Sports & the Outdoors

Sports & the Outdoors

Oslo's natural surroundings and climate make it ideally suited to outdoor pursuits. The Oslo fjord and its islands, the forested woodlands called the marka, and as many as 18 hours of daylight in summer all make the Norwegian capital an irresistible place for outdoor activities. Just 15 minutes north of the city center by tram is the Oslomarka, where locals ski in winter and swim in the lakes or hike in summer. The area contains 27 small hytter (cabins), which are often available free of charge for backpackers on foot or on skis. These can be reserved through Den Norske Turistforening (Storgt. 3, Sentrum. 22-82-28-00), which has maps of the marka surrounding Oslo as well as equipment for rent, and other information; it also organizes events. The Villmarkshuset (Christian Krohgs gt. 16, Sentrum. 22-05-05-22) is an equipment, activities, and excursion center specializing in hiking, climbing, hunting, fishing, cycling, and canoeing. You can rent a canoe from here, drop it into the Akers River at the rear of the store, and paddle out into the Oslo fjord. There's also an indoor climbing wall, a pistol range, and a diving center and swimming pool. Books and maps are also available. The Oslo Archipelago is a favorite destination for sunbathing urbanites, who hop ferries to their favorite isles.

Beaches

Beaches are scattered throughout the archipelago. Sun-loving Scandinavians pack every patch of sand during the long summer days to make up for lack of light in winter. The most popular beach is at Huk (on the Bygdy peninsula), one portion of which is for nude bathing. A family beach is located nearby at Paradisbukta. To get to the beach, follow signs along Huk Aveny from the Folk and Viking Ship museums. You can also take Bus 30A, marked "Bygdy," to its final stop. To get to the archipelago of island beaches on the Oslo fjord alongside Aker Brygge, take a ferry leaving from the southern pier of Vippetangen in summer. To get to Vippetangen, take Bus 60 from town or walk to the Forsvarsmuseet (Armed Forces Museum) on Akershusstranda and look for the signs. These islands are great for bathing and relaxing, and one of them, Hovedya, has monastery ruins dating from 1100.

Biking

Oslo is a great biking city. One scenic ride starts at Aker Brygge and takes you along the harbor to the Bygdy peninsula, where you can visit the museums or cut across the fields next to the royal family's summer house. Syklistenes Landsforening (National Organization of Cyclists, Storgata 23D, Sentrum. 22-47-30-30) sells books and maps for cycling holidays in Norway and abroad and gives friendly, free advice.

Glåmdal Cycledepot (Waldemar Thranes gt. 51, Grünerlkka. 22-83-52-08), rents bikes and equipment, including helmets. The store also offers five different sightseeing tours and has maps of the area for those braving it on their own. If you feel like roughing the terrain of the Holmenkollen marka, you can rent mountain bikes from Tomm Murstad (Tryvannsvn. 2, Holmenkollen. 22-13-95-00) in summer. Just take T-bane line 1 to Frognerseteren and get off at Voksenkollen Station.

Fishing

A national fishing license and a local fee are required to fish in the Oslo fjord and the surrounding lakes. For information on fishing areas and on where to buy a license, contact Oslomarkas Fiskeadministrasjon (Srkedalen 914, Holmenkollen. 40/00-67-68). You can fish throughout the Nordmarka woods area in a canoe rented from Tomm Murstad (Tryvannsvn. 2, Holmenkollen. 22-13-95-00). Ice fishing is popular in winter, but finding an ice drill could prove difficult—you may want to bring one from home.

Golf

More and more Norwegians are taking up golf. Oslo's international-level golf course, Oslo Golfklubb (Bogstad, 0740. 22-51-05-60) is private and heavily booked. However, it admits members of other golf clubs weekdays before 2 and weekends after 2 if space is available. Visitors must have a handicap certificate of 20 or lower for men, 28 or lower for women. Fees range from NKr 250 to NKr 500. Golfsenteret (Sandakerveien 24C, Torshov. 23-22-65-65), just five minutes outside the center, has a driving range, putting green, simulator, and pro shop. A driving range is available at Groruddalen Golfklubb (Tokeruddalen 22, Stovner. 22-79-05-60).

Sailing

Spend a sunny summer afternoon at Oslo's harbor, Aker Brygge, admiring the docked boats; or venture out into the fjords on a charter or tour. Sky-high masts and billowing white sails give the Christian Radich (22-47-82-70) a majestic, old-fashioned style. This tall ship makes nine different sailing trips, varying from a three-day voyage to an autumn sail across the Atlantic. Although you aren't required to have prior sailing experience, do expect rough seas, high waves, lots of rain, and being asked to participate in crew-members' tasks. For general information on boating, call, the Royal Norwegian Sailing Association, Kongelig Norsk Seilforening (23-27-56-00).

Skiing

Cross-country, downhill, telemarking, and snowboarding—whatever your snow-sport pleasure, Oslo has miles of easily accessible outdoor areas minutes from the center of town. Nine alpine ski areas have activities until late at night. More than 2,600 km (1,600 mi) of prepared cross-country ski trails run deep into the forest, of which 90 km (50 mi) are lighted for special evening tours.

The Skiforeningen (Kongevn. 5, 0787. 22-92-32-00) provides national snow-condition reports and can give tips on cross-country trails. They also offer cross-country classes for young children (3- to 7-year-olds), downhill classes for older children (7- to 12-year-olds), and both kinds of classes, as well as instruction in telemark-style racing and snowboarding techniques, for adults.

Among the floodlit trails in the Oslomarka are the Bogstad (3½ km [2 mi]), marked for the disabled and blind; the Lillomarka (25 km ); and the Østmarka (33 km ).

The downhill skiing season usually lasts from mid-December to March. There are 15 city slopes, or you can take organized trips to several outside slopes, including Norefjell (32/15-01-00), 100 km (66 mi) north of the city.

You can rent downhill and cross-country skis from Tomm Murstad Skiservice (Tryvannsvn. 2, Holmenkollen. 22-13-95-00) at the Tryvann T-bane station. This is a good starting point for skiing; although there are few downhill slopes in this area, a plethora of cross-country trails meet every skill level. Oslo's most accessible ski center is the Tryvann Winter Park (Tryvannsveien 64, Holmenkollen. 40/46-27-00. www.tryvann.no). It has 11 downhill slopes, six lifts, and a terrain park with a half-pipe for snowboarders. It's open weekdays until 10 PM.

Swimming

If you don't want to head to the beach, there are several public swimming pools in the city. All pools cost NKr 40 but are free with the Oslo Card. Besserudtjernet (Holmenkollen) is a small summer lake at the foot of the Holmenkollen ski jump. The south-facing terraces are ideal for sunbathing. Swimming here is a novelty, with fantastic views of Oslo spread out before you. Lifeguards aren't posted, so swim here at your own risk. Frognerbadet (Frogner Swimming Pool, Vigeland Park, Majorstuen. 23-27-54-50) has four large outdoor swimming pools for all ages and a waterslide. The pools are open from mid-May through late August, depending on the weather (weekdays 7 AM-7:30 PM, weekends 10-5:30). In June, you can hear performances from the nearby Norwegian Wood music festival. Tyenbadet (Tyen Swimming Pool, Helgesensgt. 90, Tyen. 23-30-44-70) is across the road from the Munch Museum and Botanical Gardens. The facilities include one indoor and three outdoor swimming pools for all ages, a sauna, a solarium, a waterslide, and an exercise area.