Geilo – The village between the mountain parks

Even the train journey is stunning to National Park village top100 Sustainable Destination

In the middle of Southern Norway, between the major cities Oslo and Bergen, lies the family resort of Geilo. This charming town at the foot of two national parks; Hallingskarvet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallingskarvet  and Hardangervidda https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardangervidda  and offers endless options for outdoor activities – all year.

With its high mountains and big woods, the opportunities for downhill skiing and cross country are enormous – there are now more than 500 km of cross country trails to explore and no less than 39 downhill slopes.

And that’s just where winter sports start – Geilo also offers activities for people that what to explore the nature and mountains on other ways. Why not try dog sledding around the fjord? Or a day trip on Hardangervidda. Snowshoes!

Skiing options include alpine skiing, cross country (XC) skiing, telemarking, snowboarding, dog sledging, toboggan, ski orienteering, and evening skiing most evenings.

And the fun doesn’t stop in the summer – Geilo is well known for its hiking and mountain biking opportunities, but it is also offers lots of other exciting activities like white water rafting, downhill biking and horseback riding.

In the evening? Take a stroll in the village center, go shopping, try a Norwegian speciality in one of many restaurants or visit one of the areas many festivals and events.

And EVERYBODY is welcome. Geilo’s community wants skiing and snowboarding to be an option for everyone, no matter thempreconditions. Therefore, Slaata Ski School offers a separate "Adaptive Program" for the disabled who want to participate in snow sports.

Geilo is definitely a "destination with a Difference" 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.

There is also on 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.

Another, more serious area where the difference shows is that Geilo has been granted the title of Sustainable Destination in Norway, and has been chosen as one of the world’s top100 sustainable destinations. Geilo has a strict nature management system and concentrates on sustainable visitor management and communication strategies.

Local Eco initiatives include investment in innovative power supply with power-saving strategies, reusing solid waste from run-off by producing peat for cabin roofs, promoting environmental certification for local companies and intensively supporting local producers.

"Both the tourism industry and the municipalities contributed to the work. They built new hiking trails, developed food services, acquired environmental certifications for individual companies, assessed tolerance limits, conducted guest surveys, sought out local cultural and natural treasures, and trained the hosts," said Ingunn Sørnes of Innovation Norway.

Geilo clearly takes fun for all the family – AND sustainability seriously.

Even getting there is an experience The NSB trains on the Bergen Line pass the most beautiful, wildest, and most untouched nature in Norway.

MORE INFO:

https://www.visitnorway.com/places-to-go/eastern-norway/geilo/

http://greendestinations.info/top100-2016/?dest=geilo-3

Valere Tjolle