Winter holidays in Geilo

Halfway between Oslo and majestic Bergen, home of the Western fjords, lies the Hardangervidda plateau – a stunning winter wonderland of pine tree clusters and cheery log cabins crowned with plumes of wood smoke, scattered across a blanket of snow. We stay in the charming little town of Geilo, which nestles below the plateau on the shores of Lake Ustedalsfjorden, appearing like an oasis in this vast rolling landscape of snow fields and frozen lakes. Its brightly painted wooden houses decked out with fairy lights reveal cosy cafés with frosted windows and warming fires to tempt you to linger inside. And, along its snowy avenues, locals shout greetings to one another as they hurry home on their kick sleds loaded with the day’s shopping.

A haven for winter sports enthusiasts, Geilo really does offer something for everyone. Fantastic downhill skiing and snowboarding slopes cater for beginners and improvers, whilst snow mobile excursions, reindeer safaris, sledding with husky dogs and tobogganing offer thrilling ways to explore the frozen plateau. Or how about taking a romantic horse drawn sleigh ride through the snow dusted pine forest? Further afield, take the panoramic rail journey through the winter wilderness to the beautiful Western fjords.