Bergensbanen is the world's most beautiful railroad, according to some. (Bild från VisitNorway)
It is possible to ski more than a handful of Norway’s best ski resorts traveling sustainably without a car. One way is to take Bergensbanen. Just hop on the train in Oslo or Bergen, within a few hours you will find yourself on the slopes of some of Norway’s best ski resorts.
Last winter we spent our Christmas at Kvarstad Gård in Brumunddal and took a short detour visiting Hemsedal and Geilo. In Geilo we realized it is doable to go there by train. Curious as I am, I started to research how a skitrotter tour without a car could work out in Norway. Here is a short sum up.
Bergensbanen is called the most beautiful railroad in the world.
That’s a heavy statement. There are a few railroads around the globe. According to the pictures I saw on the internet, this trip certainly comes with high expectations. To catch the first train from Oslo at half past six, you might spend the night in Norway’s capital.
First stop: Nesbyen and the unknown ski resort Nesfjellet
After 2,5 hours, you will arrive at Nesbyen station in the Hallingdal Valley. The ski resort itself is a 15 minute taxi drive away. Nesfjellet may be unknown to the most.
A brief look at the stats—6 lifts, 15 slopes, and 366 vertical meters—does not stand out either.
But it does actually surprise you. A supermodern detachable eight-chair brings you to one of the two peaks in the blink of an eye. Nesfjellet has high plans to build a gondola from Nesbyen to the top.
If that happens, Nesfjellet gondola will be within walking distance from the train station. The vertical drop will match Norway’s best ski resorts like Hafjell and Kvitfjell.
If you continue the trip westbond on the railroad, the next station is Gol. And if you stay put, you will see Gol Ski Center out of your right window.
From the train station to the slopes, you have a good 5 km walk.
Only two T-bars but more than 400 vertical meters. Next after Gol you will find yourself at Ål station. Here is another local ski hill good enough to host a World Cup event in giant slalom. Ål Skicenter is slightly bigger than Gol but there is no need to stop there if you are not aiming for the World Cup, especially if you are planning to stay over.
If you are a ski resort collector, you should get off in both Gol and Ål, take a few runs. Be amazed over the world-class slope they offer, and continue. The next station is your sleepover spot.
Geilo, the most classic among ski resorts in Norway
The trip from Oslo to Geilo by train is less than four hours. From Bergen to Geilo under three hours.
The train station is just in front of the slopes. Start traveling in the morning, and you will be skiing after lunch. If you check in at Dr. Holms Hotel, you won’t have to carry your bags more than a hundred meters.
Waking up in Geilo is marvelous. Stunning mountain views, a dreamy winterland indeed. Ski history is everywhere to be found.
Skiing starts just outside the hotel entrance.
The slopes face east to catch the morning sun. Let’s be frank, the slopes are not that long here; the vertical drop is pending between 140 and 265 meters.
All in all there are 21 lifts in the system and around 45 different slopes. Only 4 of the lifts are chairs, three of them modern detachable high speed. However, as the vertical drop is not that high, you can do with T-bars. We made a seperate article about Geilo, read it here.
Voss, the melting pot of action sports, ski capital of Norway
After Geilo, Bergensbanen crosses the high alpine flats of Hardangervidda. This is a stunning wasteland. Once you cross this region, you will be changed. Two hours later you end up in Voss. The true ski capital of Norway. Voss gondola starts at the platform. You can walk in your skiboots to the lift line.
To understand Voss you need to spend some time there. You should. Some stay a lifetime. More than 100 ski world champion and Olympic medals are gained by “Vossingar”.
There is a reason for that. We tried to catch the essence in a series of articles you can read if you click here.
Not all of Norway’s best ski resorts are located along Bergensbanen. Some are located along the northbound railroad Oslo-Narvik. Here you will find train stations with familiar names like Hafjell, Kvitfjell, Oppdal and Narvik among others. But thats another story.
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