Holmenkollen

Holmenkollen,
Osio
Southern Norway
Norway
22-923200

http://www.holmenkollen.com

Type: Theme Park
Addmission Fee: 60 kr ($8.80) for museum and jump tower, and 50 kr (40 kr with Oslo Pass) to ride in the ski simulator
Hours: Daily Jun-Aug 9am-8pm; Sep-Apr 10am-4pm and May 10am-5pm

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When a place is the most visited attraction in a city there is usually a good reason for it. Holmenkollen, the famous ski jump arena northwest of the city, is not only the most visited attraction in Oslo but in the entire country. Holmenkollen has had its ski arena since the end of the 19th century but it’s changed quite a bit over the past hundred years. One of the biggest renovations was made in preparation for the Winter Olympics in 1952.

There are typically three things to do at Holmenkollen: visitingthe Ski Museum, climbing up to the tower, and going on a ride in the simulator. There is also a café and a souvenir shop, but your time and money can be better spent elsewhere. The tower is accessed through the museum and your entrance fee covers both attractions. Holmenkollen is 357 m (1,000 feet) above sea level and the jump tower, an additional 60 m (180 feet).

You get there by walking up the stairs (which in the winter can be slippery with ice) and, once there, you will have the same fantastic view that the jumpers have. The view over Oslo and the Oslofjord is nothing short of spectacular. The museum is supposedly the oldest ski museum in the world and it depicts the history of skiing since its infancy, about 4,000 years ago.

The area around Holmenkollen is also well known for its cross-country tracks, which are some of the most visited in the Marka region and it has hosted a couple of world championships over the years. The Holmenkollen Ski Arena is open daily all year, in June-August from 9 am-8 pm and during the rest of the year from 10 am-4 pm (May 10 am-5 pm). Admission is 60 kr$8.80 to the museum and jump tower and 50 kr (40 kr with Oslo Pass) to take a ride in the ski simulator.