About this place
Birkebeineren Ski Stadium is a cross-country skiing and biathlon venue in the hills above Lillehammer, Norway. It was built for the 1994 Winter Olympics and remains one of the key winter sports sites in the region. It lies about 3 km from the town centre, at 485 metres above sea level.
Why visit?
The stadium is a living piece of Olympic history, and ordinary visitors can ski the same ground where athletes once competed. The mood is distinctly Norwegian: open space, forest, and people on skis in winter or on rollerblades and bikes in summer.
What does the venue look like?
The complex has two separate arenas, one for cross-country and one for biathlon. The cross-country stadium can hold 31,000 spectators and the biathlon one 13,500. Construction for the Games cost NOK 83.6 million. After the Olympics the venue also hosted the 1994 Winter Paralympics, with Paralympic Nordic skiing and biathlon.
What events have taken place here?
After the Games, ownership passed to the municipal Lillehammer Olympiapark. Since then the stadium has staged one Biathlon World Cup, three FIS Cross-Country World Cup rounds and nine FIS Nordic Combined World Cup events, with the ski jumping part held at the nearby Lysgårdsbakkene arena. In 2016 it was a venue of the Winter Youth Olympics.
What can you do here?
In winter the highlight is a floodlit loop of roughly 5 km, usually open in the evenings until about 10 pm. Check the hours before you go. The stadium connects to a very large network of cross-country trails, and experienced skiers can take on the demanding Olympic 50 km route. Beginners will find flat terrain close to the stadium.
Summer is no off-season. The venue has a year-round biathlon facility, and a 6.3 km asphalt rollerski track is used for training and competitions. The surroundings are popular for walking, jogging, mountain biking and ball games.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the stadium and how do I get there? The address is Sjøsetervegen 29, 2618 Lillehammer, about 3 km from the centre. Follow Sjøsetervegen and look for the signs to the stadium.
Is it open in summer? Yes. The grounds and trails are accessible all year for walking, running, biking and rollerskiing.
Do I need to be a pro to ski here? No. Flat, easy terrain lies next to the stadium for beginners, while stronger skiers can pick longer routes.
What events were held here? The 1994 Olympic and Paralympic Games, World Cup events in biathlon, cross-country and Nordic combined, and the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics.
Who runs the venue? After the 1994 Games ownership passed to the municipal Lillehammer Olympiapark.
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.