From spring to fall, the Oslofjord is a center of swimming, sailing, windsurfing, and angling. Daily excursions are arranged by motor launch at the harbor. Suburban forest areas await hikers, bicyclists, and anglers in the summer. In the winter, the area is ideal for cross-country skiing (on marked trails that are illuminated at night), downhill or slalom skiing, tobogganing, skating, and more. Safaris by Land Rover are arranged year-round.

Fishing -- Good fishing is to be found in the Oslofjord and in the lakes that envelop Oslo. An especially popular "fishing hole" is the vast area of Marka. You can rent canoes from Tomm Murstad at Tryvannsvn 2 at Holmenkollen (tel. 22-13-95-00) to use for fishing. For information on the nearest place to buy a fishing license, or for more information, contact Oslomarkas Fiskeadministrasjon at Sørkeldalen 914, Holmenkollen (tel. 40-00-67-68).

Gyms -- Male and female weight lifters call Harald's Gym, Hausmannsgate 6 (tel. 22-20-34-96), the most professional gym in Oslo. Many champion bodybuilders have trained here, and its facilities are the most comprehensive in Norway. Nonmembers pay 90NOK ($14/£7.40) for a day pass. It's open Monday to Friday from 10am to 9pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5pm.

Jogging -- Marka, the forest that surrounds Oslo, has hundreds of trails. The easiest and most accessible are at Frogner Park. A great adventure is to take the Sognasvann train to the end of the line, where you can jog along the fast-flowing Sognasvann stream for an hour or so. Norske Turistforening, Storgata 28 (tel. 22-82-28-00), sells maps outlining hiking trails around the capital, and the staff can give you advice about routes. It costs 110NOK ($17/£9.05).

Skating -- Oslo is home to numerous skating rinks. One of the best is the Narvisen Skating Rink, Skikersuppa, Karl Johan (tel. 95-70-95-05), open daily 11am to 9pm, charging adults 55NOK ($8.45/£4.50) for skate rentals (children 30NOK/$4.60/£2.45). The rink is closed from April to November.

Skiing -- A 15-minute tram or bus ride from central Oslo to Holmenkollen will take you to Oslo's winter wonderland, Marka, a 2,579km (1,599-mile) ski-track network. Many ski schools and instructors are available in the winter. You can even take a sleigh ride. Other activities include dogsled rides, snowshoe trekking, and Marka forest safaris. There are 14 slalom slopes to choose from, along with ski jumps in all shapes and sizes, including the famous one at Holmenkollen. For information and updates on ski conditions, you can call Skiforeningen, Kongeveien 5 (tel. 22-92-32-00). The tourist office can give you details about the venues for many of these activities.

Tennis -- The municipal courts at Frogner Park are usually fully booked for the season by the locals, but ask at the kiosk about cancellations. Njårdhallen, Sørkedalsceien 106 (tel. 23-22-22-50), offers indoor tennis Monday to Thursday from 7am to 10pm, Friday to Sunday 7am to 8pm. Book your court well in advance. During nice weather, you might prefer outdoor tennis at Njårds Tennis, Jenns Messveien 1 (tel. 23-22-22-50), a cluster of courts that are generally open whenever weather and daylight permit.