Activities in the area
winter/spring
(November-April)
Upcoming events
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World Cup
November 21-23, 2025
Lysgårdsbakkene is ready to kick off the 2025/26 ski jumping season with a bang!
The world’s best ski jumpers – both women and men – will gather for the first World Cup event of the year in ski jumping. -
Maihaugens julemarked
November 29-30, 2025
At Maihaugen’s Christmas Market, you’ll experience the warm, traditional Christmas spirit in beautiful historical surroundings. The market offers holiday shopping, decorated houses from different eras, and cozy activities for the whole family.
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Sliding Festival
December 12-14, 2025
Experience the world’s best bobsleigh and skeleton athletes as they compete for World Cup points on one of the most spectacular ice tracks in the world. There will be activities, games, food, music, and entertainment throughout the weekend.
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Mjøsløpet
February 2026 (Date not set)
The event is open to everyone who wants to go ice skating, regardless of fitness level or skill. There is no competition or timing – participants skate as far as they like, at their own pace. The available distances are 12.5 km, 25 km, 50 km, and 100 km, and all participants receive a medal upon completing their chosen distance.
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SkiBirken
March 13-16, 2026
Birken is built on a long and proud tradition, inspired by Norway’s historical legends. Taking part in the Birkebeinerrennet (March 14) is a historic experience – carrying a 3.5 kg backpack and an 800-year-old legend about the Kingdom of Norway on your shoulders. SkiBirken offers various race distances throughout the weekend, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Cross-country skiing
Lillehammer is one of Norway’s most attractive destinations for cross-country skiing and boasts one of the world’s most extensive and varied trail networks. The trail system in Lillehammer is connected to the ski trails in Nordseter, Sjusjøen, and Hafjell/Øyerfjellet, offering opportunities to ski on a combined network of over 2,500 km.
Birkebeineren Ski Stadium is located just 3 km from Lillehammer city center and has hosted several international championships, including the Cross-Country Skiing World Championships and World Cup events.
Nordseter, located just a 20-minute drive from Lillehammer city center, is one of Norway’s most attractive areas for cross-country skiing. With its extensive network of well-groomed trails, spectacular mountain scenery, and accessibility for skiers of all levels, Nordseter is a favorite destination for cross-country skiing enthusiasts from around the world.
Sjusjøen, located just outside Lillehammer, is known as one of Norway’s best cross-country skiing areas. With over 350 km of groomed trails in varied terrain on the high mountain plateau, Sjusjøen is a favorite among recreational skiers, competitive athletes, and families alike.
The trails in Øyerfjellet stretch from Mosetertoppen and Pellestova to Hornsjø and further towards Ringebufjellet. They are connected to the popular areas of Sjusjøen, Nordseter, and Lillehammer.
Alpine skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating
Lillehammer and the surrounding area are known for their fantastic winter sports opportunities, with both Hafjell and Sjusjøen being popular destinations for alpine skiing and snowboarding. Additionally, Lake Mjøsa in Lillehammer offers magical experiences for ice skating – a winter activity that combines fresh air, beautiful nature, and great exercise.
Hafjell Alpine Center, located 15 km north of Lillehammer, is one of Norway’s most popular and snow-sure ski resorts. It is known for its long seasons and diverse offerings suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers.
Sjusjøen Ski Resort is a family-friendly alpine center offering a varied selection of slopes and facilities for both beginners and advanced skiers.
Vingnesvika on Lake Mjøsa offers groomed tracks: an approximately 400-meter oval, a hockey rink, and a longer tour route of up to 7 km between Vingnes and Vingrom Church. The rink is maintained by volunteers and is free to use. The skating rink is kept open when the ice is thick enough to be safe to skate on.
Activities with Speed and Excitement
For those seeking an adrenaline rush and action, the Lillehammer region offers many exciting activities.
Tobogganing at Lillehammer Snow Park is a fun and adrenaline-filled winter activity suitable for both children and adults. Tobogganing involves being pulled up to the top of the hill by a lift, where you sit on a sturdy toboggan equipped with a steering wheel and brakes. From there, you speed down a 1 km long, groomed, and illuminated track with beautiful views over Lillehammer. The toboggans are equipped with brakes so you can control your own speed.
Speed, fun, and lots of joy! If you’re looking for a truly unique experience in the Norwegian winter landscape, dog sledding is perfect for you. Dog sledding in Sjusjøen during winter is a popular activity, especially with Sjusjøen Husky Tours. You can choose from various tour lengths.
The Lillehammer Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track is located just by Hunderfossen Family Park, 15 km north of Lillehammer.
Sauna and Ice Bathing
In the Lillehammer region, there are several places where you can combine sauna and ice bathing. Many enjoy ending a long day outdoors with a warm sauna session, followed by a refreshing plunge into the icy water – a true Norwegian winter experience. Or maybe you prefer to start the day with this invigorating routine?
Kroken Sauna in Lillehammer offers a unique and refreshing experience, especially for those who want the classic winter combination of sauna and ice bathing. It is located by the canal at Mesnadammen. There are two wood-fired saunas—one heated and spacious enough for 12 people, and a self-service sauna for up to 6 people. The saunas are situated right next to an ice-free canal.
Badstuefergen is a floating sauna right by Lake Mjøsa. Facilities include a heated changing room, panoramic windows, essential oils, music, and a rooftop terrace.
Winter Viewpoints
Winter transforms the landscape around Lillehammer into a magical snowy wonderland. Many viewpoints offer stunning panoramic views of snow-covered forests, frozen lakes, and the surrounding mountains.
Lysgårdsbakkene ski jumping arena is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. The facility consists of a large and a small ski jump. Try climbing up or down the 936 steps and enjoy the fantastic view over Lillehammer.
Take a trip up to Balbergkampen for spectacular views. Remember to wear crampons in winter, as the path can be icy.
Many would say that the viewpoint at Hansvehaugen offers the best view of Lillehammer. Take the trip and judge for yourself! The easiest access is from Olasvevegen.
Culture
Lillehammer is known as a vibrant cultural city with a rich array of offerings year-round. Here you’ll find several exciting museums, as well as an active theater and music scene. In the charming pedestrian street, you can explore small galleries, cozy cafés, and shops featuring local art and crafts. The pedestrian street in Lillehammer city center is renowned for its cozy atmosphere and beautiful Christmas decorations.
Maihaugen is one of Norway’s largest open-air museums and one of Lillehammer’s biggest attractions. Here, you can stroll among over 200 historic buildings, from old mountain farms to townhouses from the 1900s, gaining insight into Norwegian culture and everyday life through the ages. Maihaugen’s Christmas Market in Lillehammer takes place on the last weekend of November.
Visit Lillehammer Art Museum, which offers both national and international art; the Norwegian Olympic Museum, which documents Norway’s Olympic history; and the Norwegian Museum of Vehicle History, where you’ll find over 80 historic vehicles and 60 bicycles, ranging from the first cars of the early 1900s to modern times.
Leisure parks
The Lillehammer region offers exciting experiences for the whole family, featuring some of Norway’s most popular amusement parks.
Hunderfossen Winter Park opens in February around the winter holiday. The park offers a magical evening experience for the whole family, where fairy tales and winter magic come together. When darkness falls, the park comes to life with snow rafting, mini snowmobiles, sleigh rides, and exciting indoor activities such as the Adventure Castle, Trollfallet, and Ivo Caprino’s Fairy Tale Grotto. One of the most impressive attractions is the Ice Cathedral, Scandinavia’s southernmost ice cathedral, where artistic ice and snow sculptures create an enchanting atmosphere. Each evening concludes with a spectacular fireworks show.
Jorekstad Leisure Pool offers swimming fun with slides and pools for the whole family.
Lekeland Hafjell is a large indoor playland featuring obstacle courses, a ball pit, and climbing frames – perfect for rainy days.
Lillehammer Lekeland is an indoor playland located in the center of Lillehammer. The mascot, Lille Mø, takes children between 0 and 9 years old on a journey into her farm world.
Lillehammer “Out of Bounds” offers an 18-hole indoor mini golf course and three digital dartboards.
