Lillehammer & the Peer Gynt Road - Norway - page 197

and best-known sports districts. The skiing center at Fefor was opened in 1904,
and it was here that the adventurous Capt. Robert Falcon Scott tested the equip-
ment for his expedition to the South Pole. The region is also a lure to summer
travelers, as the Peer Gynt Road passes mountains, farmsteads, fish-filled lakes,
wild game, and alpine flowers.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE By Train Following more or less the same route as the
buses but taking a bit less time, trains travel from Oslo's Central Station to Gar-
dermoen to Lillehammer to Vinstra, taking about 3 1 ⁄ 4 hours, and charging
around 436NOK ($62) each way. That price includes the fee for reserving a seat,
which in light of the many weekenders who go to Peer Gynt country from Oslo,
is a good idea. For railway information throughout Norway, call & 81-50-08-
88 or visit www.nsb.no.
By Bus Buses depart from Oslo's central bus station, which is immediately
adjacent to the town's railway station. They make a stop at the bus station at
Gardermoen Airport, then continue on to Lillehammer and then on to Vinstra.
There are between three and four of these per day, each maintained by Norway
Buss Ekspress. One-way fares for the 3 1 ⁄ 2 -hour bus trip are 290NOK ($41) per
person. Call & 81-54-44-44 for reservations and information or visit www.nor-
way.no. Otherwise, call the Vinstra tourist office for schedules or click on the
region's website (www.peergynt.no) for a limited schedule.
By Car From Lillehammer, continue northwest along E6 into Vinstra.
By Taxi Note that once a passenger arrives in Vinstra, either at the bus or the
railway station (they're adjacent to each other), they'll usually have to migrate by
taxi to their hotel. Most hotels are in isolated spots up in the mountains. A taxi
fare from Vinstra to Golå, for example, costs around 325NOK ($46) and car-
ries up to four passengers if they don't have too much luggage, and two to three
persons if they do have a lot of luggage. Usually a hotel will send a van down to
meet its passengers as part of the cost of their hotel package.
VISITOR INFORMATION The best source of information about touring in
the area is found at the Vinstra Turist og Messekontor, N-2640 Vinstra ( & 61-
29-47-70 ), open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm from June to August, and
Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4pm from September to May.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
The Peer Gynt Ski Area is ideal for those who'd like to combine cross-
country skiing with alpine skiing. All the facilities in the ski region are within
easy reach of all the hotels in the area. A ski bus links the resorts of Espedalen,
Fefor, and Gålå. In all, there are 28km (17 miles) with slopes, 8 lifts, 1 chairlift,
and 24 slopes. In the entire area there are 460km (285 miles) of well-prepared
trails and 170km (105 miles) of stick-marked trails in beautiful surroundings.
Skiers rate the Peer Gynt Trail as Norway's best cross-country skiing area, and
floodlit trails in Espedalen and in Gålå make it possible to ski even after dinner.
To ski the area, you can purchase a 1-day Troll Pass, costing 265NOK ($38)
for adults and 210NOK ($30) for children. The pass entitles you to all the lifts
in the area. Check with the local resorts for further information. You can pick
up maps and other data at the tourist center at Vinstra (see above).
In summer Norske Bygdeopplevelser ( & 61-28-99-70 ) offers cycling trips
and mountain hikes through the Peer Gynt land.