Geilo

As Alison and I were planning a Norway trip anyway, it seemed a good idea to make it a programmed event to see if we could tempt some others to join us. There were one or two enquiries, but for various reasons they all failed to make it. With just the 2 of us, the best deal was to use a hotel as a base (not very SOC, I know). We had picked out Geilo as a suitable destination for the range of skiing on offer and its convenient location on the Bergen – Oslo railway.

Despite a 9 hour flight delay (-2ºC causing problems at Teesside, whereas Norway was running very smoothly at –20ºC) we arrived at Kikut Fjellstue. This was our base for the next few days. Our warm up day was a bit late starting as a result of our 3 a.m. arrival, but we managed a 5km ski down the hill into Geilo to check out a few things and pick up some vital supplies before skiing up the hill again by a different route. Days 2 and 3 took us out on the marked routes leading west and east respectively from our base. These involved wonderful Nordic skiing terrain – undulating ground with the downhills just steep and long enough to provide a challenge and uphills which could be overcome with grip wax and the occasional herring bone.

Day 4 provided a bit of a change with a short circular tour in the morning, then skiing to the top of the Vestlia ski lifts and a remarkably successful descent of the long green run. Arrival at the bottom station was a bit of a culture shock as there were lots of people! (not many by Alpine standards, but far more than the handful we had encountered on previous days). We fitted our blinkers, concentrated on our objective (honing our downhill technique) and bought a 2 hour lift pass. Several ascents and descents later and we were comfortably descending the same green run & achieving pleasing results from our narrow Nordic skis (the best part was gliding past the Alpine waddlers on the short flat and uphill sections at the top and bottom though). We even managed the occasional slightly wobbly Telemark.

Day 5 was a bit of a shock as we discovered that owing to a slight difference in how bookings are described in Norway (and my not properly reading the confirmation) we had to leave Kikut. The owner managed to find us a room in Geilo itself, so after a short taxi ride we dumped our gear and caught the train to the next stop Ustaoset. From here we skied uphill to Prestholen, a hut at the base of the Halingskarvet mountain ridge. This was open for pancakes and hot chocolate and was welcome relief from the hostile conditions outside. Once encased in extra layers, we set off in the spindrift along a high terrace to the top of the Geilo ski lifts. From here a mostly gentle descent (apart from one short section of blue run) led to Geilo and a short walk to our hotel.

Day 6 was our final skiing day. We used the Geiloheisen lift to quickly get up the hill, then skied off over the hills behind. We cut across to yet another green run in worsening weather and had more downhill practice with the slope all to ourselves as the tow was closed by the wind. After a few more ups and downs it was time to ski down to Geilo again to catch the train to Bergen.

The weather was a real treat – something we were a little concerned about at first in February. The temperature was –5ºC to –10ºC every day – blue wax working a treat on the skis. There were a few snow showers, which meant plenty of skiing in virgin powder in the mornings, but the underlying snow was well consolidated. We saw plenty of sunshine and had tremendous views throughout. A couple of days were a bit on the windy side, but suffering the driving spindrfit was compensated for by watching the shapes and patterns it made in the snow.

Geilo proved to be a superb choice for our original idea – an area that a mixed group could go to with enough facilities to suit all tastes. There is a wide range of accommodation including self-catering huts at very reasonable prices for a group. The downhill skiing cannot compare to the French Alps say for scale, but there would be enough to keep most downhill skiers happy for a week. As for the touring, the sky is the limit. The marked trail network is very extensive with anything from easy half-day outings to serious multi-day tours using huts. I was particularly interested in a possible traverse of the Halingskarvet range that would involve 2 long days. Norway of course is a wonderful country. Transport is efficient and easy to use, standards of accommodation, etc. are very high, the food is magnificent and most people speak English.

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	Swaledale Outdoor Club

Geilo

Paul Brooks