NORWAY - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 437

Day Excursion to
Lillehammer
Norway's Vacation Center
Depart from Oslo Sentral Station
Distance by Train: 114 miles (184 km)
Average Train Time: 2 hours, 35 minutes
Tourist Information Office: Jernbanetorget 2, 2609 Lillehammer
Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
www.lillehammer.com
E-mail: [e-mail]
Hours: Summer: Monday-Friday 0800-1800; Saturday and Sunday 1000-1600.
The remainder of the year, the office is open Monday-Friday 0900-1600 and
Saturday 1000-1400.
Notes: The office is in the rail station.
This day excursion is one of the most northerly of any appearing in Europe by
Eurail. Thanks to its latitude, Lillehammer is a famous summer resort and an im-
portant winter-sports center as well, with more than 300 miles of prepared ski runs.
Snow conditions for skiing are good from December until April, and the long sum-
mer evenings are perfect for enjoying the town's beautiful parks and recreation
areas. No matter what the season, outdoors is how to enjoy Lillehammer.
If you have succumbed to the charm of Hamar, then you have already been in-
troduced to the beauty of its Lake Mjosa. The train ride to Lillehammer will permit
you to see the balance of the lake because Lillehammer lies 35 miles to the north
of Hamar. Here, Lake Mjosa narrows to the Lagen River and, in doing so, provides
a scenic blend of green forestlands and the special green color of the river. If you
have ever wondered what most of the world was like before pollution, here is your
answer.
Lillehammer served as the site for the 1994 Olympic Winter Games. The ski-
jumps tower, with a view of the entire town, is open from late May to late Septem-
ber, 0900-1900); 1100-1600 remainder of the year. For those of us not in attend-
ance at the 1994 games, the Norwegian Olympic Museum in Håkons Hall offers
a chance to revisit them. Visit www.ol.museum.no . History of both summer and
winter games plus the relevance of sport in society are highlighted from the begin-
ning of the Olympics to present day. The exhibit is translated into four languages,
including English; the entrance fee includes a ticket for Maihaugen Museum.