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Ski & snowboarding

Geilo with Neilson

9 replies

kookaburra · 10/03/2007 12:40

Hi - we're off tho Geilo with Nielson @ Easter staying in the Vestlia hotel. Has anyone been there and can they tell me if the ski shop is anywhere near? (THANKS to LIZS I invested in a fantastic rucksack with side straps that made life much easier at half-term in France - just wondering how far I'll to trek with DC skis in Norway...)

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janinlondon · 12/03/2007 09:33

We were in Geilo for Feb half term staying at the Highland - lots of Neilson people there. Vestlia is easy walk to the ski shop at the base of Geilolia centre - where the Neilson kids do ski school. Probably a minute max across the car park. But you can leave all your skis and boots in the downstairs storeroom at the ski centre to save the trek if you want. Geilo is absolutely fab and the Vestlia looked nice (from the outside!).

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kookaburra · 12/03/2007 12:03

Janin London - thanks - very reassuring! Mumsnetters always come up trumps!

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janinlondon · 07/11/2007 10:44

Kooka are you still around? Can you give me a report on the Vestlia? I have heard that the family rooms are in a separate building and are a bit grim, but need a MN opinion please!!!

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janinlondon · 08/11/2007 09:28

Bumping for Kooka.

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MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 08/11/2007 15:54

Hi - I was kkb till 5 mins ago when I decided to be radical & do a name change.
The Vestlia was fantastic. Initially got off to a bad start because the flight was delayed 15 hours and moved to Oslo and the luggage then took forever to unload, so we spent all night travelling and then arrived @ 6am to find we had been allocated a twin room for three of us (DS1, DS2 & me).
Do not normally shed tears, but was very upset and the hotel (and Neilson rep) were great and moved us to in a family suite their new wing - (double bed in one room and double sofa bed in the other, plus kitchenette and large dining table, TV, balcony and beautiful views over the frozen lake. There is a swimming pool that the boys played in - we ususally seemed to have it to ourselves. There is a separate adult pool that I did not investigate.
The food was excellent - especially the fish evening, but it got quite croweded then as apparently people come from miles around for it... The boys liked the games room and very cosy sitting area and bar.

Some distance out of town. We walked there, but hard to judge how far as they boys were playing at fishing in the frosen lake, and building snowpeople, so you could probabaly walk it in 20 mins - took us about 3 hours... i beleive there is a bus, and presumably taxis.
The frozen lake behind the lake is spectacular - we went dog sledding round (and on!) it - fantastic fun, I had to drive which was rather hair-raising at first, but would do again ifi had the chance.
I had been paranoid ( see above) about distance to the slopes - in fact it could not have been better - no more than 50m acrosss a car park, to the lifts and ski shop, and we could leave the skis in the ski shop overnight, so no carrying needed.

The slopes were on held the snow better, on the other side of the resort near the Doctor??? Hotel it was south facing, and people who went there said it was very slushy by afternoon ( we were there in April - our slopes has excelletn conditions)The slopes were not challenging, but the DC really enjoyed the ski school, and their ski jumping is now unbeleivably good (snowbard run. I would defintiely go back again except that it would not be challenging enough for the DC next year. I would happily pootle down the slopes and have earmarked it for my retirement (and to take my grandchildren to )
The horible outward journey was not the fault of Neilson, but Astraeus the airline. Neilson terrific company and will deffo book with them again.
Norway is pretty dry in the alcoholic sense, they do not serve alcohol till 3pm, so none of the cold beer and long lunches of other countries. Would advise investing in some duty free ( Dh did actually advise me but i did not beleive him )

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MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 08/11/2007 15:57

Jan - SORRY have just looked back and seen that it was in fact you who gave us the info originally - many thanks!!!!!!!

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debinaustria · 08/11/2007 20:55

We didn't stay there but we went to Geilo with a Ceefax offer, about 10 years ago and had a really great week. We flew to a nearby local airport so transfer time was very short, resort was pretty and skiing was good. Food in our hotel was excellent, especially breakfast but alcohol was very expensive. OK to buy in the supermarket but expensive in the bars and restaurants.

Deb

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janinlondon · 09/11/2007 12:24

Ahh....Thanks MrsGofG. Have seen that the suites are lovely - unfortunately the prices are not! Well done to the Neilson rep though for getting you a suite!! (We were impressed with Neilson over the summer too). For what we could afford at the Vestlia I think we might be chucked into the "slightly run down" rooms. Looks like we'll be going back to the Highland then. At least we know what to expect and to be honest we were very happy with it last time. Just wondering if we could bypass the bus transfer by staying closer. Highland Ho! (PS: I would happily take over as Mrs G if you decide he's up for grabs...)

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MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 09/11/2007 13:37

He's mine!!Bit off topic - but real whole family entertainment - DH wathes to look @ Marian, I watch to perv @ swoony Guy, and the DC oblivious to all that love the fighting stunts

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