Skiing Day Trips
Oslo is known for its Nordic climate and winter sports. What better way to enjoy that wintry spirit than with a ski trip to 1 of the many ski resorts near Oslo? The closest resort is about an hour away. You can take a TIMExpressen bus or a train from Oslo to Kongsberg roundtrip for about 430 NOK and have it include an all day ski pass at the Kongsberg Skisenter. It is the perfect place for the beginning skier as well as intermediate-level skiers. It has 7 km of downhill skiing and 5 ski lifts. A day pass alone runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and costs 320 NOK for adults and 250 NOK for children.
Svarstad is another ski resort located about 1.5 hour's drive from Oslo. You can take the bus or train from Olso for a fantastic day trip, too. The Svarstad Skisenter focuses more on intermediate to expert level skiing in addition to snowboarding. It has a large snow park, reliable snow cover, 6 km of downhill skiing and 4 ski lifts. An adult day pass costs 280 NOK for the lifts.
Hafjell Alpine Centre in Lillehammer is the oldest and third largest ski resort in Norway, and it was the home of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Opening in December and closing in April, this resort has it all--31 slopes, 16 ski lifts (including the gondola), and snow cannons to regulate the snow. It also boasts the biggest floodlight system in Norway, 6 different restaurants, and amazing snowboarding.
Nature and History
Besides skiing, there are other excellent day trips to take from Oslo that focus on the history of the area as well as its natural beauty. In the Oslo Fjord, there are several gorgeous islands, each famous for different things. Take the Oslo boats out from Vippetangen for a reasonable price and visit whichever areas interest you. Langoyene has excellent swimming due to its sandy beaches and crystal clear water while Hovedoya has the ruins of a monastery in addition to a restaurant, hiking trails, and good swimming. Whichever you choose, it's a relaxing way to spend a day out of the city, especially if you're with your family.
Only a 20 minute drive from Oslo is the Nordmarka Forest. This large, natural wilderness is another great escape from the city, with fishing areas and a complex network of hiking trails. Make sure to bring a map that indicates which trails are the best during which seasons if you plan on hiking.
Contributors October 23, 2009