Scan Magazine

By Signe Hansen

Majestically located on the edge of Fefor Lake and surrounded by the peaks of Jotunheimen, the historic Fefor Mountain Hotel with its numerous outdoor activities provides magic settings for a peaceful ski holiday. The almost-130-year-old hotel lies 930 metres above sea level, but located in the middle of Norway it is still easily accessible.

“Fefor hotel is definitely one of the most special hotels in Norway,” enthuses Hotel Manager Kari Tagestad. “You really have to be up here fully to comprehend it; it is a very calm and very typical Norwegian area.”  Even though secluded, the hotel is just 13 minutes away from Vinstra’s train station, where you can be picked up the hotel’s bus, or a four hour drive from Oslo.

Magical mountain beauty

There are many ways to enjoy the mountain’s natural beauty and especially during the winter an array of activities for all ages and levels are on offer. Cross-country routes start just outside the hotel’s doors and for those who prefer alpine skiing, buses from the hotel will take them the ten minute ride to the slopes at Gudbrandsdalen. “If people want to go cross-country skiing we have one of the best locations in Norway and one of the longest ski trails. The air is very clean and we have spectacular nature around here,” says Tagestad. Put together, the area has 630 km of ski trails.

But it is not all about skiing. The hotel also has its own floodlit ice-skating rink and if you fancy a game of curling, this is also a possibility as Norway’s second curling club was started up here.

Meanwhile, from Gudbrandsdalen valley guests can experience magical dogsled drives or snow-shoe walks in the moonlight. The location of the hotel is also ideal for trips to the Rondane and Jotunheimen mountains, where literature lovers and hikers can follow in the steps of Henrik Ibsen’s Peer Gynt.

The history in the walls
Magic and adventure are not just outside at Fefor; the hotel itself contains its share. Founded all the way back in 1884, Fefor was one of the first hotels to be established at that altitude. Back then it was located a bit away from the current building in a small farm, but in 1891 the current timber-walled hotel was constructed. “The hotel has a lot of history, but the rooms have been newly renovated so it is a nice and comfortable place to stay too,” says Tagestad. “We use to say that the hotel has its own soul. There is so much history in the walls and everybody who stays here has had the same impression.”

Laidback comfort

The secluded location of Fefor hotel and its peaceful atmosphere ensures that a stay will be absolutely free of stress during both day and night. When back from the many outdoor activities, most guests kick back in either the restaurant, bar, library, or one of the cosy gathering rooms with crackling fireplaces, says Tagestad. “In the evening most people just relax because they are so tired from being out all day skiing. They like just to have a good dinner, lay back and maybe read a book or play a board game. It is not a party place, but we have a mix of guests here, both young couples and families.”

Guests can stay in one of the hotel’s 114 rooms of which 22 are family rooms or in one of the 20 timber cabins. The cabins have their own kitchens and all enjoy beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Of course a day inside does not have to mean lying on your back for hours and hours. To tempt you away from the fireplace, the hotel also has squash courts and, of course, an indoor swimming pool with a panoramic view.

All in all, it is hard not to take Tagestad at her word when she says: “It is really difficult to describe, you just have to come up here!”

For more details visit: www.fefor.no