Vikingskipet

Stadium Olympic speed skating arena shaped like a longship

Built for the 1994 Winter Olympics in Hamar, Vikingskipet (the Viking Ship) is an indoor arena famous for speed-skating events; visitors attend sports fixtures, fairs and occasional exhibitions.

Main image

Vikingskipet is an indoor arena in Hamar in Innlandet county, Norway, built as the speed skating venue for the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics and nicknamed for its ship-like shape.

The venue hosts long-track speed skating competitions and is regularly used for fairs, concerts and large indoor events outside the winter sports calendar. The main hall has substantial spectator capacity and an Olympic-size track suitable for international competition.

The arena sits on the shore of Lake Mjøsa in Hamar and forms part of the town’s cluster of sports and exhibition facilities.

  • Primary use: The hall was built for the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics and is commonly used today for speed skating, concerts and large exhibitions.
Vikingskipet
Vikingskipet (Viking Ship arena), Hamar / Innlandet, Norway
60.7930, 11.1009

How to Get to Vikingskipet #

Vikingskipet (the Hamar Olympic Hall) is in Hamar, Innlandet. By train take Vy regional/intercity services on the Oslo-Hamar route to Hamar Station; from Hamar station the arena is a short taxi ride or roughly a 20-25 minute walk (about 1.5-2 km) depending on the route. By car follow the E6 motorway to Hamar and follow local signs for Hamar Olympiaparken / Vikingskipet; there is on-site parking during events.

Tips for Visiting Vikingskipet #

  • Check the venue's event calendar and opening hours before you go: Vikingskipet is an active event arena, so public access and guided visits are often scheduled around competitions or concerts.
  • Public transport from Hamar town is the simplest approach; the hall is a short walk from central Hamar and the lakeshore, so combine a visit with the Mjøsa waterfront.

Best Time to Visit Vikingskipet #

Visit Vikingskipet outside scheduled events (weekday mornings or the summer lull) for the lowest crowds; expect high congestion on event days.

Peak (event days - busiest)
Variable (notably winter months for ice events) · indoor, N/A
Very busy on days with sporting events, competitions and large exhibitions - expect crowds and limited seating availability.
Off-peak (weekday mornings & non-event days)
All year (best weekdays) · indoor, N/A
Quieter outside scheduled events; easier access and more relaxed visits during weekday mornings or between events.
Summer (typically quieter)
June-August · indoor, N/A
Often less crowded when there are fewer major ice events, though occasional concerts or exhibitions can attract visitors.

Weather & Climate near Vikingskipet #

Climate

Vikingskipet's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -12°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (541 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 24 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyMayJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
31°
Warmest Month
-32°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -4°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

34 Poor

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-11° -4°
98%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

31 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.0
UV Index
Low
6.4h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -12°C. The driest month with just 21 mm and mostly overcast skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-12° -3°
99%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

21 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.8h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-7°
97%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

30 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
11.6h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

28 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
14.4h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
16°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
17.0h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
20°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
18.5h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 70 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
10° 22°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
17.8h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
20°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
15.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Low
12.7h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-4°
98%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.2h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-9° -3°
98%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.0
UV Index
Low
5.5h daylight

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