Central Norway - Norway - page 265

Sights & Activities

Olympic Sights
After Lillehammer won its bid for the 1994 Winter Olympics, the Norwegian government
ploughed over two billion kroner into the town's infrastructure. In an example to other
Olympic host cities, most amenities remain in use and visitors can tour the main Olympic
sites over a large area called the Olympiaparken ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ;

61 05 42 00;

www.olympiaparken.no ; 9am-6pm mid-Jun-mid-Aug, shorter hours Oct-May) .

Lygårdsbakkene Ski Jump SKI JUMP
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 9am-7pm early Jul-mid-Aug, to 4pm late May-early Jul & mid-Aug-late

Sep)
The main ski jump (K120) drops 136m with a landing-slope angle of 37.5 degrees. The
speed at takeoff is a brisk 86km/h, and the longest leap at the Olympics was 104m. During
the Olympics, the site was surrounded by seating for 50,000 spectators and it was here that
the opening ceremony was held; the tower for the Olympic flame ( MAP GOOGLE MAP )
stands near the foot of the jump. There's also a smaller jump (K90) alongside, where you'll
often see athletes honing their skills.
The ski-jump chairlift ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; adult/child 1 way Nkr35/30, return Nkr55/50;
9am-7pm early Jul-mid-Aug, to 4pm late May-early Jul & mid-Aug-late Sep) ascends to a stun-
ning panoramic view over the town. Alternatively, for those undaunted by the 952 steps,
walk up for free. The chairlift price includes entry to the Lygårdsbakkene ski-jump tower.
Here you can stand atop the ramp and imagine the pre-jump nerves.
To reach the summit by car, take the road that leads past the Olympic Museum north out
of town. The turn-off (signed as 'Lygårdsbakkene') comes after 2.8km.

Norwegian Olympic Museum MUSEUM
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; www.ol.museum.no ; Olympiaparken; adult/child Nkr110/55; 10am-5pm

Jun-Aug, 11am-4pm Tue-Sun Sep-May)
The excellent Olympic museum is at the Håkons Hall ice-hockey venue. On the ground
floor there is a well-presented display covering the ancient Olympic Games, as well as all