Short answer
Around Lillehammer there are five ski resorts within an hour's drive – Hafjell (largest and most family-friendly), Kvitfjell (the Olympic downhill and steeper slopes), Sjusjøen (Norway's cross-country mecca with 350 km of tracks), Skeikampen (a quiet family resort with an early season) and Gålå (high mountains and the Peer Gynt trail). Hafjell and Kvitfjell share a lift pass, and the cross-country tracks connect in a network of several thousand kilometres.
Five resorts around Lillehammer – which one suits you?
| Place | Downhill | Length | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hafjell | 50 km, 195–1,059 m | 220 km, floodlit track | Families with small children | Largest and busiest in February |
| Kvitfjell | 39 km, 185–1,039 m | Part of the valley's network | Experienced skiers, quieter cabin area | Steeper – choose Kvitfjell Vest with children |
| Sjusjøen | Small slope, about 7 km | 350 km, 300 km for skating | Cross-country families | The downhill skiing is only enough for a few days |
| Skeikampen | 21 km, 9 lifts, top 1,124 m | Large network of its own | A quiet family week, early season | Fewer shops and restaurants in the village |
| Gålå | Small ski centre | 230 km, the Peer Gynt trail | Cross-country in the high mountains | Furthest from Lillehammer |
The figures come from the lift companies and independent ski resort data, season 2026/27.
Lillehammer is the 1994 Olympic city, and around it lie some of Norway's most family-friendly ski resorts. Within an hour's drive you will find everything from large ski centres with almost 900 metres of vertical to mountain plateaus with thousands of kilometres of cross-country tracks. That makes the area perfect for families where someone wants to ski downhill and someone cross-country – or for those who want to try both.
Hafjell and Kvitfjell were built for the alpine races at the Olympics, and Sjusjøen is the goal for many cross-country skiers. Further west are Skeikampen and Gålå. The map below shows how the resorts lie in relation to each other.
Hafjell – largest and most family-friendly
Hafjell is 15 minutes north of Lillehammer and is the area's largest ski centre, with around 50 kilometres of slopes from the valley at 195 metres up to 1,059 metres. Three out of four kilometres of slope are easy, and the three family areas are free all season – with barbecues and a warming hut. Everything about the slopes, the ski school and the lift passes is in Hafjell's slopes.
Above the slopes the cross-country tracks take over: around 220 kilometres on Øyerfjellet and a 7-kilometre floodlit track at Gondoltoppen. More about them in cross-country skiing in Hafjell.
Kvitfjell – the Olympic downhill
Kvitfjell is about 40 minutes north of Lillehammer and was built for the downhill races at the Olympics. The slopes are steeper than in Hafjell, but more than half are still easy, and the family side Kvitfjell Vest has its own service building and easy access from the E6. The train stops at Kvitfjell stop, about a hundred metres from the chairlift. With the Fjellpass you can ski both here and in Hafjell.
Sjusjøen – a paradise for cross-country skiers
Sjusjøen lies on the mountain east of Lillehammer, about 25 minutes from town, and is one of Norway's best-known cross-country areas with over 350 kilometres of tracks, of which around 300 kilometres are also for skating. The network connects with Nordseter, Hafjell and Lillehammer – over 2,500 kilometres in total. The Birkebeiner race also passes through here on its way to Lillehammer.
There is a small ski centre with a few lifts and a free children's slope, and children under seven ski free. It is too small for a whole downhill week, but for a cross-country family that wants a few days on the slopes it is more than enough.
Skeikampen – a quiet family resort in Gausdal
Skeikampen is in Gausdal west of Lillehammer and reaches 1,124 metres. The ski centre has 21 runs totalling 21 kilometres and 9 lifts, and at the base there is a large children's area with two magic carpets and a button lift. Children aged 0–6 ski free with a helmet. Skeikampen usually opens as one of the first resorts in Norway and has a long season for both downhill and cross-country. The village is smaller than Hafjell, which makes it quieter – but there are also fewer shops and restaurants.
Gålå – high mountains and Peer Gynt
Gålå is furthest to the north-west, at around 930 metres above sea level, and is above all a cross-country resort: the local trail association grooms 230 kilometres of tracks, which connect with a network of 630 kilometres. Through the area runs the Peer Gynt trail, where you can ski from hotel to hotel. There is also a small ski centre. Gålå suits those who want high mountains and wide open spaces rather than big slopes.
Which resort suits you?
- Small children learning to ski: Hafjell, or Skeikampen for a quieter week.
- Experienced skiers who want steep slopes: Kvitfjell – and Hafjell with the same lift pass.
- Cross-country families: Sjusjøen, or Gålå for a high-mountain feel.
- Mixed family: stay in Hafjell, ski downhill in the mornings and take the floodlit track in the evening.
More tips for the first week on the slopes are in first ski trip with kids.
How to get here from Sweden
- By car: from Stockholm it is around 600 kilometres via Karlstad and Kongsvinger or Hamar. From Gothenburg the road goes via Oslo and north along the E6.
- By train: to Oslo and then the Dovre line to Lillehammer, about two hours. The trains continue north and stop at Kvitfjell stop.
- By air: to Oslo Gardermoen, and then train or hire car north – Hafjell is about two hours away.
We go through how to choose between car, train and plane in getting to the ski resort. Other Norwegian resorts, such as Trysil, Hemsedal and Geilo, are in Norway's ski trips.
Planning a week around Lillehammer
Frequently asked questions
Which ski resort around Lillehammer is best for children?
Hafjell, with three free family areas, a ski school and three out of four kilometres of slope easy. Skeikampen and Sjusjøen are smaller and quieter alternatives, and in all three children up to six ski free with a helmet.
Do Hafjell and Kvitfjell share a lift pass?
Yes, with the Fjellpass you can ski in Hafjell, Kvitfjell and Oppdal, which are owned by the same company. Hafjell and Kvitfjell are about 40 minutes apart.
Where is the best cross-country skiing around Lillehammer?
Sjusjøen has over 350 kilometres of tracks and is one of Norway's best-known cross-country areas. The tracks connect with Nordseter, Hafjell and Lillehammer in a network of over 2,500 kilometres.
How far is it from Sweden to Lillehammer?
From Stockholm it is around 600 kilometres by car, via Karlstad and Kongsvinger or Hamar. By train you go to Oslo and on along the Dovre line to Lillehammer, which takes about two hours from Oslo.
Which resort has the longest season?
Skeikampen usually opens as one of the first in Norway, and Kvitfjell often stays open until late April.
