Things to do in Lillehammer and around Lake Mjøsa
Most activities here are tied to a season. The chairlift at the Olympic ski jumps runs in summer, the Skibladner sails from June to August, and the bike lifts at Hafjell open on set days. Museums such as Maihaugen and Domkirkeodden are open for more of the year, with prices that change by season.
The tour cards on this page show tickets and guided days you can book with live prices. Below you find what each activity is, when it runs in 2026 and what it costs, so you can decide how to fill two or three days. Prices are in Norwegian kroner (NOK) for adults unless noted, and they change.
Our picks: things to do around Lillehammer
The escape room is the only card here in Lillehammer itself; the other four start in Gudbrandsdalen or at Synnfjell. Rafting is the active choice, the horse ride and the husky hike are slower-paced, and the sauna is a two-hour stop.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Horseback trail ride in Heidal
- Helmet included
- Coffee break with biscuits
A three-hour ride in the Heidal valley in Gudbrandsdalen; half-day and full-day rides are also offered. It starts inland, not at the lake.
Check availability →
Guided mountain hike with your own husky
- Alaskan huskies on the trail
- Dog-hiking gear and briefing
- Norwegian snacks
Three hours on foot with the dogs; on colder days there is a campfire with warm drinks. It starts inland in Nord Torpa, not at the lake.
Check availability →
Rafting on the Sjoa river, 3 hours
- Qualified guides
- Full rafting gear
- Refreshments after the trip
A day trip north of Lillehammer into Gudbrandsdalen, not an activity on the lake.
Check availability →
Escape room in Lillehammer
- 60-minute game
- Puzzles and codes
A good fit for an indoor hour in town. The game master explains the game and helps if you get stuck.
Check availability →
Sauna session by the Sjoa river
- Wood-fired sauna
- Fresh water
- Dip in the Sjoa river
Two hours in the Heidal valley, inland in Gudbrandsdalen; toilets and seasonal showers are on site.
Check availability →Tours and things to do in Lillehammer
Tickets, guided tours and day trips around Lillehammer and Lake Mjøsa, with live prices and availability.
Activities compared
Seasons and adult prices in 2026. Check the current dates before you go.
| Activity | Season or hours in 2026 | Adult price |
|---|---|---|
| Skibladner trip | 23 June to 16 August | NOK 285 to 395 one way |
| Chairlift at Lysgårdsbakken | Usually May to September | NOK 80 |
| Maihaugen open-air museum | Three price seasons; high season 22 June to 16 August | NOK 180 to 235 |
| Hunderfossen family park | Date-based calendar | Tickets by date; parking NOK 99 per day |
| Hafjell bike lifts | Weekends 1 August to 27 September; daily 28 September to 4 October | Lift card NOK 75 for a new card |
| Domkirkeodden museum | Daily 10:00 to 16:00 from 1 September to 23 December | NOK 170 |
| Norwegian Railway Museum, Hamar | Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 to 15:00 from 1 September to 22 December | NOK 145 winter, NOK 175 summer |
For most visitors with two or three days, Maihaugen plus the chairlift in Lillehammer is a good start. Add Hunderfossen if you travel with children, and take the Skibladner only if you are here between June and August.
Chairlift at the Olympic ski jumps
The Lysgårdsbakken lift in Lillehammer.
You buy chairlift tickets online or at the kiosk. In summer 2026 an adult ticket cost NOK 80 and a child ticket NOK 50. A family ticket for two adults and two children cost NOK 210. Children under 7 ride free with an adult, and groups of 20 or more pay NOK 75 per person. The usual season runs from May to September, and the booking calendar shows the exact days. Keep the safety bar down during the ride.
For the sights nearby, see Lillehammer.
Hafjell: mountain biking and mountain views
Hafjell is the ski area near Lillehammer, and in summer it runs bike lifts. The 2026 summer season started on 20 June. One lift, Hafjellheis 2, and the runs 1 to 3 were closed in summer 2026, while Moseterheisen was adapted for summer use and reaches about 940 m. On open days the lifts run from 10:00 to 16:00: weekends from 1 August to 27 September, and daily from 28 September to 4 October 2026.
You need an Axess WTP card for the lift pass. A new card costs NOK 75, and buying at the desk adds a service fee of NOK 95 per card. The price of the pass itself depends on the date, so check it before you go. The operator offers cottages, apartments and hotels in Hafjell. For winter skiing, check the opening dates for the coming season.
Museums and a family park
Indoor and outdoor days when the weather turns.
Maihaugen
One ticket covers Maihaugen and the Norwegian Olympic Museum. Adults pay NOK 180, 205 or 235 depending on the season, and ages 6 to 25 pay NOK 80, 85 or 90. Children 0 to 5 are free.
Maihaugen tickets →Hunderfossen
The family park sets its ticket price by date, so buy early. Children under 90 cm need no ticket. Parking costs NOK 99 per day.
Hunderfossen →Domkirkeodden
The museum costs NOK 170 for adults, and the glass hall over the cathedral ruins is closed. A new history centre opened on 28 May 2026.
Domkirkeodden →On the water and on the river
The Skibladner and rafting, two different things.
The Skibladner is a scheduled paddle steamer with a restaurant on board and runs only in summer. See the Skibladner timetable and tickets for routes and fares. Rafting is a different trip: the operator at Hafjell offers it on the river Sjoa as a day trip from Hafjell, not on the lake. For where to stay and how to get around, see where to stay and getting there.
Things to do in Lillehammer: frequently asked questions
What are the main things to do in Lillehammer?
Maihaugen, the chairlift at the Olympic ski jumps and a day at Hunderfossen with children are the main attractions in 2026. In summer, add a Skibladner trip or the bike lifts at Hafjell.
How much does the chairlift cost?
In summer 2026 an adult ticket cost NOK 80, a child ticket NOK 50 and a family ticket for two adults and two children NOK 210.
Can I go rafting on Lake Mjøsa?
No. Rafting is offered on the river Sjoa as a day trip from Hafjell, not on the lake itself.
What can I do in autumn?
Museums such as Maihaugen, Domkirkeodden and the Norwegian Railway Museum have autumn hours, and the Skibladner does not sail. Check the hours for your dates.
Do I need a card for the Hafjell bike lifts?
Yes, an Axess WTP card. A new card costs NOK 75, and buying at the desk adds NOK 95 per card.
Is this site a tour operator?
No. mjosa.org is an independent guide. It has no connection to Visit Lillehammer, the Olympic Park, Maihaugen or any tour operator.