Geilo in winter

A true winter wonderland

Discover Geilo in summer
A map of Norway with Geilo marked on the map.
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The mountain village Geilo is located halfway between the major cities of Oslo, in Eastern Norway, and Bergen, in Western Norway, close to the Hardangervidda mountain plateau and the Hallingdal valley.

In winter, Geilo is a paradise for winter sports, with plenty of alpine slopes and cross-country trails to choose from. It's also possible to have fun in Geilo without skis, with activities like dog sledding, fat biking, swimming pools, saunas, bowling, and more.

The shortest way to reach Geilo by car from Oslo or Bergen is the Rv7 motorway (approx 3 hours and 15 minutes from both). The nearest major airports are Oslo Airport, Bergen Airport, and Torp Sandefjord, all of which offer train or bus services to Geilo. In winter, there are free ski buses shuttling between Vestlia and Geiloheisen.

Find inspiration below, or go directly to:

Three happy girls sitting in a ski lift in Geilo ski resort, Eastern Norway
Ski instructor smiling with young students behind her
Two people doing back-flip on alpine skis at Geilo, Eastern Norway
Two people cross-country skiing in Geilo, Eastern Norway
A couple riding fat bikes in ice in Geilo, Eastern Norway
Three people sledging down the toboggan run in Dagali fjellpark in Geilo, Eastern Norway
Dog sledding with Geilo Husky in Hardangervidda
Three persons sitting on snowmobiles looking at the winterforest in Dagali, Geilo, Eastern Norway.

Have fun – together!

The ski resort of Geilo, centrally located between east and west, is among the largest and most versatile in the country.

With a total of 45 slopes, both beginners and advanced skiers will find plenty of excellent skiing opportunities here.

Skilled ski instructors are happy to teach you how to master an elegant turn.

The Hallingskarvet ski resort is great for daredevils who like to ski around trees and enjoy pristine powder.

But skiing is more than just flying down the slopes.

Strap on a pair of cross country skis to explore more of Geilo! Well-groomed trails head in every direction, and you’ll have no trouble finding a route that suits your level.

The wonders of snow are not limited to skiing, however. How about going on a guided fat bike adventure?

The extra-wide (or “fat” if you will) tires give you added grip and make the experience similar to regular mountain biking – but with an added element of newness and fun.

But the surest way to have an absolute blast in the snow is to try sledging at Dagali Fjellpark.

Simply ride the ski lift back to the top to fly down one more time. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?

The area is a treasure trove of fun activities for everyone – especially in the winter.

How about trying something you've never done before, like snowshoe trekking, dog sledding or a horse-drawn sleigh ride?

Drive for 25 minutes and you'll reach Dagali. With so much to do, it's no wonder Dagali is called Aktivitetsbygda (The activity village). Here, you can also try snowmobiling!

Top winter activities in Geilo

Check out some of the best things to do in Geilo in winter

  • Hallingskarvet skisenter blåberget
    Hovet

    Hallingskarvet Ski Resort

    Snolegging_GEO_02802_Foto_Paul_Lockhart (1)

    Geilohallen and Geilo Ski Stadion

    Geilo Husky
    Geilo

    Geilo Husky

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    loypekart-dagali-fjellpark-skisenter
    Dagali

    Dagali Fjellpark - Skisenter

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    alpinkart eng
    Geilo

    Alpine skiing in Geilo

Find more winter activities
Fox in Langedrag nature Park, Viken, Eastern Norway
Woman ice bathing in Geilo, Eastern Norway
A train going through snowy mountains in Geilo, Eastern Norway
View of a snow-covered Finse 1222 hotel, Fjord Norway

Feed animals at Langedrag Nature Park!

Choose between a day visit or an overnight stay, all year round. You can explore the park on your own or with a guide.

Nothing beats the adrenaline rush you get from ice bathing!

Dipping your body into ice-cold water provides plenty of benefits, like improved sleep and reduced stress.

Geilo is centrally located between Bergen and Oslo. The easiest way to get here is by train. Lucky for you, the Bergen Line is considered one of the world’s most beautiful train rides!

At an elevation of 1,222 metres, the highest point on the line, lies …

… Finse 1222, a hotel near Finse station that can only be reached by train or foot.

Finse is a place of pure bliss, with breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness, which are enhanced by the frosty grip of winter.

The area is also a paradise for snowkiting!

Where to stay

Book comfy hotels or cosy cabins. Find your home away from home.

  • Dr. Holms
    Geilo

    Dr. Holms Hotel

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    Lia Fjellhotell logo
    Geilo

    Lia Fjellhotell

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    Sommer
    Geilo

    Geilo Hotel

    birkelund
    Hovet

    Birkelund Camping

    Havsdalsgrenda
    Geilo

    Havsdalsgrenda Geilo

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    Winter Hotel
    Haugastøl

    Haugastøl 1000 Moh

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    Storestoelen2000x1000px
    Hovet

    Storestølen Fjellstue

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    geilolia-hyttetun-hytte-overnatting-geilo-17
    Geilo

    Geilolia Hyttetun and Apartments

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    PAL_VESTLIA-2_paul Lockhart_mer naturlig_mindre
    Geilo

    Vestlia Resort

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    Dyrespor
    Eidfjord

    Halne Fjellstugu

    Foto_Sebastian Arrighi_2
    Finse

    Finse 1222

    Bardøla Fjelltun
    Geilo

    Bardøla Fjelltun

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    Velkommen til Øen Turistsenter sommer
    Geilo

    Øen Turistsenter

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    Ustedalen Hotell & Resort
    Geilo

    Ustedalen Hotel & Resort

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    Restaurant Highland Lodge
    Geilo

    Highland Lodge

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More accommodation alternatives
A man standing behind the counter inside the cheese factory Hol Ysteri in Hallingdal, Eastern Norway
Fancy dish in Hallingstuene restaurant in Geilo, Eastern Norway

For a culinary delight, make sure to stop by Hol, Geilo’s neighbouring “cheese village”.

Browse a mouthwatering variety of award-winning cheeses and other local products at Hol Ysteri.

The good news is that you can taste them, too!

Hallingstuene is another great place to experience the local culinary culture.

With rose-painting decorating on the walls and a traditional interior, this red timber restaurant is an old heart beating with local history.

Food and drink

Taste delicious local food and book a table at a fine restaurant.

  • Peppes Pizza Geilo
    Geilo

    Peppes Pizza Geilo

    Cafe MOcca
    Geilo

    Cafe Mocca

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    Restaurant Christian
    Geilo

    Restaurant Christian - Dr. Holms

    Sportsbaren 1909
    Geilo

    Sportsbar 1909 - Dr. Holms

    Off-Pist
    Geilo

    Off Pist Lounge

    Bowl & Dine på Dr. Holms
    Geilo

    Bowl & Dine - Dr. Holms

    Book now
    perleporten_logo
    Geilo

    Perleporten Café and Bar

    Cafe Lobby, Dr. Holms
    Geilo

    Cafe Lobby - Dr. Holms

    Sofias cafe & bar
    Geilo

    Sofias Restaurant & Bar

    Highland Bakery & Pizzeria
    Geilo

    Highland Bakery & Pizzeria

    Skibaren Dr. Holms
    Geilo

    Skibaren - Dr. Holms

    Hallingstuene
    Geilo

    Hallingstuene

    logo-vestlia-resort-geilo
    Geilo

    Vestlia Restaurant

Find more restaurants
Couple standing in a freshly prepared ski slope in Geilo skiresort, Eastern Norway

Winter in Geilo = an exciting, memorable, & romantic adventure!

Geilo has achieved the certification Sustainable Destination. Although this does not mean that the destination is completely sustainable, it has made a commitment to work systematically to reduce the negative effects of tourism, while strengthening its positive ripple effects.

Geilo logogeilo.com

Getting here and around

Plan your trip to Geilo with Entur, Norway's official travel planner.

  • By train

    The train journey to Geilo takes about 3.5 hours from Oslo and 3 hours from Bergen.

    In the winter, you can get package deals that include the train ride, shuttle bus to the slopes, and ski passes.

    Ad: Visit Vy's website for tickets and timetables

    By bus

    Several express buses operate a number of daily services to Geilo from both Eastern Norway and Fjord Norway.

    Ad: Vy ekspress - travel comfortably by bus throughout Norway

    By car

    The shortest road to Geilo from Oslo or Bergen is the Rv7. The stretches along the Hardangerfjord and across the Hardangervidda mountain plateau are defined as Norwegian Scenic Routes.

    From the Sognefjord area, you can get to Geilo via the beautiful Fv50.

    From Vestfold and Kongsberg, take the Fv40 through Numedal to Geilo.

    Plan your route, check traffic alerts, ferry information and more at the Norwegian Roads Administration website.

    Ad: Auto Europe – always a smooth rental experience

    Local travel

    Local buses make it easy to travel in the Geilo area.

    In the winter, free alpine ski bus shuttles circulate between Vestlia and Geiloheisen.

    Geilo Taxi offers transport for 1–16 people, as well as wheelchair transport.

    By plane

    Fly to Oslo Airport, Bergen Airport, or Torp Sandefjord Airport and take a train or bus to Geilo.

    In the winter, an airport express bus will take you from Oslo Airport directly to Geilo.

    Ad: Norwegian – cheap and direct flights in Norway and over 70 European destinations

Important information about winter driving in Norway

If you are going to drive in Norway in the cold season (October–April) you and your car need to be prepared before you hit the road. Icy, slippery roads, snow, darkness, and poor visibility can make driving challenging at this time of year and it's important to know how to prepare:

How to drive in Norway in winter conditions

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