We stayed at the end of March for some late season skiing. We opted for an apartment in the grounds of the hotel. The apartment was very clean and well laid out - 1 double bedroom and two rooms with bunkbeds. The bunkbed rooms were small but perfectly OK as we had only 1 adult per room (I think there are larger apartments available for 6 adults). It also had 2 shower rooms which was great as our party consisted of 3 girls (but there are no hair dryers!!!). Finally, there is a small kitchen with cooker, fridge freezer and dishwasher and a dining table and fairly large lounge area with TV.

The hotel is around 10 minutes by taxi from Lillehammer train/bus station - costs around 100NOK. It is walkable but uphill!

A bus goes from (and to) the hotel to Hafjell ski area but only a few times per day - from memory, there is a bus around 9am and the next is at 11am so you need to be careful of your timing to and from the slopes. The bus stops at the train/bus station (where you might have to transfer) and buses leave from there around every hour. One morning, the bus didn't arrive at all so we ended up trudging into town and getting a taxi - which cost about 500NOK - luckily we had met other guests at the hotel who were in the same position who were happy to share the cost.

There is no evening meal, other than as pre-arranged for groups. Breakfast costs around 85NOK and is pentiful buffet style with full self-service. There is also a small shop beside reception but it sells only sodas and snacks really. I think you can also order beer from reception but we didn't put this to the test. You can also order pizza from a local delivery place but it is really expensive (but very tasty).

All in all, the apartments represent great value for money, particularly for small groups.

The slopes at Hafjell were great - very wide and even the black runs were acccessible (and I normall avoid black runs at all costs). The pistes were in good condition but the weather was COLD - much colder than the Alps typically are in Feb. Most of the runs are accessed by chair lift but there is one gondola and a few tows. The slopes were pretty quiet all weekend and we stayed until Monday evening to pack in as much skiing as possible and the slopes were deserted on Monday which was a great way to end the weekend. The Hafjell area is very well organised - ski lockers can be hired which were big enough for three and the locker room also has showers available.

As you might expect, the food on the mountain is expensive and the price of alcohol is astronomical.

We Loved every minute of our stay here. We stayed in an apartment .There were six of us and with three bedrooms and two bathrooms it was perfect. We were here for the skiiing and went to Hafjell every day to ski, where the slopes were great . In the evening we returned to Apartment and went Tobagnning on hill beside us or ice skating also beside us!!. The apartment is so warm and the staff at reception cannot do enough to help you(even let me use computer in office to print airline tickets home).There is free inernet in reception also but no printer. Hotel is quite with no real bar or resteraunt but only ten minute walk to town ( be wary of up hill on return). If you Book a five day or more lift pass for skiiing you are entitled to free bus pass fro rception otherwise 400Kr each way on bus for adults 200kR for kids(we only found out on third day!). We also did husky dog safari through hotel this was brilliant and would highly recommend it. Highlights of trip: excellent Skiiing , snow and take your breath away landscape Tips for future: It is mor expensive than Ireland and UK for Food and drink, we went to supermarket and stayed in 3 nights and ate out four. The Hotel has two restaraunts down town and they are superb (make sure book through hotel as get 15% discount) especially all you can eat Brazilian food.. You pay a bit more for food but all very high quality. Beware twy take New year and Christmas seriously so alot of Bars and Resteraunts close around these dates. The fire works all through the town on New Years Eve are amazing and there is a big Tourch Procession up the olympic hill . i
Buy a few bottles in airport on way over for the fridge as norway not in EU so duty free!! We loved every minute of our stay here and our 11 year old thought it was what the North Pole would be like!

Birkebeineren Apartments were very comfortable and spacious. Kitchen was well equiped except that there was no toaster! Dishwasher, oven, hob, and all utensils. Very warm did not notice temp outside as it was comfortable inside. 10 mins walk or less from here to main street (sentrum) Lillehammer were you will find all shops and restaurants, two in particlar the Peppes Pizza, and La Piccolo Italia and both do take away. Peppes Pizza deliver to the apartments.
Found reception staff and Norwegain people in general very helpful. Bus to Hafjell Ski resort leaves from outside the Hotel reception.

Loved our stay in lillehammer. We are a group of friends who stayed at the birkebeineren for the new years. The hotel is ten minutes from the town centre and an enjoyable walk. The hotels location provides it with excellent views and we found it really peaceful at night. Staff were very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. We stayed over New Years and the hotel helped with transport over the holiday period. Rooms were great with heated bathrooms floors, plenty of room for ski gear and lounging around after a long day on the slopes! They were also spotless. There were loads of activities in the area and we really enjoyed the winterpark, with snow slides, an ice hotel, ice chapel and a natural ice bar. Locals were friendly and norway was not as expensive as we had imagined. Would be delighted to return here again and to the Birkebeineren