PLANETSKI HEADS TO NORWAY

20th February 2019

Last modified on August 31st, 2021

They may be in nordic country but the resorts have strong alpine racing pedigree.

Hafjell and Kvitfjell hosted the alpine skiing events at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics which took place 25 years ago this month.

Hafjell was built in 1988 with an Olympic bid in mind and was the venue for the Olympic slalom and giant slalom races.

It is the third largest ski resort in Norway.

Hafjell. Image © PlanetSKI

And Kvitfjell, which was home to the speed events at the Games, is about to host the men’s Alpine World Cup.

Downhill and super G races are scheduled for 1st, 2nd and 3rd March.

PlanetSKI’s chief reporter Jane Peel has just arrived in Kvitfjell after taking in some of the sights of Lillehammer on the way.

Olympic ski jump, Lillehammer. Image © PlanetSKI

She’ll be reporting more on what both ski areas have to offer soon.

Meanwhile, if you want to see Jane’s video snow report on conditions in the area right now, have a look at PlanetSKI’s latest round up from our reporters in different parts of the world:

• PlanetSKI Across The Mountains

Skiing in Hafjell:

The resorts, owned by ALPINCO, have joined seven others in the Norway Home Of Skiing stable.

They are Geilo, Hemsedal, Norefjell, Trysil, Myrkdalen, Beitostølen and Narvik.

We have visited many of them.

READ MORE:

• • Norway – Fab For Families
  • PlanetSKI’s Norwegian Adventures
  • Norwegian Adventures
  • Downhill In Norway
  • Looking Back At Norway
  

  Kvitfjell. Image © PlanetSKI

  “Having the Norwegian home of World Cup skiing, Kvitfjell, and the incredible resort of Hafjell which hosted many of the events at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics as part of our family, provides us with a portfolio that truly offers competitiveness internationally,” said Trevor De Villiers, Chief Executive of Norway Home of Skiing.

  

  Trevor De Villiers in Kvitfjell. Image © PlanetSKI

  “Norway still has a long way to go to catch up with the likes of the established destinations such as Austria, France, Italy etc, therefore it is essential that we form a strong bonded and united sales and marketing organisation to ensure we take our fair share of the International pie.”

  The ALPINCO resorts can be reached by short transfers with direct trains to Lillehammer every hour from Oslo Gardemoen airport.

  

  Direct trains to Lillehammer from Oslo Gardemoen. Image © PlanetSKI

  The ski areas are to the north of Lillehammer.

  Hafjell is 15 minutes’ drive from the city and Kvitfjell 45 minutes’ drive.

  And because this is Nordic country, you will not be surprised to learn that there is a bit of cross-country skiing available.

  Well, a little more than a bit: 300km of groomed trails in Hafjell and 600km in Kvitfjell.

  There are also several non-skiing activities in the area including the Olympic bob & luge track and a family theme park with its own ice hotel.

  For the Spirit of the Mountains – PlanetSKI: Number One for ski news