Lodging

Many stay in Lillehammer for the shopping, nightlife and additional restaurants. But, those coming for the snow should stay right in Hafjell or Kvitfjell rather than facing the daily shuttlebus to the ski area.

The main hotels in the Hafjell area all have half-board rates for about NOK600 per person double occupancy (ppdo) Sunday-Thursday and NOK700 ppdo Friday and Satuday; bed and breakfast rates are about NOK100 less

Hafjell Hotel and Apartments (left; 61285550; fax 61285551) is an 800-meter walk from the base of the lifts, but served by the local shuttle as well. It has 61 rooms, which can best be described as Norwegian kitsch with lace curtains, canopied beds and lots of room to spread out. There is also a swimming pool and sauna. Dining is cafeteria style.

Quality Hotel Hafjell (right; 61277777) is right off the highway, 1,000 meters from the slopes and served by ski shuttle each morning. The rooms are modern Scandinavian.

Quality Hotel Hunderfossen (61274000) is across the river near the base of the bobsled run. This modern hotel has larger rooms than its brethren across the river and is more isolated but served by a ski bus each morning at least twice a day.

Nermo Hotel (left; 61275580; booking@nermohotell.no) – a plain, large, barn-like building – houses welcoming rooms with farm antiques and blond-wood walls. It is about a mile from the trails, but is served by ski shuttle three times each morning.

Ilsetra is an aparthotel where apartments are combined with hotel services. This property is near the top of the mountain road close to Gaiastova Restaurant.

In Kvitfjell, stay at the Hotel GudbrandsGard (left; 61284800). This is one of the top mountain hotels in Europe. It is right on the slopes and has just about every amenity one desires, plus the dining is fabulous. Full board rates are about NOK1,200 (ppdo).

Next door, Kvitfjell Grenda Hotel (right, 61282902) is much simpler and less expensive. It also has small cabins for rent that will sleep from four to eight people. Hotel rooms with half pension cost about NOK650-750 during the week and NOK1,500 on weekends. A cabin for four with two bedrooms will cost about NOK5,000 for a week.

Hotels in Lillehammer
Most tourists stay in Lillehammer. The city has much more to do and has some excellent restaurants, bars and nightlife. These hotels are all in the range of NOK400-550 a night per person double occupancy.

First Hotel Breiseth (left; 61247777) is near the train station and bus terminal. Hotel Molla (61269294) is in an old mill silo — one of the most unusual buildings in town. Clarion Collection Hotel Hammer (61267373) has good rooms and is right on the main shopping street. Rica Victoria Hotel (61250049) is next to the pedestrian district. For bargains, head to GjesteBu Overnatting (61254321) where rooms are only NOK175; or Mary's Guest House (61248700) where prices are about NOK375.