Biking & Hiking

The best mountain-biking and hiking possibilities are from the Nordseter Hyttegrend (Nordseter Activity Center), lying 15km (9 1/4 miles) northeast of the town center of Lillehammer. Follow the signs to Nordseter at the approach roads to Lillehammer.

Once at this lakefront sporting complex (tel. 61-26-40-37), you'll find many options for biking, hiking, boating, hill climbing, and canoeing. From here you can hike to Mount Neverfjell at 1,089m (3,572 ft.). In summer, a 21-gear mountain bike rents for 150NOK ($23/£12) per day; a rowboat or canoe for excursions on the waters of lake Nevelvaten rents for 120NOK ($18/£9.90).

Free maps (and advice) are available for anyone who wants to ramble along any of the well-marked hiking trails radiating outward and into the surrounding hills. Likewise, the best biking routes in the area can be plotted for you.

Skiing

Lillehammer has a 94m (308-ft.) slope for professionals and a smaller jump for the less experienced. The lifts take skiers 457m (1,499 ft.) above sea level up the slalom slope, and more than 402km (249 miles) of marked skiing trails are packed by machines. The Lillehammer Ski School offers daily classes, and several cross-country tours are held weekly. Ask at the tourist office for details.

Hafjell Alpine Center (tel. 61-27-47-06) was the main venue for Olympic alpine competitions in 1994. It has seven lifts and 20km (12 miles) of alpine slopes. The location is 15km (9 1/4 miles) north of town. A "ski bus," costing 50NOK ($7.70/£4.10) one-way and taking 20 minutes, runs here from the center of Lillehammer about six times per day. Lillehammer is also the starting point for 402km (249 miles) of prepared cross-country tracks, 5.8km (3.5 miles) of which are illuminated.

Lillehammer gears up in December for its winter sports season. In addition to the ski center, there's an admission-free skating rink where you have to bring your own skates. It's open in the winter Monday to Friday from 11am to 9pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm. In the winter, you'll also discover festivals, folklore nights, and ski races.

In winter, Nordseter is the focal point of two separate slopes -- for both the beginner and the intermediate-level downhill skier. It also has a vast network of cross-country ski trails. A lift pass, valid for a full day, costs 150NOK ($23/£12) per person, and ski equipment (either downhill or cross country) rents for 180NOK ($28/£15) per day.