Geilo

Geilo has been welcoming skiers since 1890. Although its ski area and accommodation have certainly moved on with the times, the resort has managed to retain its charming, traditional character. We’ve made the Geilolia Ski Centre home to Neilson – its uncrowded slopes, excellent childcare and outstanding ski school make it the perfect choice for beginners, improvers and families.

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At a glance

Good For:

Ski Leading

Family Resort

Learn to Turn

Snowman Club

2-for-1 Equipment Offer

Beginners Skiing Excellent
Intermediate Skiing Very Good
Advanced Skiing Fair
Off-Piste Good
Non Skiers Very Good
Families Excellent
Nightlife Fair
Skiing Altitude 1173m High
800m Low
Resort Altitude 800m
Glacier No
Pistes 32km
Number of Pistes 33
Number of Lifts 20
Terrain Parks Yes
Mountain Restaurants 6
Snow Making 49%
Linked Resorts No  
Disabled Skiing No
Leisure Centre Yes
Non-ski Childcare Yes
Ski Kindergarten Yes
Snowman Club Yes
Snowbusters Club No
Baby Care Yes
Departure Airports Aberdeen
Gatwick
Heathrow
Manchester
 
Departure day Sunday
Transfer time 4hr 30mins

The resort of Geilo, set in the heart of southern Norway, has been welcoming visitors since 1890 and continues to retain its traditional Norwegian character. Though the village height may seem a little low compared to many alpine resorts, Geilo enjoys a long and reliable snow season from mid-November through to early May. The Geilolia Ski centre (formerly known as Vestlia) provides the perfect environment for beginners and families with its award winning ski school, recently extended ski area and Neilson Snowman Club. Neilson operates daily transport to ski school and the Snowman Club on the Geilolia side of the valley. This service is complimentary and exclusive for Neilson guests. In addition, there is a resort run ski bus service operating in the mornings and afternoons and taxis are also available.

Expect an extra special programme of activities over Christmas and New Year in Geilo. Most hotels are visited by Santa Claus and his reindeer on Christmas Eve. You can arrange for your child to receive a gift when in resort by leaving your gift with the staff at reception. The resort also organise Christmas workshops and for New Year, fireworks. Please note that Christmas is celebrated on the 24th December in Scandinavia (this can affect local services, shops, restaurants etc). Also the ski centre closes early on Christmas Eve.

Don't miss out on our great offers:

  •   2 for 1 equipment offer - Pre-book equipment & get the same items free.  Available for all guests to Geilo on 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th January 2009.
These offers are not available locally so must be pre-booked. 
Call 0845 070 3460 for details or check prices and book online.

Join In!

Your Photos
Geilo Forest Chalets
 by Cass - Neilson Norway Supervisor

  Show me the photos
Getting ready for Geilo
 by Mark Y

  Show me the photos
Snow Reports
Temperature:
4°C
Lifts Open:
20
Piste Overview:
Resort is closed for the season
Neilson Forums Neilson News Blog
10/01/2008 at 19:31
Superb Conditions in Norway
03/12/2007 at 18:50
Package Holidays - Why Bother?
Meet the Team
Cass Leach - Norway Supervisor

Customer Reviews

Latest reviews (Click here to see all reviews)

StarStarStarStarStar by Barry Atkinson
I went to Geilo in January 1985 as a complete beginner. Geilolia is an ideal place to learn especially if you stay in the Forest Cabins or the resort hotel (Vestlia). That was my sixth Neilson holiday but obviously the first in the snow. I chose Neilson for snow because of brilliant holidays in Nidri, Porto Heli (twice) Finikounda and a Beach Plus in Corfu. I have nothing bad to say about Neilson except I am disapointed with many aspects of the "new" website which do not work very well.
StarStarStarStarStar by karen r
Returned recently from our second week in Geilo. Last year was the last chance saloon, with my ski-avoiding partner ready to quit the slopes forever. Fortunately Geilo was absolutely the right medicine and we're set for many years more I hope. Our 2 children (3 and 5) loved the Snowman club and our son was ready to happily wave us goodbye and stay with Charman for good! Our daughter had a great time too in ski-school - the Geilolia ski instructors speak perfect English and are very patient (with big people too thankfully!). The Forest Cabins accommodation was fabulous - spacious, warm and well-appointed, and it was great to have a little of our own 'outside space' for snowman-building and the like. The friendly woman on reception loaned us sledges for the kids all week too - a big hit, and very handy for lugging tired little bodies about the place. The reps, especially Ian (who even managed to charm and amuse at 4.30am), were helpful, pleasant, and easy to get hold of if needed. The only downer was that 4.30am bus to the airport. It's a shame after such a relaxing and wonderful week to return to work shattered! And the flight times this year (and the transfer from Oslo) are actually worse! It's the only thing leaving our return trip in the balance. For a 'family friendly' top 10 resort, a 4.30 am check-in at Gatwick with small children seems very unfriendly.
StarStarStarStarStar by Chris
This is a great place to learn. The forest chalets are very good, only a few meters walk from the ski centre. The instructors are very good and are able to cope with varying levels of skills within groups. The Neilson staff are very attentive and Chris our chalet host was a real star. Flight times do need to be looked at as they are not very UK friendly.

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