In the district of Ringsaker in Hedmark lies the sparkling Sjusjøen in its cross-country paradise.
For almost a century now, Sjusjøen has been a popular resort, especially during the winter. Cottage tourism is thriving and there is now a wide range of restaurants, shops, clubs and accommodation options to suit every taste and budget. There is also a large ski centre with three lifts and a number of pistes of varying difficulty level. When the snow has gone and the centre closes, the Sjusjøen Mountain Bike Park opens its doors, and has many discounts and offers to take advantage of.
Sjusjøen is in Ringsaker county, but is closer to Lillehammer than the villages in the same county. Both in and around Lillehammer there are many activities for all ages. Spend a day in the Hunderfossen Family Park, which is full of summer and winter attractions. The Norsk vegmuseum – popular with motor and technology enthusiasts – is also right next door. A trip to the Lillehammer Cultural Museum, with its permanent and temporary exhibitions, is also a must for art lovers.
The Lillehammer region achieved worldwide fame after hosting the Winter Olympic Games in 1994. To find out more about Norway's Olympic history, head to the Norges olympiske museum, with its interactive and educational exhibits. During the visit, if you are inspired to try out various winter sports, the Olympiaparken is nearby, and has great ski lifts, sledding hills, four-man bobsledding, ski pistes and much more.
A weekend in Sjusjøen is likely to involve taking skis, a backpack and a picnic to explore the approx. 215 miles of world-class cross-country pistes in Sjusjøen. The pistes run all the way to Øyer in Oppland and give you a unique outdoor experience. Accommodation options in the area are great, so after a lovely day in the sun and fresh air, you can look forward to a cosy, warm cabin and a delicious meal.
It is easy to drive to Sjusjøen, but you can also take the bus from Hamar in the ski season and Lillehammer all year round. You can get to both places by train or bus from Oslo and Trondheim. The nearest airport is Oslo Airport, Gardermoen.
