Geilo

is a centre in the municipality of Hol in Norway, in the valley of Hallingdal, with around 2300 inhabitants.

Geilo is primarily a ski resort town, but also offers summer activities. Geilo is in a valley with mountain ranges on each side. Geilo downtown lies at 800 meters above sea level, and its highest point is 1178 meters above sea level. It is 250km from Oslo and 260km 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 (24km away), while the closest airport that accepts international flights is Fagernes Airport. Geilo is situated near the famous Flåm railway line. Geilo has three lakes, Slåttahølen, Vestlefjorden, and Ustedalsfjorden, by far the largest of the three.

Skiing

The ski season in Geilo is much like the rest of Norway, roughly from late November until early April. Geilo has two ski centres that make up one resort, which goes by the name Geilo skiheiser. Geilo skiheiser has 39 slopes covering 33km 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 220km of tracks, including 5km 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.

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, newsagents, roofed parking, and a police station connected. In the other is an ICA supermarket, newsagent, and a Peppes Pizza.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.

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. Others include the Bardøla, Vestlia, which is on the door step of Geilolia ski centre, and the Highland Hotel, which offers Geilos best afterski scene with its piano bar, and Smiu beef restaurant.

Out of winter season

When the snow has gone in Geilo there are other activities to do, including go carts, paintballing, white water rafting, rallying, golf, tennis, cycling, but the two most popular being mountain biking and hiking. There is also indoor surfing all year round.

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

* [http://www.geilo.no/eindex.asp Geilo's official website (in English and Norwegian)]
* [http://www.geilo.no/webkam.asp Webcams of Geilo]