On our latest trip to Norway, after leaving overcrowded Hemsesdal. We took the opportunity and passed by Geilo on our way back to Åre.
Geilo is located in the next valley south from Hemsedal, just an hour drive away. So it’s not a big detour. Skiing starts 800 meters/2600 feet above sea level. Geilo has a alpine ski heritage that goes back to the 19th century, when the railroad connecting Bergen with Oslo was established. That’s when Geilo got its train station. In the 1920s, the first ski lift was built. That’s when Geilo became Norwegians first ski resort.
The vertical drop is not impressive, most lifts don’t even reach the 1100-meter level and the maximum vertical drop you can achieve from top to bottom is less than 300 meters/1000 feet.
You don’t go to Geilo for burning legs, chasing records. You go to Geilo for the feeling of being part of the history of skiing. Geilo is genuine, it has patina and flair. We love the feeling and there is a lot to explore in this high mountain village. When you are in Geilo, you might as well “gå på tur”. The Scandinavian name for randonnée. If you are a ski poseur, you could just hang around in one of the vintage hotels that are to be found all over the valley.
Maria on the right with her sister Helena Frogner who is running Kvarstad Gård in Brummundal.
Geilo Mountain Lodge, a home away from home.
One of all this vintage historical building host a small boutique hotel, called the Geilo mountain lodge. it’s rustic, vintage, and it feels just like coming home. If you’re planning to take a trip to Gelio, make sure to put this small hotel on your bucket list.
