On 1 January 1866, the western district of Lom (population: 2,691) was separated and established as the new municipality of Skiaker.

The official blazon is "Azure, three shovels argent palewise in fess" (Norwegian: På blå grunn tre sølv skjeltrekor).

This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is three vertical spades lined up horizontally.

The charge has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used.

These spades (Norwegian: skjeltrekor) were historically used to scoop water from the irrigation channels typical for the area.

In the 17th century, a system was developed in which melting water from the mountains was transported to the area using wooden channels or aqueducts.

An ancient trade route passed up from Sunnmøre through Lom and Skjåk and down the Gudbrandsdalen valley into Eastern Norway.

The church also contains numerous examples of local woodcarving, as seen in the elaborate acanthus scrolls adorning the pulpit.

The Garmo Stave Church, which was built around 1150, has been relocated from Lom municipality and is now at Maihaugen in Lillehammer.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Lom is made up of 17 representatives that are elected to four year terms.

Lom is bordered on the northwest by the municipality of Skjåk, in the north by Lesja, in the east and southeast by Vågå, in the south by Vang all in Innlandet county.

The main village of Fossbergom is situated in the Ottadalen valley at an elevation of 382 metres (1,253 ft) above sea level.

The large mountain areas in Lom are much colder and have more precipitation; snowy weather is possible even in summer at altitudes above 2,000 metres (6,600 ft).