Ski info : Fløyen, Totland, Eikedalen, Furedalen

Skiing. General basic info.

Avalanches can and do occur--so be careful, especially if you are outside marked runs! Last year a few were killed in an avalanche which suddenly occured right outside the lift area.

Bergen Website for SKI CONDITIONS:
http://skifore-bergen.origo.no/


Many of the ski areas are free to use, such as on Fløyen, Ulriken and Totland. It´s very popular to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, and sled, or other winter sports and outdoor activities here! During winter it is common to see all ages carrying skiis or whatever to head up the mountains to take advantage of the snow. 


FLØYEN:
You can walk up Fløyen mountain directly from the city center. Fløyen is directly in the city, about a block from the fish market/Bryggen area. You can take the Fløibanen funicular up also. Get a map, ask where the ski area is when you get up there. Bring your own equipment, you can´t rent anything. Bring your own food, drinks, as there is not much up there. At the top is a viewing area, a restaurant which has varied opening hours, a small kiosk shop selling a few things such as tourist souvenirs, Norwegian sweaters, hats, gloves, bottled soda, ice creams. There is a toilet around the side. Free so you don´t need coins. But once you get away from this viewing area, it´s mostly nature, forest in most directions. Or back towards town in other directions, lovely walks, hikes, etc you can find on your own or use the maps. The ski area is further, and may or may not have much depending on where you are. I usually bring a packed lunch, snack, thermos of hot cocoa/coffee, water, and whatever else I think I´ll need for the weather that day. There´s usually lots of people around, but still it never feels crowded too much. Except maybe May 17th, a national holiday. Using the mountain is free, walking up or wherever is free, but the funicular is not free. You can buy a one way in either direction, or round trip.

Info on hike up Fløyen:
http://www.bergen-guide.com/807.htm

Fløyen info:
http://www.visitbergen.com/en/WHAT-TO-DO/Sledging-on-Mount-Floyen/

*Am not sure why it says you need to buy a sled pass, especially for that much! Or maybe we locals just bring our own kids sleds and sled for free. We´ve never paid for this, never been asked to. Before you go up the funicular, there are shops in the area within a minute or so walk, where you can just buy a sled, carry it up, and sled. Obviously, no where near the edge---there are no guard rails. So wait to start sledding after you are past the large painted carved wooden troll statue at the kids Troll Park, or further into the mountain before letting the kids sled. Maybe there is a pay-for-path down the front of Fløyen, but we´ve never used it, or paid. Ok, have fun!:) Our kids love all the fun stuff to do around Bergen, all year round, all weather, all temperatures. There is no bad weather, just bad clothing,)


ULRIKEN:

Ulriken is also directly in the city. You can walk there, or get a city bus to the main hospital Haukeland, then walk up around and in back of the hospital area, following the signs pointing to Ulriken. When you reach the bottom of Ulriken, you can then in many places either walk up the mountain, or take the tram up. Tram costs money and runs only during specific hours, up and down the mountain. You can buy a one way in either direction, or a two way ticket. There is a shop also to buy things, both at the top of the mountain and the bottom. If you walk up Ulriken, there are several areas from the bottom of the mountain to walk up, either from Montana side, Ulriken tram area (front side) or the side towards Rundemanen/Fløyen/bus station/Florida side. If you´re carrying skiis etc obviously taking the tram is easiest!

Youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKoWnThDD5A&feature=relmfu

Ulriken website:
http://www.ulriken643.no/en/

Website/Photos info on Vidden/Ulriken:
http://www.norwaves.com/vidden-mountain-foot-walk-city-bergen.html




TOTLAND:
About an hour outside Bergen. To get to Totlandsvegen, you can drive, or take the current correct number bus 71 (this could change) to Totland. For me, I would get the local bus to Bergen bus station, then switch either to the Bybanen or a bus til Nesttun, then catch a number 71 from there to Totland, last stop. Then you walk about 20 minutes, til you get to the ski area. It´s free. There are no rental anything, you bring whatever you need. On the weekends and weekdays, the hytte (cabins) are open, and free to use. The local ski clubs have volunteers on the weekends only, at the hyttes, to provide hot drinks, usually cocoa, coffee, sometimes gløgg, and maybe pancakes/waffles for a small fee/donation. Ski area is fine for kids too, though with the 20 minute walk out thru the snow, the kids might have had enough quite quickly!,) The bus goes out much less (maybe only once in each direction) on the weekend! If you use the bus for this, imho it´s best to use it during the week when there are buses out often beginning in early morning til late.



EIKEDALEN:
About and hour outside Bergen, in Kvamskogen, is Eikedalen ski area. Ski tows, chair lift. About 10 alpine pistes. Please be aware of ski and snow safety! Eikedalen has a skibus from Åsane ( which is about a 20 minute bus ride from the main bus station). There is a night ski bus also. Ski runs here are lit in winter, as it is dark here in wintertime even in what is normally elsewhere considered the day. Opening hours vary greatly with season.

http://www.eikedalen.no/

http://www.tidereiser.no/Skibuss-Bergen


FUREDALEN ALPIN:
Also about an hour drive from Bergen. A few ski tows, a few alpine pistes, kids ski tow. Sheltered ski area for the littles, with great skiing. Also has a ski bus out from the city, leaving in the morning. You can buy food, drinks there. Probably want to bring your own food, snacks though. More info website and a blog.


http://www.furedalen.no/

http://www.tidereiser.no/Skibuss-Bergen

http://oyvind.hoysater.no/lang/en/2009/02/skiing-weekend-at-furedalenhelgetur-til-kvamskogen/



FURTHER OUT:

Geilo, Voss, etc. Take the train, or drive.