Lillehammer is the gateway to Gudbrandsdalen Valley and was the arena for the 1994 Winter Olympics.. A charming small town on the shores of Lake Mjøsa. Due to the XVII Olympic Winter Games in 1994, the town now can offer a number of unique facilities spanning from sports facilities, cultural institutions, restaurants etc. and accommodation. In addition to the many cultural activities, you can visit the Olympic arenas, take walks, boat trips, shop and attend a number of local events.
Lillehammer municipality has approximately 27.000 inhabitants and covers a area of 477,4 km2. In the hart of Norway, you will find beutiful scenery and a number of oppornitues for enjoyment and activities. Pure air and water you can take for granted. There are plenty of natural gems. Whether you travel alone or in a group with a guide – you will experience peace and harmony.
Lillehammer and the Gudbrandsdal valley offer plenty of contrasts. History, traditions and old building techniques survive side by side with a modern lifestyle. Mountains and valleys, town and village, old and new. You can travel from one to the other and put together a travel package suited for your own specific tastes. The area has a long history of satisfied visitors. Tourists have been coming to the region for more than a hundred years. During the XVII Winter Olympic Games the world realised what the area stands for distinction and quality.
STORGATA STREET
Storgata, the main street in Lillehammer with its low wooden buildings, is a spectacle in its own right. The pavement cafes are popular stops for both tourists and locals. Lillehammer belongs to the so-called “planned cities”, and on 7 August 1827, the Norwegian government founded the city by official decree. The actual dividing up of the city into lots did not take place until 1828, however, and Road Inspector C. Buchholz´s plan and building bye-laws were adopted by Royal Resolution on 7 July 1828.
MAIHAUGEN
The city´s biggest attraction is the Sandvig Collection at Maihaugen, which ranks as the largest open-air museum in Europe and houses 185 buildings plus more than 40.000 objects. Maihaugen presents a rural society through churces, homes, farmyards and tools from the Gudbrandsdalen valley which extends north from Lillehammer. Traditional farming methods and handicrafts are also on show. Lillehammer Museum of Art hosts a permanent exhibition of Norwegian art, as well as arranging various exhibitions of contemporary art.
Oppland Artist’s Centre, the Lillehammer Art Society, Gallery Gullbakke, Gallery NK, Gallery Brodtkorp, Maihaugen, and the Banken House of Culture, are just some of the possible stops on an art lover’s round trip of the town. And at the Metropolitan University, a short distance north of the town centre, you can see the collection of international art that was left to the college after the Olympics. The spring and summer seasons offer a wide variety of musical and theatrical experiences. The Norwegian festival of literature, the “Sigrid Undset Festival, in May, and several theatrical performances / pageants at Maihaugen throughout the summer, are just some of the many cultural events in the city.
Garmo Stave Church was finally disassembled in 1882 and sold to Anders Sandvig, who brought it to Lillehammer, but it was not re-erected at Maihaugen before in 1920-1921. The original placement was Garmo in Gudbrandsdal.
The Stave Churches are constructions of high quality, richly decorated with carvings. In virtually all of them the door frames are decorated from top to bottom with carvings. This tradition of rich ornamentation appears to go back to the animal carvings of the Viking age. The dragons are lovingly executed and transformed into long-limbed creatures of fantasy, here and there entwined with tendrils of vine, with winding stems and serrated leaves. The elaborate designs are executed with supreme artistic skill. The stave church doorways are, therefore, among the most distinctive works of art to be found in Norway. However, it is difficult to connect them with the Christian gospel. Guided tours are provided in several languages.
History never ends, it carries on forever. And we are a part of history. At Maihaugen, they make sure that our generation and the next will learn how we and our forefathers lived. With the help of their collection of old and gradually more recent buildings and farms, we can experience the past and the present – and also steal a look into the future.
During the summer, the farms and cottages are “inhabited” and the same applies to the Olsen building at the urban collection. In this way, visitors will see how people lived and worked in times gone by. Maihaugen also offers a number of interesting exhibitions, such as the historical exhibition entitled “In time, the land was ours”, and an exhibition of traditional folk art.
Gudbrandsdalen valley is oriented in a north-westerly direction from Lillehammer and the lake Mjøsa, extending 230 kilometers toward Romsdalen. The river of Gudbrandsdalslågen (Lågen) flows through the valley, starting from Lesjaskogsvatnet and ending at Mjøsa. The Otta river flowing through Otta valley is a major tributary to Gudbrandsdalslågen.
Together with Glomma river and Østerdalen, Gudbrandsdalslågen and Gudbrandsdalen forms Norway´s largest river / valley system. Gudbrandsdalen is home to Dovre Line and the E6 road, and is the main land transport corridor through South Norway, from Oslo and central eastern lowlands to Trondheim and Møre & Romsdal.
HUNDERFOSSEN FAMILY PARK
The Hunderfossen Family Park is only a 10-minute drive from Lillehammer. The entire family can enjoy the magical world of Ivo Caprino, the cute animals at the petting farm, water-splashing excitement on the family rafting ride and the rush of heights at the new High-attitude park.
Once upon a time here was a small country where people lived their busy lives and had almost forgotten the existence of trolls. At Hunderfossen you can be sure to meet the largest Troll in the world, 14 metres high while sitting. Fairy Tale Grotto Supervideograph, Exhibition of Wax Figures, Energy Centre, Oil and Gas Centre, Experience Centre for Ice Cream. All the attractions in the park have been designed with the motto “Play, learn and experience”.
THE OLYMPIC PARK
When you are in the Olympic Park, you should also visit the Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena with ski lift and ski jumping tower (spectacular panorama view of Lillehammer and surrounding area). This ski jumping facility has become a symbol of the 1994 Lillehammer Games, and consists of two jumping hills K-90 and K-120.
SESAME STREET TRAIN
Regular service. 4 departures. Information about prices and departures available at local tourist offices, Norwegian State Railways and the Hunderfossen Family Park.
THE NORWEGIAN ROAD MUSEUM
At Hunderfossen, you find the norwegian Road Museum. Pay a visit and be convinced that the history of Norwegian roads can be both exiting and interesting. There are indoor exhibitions at the museum, and outside, there is a 75 acre open air museum with buildings and machines on display.
THE NATIONAL OLYMPIC MUSEUM
In Håkons Hall, is the city´s newest museum. It has a total of 6,000 exhibits, and brings to life the entire history of the Olympics (776 BC – 2000 AD). There is a dedicated Lillehammer ´94 department with a colourful presentation of the Final Report of the ´94 Olympics. The Olympic Room displays extracts from the collections of Jan Staubo, Hans Rode and Johan Jørgen Holst, and includes Norwegian Sporting History’s Gallery of Honour, etc.
LILLEHAMMER MUSEUM OF ART
One of the country´s leading art museums. The museum arranges special exhibitions but also has a permanent collection of high quality art. Both contemporary and historical works are represented at the museum and the collection includes works by artists like J. C. Dahl, Tidemand, Gude, Werenskiold, Krohg, Thaulow, the students of Matisse, Weidemann, Nerdrum, Rickhard, Borchgrevink and Ransve. The museum is situated in Lillehammer town centre and the premises were drawn by the architects Snøhetta Arkitektur og Landskap Ltd.
THE GLASSBLOWERS CABIN
Downtown you will find the Glassblower’s Cabin in Mesna Senter. Demonstrations of the traditional art of glassblowing. Products on sale. Free admission.
LILLEHAMMER CHURCH
Lillehammer Church is a distinctive sight in the heart of the city. It was inaugurated in 1882 and restored in 1959. During renovation, the church was given a new altar piece, carved and painted by Maja Refsum Nygård-Nilsen. The church is also embellished with a Weidemann painting that was received as a gift on the its 110th anniversary. Why not consider a moment of peaceful deliberation on one of the pews in Lillehammer Church?
NORDSETER and SJUSJØEN
Are you the kind of person who likes to be in high places? Not necessarily as a mountaineer, but perhaps you think that a walk in the mountains sounds tempting and refreshing? Then you should pay a visit to Nordseter or Sjusjøen, both of which are traditional, long-standing highland farming hamlets that have gradually been developed into modern mountain tourist resorts. They are both 850 metres above sea level, and are the perfect starting point for mountain hikes.
From Nordseter, you can walk to Mount Neverfjell, 1089 metres above sea level, and behold the Jotunheimen and Rondane mountain ranges. If you want to continue your hike, you can walk to Pellestova for waffles and cocoa. And if you want to walk from the mountains to the town, you can wander down Gropmarka and back to Lillehammer through constantly shifting terrain. With Sjusjøen as your starting point, you might like to set off on a day’s walk through easy going mountain terrain, a walk that will take you over “the three summits” – a marvellous walk across Mount Snorvillen, Mostefjell and Sollifjell.
Alternatively, you might like to visit the most popular destination among hikers here, Mount Lunkefjell, 1012 metres above sea level. These are just some of the many wonderful mountain walks you can enjoy with the help of Shanks’s mare.
SJUSJØEN SUMMERLAND
Sjusjøen Summerland can also offer a heated swimming pool with water chutes, so you can take a dip here even if the summer isn’t exactly a tropical one. If you don’t want to get into the water, you can always have a ride on it. The water sports centre rents out various different types of boats, including pedal boats. There is also a children’s playground at Sjusjøen Summerland.BANKEN CULTURAL CENTRE
Magnificent century-old building. The interior is richly decorated with turn-of-the-century art. Concerts, theatre, etc.
Mjøsa is Norway´s largest lake, as well as the one of the deepest lakes in Europe, after Hornindalsvatnet. From its southernmost point at Minnesund to its northernmost point in Lillehammer it is 117 km long. At its widest, near Hamar, it is 15 km wide.
The cities of Hamar, Gjøvik, and Lillehammer were founded along the shores of the lake. Before the construction of railways past the lake, it was an important transport route. Today, aside from minor leisure boating and the steamship Skibladner, there is no water traffic on the lake. Most of its shores are dominated by rolling agricultural areas, among them some of the most fertile grainlands in Norway. From the south European route E6 runs along the eastern shore of the lake until the Mjøsa Bridge connects Moelv on the east with Biri on the west.
SKIBLADNER
Just north of Eidsvoll lies Mjøsa, the largest lake in Norway. “The white swan of Mjøsa” was built in 1856. Skibladner is the world´s oldest paddle steamer still in regular service. Originally intended as an extension of the railway which ended at Eidsvoll, it has plied the blue waters of the lake on its route to Hamar, Gjøvik and Lillehammer during all of the ensuing 140 years. Even the old steam engine from 1880 is still working! With expert help Skibladner has been painstakingly restored to its original splendour and is now a floating museum. It offers its passengers an unforgettable voyage along Norway´s largest lake with views of the rolling hills and well-kept farms on the shores.
The food on board is excellent: the standard menu consists of fresh salmon and a strawberry dessert. The boat calls in at a number of landing-stages with good rail connections, so that passengers can choose the route that suits them. In regular service to and from Gjøvik, Hamar, Moelv and Lillehammer. Sailing season are mid May to mid September.
Skibladner´s name come from the god Frøy´s magical ship in ancient Norse mythology. The ship was built by Swedish Motala Shipyard and assembled at Minnesund in 1856. In 1888 she was refitted, lengthened by 20 feet and received a new triple-expansjion steam engine, which she has to the present day. Skiblander is 165 feet long, her beam 16.7 feet and her draft is 5.6 feet. Her operating speed is 12 knots at 42 rpm, max. number of passengers is 230.
BYRUD FARM
Join in an exiting emerald hunt, where yot get to keep any emeralds you find. Visit the souvenir shop, which sells hand-made emerald and stone products and much more. Situated by lake Mjøsa, close to Eidsvoll 1814. Sign-posted from the main road RV 33.
LYSGÅRDSBAKKENE
The ski jumping arena was built for the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer in 1994, and has become the iconic symbol of Lillehammer internationally. The large hill was upgraded in 2007. The shape of the hill was altered to comply with current regulations and a plastic groundcover was installed for summer ski jumping. At a distance, you can see the magnificent hill naturally situated in the landscape. In the summer-time, the Olympic rings on the landing area of the hill are visible from a long distance, and the hill records are clearly marked on both hills. The technically modern ski jumping facility was completed in 1992 and consists of a large and a small hill, HS138 and HS100, respectively.
BIRKEBEINERRENNET
Birkebeinerrennet (The Birkebeiner race) is a long-distance cross-country ski marathon held annually in Norway. It is Norway´s race in the Worldloppet Ski Federation. The race starts at Rena and ends at Lillehammer, a distance of 54 km. The number of participants has been steadily increasing each year, and for the 2011 race, the limit was set at 16,000.
BIRKEBEINEREN SKI and BIATHLONSTADION
One of the world´s best ski stadiums with fully modern cross-country and biathlon facilities. Both sporting and commercial events can be organized summer and winter. The Birkebeineren Ski Stadium served as the Olympic arena for cross-country and biathlon events in 1994. The stadium also served as arena for cross-country skiing and biathlon events during Paralympics in March 1994. The Birkebeineren Ski Stadium is the perfect starting point for trips into the mountains, and the start of a 450 km network of cross-country trails.
BOBSLEIGH
Lillehammer Olympic Boblsleigh and Luge Track (wheeled-bob during the summer), are situated here. Øyerfjellet mountain offers many touring opportunities on foot, by car or by bike on a number of charming country roads.
SWIMMING
The new bathing resort at Jorekstad (5 km north of Lillehammer) is tempting with its heated pool, play pool, 43 metres long water chute, steam bath and ordinary saunas, together with a 25 metres pool.
FISHING
When it comes to fish, the Gudbrandsdalslågen is one of most abundant rivers in Norway. The “Hunder” trout is probably the grandest fish to catch, but you are hardly likely to turn your nose up at a perch, a grayling, a gwyniad or a pike once they bite on your hook. At Nordseter, we find fishing lakes like Nevelvann, Reinsvann and Melsjøen, and at Sjusjøen we find Sjusjøenvannet lake, Kroksjøen, Aksjøen and Melsjøen.
Lake Mjøsa has 20 species of fish. Among the most common are pike, European perch, common roach, greyling and the Hundertrout, a Brown Trout which can reach a weight of more than 20kg. Another common species is the European smelt, which is the most important baitfish for the predators. Historically, the most economically significant species is the Lågsild (European cisco).
GOLF
Lillehammer Golf Park lies in Håkonshallen 2 km from Lillehammer and contains Lillehammer Golfclub a golf course with 6 holes and a variation of difficulties, Lillehammer Olympia Park which have golfsimulators.