anyone been to geilo?

[crappyday]

In Norway?
We are considering Norway instead of France for February half term next year, as I've heard there are fewer queues for lifts. (Average 20-30 minutes last week for start of day in France)
Anyone got any experiences of Norway for skiing!

[MrsGuyOfGisbo]

Yes, and I posted a review here - 2007???
Neilson were seriously rubbish for families with DC, If you can go with another operator can recommend - Neilson... not so much....

[flatmouse]

Yes, but in August for our honeymoon, not for skiing. Sorry for unhelpful response!

[glacierchick]

Yes!
We went last year and had a brilliant time. We would have gone back this year but work is getting in the way at the moment.

It's not at all like the Alps in terms of the Apres-Ski etc, we self-catered and stayed in an apartment complex (Havsdalsgrenda - beautifully done) on the slopes. We have young kids though so that was the best option for us. The skiing was outstanding - we went the week after Easter and had the slopes to ourselves - literally! - but there aren't too many really steep and long descents, the mountains are more rolling than the Alpine slopes. It depends what you are comparing with really.

The weather was excellent too. Bear in mind though that Norway in February will be cold and dark though, so I'm not sure how long the slopes will be open at that time of year though no doubt you can find out.
The cross-country skiing in this region is really good, there are 200km of trails which we explored Norwegian style with the kids in sledges pulled behind.

Kids under 7 get free liftpasses, which helps as Norway is also not exactly a cheap option.

HTH, post any specific questiosn you have in the thread.

[AgainstTheGlock]

I found hemsedal better than geilo.

[crappyday]

Oh great thanks!
Any more info about childcare/ ski school in any of the Norway resorts would be great.
Après ski is not really our thing- 3 kids prevents that!

Empty slopes sounds good. Short days are ok- I'm not brilliant at skiing, and the kids don't usually manage a full alpine French day.

[AgainstTheGlock]

Empty slopes = Mon-Fri - on the weekends the locals drive up from Oslo. A lot of the slopes are only accessed by drag lifts, so if you don't "do" these, I'd think twice about Norway. We spent one day at Solheisen and only saw one other skiier until the kids got home from school. But not a chairlift in sight there.

Geilo has less advanced skiing than Hemsedal which offers more off-piste and even back-country if you like getting out there.

Ski schools were very cheap (imo) and of course the staff all speak English - not sure about organised childcare - some of the people we spoke to were employing British nannies to look after the kids so I don't know if there were official kids clubs after ski school had finished!

Great skiing - but if you want to get pissed and party - it's probably not your place.

[barnet]

We live in Norway but haven't been to Geilo. Can recommend Hemsedal though, we've been alot. Compared to the alps it is small, but is the perfect size if you have kids as well as experienced skiers. The kids area is great, with travelators to stand on for the littlies. Can recommend the skiclasses, we used them for 4yrold, 6 yo, plus a 14yo who had never seen snow before, and a Grandpa. You choose the level for your age/experience, classes are an hour or 2 everyday from mon-thurs. Check whether the norwegian winter holiday (vinterferie) coincides with february halfterm next year. Sometimes it does, so it'll be busier ( but certainly less busy than the Alps).