednesday nights, there is a cross country night at the back side of Geilo-Hallen which is free to attend, although you will need cross country skis which can be hired at all the ski hires in the area at reasonable rates. This is an excellent opportunity to learn one of the fastest growing winter sports worldwide and an excellent training opportunity or a family night out. Getting to Geilo is easy as the main rail line between Oslo and Bergen runs right through the centre of town. There are also bus routes from Oslo and Bergen as an alternative and the RV7 highway also runs through the town if you are coming by car. Accommodation is not overly expensive with most hotels and cabins being listed on the internet and offering special prices out of the high season times. If travelling with friends, consider renting a cabin which can sleep up to 18 people and can make for very good value when the costs are divied up. With 3 supermarkets in Geilo, and food prices not too far removed from other European countries, It can be surprisingly affordable and refreshing change to the standard Hotel experience.

Centre of Geilo

Geilo is a small town and has few shops and entertainment spots. The sentrum mainly consists of two large wooden buildings, much like a shopping centre/mall. In one is an Intersport, tourist information, Co-op supermarket, café Capri restaurant, newsagents, roofed parking, and a police station connected. In the other is an ICA supermarket, newsagent, and Geilogrillen. Down the road there is a small cinema, library, and school. There is also a large sports hall (Geilohallen), which is also the cross country club (Geilo IL). Behind the building is a floodlit prepared cross country track, and a biathlon shooting range. The tourist Cetre is located next to Sport 1 and at the Train Station is the privately run 'Høve Støtt' which offers a range of activities and can organise events and other group outings and experiences, especially in regards to experiencing the Hardangervidda National Park area, including the glacier at Finse, which is 1222 metres above sea level.

For a small town there is a large choice of hotels and apartments. One of the hotels is one of Norway’s most famous, Dr Holms with 2 afterski bars, Recepten and the Ski bar upstairs with an excellent view over Geilo. Others include the Bardøla, Vestlia, which is on the door step of Geilolia ski centre, and the Highland Hotel.

Out of winter season

After the winter season,there are other sporting activities available including go carts, paintballing, white water rafting, rallying, golf, tennis, cycling ; the two most popular are mountain biking and hiking. The Rallarvegen route from Finse to Flåm is extremely popular in the summer months and a breathtaking ride or walk. Budget an entire day, but well worth the effort. Another popular day out is at the Geilolia climbing park where people of all ages, including small children can climb safely with the use of harnesses on a prepared route up in the trees. It includes 'flying fox' sections guaranteed to raise a squeal of delight or two! For Star Wars fans, Finse was home base for the filming of the Hoth ice planet scenes at the beginning of 'The Empire Strikes Back' with many locals from the Geilo area appearing as extras.

Trivia

Queen Sonja of Norway gained her ski instructors certificate in Geilo.

Ole Schroder II created the Havsdalen, a resort in Geilo center.

Ole Schroder I founded the Geilo Hotel in Geilo center.

The Schroders still visit Geilo in the winter and spring.

See also

• 1980 Winter Paralympics

External links

• Geilo's official website (in English and Norwegian)
• Webcams of Geilo