lillehammer ski resort

Lillehammer's rich history is celebrated through a collection of cultural treasures, including the century old Banken Cultural Centre where concerts and theatrical productions are staged, and the Lillehammer Art Museum which houses a prestigious collection of Norwegian art from the1820s. The Norwegian Museum of Historic Vehicles and the Norwegian Museum of the Public road, both of which are open all year, are also here. There's a cinema with three screens and a library. Lillehammer's Olympic facilities mean that it can offer winter sports attractions on a par with the best in the world. It's possible to try out bobsleigh or luge on the Olympic course, either taking a 'taxi' ride behinds professionals in a proper four man bob, achieving speeds of up to 120kph (75mph), or riding the family bob sleigh, self steering at about 70kph (42mph). At the Kanthaugen Freestyle Park you can try out freestyle and ballet techniques under supervision. Groups of 20 or more can arrange to stage their own Olympics complete with award ceremonies. In addition to the Olympic facilities there is a ski simulator, which enables you to try luge, bob sleigh on the downhill at Kvitfjell without actually being there if you don't fancy the real thing. Håkons Hall was the main Olympic venue for ice hockey and is now a multi-purpose sports hall. With a seating capacity of 9000, activities in addition to ice sports include four squash courts, shooting, athletics, dancing, gymnasium, weight training and ball games. There are dozens of possibilities. The Hall also incorporates a state of the art climbing wall, 20 metres high, which uses hydraulic equipment to change its features. Away from all the Olympic facilities Lillehammer's long standing history offers the natural attractions that appeal to so many. It's possible to try ice fishing on the Lågen lake, or hunting, take a winter hike or an elk safari. Visits to some of tiny mountain cheese farms are another reminder of the rich history of the area. For the most active, wilderness experiences include dog sledding, survival camping, wilderness treks with bow and arrow, lassooing contests and even snowshoe relay races. Lillehammer houses one of Europe's largest open air ,museums at Maihaugen, where the Sandvig Collection of 170 buildings from the Gudbrandsdalen Valley and Lillehammer create a dynamic and unique museum of old log buildings in a beautiful open air landscape.