Sjusjøen – Norway's cross-country mecca with tracks from October

Sjusjøen is to cross-country skiers what Hafjell is to downhill skiers: the destination itself. On the mountain east of Lillehammer, at around 800 metres, one of the world's best-known cross-country areas spreads out with over 350 kilometres of tracks, of which around 300 kilometres are also for skating. National teams train here early in the season, and the Birkebeiner race passes through here.

This guide is for families thinking about a cross-country week. You can see how Sjusjøen lies in relation to Hafjell, Kvitfjell and the other resorts on the 3D map in the ski resorts around Lillehammer.

Tracks from October

What makes Sjusjøen special is the season. With artificial snow the tracks start opening as early as late October, and the area is usually the first in the country with groomed tracks. In spring the tracks often last well into April. Two arenas – Sjusjøen cross-country arena and Natrudstilen – welcome both the world elite and ordinary skiers.

Tracks for children and families

• Sjusjøen rundt is 7.2 kilometres, mostly flat and perfect for small children and beginners.
• The floodlit track, 3.4 kilometres, is the race course at the cross-country arena – good for an evening loop when it gets dark early.
• Natrudstilen–Sjusjøen, 17.8 kilometres, connects the two arenas and suits families with experienced children.

Tips: With small children it is better to do several short loops with breaks than one long trip. Bring a thermos of hot chocolate and let the children decide when it is time to turn back.

Real-time track status is on Skisporet, where you can see which tracks are freshly groomed, how long they are and how high they are.

the Birkebeiner trail

Through Sjusjøen runs the Birkebeiner trail, the course for the Birkebeiner race – 54 kilometres from Rena to Lillehammer with a 3.5-kilo backpack. The race reaches Sjusjøen after about 40 kilometres, and the last 15 kilometres down to Lillehammer are mostly downhill, with 400 metres of descent to the finish at the Olympic arena. For an ordinary family, the stretch from Sjusjøen to Lillehammer is a classic trip, but plan for transport back up.

Downhill at Sjusjøen

Sjusjøen ski centre is a small ski area with a couple of lifts and around 7 kilometres of runs. The children's slope is free for everyone, and children under seven ski free in the whole ski centre. There is ski rental and a ski school. For a whole downhill week it is too small – then Hafjell is half an hour away – but for a cross-country family that wants a couple of days on the slopes it is more than enough.

How to get to Sjusjøen

• By car: about 25 minutes from Lillehammer, up on the mountain to the east.
• Bus: several times a day from Lillehammer bus station to Sjusjøen cross-country arena.
• From Sweden: by car via Kongsvinger and Hamar, or by train to Oslo and Lillehammer.

We describe the cross-country tracks north towards Hafjell in cross-country skiing in Hafjell, and more Norwegian resorts are in Norway's ski trips. Do not forget the ski trip packing list.