Skiing, Healthcare and Pig Research

Inlandet news from the last 48 hours has been marked by the opening of the first ski slopes at Beitostølen, three weeks before the start of the cross-country skiing World Cup season. Research on pigs in the «Med hjerte for grisen» project at Hamar and Gjøvik could help kidney patients. In healthcare, hormone therapy is being expanded for some women, while the Solås centre in Gjøvik is closing its doors.

Innlandet news: the ski trails open at Beitostølen

In Beitostølen, in the county of Innlandet, a 2.5-kilometre loop is ready for use this weekend at the Beitostølen stadium. Rune Lyhus, head of trails, confirms that the season is underway. “The season is really under way,” he tells NRK Innlandet. This opening is among the most-followed Innlandet news stories of this early weekend. It comes about three weeks before the cross-country skiing elite competes in its first race at the same venue.

Preparing the trails relies on a stored stock of snow. Temperatures remain positive for now, which increases the risk of melting when several tonnes of snow are spread across the cross-country ski trails. Rune Lyhus calls it a “gamble” and explains that the cold expected on the nights of next week should save these early trails. “Thanks to the cold nights next week, it should be fine,” he says to NRK Innlandet.

NRK Innlandet also followed the first steps on these trails in a report about the start of the skiing season. The aim is to allow the public to ski before the athletes arrive. Conditions remain dependent on the weather, but the setup is in place to welcome skiers.

Research: Pigs to help kidney patients

At the research centre, 10 pigs have been monitored by CT scans every 2 weeks since they weighed 15 kilos until today, when some have reached 130 kilos. The project « Med hjerte for grisen » is led by NMBU, Norsvin in Hamar and NTNU in Gjøvik. It aims to improve understanding of the physiology of the heart and kidneys, because pigs’ organs are similar to humans’, particularly in terms of size (NRK Innlandet).

One of the findings concerns the use of contrast agents. During cardiac examinations in humans, this agent is necessary, but it can cause problems in kidney patients. Data collected from the pigs could help tailor these examinations for people with kidney failure. “The aim is for the research to benefit both pigs and humans,” says NRK Innlandet. The project brings together veterinarians and doctors, and the regular scans make it possible to track changes in the organs over several months (NRK Innlandet).

Health: expanded hormone therapy, Solås closure

The Norwegian Medical Products Agency (DMP) announced on Friday that women suffering from severe and prolonged menopausal symptoms will soon be eligible for subsidised hormone therapy, known as a “blue prescription”. Until now, this scheme was reserved for women with premature ovarian failure or early menopause. Thea K. Eriksen, who lives in Lillehammer, is already receiving this treatment and is pleased by the expansion. “I really think this is very good,” she tells NRK Innlandet. She emphasises that hormonal imbalances have significant implications for daily and professional life.

In Gjøvik, the Solås centre has seen its final day. Of 43 permanent employees, 21 will continue their work in Ottestad. Eleven employees who were reassigned have secured another position in the healthcare company, while 11 have left their jobs, according to Line Fuglehaug of Sykehuset Innlandet to NRK Innlandet. Anette Skarpengeland, a nurse at Solås, believes it is sad that half of the workforce will not continue. “It’s not that they don’t want to come, it’s the daily logistics,” she explains. The closure of the Solås site was controversial, particularly because of its impact on rehabilitation services and the professional community in western Innlandet county (NRK Innlandet).

📌 Local briefs

A man in his thirties was taken to Ullevål Hospital on Friday evening with a serious gunshot wound. He is suspected of reckless handling of a firearm. The man did not wish to explain himself on Saturday, but will be questioned later, according to the police (NRK Innlandet).

A party got out of control on Friday night into Saturday, with many young people intoxicated, according to Hamar Arbeiderblad. The newspaper reports that the event required intervention.

The restaurant located in Hamar square expressed concerns, and its plans were ultimately withdrawn, according to Hamar Arbeiderblad. In addition, Øystein was awarded the Vågåfatet for his commitment, according to GD Gudbrandsdølen.

Sources: NRK Innlandet, Hamar Arbeiderblad, GD Gudbrandsdølen — Period: 31 October 2026 and 1 November 2026