Sport and Activities in Oslo, Entertainment Norway

Tourist Information

There are three tourist information offices in Oslo:
Central Station (open all year, 8:00-18:00) - Inside the Trafikanten Service Center, Jernbanetorget 1, N-0154 Oslo. Tel: +47 815 30 555
City Hall (open all year, 9:00-16:00) - Enter from Roald Amundsens gate, Fridtjof Nansens plass 5, N-0160 Oslo
Cruise ship terminal - open when cruise ships are in

You may also contact the Norwegian Tourist Office (Norges Turistrad) by phone +47 2414 4600 or http://www.visitnorway.com.

Oslo Pass

The Oslo Pass is a wonderful way to buy entrance into some of the best of Oslo's attractions at a discounted rate. Provides free travel on public transport, free admission to museums and sights, free parking in Oslo municipal car parks, discounts on car hire, and entry into Tusenfryd Amusement Park.

Can be purchased in 24, 48 or 72 hour increments.

Prices - Adult

24 hours = kr 230
48 hours = kr 340
72 hours = kr 430

Prices - Children

24 hours = kr 100
48 hours = kr 120
72 hours = kr 160

Oslo Pass can be purchased online, and then picked up by bringing the purchase voucher to any of the tourist information offices. You will also receive an Oslo Pass booklet describing all the benefits for Oslo Pass holders.
Location and opening hours

Norwegian's are a very active people and there has been a resurgence in the importance of sports in the average persons lifestyle. Most people value exercising regularly and participating in sports, whether casually or in a team environment. Though known for its winter activities, Oslo also has a host of summer activities.

Gym

Most hotels offer at least a small gym, but for serious work-outs and for people living in Oslo, there are a variety of other options. Average price of 1 month of gym is about KR 549. This can range on how many classes are offered, the equipment, and location.

SATS- most popular gym in Oslo.

FitnessXpress- cheaper than SATS, this is another popular gym.

Gold's Gym- world wide chain also has locations in Oslo.

Harald's Gym- this is a local Norwegian gym.

Recreational Activities

Summer Sports

Whether you prefer swimming off the fjord, in the many lakes, or in a public pool, Oslo has beautiful settings for swimming.

Akerselva: Recreation and swimming area along the river between Maridalsvannet and the city centre.
Huk: Oslo's most popular beach for young people.
Paradisbukta: Popular and sandy beach for children.
The Islands (Ferries from Vippetangen): Hovedafaâya, Langafaâyene, Gressholmen (Heggholmen and Rambergafaâya).
Oslo South: Reached by the "beach bus", number 87
Sognsvann: Within the forest, take Subway 3
The site, http://www.friluftsetaten.oslo.kommune.no/badeinfo/, lists further outdoor swimming holes.

The city of Oslo runs eight public swimming pools. Tafayenbadet is the largest indoor swimming facility in Oslo and one of the few pools in Norway offering a 50-meter main pool. Visitors can swim in the outdoor pool at Frognerbadet which also has the 50-meter range.

Boating is an integral part of Norwegian culture and there are ample opportunities to kayak, canoe, fish and sail! There are numerous wharfs and boat rentals, and most hotels and hostels can recommend a vendor.

Beach sports like volleyball can be practised at the many beaches, such as Langafaâyene. At this site there are three beach volleyball courts. The net is on-site, but bring your own bowl.

Hiking is another popular pastime as there are many beautiful, well marked trails from easy walks in Oslo's city forest to alpine climbing in Jotunheimen or Troms. Make sure to always dress warmly and take supplies with you.
Travellers also enjoy a right to access, which means it is possible to camp freely in most places for a couple of days, as long as you're not on cultivated land and provided you are at least 150 meter away from houses and farm buildings.
Den Norske Turistforening, or DNT, (The Norwegian Mountain Touring Association) operates many staffed and self-service mountain cabins, marks mountain routes, offers maps and route information, guided tours, and several other services for mountain hikers in Norway.

Winter Sports

Skiing is the standard Scandinavian pastime. Norwegian's have a variety of venues in which to ski, and many ways in which to soar over the powder.

Oslo Winter Park Tryvann (Tryvann Vinterpark) is the Oslo area's main ski resort. It is only 30 minutes from downtown! There are 14 slopes and 7 lifts. Alpine skiing, snowboarding, telemark skiing, and areas for children and beginner schoolers are available. There is also evening skiing 5 days a week with floodlights illuminating the slopes.

Prices:

Adult Day Pass 325 kr
Adult Evening Pass 280 kr
Children Day Pass 260 kr
Children Evening Pass 230 k

www.oslovinterpark.com
Tryvannsveien 61
0791 Oslo
Tel: 40 46 27 00
Fax: 22 13 73 11

All is not lost if you are not an experienced Skiier. There are a variety of schools at different price points:

Skiglede - (91 51 46 33) offers cross-country skiing lessons and guided cross-country skiing for individuals, groups and companies.

Tryvann Ski School (99 12 20 30; post@tryvannskiskole.no) was established in 1992 and offers lessons in snowboarding, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and telemark. Tryvann Ski School's instructors speak English, French and German.

Holmenkollen Oslo Ski School & Snowboard School (91 66 96 69; info@skiskole.com) offers private lessons and classes for skiers of all ages and levels throughout the winter. Choose between snowboarding, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing and telemark. English, German and French-speaking instructors available.

Narvisen Skating Rink - Located in the middle of Oslo's city centre, this rink is open, free of charge, to the public. No pucks or sticks allowed.
Hot dogs, hot chocolate, toddy, sodas, coffee and popcorn are available for sale.
Skating is temporarily unavailable during ice preparation which takes place from 16:00 to 17:00.
Skate rental: NOK 45 (adults), NOK 30 (children). (10 % discount with the Oslo Pass).

Ice Hockey reigns supreme in most Northern European countries, including Norway. Children play it, everyone cheers for it, and each family hopes to have the next Bjafarn "Botta" Skaare in their ranks.
Rinks are numerous and there are many different leagues offering a variety of competitive play. Consult the rank nearest you for fees and guidelines.

Bandy is actually played more then ice hockey in Norway. Eight teams make up the Norwegian Bandy Premier League. The league system comprises four leagues, with nineteen different clubs as well as ten second teams. The Bandy Championship is an annual event, and even has youth and women's divisions. Click here for the rules.

Toboggan Runs (Korketrekkeren) are a fun way to enjoy the winter weather at high speeds. This run is free and runs a exhilarating 2000m with a 255 meter drop. One ride at full speed takes about 8-10 minutes.
Sleds are also for rent near by the starting point, at the bottom of the hill, and next to the Frognerseteren restaurant. Helmet rentals are free.
Holmenkollveien
0710 Oslo
Tel: 22 49 01 21
info@akeforeningen.no

Professional Teams

Ice Hockey leagues are flexible in that the two teams who placed last must play the top two teams from First Division for the rights to play in next GET-ligaen season.

A few of the teams:

Manglerud Star Ishockey - The club has delivered more players to professional hockey leagues around the world than any other hockey team in Norway.
Vafalerenga Ishockey - This Oslo-based ice hockey club plays at Jordal Amfi. Since 1960 it has been the country's dominant ice hockey club and has the most trophies in all Norwegian team sports.
Stavanger Ishockeyklubb - Commonly known as the Oilers, they play their home matches in Siddishallen.

The Norwegian Premier League has two football clubs from Oslo:
Vafalerenga - This team usually gathers a crowd more than three times as large as their city rivals- Lyn- at Ullevaal Stadion. Fotballklubben Lyn - Norwegian professional football club. Their home games are held at Bislett Stadion.

Stadium

Bislett Stadion - this is Norway's most well known sports arena internationally. Over 15 speed skating world records and more than 50 track and field world records having been set here. Unfortunately, the stadium was deteriorating and the last speed skating events were held here in 1988. A new stadium was completed in the summer of 2005 and meets international requirements for track and field events.

Holmenkollen Ski Jump - Since 1984, thousands of people have visited and competed at this venue.
The Ski Museum is also at this location and displays over 4000 years of skiing history with rock carvings, skis from the time of the Vikings, and skis from all various parts of Norway. A brand new snow-board exhibition has been recently added.
However, the ski arena is being rebuilt for the 2011 World Championships and is currently unavailable. Check the Ski jump website, or call Tel: 916 71 947, for its status before visiting.

Frogner Stadion - once the most important skating arena in Norway, this rink has held many world championships for figure skating and speed skating. A total of 23 speed skating world records have been set at the stadium. Outside the stadium are statues of Oscar Mathisen and Sonja Henie.
Frogner stadion has been the venue for international matches both in football and bandy, as well as international track and field athletics competitions.

Valle Hovin - a bandy and speed skating rink in cold weather, this space doubles as an outdoor stadium for concerts in warm weather. One of the largest concert venues, it can hold at least 40,000 people.

Ullevaal Stadion - Norway's national football stadium, it was constructed in 1926. The Norwegian Cup final has been held here since 1948.

Jordal Amfi - an indoor sporting arena, it has a capacity of 4,450 and was opened in 1952. It is the home arena of the Vafalerenga ice hockey team.