Scandinavia Archives - The Best Viewpoints

Flytoget - transport from Oslo airport to the city centre

December 9, 2025 • 0 Comment

The best way to/from Oslo Gardermoen Airport?

There are many options how to travel between Oslo Gardermoen Airport and Oslo city centre and that’s a good thing. Some travellers want the fastest option, others prefer the cheapest one, and some just want an easy and stress-free transfer. I put together a clear overview of all the possibilities so you can choose what fits you best. For convenience, I also share current prices of the transport options. And of course – there’s also a little secret Gardemoen tip at the end. Don’t skip it 😉

My blog mainly focuses on adventures in Scandinavia, but I often get questions from my readers about transports from Scandinavian airports including Oslo Gardemoen so I decided to answer all of them by this valuable article. I love Oslo and I used all possible transportations between the airport and the city centre so here is a complete guide to getting to and from Gardermoen for you.

Travelling between an airport and a city centre is often expensive, and Oslo is no exception – especially if you look at the fastest train option. But the good news is that there are several alternatives, and some of them are much cheaper. Below you’ll find all the main options, from the most expensive to the cheapest.

Oslo train station and its departure board — *Oslo train station offers multiple options how to get to Gardemoen airport. Which one will you choose?*

The fastest travel from Gardermoen Airport to the city centre

The most commonly used option is the airport train Flytoget. It’s popular mainly because it’s fast, reliable, and easy to use. Trains go every 10–20 minutes and take only 19–22 minutes to reach Oslo Central Station.

A one-way ticket costs 258 NOK, which is not cheap but there are discounts for seniors and students (half price). If you are in hurry, it’s worth the price. You pay for comfort and speed. Flytoget is especially popular among business travellers and people who don’t want to think too much after landing – just hop on and go. Check out more info including current departures on the Flytoget website.

Shining sign of Flytoget at Oslo train station — *It’s easy to find Flytoget on the main train station in Oslo thanks to these shining signs*

The most popular travel from Gardermoen Airport to Oslo city centre

This is the best solution for you if you compare the price and speed to the city centre. If you want to save money, public transport is the way to go. Regular trains operated by Vy run between Gardermoen and Oslo Central Station. The journey takes about 23–25 minutes, so only a few minutes longer than Flytoget. If you decide to go with this option, it’s easiest to book the tickets in Vy app. You will also find departure times in the app.

A one-way ticket costs around 129 NOK (no discount for students), which is half the price of the Flytoget ticket if you pay full price. Surprisingly, the price is the same if you are student since Vy doesn’t offer student discounts for journeys between the airport and the city centre.

Do you want a special tip form a local?

I got this tip from my friend in Oslo and it saved me a lot of money: If you plan to use also public transport in Oslo later, I recommend to get your ticket in the public transport app Ruter. Tickets purchased in the app are also valid for your route to the airport as Gardermoen lies within the valid zones. Just be careful, you have to buy all the zones you pass between the city centre and Oslo airport. This makes it one of the best value options. You can plan everything easily on the Ruter app.

*Boarding Vy train from Oslo train station to Gardemoen airport*

The most convenient journey from Oslo Gardermoen to Oslo and other cities/villages nearby

Just like anywhere else in the world, taxi and Uber are the most convenient options to get from the airport. Taxis are waiting right outside the terminal, while Uber can be slightly cheaper if you don’t mind waiting a bit. If you want to book a local taxi, I recommend Oslo taxi.

The price to the city centre is usually between 700–1,200 NOK, depending on traffic and your final destination. The journey takes around 40–50 minutes. I personally choose this option when travelling with a group (splitting the cost helps a lot) or when I have a lot of luggage and want to be dropped off directly at my accommodation which might be far from the city centre.

Oslo - Holmenkollen ski jump — *If you are short of time and would like to visit one of the most interesting sights of Oslo – Holmenkollen, it’s worth to take taxi since you save a lot of time skipping Oslo city centre*

The most popular bus connection from Gardermoen Airport to Oslo

An alternative to trains is the Flybussen Express Bus, which offers direct connections between Oslo Gardermoen Airport and several parts of Oslo. I don’t really recommend this option if you want to get to the city centre because the bus is slower and more expensive than trains but it might be good for you if you want to go to the areas where the bus stops on the way. Check out the bus stops to find out if it’s a good alternative for you.

Flybussen runs every 15–30 minutes and stops at major hotels, transport hubs, and neighbourhoods, which makes it a very convenient option if your accommodation is not close to Oslo Central Station. The journey usually takes around 45–55 minutes, depending on traffic. A one-way ticket costs 259 NOK when bought online in advance, and slightly more if purchased on board. Flybussen is a good choice if you prefer a direct, easy transfer without changing transport and don’t mind a slightly longer travel time compared to the train.

Another bus option is operated by OSL Expressen. It operates routes to the east of Oslo and it serves 22 stops in the Nordstrand and Lindeberg city districts. There are two departures every hour and the price start from 195 NOK (students from 153 NOK).

Jumping into the sea in Oslo after sauna time in front of Oslo opera — *Whatever means of transport you’ll choose to get from Gardemoen airport to Oslo, you will for sure enjoy your stay, look what fun after sauna you can have in the city centre*

What is the best accommodation at Oslo Gardemoen airport?

If you land very late at Oslo Gardemoen airport or if you fly very early from there, I recommend to stay in Radisson Blu Airport hotel. It’s the closest hotel from all the gates and it’s comfortable with a fantastic breakfast.

Fun fact: You can walk through a forest… at the Oslo airport

Norwegians love nature and hiking and you can see it even at the largest airport in the country. Oslo Gardermoen Airport is built right in the middle of a former forest area, and nature is still a big part of its design. Inside the terminal, you’ll find large wooden structures made from Norwegian timber, and if you step just outside the airport, you can actually walk into real forest trails within minutes. It’s probably one of the few major airports in the world where nature feels this close.

Couple enjoying view of Oslo from mountain Vettakollen — *Hiking is amazing in Oslo too. Such view you can have from mountain Vettakollen for example*

Would you like to read more tips about Scandinavia?

Look for some inspiration for your trip. I am preparing right now an article about the best viewpoints in Oslo. In the meantime, you can check out also my other articles about Scandinavia.

October 28, 2025 • 0 Comment

Practical Guide to see Northern Lights in 2025/26

Northern lights are one of the most amazing natural wonders which you can witness on planet Earth. I have been hunting aurora borealis since 2012 when I moved to the north of Sweden. It was actually before mobile phones could capture it and only few people knew how to hunt it. Throughout the years, I learnt every detail about this fantastic phenomenon and I decided to share my knowledge with you so everyone can see the miracle at least once in life. First, I will explain what northern lights actually are. Why do they occur mostly nearby poles but can sometimes be seen as south as in Mexico or Africa? Then, I will give you tips on what app you should use for hunting northern lights and in which locations including accommodation tips you will have the best chance to see this miracle. Finally and most importantly, I will summarize my best tips to witness northern or southern lights anywhere on our planet so you are ready when the next big solar storm is here. Happy hunting!

Examples of strong northern light events

Before I start explaining everything important about northern lights, step by step, I would like to show you some examples. There have been many wonderful northern lights shows in the last years and more are coming. Do you want to see a spectacular show like the one in 10th May 2024? It was a night that the whole world will remember for a long time: we witnessed the strongest aurora borealis and australis in 21 years! It was so strong that aurora was visible as south as in Florida or on the Canary Islands. It means that basically everyone in the whole Europe and the whole US could see this fantastic phenomenon if there was a clear sky. I myself watched northern lights in Stockholm where the sky was on fire and I could even see the dancing in all possible colours with the naked eye! Would you like to see similar northern lights in the future? Follow my tips and tricks as well as tips for guiding tours and best accommodations to see the northern lights around the world at the end of the article.

Colourful northern lights in Stockholm archipelago — *Record strong northern lights on 10th May 2024 in Stockholm archipelago*

Unique real time northern lights movie from Stockholm

The strong northern lights event of 10th May 2024 was spread across media all around the world and it was unique by its strength. But did you know the aurora shows are happening much more often? I managed to record a fantastic northern light show on my camera on 14th January 2022 and it was also visble across half of Europe and the US and only a few people knew about it. I got many nice comments but unfortunately also many sad messages: “I missed it. When and where can I see the northern lights next time? How did you know there will be aurora borealis that day?” I decided to help out and write this guide. This is all you need to know this fantastic phenomenon.

Exceptionally strong northern lights in Stockholm

What are northern lights?

To understand when and how you can witness northern lights, you have to know first what the lights actually are and how they are caused. First, let’s take a look at the official Wikipedia definition:

“Auroras are the result of disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by solar wind. These disturbances alter the trajectories of charged particles in the magnetospheric plasma. These particles, mainly electrons and protons, precipitate into the upper atmosphere (thermosphere/exosphere). The resulting ionization and excitation of atmospheric constituents emit light of varying colour and complexity.”

In simple words: northern lights are caused by solar activity which reaches our planet via charged particles and they react with the Earth’s magnetic field. The reaction causes lights nearby the magnetic poles of our planet (which are nearby the actual North and South Pole). The animation below will make it even more clear:

*How do northern lights work?*
*Source Imgur.com*

Why is it important to know this to forecast northern lights? It’s easy. By observing the Sun we can predict the aurora activity. Strong northern lights usually occur after unusual activity on the Sun (to make it simple let’s call them eruptions) and it takes approximately 3 days until the charged particles reach our atmosphere and cause the northern lights.

What is Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis?

Aurora Borealis is simply another term for northern lights. It means the same, just a more fancy and epic name 🙂 But did you know that there are also southern lights? The reaction between solar activity Earth’s magnetic field causes lights also in the south so southern lights can be seen from the south of South America, Australia and New Zealand. These lights are called Aurora Australis.

The term aurora occured first in 1619 when Galileo named these fascinating lights according to the Roman Aurora, goddess of the dawn. On the contrary, the words borealis and australis are coming from Greek mythology. These name are derived from ancient gods – specifically of the north wind (Boreas) and the south wind (Auster).

*Northern lights in the north of Sweden at fascinating Kungsleden trail*

What time of the year is the best to see northern lights?

This is a very frequent question on social media under northern lights related topics and I often see random answers such as: “You can see them from January to March because it’s the coldest.” Bullshit. In fact you can see aurora borealis basically anytime when the sky is dark, when there are no clouds, and when the Sun is active.

The Sun doesn’t really think of when to make the largest eruptions based on the position of the Earth. The solar eruptions happen through the whole year, so be ready to see aurora anytime when there is dark sky if you live in Stockholm or even more north. I have seen the earliest aurora in the middle of August and the latest at the end of April. Check out the sunrise and sunset times for Stockholm. You can also insert your city in the link to see the results for you. The auroras can be seen during night and astronomical twilight.

Northern Lights in Umeå — *Northern lights captured at midnight on 25 April 2013 in Umeå. The sky is not dark anymore*

If you are making a trip with the main purpose to see aurora, then plan it so you have a statistically bigger chance to see northern lights. Remember:

The longer the nights last, the bigger chance to see it.
Consider also the climate. Choose months with less cloudy/rainy/snowy days.
Warmer days are also giving you a higher chance since you will be willing to wait longer outside for northern lights to show up compared to when it is -20.
Choose a time when there is no full moon. Moonlight is very strong and makes it more difficult to see aurora.

Where in Europe and America is it the best to watch northern lights?

The auroras usually occur behind the polar circle but are more rare in the south. The geomagnetic activity is measured by the so called Kp index. It is a scale of numbers between 0-9. Using this scale, it is easy to determine what Kp number you need to have a chance of seeing auroras where you are (read more about the Kp index here). These are the values to follow for cities across Sweden.

Kp 1: Kiruna, Narvik, Rovaniemi (Europe), Fairbanks, Whitehorse (Northern America): happens almost every day
Kp 3: Ålesund, Sundsvall, Jyväskylä (Europe), Calgary, Thunder Bay (Northern America): happens usually a few times every week
Kp 5: Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo, north of Scotland (Europe), Seattle, Toronto, Halifax (North America): happens usually 1700 times during one solar cycle – ca 11 years. In 2022, northern lights were reported visible 42 times in Stockholm or more in the south! It’s pretty often!
Kp 7: London, Brussels, Cologne, Warsaw (Europe), Salt Lake City, Denver, Nashville (Northern America: happens usually 200 times during one solar cycle
Kp 9: Barcelona, Marseille, Rome, Bucharest (Europe), Miami, Houston, Los Angeles (usually 4 times during one solar cycle)

The Kp 1 is common. It means you can see the northern lights fir instance in Kiruna almost every day. The more south you are, the less often you will have the chance. Keep in mind that these numbers don’t guarantee aurora. Forecasts are not 100% correct and there are of course exceptions. I have seen northern lights in Stockholm when there was Kp 3 shown in the forecast but I didn’t see anything with Kp 6. There are better tools to follow. See below.

Northern Lights Kiruna — *Strong aurora captured overhead in Kiruna.*

What app is the best to forecast northern lights?

I have downloaded ten different northern lights apps and followed multiple websites and the most important thing to say is: it is very difficult to predict the northern lights activity and the apps are often wrong. The long term forecast is very unreliable. Since you know how the northern lights occur you understand this now. It is difficult to predict exactly when the Earth is hit by charged particles. That’s why it is better to follow short term forecasts and ideally live observations. I recommend following:

Do you speak Swedish? Follow FB page Norrsken. Actually, follow it even if you don’t speak Swedish. The FB translator works pretty well. The page Norrsken makes an amazing analysis every day when there is a chance to see northern lights in Sweden and they also organize observation feeds for all such days. Thanks to that you can see live observations from many followers around the country. It has just reached 100 000 followers so there is a lot of fresh data.
Follow the Soft Serve News website and its FB page. There you can see the short term forecast and they also notify about upcoming geomagnetic storms (Kp 5 and higher). Besides the Kp number you should also check Bz on their website. To make it simple: it should be negative so you can see great aurora. Another good thing is to check the Ovation map. If the map is yellow or ideally red then there are almost for sure northern lights in Stockholm at the moment.
Download one of the apps which offers notifications at certain Kp levels. I have for example the app Aurora Pro and I set the Kp notification at 5.
Download the weather app Windy. It won’t help you with the northern lights forecast, but it will help you plan where to go. If you click on the “cloud” layer you see how the clouds will be moving during evening. Make sure that there are no clouds in the north. Windy is a great weather app in general since you can check multiple weather forecast models there.
For further information and forecasts forecasts you can also check out these links: Space Weather Live, NOAA, Live camera in Abisko.

Patience is key to see northern lights!

I fell in love with aurora borealis when I moved to Sweden 10 years ago. I was studying at Umeå University and since the city lies pretty far in the north there is often a high chance to see aurora. Hunting northern lights quickly became my favourite hobby. I had a lot of great experiences which I could use later when I moved to Stockholm. Here in Stockholm I have seen many auroras too but two of them stand out: the one which I introduced at the beginning of this article and also in 2017. That time I managed to photograph an amazing panorama at Monteliusvägen.

That day my fiancée and I were waiting for two hours in freezing temperatures. She later decided to give up and went home. Luckily I stayed and after 10 minutes the amazing display began. I quickly called her to come back and she thought I was joking. It took some time to persuade her that it was not a joke. She ran back just in time to witness this beauty.

Unbelieveable northern lights taken in the heart of Stockholm — *Unbelievable northern lights in the middle of Stockholm taken at Monteliusvägen*

Remember, this doesn’t always happen. It happened many times that we saw nothing. My success rate to see aurora in Stockholm is only one in four! You have to try, try and try but once you manage you will never forget the moment.

How do I decide if I go northern lights hunting in Stockholm? I check the above mentioned sources daily. It only takes a few minutes and you can see directly if there is a chance that day. If I see a possibility for the upcoming night (meaning the Kp 5 or higher is expected) I prepare my equipment. Besides camera and tripod, we always bring warm clothes, hot drinks and we often barbecue. I often go hunting with my fiancée or with friends. Even if we don’t spot any northern lights that evening we still have a great time! Remember, patience is the most important. The longer you stay outside the higher chance you have to see the northern lights.

What is the best location to see aurora (not only in Stockholm)?

In general, it is important to have a clear view over the northern horizon and to be on a dark spot. I recommend being on the southern shore of a large lake or sea with a great view to the north. In Stockholm, Lappis beach is perfect for instance. I also like the Monteliusvägen viewpoint but there is a big problem. There is a lot of light pollution in the city center which makes it more difficult to see auroras. Try to find a spot as dark as possible. The best area nearby Stockholm is the archipelago. Check out the Light Pollution Map.

Aurora Borealis at Lappis beach in Stockholm — *Aurora Borealis at Lappis beach with ca hundreds of happy students*

Book the best northern lights tour in northern Europe or Alaska

Are you living far from the north? Would you like to make sure you will see northern lights on your trip and have also wonderful pictures? Book a northern lights guided tour. The tour operators are experts in their areas and they know where to see northern lights even when weather forecast says it will be cloudy. Here are my recommendations for the best northern lights in northern Europe:

Sweden: Abisko northern lights tour – Abisko is a small Sámi village nearby Kiruna known for exceptionally good weather compared to the surrounding area because it is hidden by mountains around. Witness aurora borealis here in this magical place with comfortable transport from Kiruna.
Norway: Tromsö northern lights tour with free photos – Tromsö has a fantastic location for northern lights as you can drive from there to multiple directions including Finland and that’s why it’s easier there to find a clear sky. It can’t be cloudy everywhere!
Norway: Lofoten islands – Do you want to witness northern lights in the most spectacular landscape? Go for Lofoten. These islands offer fantastic views with sharp mountains emerging from the ocean and picturesque villages.
Iceland: Small-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik – If you visit Iceland and plan to make a long trip, you will very likely see northern lights at some point. If you visit Iceland though just for short time and you plan to stay only in the capital Reykjavik, book this trip. It’s organized in just a small group and the guides are real experts.
Finland: Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Tour with Guaranteed Sightings – Finland is also a paradise for aurora borealis watching. Book this best rated guided tour in the village of Santa Claus Ravaniemi which guarantees sighting of aurora borealis.
Alaska: Fairbanks: Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour – If you would like to see northern lights in northern America you will have the biggest chance at Alaska. Most trips are offered from Fairbanks and this tour has best reviews. It also includes a visit of Chena Hot Springs.

Tips for accommodation around the world to see northern lights

As i explained earlier in this article, you will have a higher chance to see northern lights the more north you travel. At the same times, it’s necessary to find a spot without light pollution to see aurora borealis as bright as possible. Therefore, I recommend remote accommodations far from cities. Keep in mind that booking accommodation at these places doesn’t guarantee seeing northern lights. You also need clear sky. I selected for you places where you have pretty high chance but to make it even higher, I recommend to book a guided tour which I recommended earlier.

Sweden: I will just repeat here that Abisko is the best place to see aurora borealis in Sweden. There is also a very nice accommodation STF Abisko Turiststation where you can experience not only northern lights but also a lot of other activities including sauna or ice climbing. If you are looking for an adventure, you can also spend night at Swedish Ice hotel (warm rooms are offered too) which is also known as a good spot to see aurora borealis.
Finland: This unique Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in the north of Rovaniemi is beautifully hidden in the nature so you will be far from light pollution. Here you can marvel at northern lights even from the warmth of your room through large windows.
Iceland: In the land of fire and ice, I strongly recommend to book hotel Ranga to witness aurora borealis. It isn’t far to drive from Reykjavik but far enough to have zero light pollution and thus excellent conditions to watch nights sky.
Alaska: The best accommodation at Fairbanks to see aurora can be found at Aurora Villa which has a perfect remote location and large windows so you can watch the dancing beauty in the sky from the warmth of your accommodation.

Wedding or proposal under northern lights?

Would you like to witness northern lights during one of the most important moments of your life? I work as an elopement photographer and I plan weddings and proposal under northern lights in Scandinavia. Would you like to here more? Contact me for more information on my elopement website.

Couple under northern lights in Finland — *My fiancée and I enjoying northern lights*

Next article: How to photograph aurora?

Do you have any questions about aurora? Let me know and I can add it to my article. For next article I am planning to write about how to photograph and film aurora so you can take nice picture and movies. Keep posted! In the meantime you can check out my expedition during which I climbed the highest mountain of every European country.

Strong northern lights in the snowy landscape of northern Sweden

October 21, 2025 • 0 Comment

Your ultimate guide for Kungsleden in winter

Do you know where you can experience one of Europe’s last true wildernesses? If you haven’t heard of the mythical Kungsleden (translated as the King’s Trail) in northern Sweden, read carefully. It’s a 470 km long trail from Hemavan to Abisko that leads through a beautiful unspoiled mountain landscape full of vast lakes, high mountains and deep valleys. The trail is very popular in summer, but you can experience the greatest adventure on Kungsleden in winter. My friend Rikki and I decided to explore the most interesting part of the trail, the 107 km journey from Abisko along Sweden’s highest mountain, Kebnekaise, to Nikkaluokta to see what this winter adventure entails. Check out this blog post for all info you need before your own trip.

Book a guided trip on Kungsleden in winter

Before you start reading about Kungsleden in winter, I have big news. Due to many reactions and big interests of this article, I decided to organize a trip from Abisko to Nikkaluokta on skis and it became true in 2025! It was amazing! Twelve adventurers had a fantastic skiing experience and we witnessed also many times northern lights! For enhanced safety, we were two experienced guides which made an opportunity to split in two speed groups and we had a lot of fun. Both us guides and the guests were so happy with the trip that I decided to make this trip annually. Would you like to hear more? Send me an email to info@jardazaoral.com and I will give you detailed information about Winter Kungsleden expedition 2026. I will organize two expeditions. The first trip will be held from 30th March to 6th April 2026 (last available spot) and the second one from 7th April to 14th April 2026 (4 spots available)! If these dates don’t work for you, I can also organize a private trip. We will be doing the trip on skis with overnight stays in all the huts on the way. It’s the best date highering chance of good weather together with great chance to see the northern lights. But before that, read below my experience and tips.

How to get to Kungsleden?

Most visitors of Kungsleden start their journey in Abisko. The most convenient way to get there is to ﬂy to Stockholm Arlanda airport, and then take a direct overnight train right at the airport train station, which will take you to the starting point at the Abisko Turiststation stop. You will very likely meet other winter enthusiasts in the train and spend valuable time talking about upcoming adventures with them. The train offers comfortable beds so you can rest well before you wake up right at the start of the adventure.

Another and slightly quicker option is to ﬂy to Kiruna, Sweden via Stockholm Arlanda airport. From Kiruna you can take a bus and train to Abisko. However, I don’t recommend this option if you have a lot of equipment with you. Because of the multiple transfers, this option is less convenient.

The way back depends on where you ﬁnish your journey on Kungsleden. In our case, we ended up in Nikkaluokta, from where we took a bus to the station in Kiruna. From there we took again the overnight train to the airport in Stockholm.

Abisko National Park and its frozen river covered by snow — *The expedition starts in the beautiful Abisko National Park, where you can wander along the frozen river Abisko*

Where to sleep on Kungsleden in winter?

In winter, 99% of visitors stay overnight in local mountain huts, which can be found every 10 to 20 km along the way. You can ﬁnd a complete list of them on the Swedish Tourist Association’s (STF) website. These huts offer cozy accommodation that is usually simple but functional. For a fee of 500 SEK (in 2025 if you are a member of the STF) you get everything you need in this inhospitable and frozen landscape. If you’re planning on staying inside, it’s deﬁnitely recommended to become an STF member before your trip, as you’ll get signiﬁcant discounts at all the huts along the way. The huts offer all the essentials you need during your winter adventure:

Sleeping rooms: Huts offer shared sleeping rooms, usually in the form of dormitories. They are equipped with mattresses, duvets and pillows, but you have to bring your own bedding. I recommend a lightweight summer sleeping bag to ensure warmth and comfort.
Kitchen facilities: Basic cooking equipment such as cookers, pots, pans and utensils are available in the cottages so tourists can bring their own food and prepare it there.
Drinking water supply: The cottages have drinking water sources that visitors can use for drinking and cooking. However, water must be brought from a water source that may be up to a kilometre away. Housekeepers will show you how to get the water. It’s an exciting activity and it will be one of your favourite adventures on the trip.
Shop: Huts sell a basic range of food. Check the Swedish Tourist Board STF website in advance for the current offer.
Limited electricity and lighting: Be prepared for that there is no electricity in the cottages. You can charge your batteries only with your own power banks which are necessary for this trip. In the evening kerosene lamps and candles are used as sources of light.
Information: Some lodges have satellite internet access so visitors can get additional weather information, which is often crucial for planning the following days.
Toilets and sanitary facilities: There are dry toilets at the villages and saunas are used for washing. Before entering the sauna, you can wash yourself with warm water from barrels.

Aurora borealis over the huts in the Sámi village Abiskojaure — *Aurora borealis over the huts in the second stop Abiskojaure*

TIP FOR PEOPLE WHO PLAN TO SLEEP IN A TENT: You can also use the cabins even if you don’t want to stay overnight. For a fee of SEK 200 (per person per day in 2024) you can sleep in a tent next to the villages and use all the services listed above. This makes it a great alternative for adventurers who decide to go on Kungsleden with their own tent and sledge. This was also our case, and we were only going to use the huts for overnight stays in case of emergency or bad weather.

It worked out very well. In the end we managed to stay all nights outside but we sometimes took advantage of the facilities of local huts. They were very comfortable and cozy. It was very nice to warm up for a while and to make delicious food inside.

*Winter camping on Kungsleden is an unforgettable experience*

What is the best route for Kungsleden in winter?

In winter, the route is some kilometers shorter than in summer, because the lakes on Kungsleden are all covered in ice and snow. This is a nice advantage compared to summer but as you have to carry more equipment, the journey is much more demanding and therefore slower than in summer. We wanted to try the most popular and most beautiful part of Kungsleden so we set out for a trip from Abisko to Nikkaluokta. This is the most common itinerary:

Day 1: From Abisko to Abiskojaure: The ﬁrst day is a warm-up. You will only have 13 km to go with a gentle climb of around 100 elevation meters.
Day 2: From Abiskojaure to Alesjaure: The second day is the most challenging of the entire journey to Nikkaluokta. You have to prepare for a 20 km long trip and 400 elevation meters.
Day 3: From Alesjaure to Tjäktja hut: The third critical day is fortunately not that long. However, you have to prepare for a steeper climb of 300 elevation meters at the end. Look forward to this day because the Tjäktja hut offers fantastic views and perfect view to the north so you have an amazing chance to see northern lights from here.
Day 4: From Tjäktja to Sälka: Not far from the Tjäktja hut, you will reach the highest point of the whole trip – the Tjäktja Pass. Here you will be exactly halfway on the way from Abisko to Nikkaluokta. At the pass you can rest in an emergency shelter before the biggest descent of the whole trip. This is the only place of the whole trip where the descent is steep, so be careful when descending this 2 km downhill. The whole route from Tjäktja to Sälka is 13 km long and you will climb 150 m right at the start and then you can look forward to descending 350 m.
Day 5: From Sälka to Singi: The shortest day is only 12 km long, with 80 m of elevation gain and 190 m of descent. It is the easiest day of the whole trip so you can take it easy and take a longer relax in the beautiful valley where Singi lies. It’s good to have one short day in the itinerary because this day also serves as a reserve day in case it isn’t possible to move on any of the previous days due to tough weather conditions. Yes, it sometimes happens due to a storm. It can happen that you have to stay the whole day in a hut and then make a longer stretch and manage a trip from Tjäktja to Singi in one day for instance.
Day 6: From Singi to Kebnekaise fjällstation: This 15 km long route leads over a pass with a beautiful view and then through a deep valley to the foot of Sweden’s highest mountain, Kebnekaise. This is my favorite day of the whole journey as it offers fantastic views over the Kebnekaise massif.
Day 7: From Kebnekaise Fjällstation to Nikkaluokta: The last day is very long, ca 20 km and probably the least interesting. That’s why most tourists decide to shorten this route and pass it on snowmobiles to catch a bus from Nikkalookakta to Kiruna, which awkwardly runs only once a day at 12:00 sharp.

Tent in the valley under Kebnekaise and under northern lights at Kungsleden in winter — *Wonderful northern lights above our tent at a valley nearby Kebnekaise fjällstation*

You can see from the route description above that the whole route is mostly ﬂat or with just a small up/downhill. However, if you carry a lot of equipment, you will feel the 300 meters of altitude in your body. We deﬁnitely did!

If you’re planning to travel with a tent, you have a slight advantage. You are much more ﬂexible and can adjust your daily mileage depending on how you feel. In fact, you are allowed to camp anywhere in Sweden as long as you set a tent at least 150 m from a household. The only exception is national parks so be careful with planning your first two days. During these you will be hiking in Abisko National Park and you are only allowed to camp in designated areas, namely right next to the Abisko STF hut in Abiskojaure and at a designated camping site called Nissonjokk. Nissonjokk is the only place out of these three where you don’t have to pay for the tenting spot (in Abisko and in Abiskojaure, it costs 200 SEK to tent and you can use the facilities).

When is the best time to visit Kungsleden in winter?

Compared to the the rest of Europe, the winter season in northern Sweden starts much later. This is due to the short days in December and January and the extremely cold weather then. In 2024, the local huts were open between 16/2 and 21/4. Which date to choose? My recommendation is the end of March.

At the end of March temperatures tend to be more comfortable than in the second half of February or during early March and the days are already long enough to manage your daily trips. The end of March is also great when it comes to the chance of seeing the Northern Lights. On the contrary, April nights are already short so there is smaller chance of seeing the Northern Lights and you don’t want to miss them. It’s one of the biggest attractions of a every Kungsleden trip. If you want to know more about northern lights, check out my article Practical Guide to see Northern Lights.

Climb from Abiskojaure to Alesjaure rewards you with beautiful views — *The longest climb from Abiskojaure to Alesjaure rewards you with beautiful views*

Weather on Kungsleden in winter

In winter, the weather on Kungsleden can be very harsh and unpredictable, which is why this route requires thorough preparation and proper equipment. Be prepared for very low temperatures. In winter, temperatures on the Kungsleden can be well below freezing. Temperatures below -10°C or even -20°C are not at all unusual.

However, the low temperatures aren’t the biggest challenge on Kungsleden. Severe cold weather is manageable. Do you know what is important to be careful about? Strong winds and gales. They are very frequent on Kungsleden and they dramatically reduce the “feels like” temperature.

Another thing to watch out for is avalanches. Heavy snowfall and wind can also cause avalanche danger. Most of the King’s Trail is off avalanche terrain, but be sure to check with local huts for current avalanche conditions.

It might sound like I would like to scare you off coming to Kungsleden in this paragraph but I didn’t mean it. There are also beautiful sunny days on Kungsleden during which you can enjoy views of the amazing Scandinavian landscapse. Be ready also for this weather and don’t forget sun cream and proper sunglasses.

To summarise the weather on Kungsleden, you need be prepared for both sunny weather and extremely cold conditions. The weather can change quickly on Kungsleden, so be prepared for variable conditions. Check the weather at each station before your every day adventure and be prepared for anything.

*Frozen author of this article sends greetings to his readers from Tjäktja pass*

What is better? Snowshoes or skis on King’s Trail in winter?

As you probably guess, there is a lot of snow on Kungsleden in winter, so it isn’t possible to set out on such adventure in common hiking shoes. Instead, you need to consider whether to bring snowshoes or skis. My girlfriend and I tested part of the Kungsleden on snowshoes in the past and it wasn’t a bad choice. However, we were in the vast minority using snowshoes and we were much slower than skis. In fact, only foreign visitors use snowshoes.

This time we tested Kungsleden on skis as 99% of the locals do, and we quickly understood why locals don’t use snowshoes. Skis are much faster and comfortable and you can also enjoy the downhills. Snowshoes are better in very steep terrains but it isn’t the case of Kungsleden. You don’t have to worry about challenging up/downhills here. Most of the trail is ﬂat and you’ll only have to pass gentle ascents and descents.

Kungsleden in winter with beautiful view of Sweden't highest point Kebnekaise — *Kungsleden in winter also offered us a beautiful view of Sweden’t highest point Kebnekaise – the highest peak behind us*

Equipment on winter King’s Trail

For a winter expedition beyond the Arctic Circle, proper equipment is necessary. To enjoy Kungsleden and to feel comfortable, it’s necessary to have especially warm clothing. My recommendation is to have several layers ready and you adjust these according to the current temperature. We had moments on our trip when it was sunny and windless with temperatures just below freezing. During these times we were ascending in just T-shirts. On the other hand, we experienced conditions with strong headwinds the following day, when the temperature also dropped by twenty degrees. In such conditions I used two down jackets and several layers underneath. I know I repeat myself but be ready for various weather conditions.

Skier and his sledge on Kungsleden in winter — *Here you can see a skier and his full equipment in a sledge in one picture*

Best experiences and secret tips for winter Kungsleden

Since we wanted to experience winter Kungsleden with carrying our own tent and sleeping outside in the wilderness, we definitely didn’t have a shortage of experiences. Here are the ones which we will never forget and wish you could experience too:

107 km and 107 kg: There is a scale at the starting point at the STF hut in Abisko where both summer and winter hikers/skiers weigh their backpacks or other luggage before setting off. My friend Rikki and I measured 107 kg. A fateful number! That’s exactly how many kilometers we were going to cover on the trip to Nikkaluokta. Will we manage to carry over 50 kg on every sledge? Fortunately, we could say at the end of Kungsleden: Yes! Thanks to the sledge that glides smoothly over the snow, it isn’t as tough as it may seem! If you plan to bring a lot of gear, deﬁnitely rent a sledge at Abisko STF hut. But beware of the necessary reservations! You have to book a sledge a long time in advance. In 2024, the sledges were already booked six months in advance.
Aurora Borealis: We were lucky and managed to see Northern Lights every other day. It’s indescribable beauty. To see a strong aurora, I summarize all necessary tips in this aurora guide.
Sauna: The saunas are deﬁnitely the most pleasant bonus of the local huts. You will never forget jumping into a frozen lake or into the snow in -20 degrees after a few minutes in a hot sauna. Just be aware that not all of the huts offer a sauna experience. You will find a sauna in all the huts except Tjäktja and Singi.
Extreme conditions in Tjäktja Pass: The timing of strong winds couldn’t be worse on our journey. The windiest day was forecasted for the highest point of the journey in the Tjäktja Pass. We had to get up at 4 am to avoid the strongest winds, which were expected around noon. How it paid off! We had harsh conditions anyway as we were hit by such strong winds that icicles were being formed in our beards. But we managed to conquer the Tjäktja pass. Be sure to watch the forecast ahead and adjust your wake-up call accordingly to avoid the strongest winds. Some other expeditions didn’t obey the forecast and didn’t make it via Tjäktja pass and had to stay one more day at Tjäktja.
Photography: if you are a keen photographer, you will love winter Kungsleden. There is wonderful scenery every day and it’s fascinating to photograph the changeable weather. But don’t forget to bring spare batteries and power banks. Unfortunately, there is no place on the way where you can charge your batteries. You can charge everything as soon as you reach Kebnekaise fjällstation.

Beautiful landscape during sunrise of Kungsleden in winter — *Beautiful landscapes and views will accompany you on the whole journey*

Book a guided tour from Abisko to Nikkaluokta

Would you like to experience Kungsleden in winter and don’t have enough experience? Every year, I’m organizing a guided tour from Abisko to Nikkaluokta. For 2026, I have two open dates. The first trip will be held from 30th March to 6th April 2026 (last available spot now) and the second one from 7th April to 14th April 2026 (4 spots left)! Alternatively, I can also offer private groups (4+ people). We will be doing the trip on skis with overnight stays in all the huts on the way. Would you like to hear more about this adventure? Send me an email to info@jardazaoral.com and I will give you detailed information. Check out testimonials from my latest adventures.

*Watch northern lights with us in 2026 like we did this year 🙂*

Tent at Reinebringen viewpoint in Lofoten

October 14, 2025 • 0 Comment

The best viewpoints and hikes of Lofoten islands

I have visited over 60 countries around the world and I love many places in each corner of our planet. I can imagine visiting some places again but it often doesn’t happen because my desire to see new places is stronger. There is just one spot which I visit regularly because it stole my heart. It’s called Lofoten islands and it’s the most special place I have visited so far. The sharp cliffs rising from the sea together with the exceptional climate are simply wonderful. It’s a perfect spot for anyone who loves hiking, nature and viewpoints. If you haven’t visited Lofoten yet, my article might convince you to do so soon! Here are my tips for the best hiking trips + one climbing tip and also some extra special tips for resting days in this Norwegian paradise.

When is the best time to visit Lofoten?

Before I name all the wonderful places across Lofoten islands, let’s start with this important question. The climate of Lofoten is very special and conditions vary a lot across the seasons. It’s also important to consider when Lofoten islands are busy and when you can enjoy the islands with less tourists. I recommend the follwing:

Try to avoid July and August. These are the most busy months on Lofoten islands due to summer holidays and you might spend a lot of time in crowds or traffic jams.
For summer conditions, choose the first half of June if you want to experience the midnight sun or September which gives you opportunity to still experience warm and pleasant weather and see northern lights at the same time.
If you would like to see Lofoten under snow, visit the islands from mid February to mid April. These are the best winter months since the days are already longer. Bear in mind that if you would like to visit any of the mountains below you have to be properly equipped. Snowshoes/skis are recommended and avalanche knowledge and equipment are required for some mountains which you access via steep terrain.

In case you can only visit Lofoten during the high season, I recommend you to make the most popular hikes (Reinebringen, Kvalvika + Ryten) during times when other people sleep to enjoy them without crowds. This means setting your alarm for early mornings.

Since the Lofoten islands are more and more spectacular the further the south you come, I will write about the hikes in the order from south to north. If you have limited time for a Lofoten visit, this is also my recommendation: spend most of your time in the south.

Before every hike, check properly the local weather forecast. Weather conditions at Lofoten can change dramatically and very quickly. Be careful on your hikes!

Reinebringen – the most popular viewpoint

Difficulty: Moderate
Short description of the ascent: The hike is relatively short but very steep. It can be tricky and slippery in snowy or icy conditions or after strong rains. 
Parking: Free - Djupfjord or paid in Reine village
Camping allowed: No
Best accommodation nearby: Wonderful rorbuer at Reine/Sakrisøy
Starting point: parking lot Djupfjord
Height of the peak: 448m
Distance to the top: 2.2 km (one way)
Time to ascend from Djupfjord to Reinebringen viewpoint: 50 minutes (one way)
Elevation climbed: 442m

Let’s start with the most popular hike of the whole Lofoten. If you google pictures of Lofoten, you will likely see the view from Reinebringen first and I understand why. It’s wonderful! I visited the mountain in September 2017 and it was still allowed to tent on the top at that time. I will never forget the wonderful, sunrise, sunset and very strong northern lights during the night. It was one of my most powerful travel experiences of all time!

Secret tip: Most hikers visit just the first viewpoint on the way to Reinebringen, not the actual top. Climb 300 elevation meters more and you will likely be on the top on your own (see the map above). It’s worth going further than others. You can then continue down to Djupfjord and walk along the fjord back to the car.

Tenting at Reinebringen, Lofoten on a mountain top — *Tenting on Reinebringen is unforgettable. A pity it isn’t allowed anymore*

Northern lights above Reinebringen at Lofoten islands — *I will never forget this night at Reinebringen. This was an amazing show!*

Munken – my favourite viewpoint

Difficulty: Moderate
Short description of the ascent: Long hike with a bit steep final part
Parking: Sørvågen
Camping allowed: Yes but not everywhere. See restricted areas at Lofoten Friluftsråd website
Best accommodation nearby: The Tide - Rorbuer in Sørvågen
Starting point: parking lot at Sørvågen
Height of the peak: 770m
Distance to the top: 6.1 km (one way)
Time to ascend from Sørvågen to Munken: 4 hours 30 minutes (one way) 
Elevation climbed: 843m (one way)

If you are at Lofoten islands during high season and want to avoid crowds on Reinebringen, you can consider my personal favourite mountain Munken instead. It’s less visited since the hike is longer but the mountain is higher and that’s why the view is even better! From Munken you can see the whole Reinefjorden, Forsfjorden and Kjerkfjorden! On the way, you will pass Munkebu hut where you can spend the night if you are a member of Norwegian Tourist Association DNT. It’s worth becoming a member if you are planning a longer trip in Norway. You can also tent on the way but check the possible locations on Lofoten Friluftsråd website in advance.

Sunrise view of Lofoten from a mountain top — *Sunrise at Munken is like from a different planet*

Hermannsdalstinden – the toughest hike in Lofoten islands

Difficulty: Very hard
Short description of the ascent: A long hike with very steep final part 
Parking: Sørvågen
Camping allowed: Yes but not everywhere. See restricted areas at Lofoten Friluftsråd website
Best accommodation nearby: The Tide - Rorbuer in Sørvågen
Starting point: parking lot at Sørvågen
Height of the peak: 1029m
Distance to the top: 10km (one way)
Time to ascend from Sørvågen to Hermannsdalstinden: 8 hours (one way) 
Elevation climbed: 1265m up and 420m down (Note: one way! The altitude data in the map below is incorrect)

If you are looking for a bigger challenge, consider climbing the highest mountain of the most southern island of Lofoten Moskenesøya. Hermannsdalstinden is more remote than other popular mountains in the area so the hike is much more demanding. You will also have to scramble on the final hike since it becomes very steep in some parts. But the view is worth all the effort. The panoramic view is simply fantastic!

TIP: The hike is very long. It’s possible to do during one full day but it’s tough. I split this trip with my friends in two days:

Day one – hike to Munkebu hut where we spent the night in a tent.
Day two – climb to Hermannsdalstinden and descent to the starting point.

View from Hermannsdalstinden at Lofoten islands — *View from Hermannsdalstinden*

Kvalvika + Ryten – the most popular hike in Lofoten

Difficulty: Moderate
Short description of the ascent: The hike is relatively easy but the overall elevation is pretty high 
Parking: Parking lot at Torsfjord (two options - see the beginning and end of the map)
Camping allowed: Yes, camping on Kvalvika beach is a wonderful experience
Best accommodation nearby: Heloíse`s accommodation in Fredvang is closest but if you have a car I recommend to stay at wonderful Reine/Sakrisøy
Starting point: parking lot Torsfjord 
Height of the peak: 543m
Distance to the top: 7.8 km (whole round trip)
Time to ascend from Torsfjord via Kvalvika to Ryten and back: 4 hours 
Elevation climbed: 855m

This is another very popular hike so I recommend choosing a time outside of the main season. It can be difficult to find a parking spot. This hike has has two highlights – the visit of wonderful Kvalvika beach and the beautiful view from mountain Ryten. If you have a tent, consider camping at Kvalvika. It offers perfect camping opportunities and you can also witness midnight sun from there.

Tenting at Kvalvika beach at Lofoten during sunset — *Tenting at Kvalvika* *is a full Lofoten experience*

View from Ryten to Kvalvika beach in a natural windshield — *Enjoying view from Ryten in a natural windshield*

Mulstøheia – hidden gem of Lofoten

Difficulty: Easy
Short description of the ascent: The hike is short and easy 
Parking: Yttersand
Camping allowed: Yes, tenting on the mountain is wonderful
Best accommodation nearby: Heloíse`s accommodation in Fredvang is closest but if you have a car I recommend to stay at wonderful Reine/Sakrisøy
Starting point: Yttersand
Height of the peak: 295m
Distance to the top: 1.7 km (one way)
Time to ascend from Yttersandto Mulstøheia: 1 hour (one way) 
Elevation climbed: 277m

I visited the mountain Mulstøheia already four times because it’s very easy and quick to get to the top and the view is spectacular. I don’t understand why but it isn’t popular among tourists yet so you can often enjoy the views on your own. Highly recommended.

Bbq with Norwegian salmon on Mulstøheia at Lofoten — *Bbq with Norwegian salmon on Mulstøheia*

Winter view on snowy Lofoten islands from a mountain top — *Mulstøheia is easy to reach even during winter months*

Hoven – easy hike to warm up before bigger adventures

Difficulty: Easy
Short description of the ascent: The hike is short and easy 
Parking: Parking lot next to golf area
Camping allowed: Yes
Best accommodation nearby: Lofoten Links Lodges or Hov camping
Starting point: Parking lot next to golf area
Height of the peak: 367m
Distance to the top: 1.7 km (one way)
Time to ascend from parking lot to Hoven: 1 hour (one way) 
Elevation climbed: 331m

Don’t laugh at me but I climbed this mountain because the meaning of Hoven in my mother tongue Czech is “shit”. I was very curious how the view from “shit” will look like and I was very nicely surprised. It’s wonderful! Hoven is surprisingly far from any other Lofoten mountains and therefore you can see very far in all directions. Besides Lofoten islands can you also see Vesterålen.

Lonely Hoven island and mountain at Lofoten — *Lonely Hoven on an exceptional lowland at Lofoten*

Store Kongstinden – the best viewpoint of Svolvær

Difficulty: Easy
Short description of the ascent: The hike is short and easy 
Parking: Parking lot next to Litl-Kongsvatnet
Camping allowed: Yes but not everywhere. See restricted areas at Lofoten Friluftsråd website
Best accommodation nearby: Anker Brygge or other options in Svolvaer
Starting point: Parking lot next to lake Litl-Kongsvatnet
Height of the peak: 552m
Distance to the top: 2.2 km (one way)
Time to ascend from parking lot to Store Kongstinden: 1 hour (one way) 
Elevation climbed: 515m

The largest city on Lofoten is called Svolvær and lies on island Austvågøya. The city is worth visiting for its cosy islands, typical local architecture and cute city centre but the best about the city is seeing it from mountains around. My favourite hike leads to mountain Store Kongstinden and from there you have a wonderful view over the city. In winter you can take a shortcut to the top by local ski lift. Have you ever seen a skiing centre with a better view before?

Sunrise view of Svolvær at Lofoten from a mountain — *Svolvær is waking up during sunrise in September*

Svolværgeita – Climb iconic mountain above Svolvær

Difficulty: Hard
Short description of the ascent: Easy hike first and then climbing with full equipment
Parking: Parking lot next to Litl-Kongsvatnet
Camping allowed: Yes but not everywhere. See restricted areas at Lofoten Friluftsråd website
Best accommodation nearby: Anker Brygge or other options in Svolvaer
Starting point: Parking lot next to a chapel Svolvær gravkappel
Height of the peak: 356m
Distance to the top: 807m (one way)
Time to ascend from parking lot to Svolværgeita and back: Half day including climbing
Elevation climbed: 290m

Are you looking for a challenge? You don’t have to be a climber to get to the iconic mountain Svolværgeita. Local guide will help you get to the top and you will be rewarded with both fantastic views and an adrenaline experience. This climb is perfect for both beginners and intermediate climbers.

*Climber reaching to of Svolværgeita, source: Wikimedia*

My extra tips for you: What you shouldn’t miss on Lofoten islands

Now you know my favourite hikes. Of course, there are more options and you probably won’t make a mistake if you choose another hike. Lofoten islands are beautiful everywhere. Unfortunately, you can’t really rely on good weather at Lofoten so it’s good to have some plan B besides hiking. Below you can find some more personal tips:

The most tasty food at Lofoten: Anitas sjømat AS and their fish burger – I have tried many dishes in Norway but I have to admit I was often disappointed. Most of the dishes I had were overpriced and not worth the money. Anitas sjømat is an exception. Their food and especially fish and shrimps are amazing! This is a must when you visit Lofoten. I slept in nearby traditional houses – Rorbuer at Sakrisøy and it was an fastastic experience and it was my every day lunch. What a holiday I had there!
The best beaches to visit at Lofoten: Besides the remote beach which I recommended in the article before (Kvalvika), I also highly recommend the beach Unstad which is famous for its surfing conditions. You can marvel at amazing surfers there making tricks in the freezing water or you can try it too. There is a surfing rental shop. You can find one more surfing beach nearby village Flakstad and I also recommend visiting the wonderful sandy beaches at the villages Ramberg and Utakleiv. Btw, all of these beaches are facing the north, so they offer perfect view of midnight sun and northern lights when it actually gets dark.
The best sauna: I skipped one sandy beach on purpose in the point before because there is one more reason to come there. On a beach in village Hov under mountain Hoven, you can find a beautiful sandy beach with… a sauna. Jumping into the freezing water after sweating inside is another must experience from Lofoten.
The most cosy villages: There are many wonderful villages at Lofoten islands. Here are my favourite ones: Reine and Sakrisøy on the most southern island Moskenesøya, Ramberg and Vikten on Flakstadøya and Henningsvær and Svolvær on Austvågøya.
If you want to take a break from hiking, take a beautiful Lofoten cruise from Svolvaer to the most beautiful fjord of Lofoten – Trollfjord.
Would you like to see northern lights and you don’t know how? Read my northern lights guide with tips or book a guided tour at Svolvaer with local professionals.

Are you looking for more hiking tips? Check out my tips from other countries too. Here is a list of my hiking articles.

Strong northern lights at Kvalvika beach, Lofoten — *Hiking in winter at Lofoten is amazing too!*

View of Stockholm City Hall and Gamla Stan during sunset

October 7, 2025 • 0 Comment

The best Stockholm viewpoints – Tips from a local

I have been living in Stockholm for almost ten years and I’m very happy to call it my home. What I like most about the capital of Sweden is its countless viewpoints where you can marvel at the city, nature or the sea. Below you can find my favourite towers offering the best views as well as rocks or hills where you can even have a picnic or bbq while you enjoy the views. Don’t miss them when you visit Stockholm.

Monteliusvägen – hidden gem which you cannot miss

The first four tips can be made during one long walk. Start at Slussen and head to Monteliusvägen which offers my favourite viewpoints over the city. It is a scenic walking path that runs along the hillside in the Södermalm neighborhood. The path offers the most beautiful panoramic views of the city’s Old Town and Riddarfjärden bay. If you would like to have a picnic or bbq, check out Ivar Los park which you’ll find on the way. My recommendation is to plan this walk during sunset time as these Stockholm viewpoints are the msot beautiful during this time of the day.

View over Stockholm during blue hour — *If you visit Stockholm and skip Monteliusvägen viewpoint, it’s like you haven’t visited Stockholm*

Northern lights over Stockholm from Montelisuvägen — *If you are lucky, you can also witness northern lights from Montelisuvägen*

Skinnarviksberget – the best bbq spot in Stockholm

After visiting Monteliusvägen, it can be a good idea to continue towards Skinnarviksberget. It is another popular viewpoint in Södermalm and since it is a bit further it offers a bit different view of the Old Town, lake Mälaren, and the city center. Skinnarviksberget is a large cliff which is popular for picnics, barbecues and relaxing.

View from Skinnarviksberget over Stockholm during — *Skinnarviksberget is beautiful also during winter*

Västerbron – bridge with the best view

If you want to take an even longer walk, continue from Skinnarviksberget to Västerbron. This bridge connects the island of Södermalm with Kungsholmen and offers a great view of Stockholm’s skyline. This bridge is surprisingly pretty high which is appreciated by tourists, but a bit less by marathon runners who regard this bridge as the biggest challenge during the Stockholm marathon due to its elevation and winds.

*Stockholm is wonderful from Västerbron*

City Hall Tower – the best Stockholm viewpoint over the old city

Once you pass the bridge, continue along the coast of Kungshomen and head to the tower of Stockholm’s City Hall which offers an impressive view of the city. I especially appreciate the look over the old city (Gamla Stan). The tower is usually open only during summer months. Check out the opening times and current prices at Stockholm City Hall’s website. This is another must-see if you like viewpoints.

Stockholm captured from Stockholm City Hall's tower — *Stockholm captured from Stockholm City Hall’s tower*

Hammarbybacken – the view from a ski slope

Now, we will move a bit further from the city centre to the largest hill of Stockholm. Hammarbybacken offers a ski slope in winter and great mountain biking during summer. On the top you will have a wonderful view over the south of the city. This place is also very good for having a picnic in summer.

*Sunset over Stockholm from Hammarbybacken is wonderful*

SkyView at Avicii arena (Globen) – the view from the sun

Avicii arena (formerly called Globen) is a famous indoor arena located in Stockholm. Besides exciting events, it also offers SkyView which offers unique view of Stockholm from a gondola. The gondolas ride up to the top of the top of this large spherical building, and offer a panoramic view of the city.

Btw, did you know that the Avicii arena also represents the sun? It’s a part of the world’s largest scale model of the Solar System spread across Sweden.

Tele2 arena and Globen during blue hour — *This is also a picture taken from Hammarbybacken towards Globen from where you can have another unique view*

Katarinahissen

Let’s get back to Slussen. There you will find an old elevator that offers a great view of Stockholm’s harbor and surrounding neighborhoods. The elevator itself is under construction at the moment but you can get up to the viewing platform via Götgatan and Hökens gata.

Fjällgatan – the view over eastern Stockholm

If you head from Slussen to the east instead of west (where you would reach Monteliusvägen), you will have wonderful views from Fjällgatan. You can see from there Gamla Stan from the other side as well as the islands Skeppsholmen and Djurgården. There are also several restaurants and cafes nearby where visitors can enjoy a meal or a drink while taking in the view. A good example is Mosebacketerrassen.

*Gröna Lund amusement park captured from Fjällgatan*

Rooftop at Kulturhuset – the best view over Sergels Torg

If you would like to take some nice lunch, coffee or a drink and enjoy a view at the same time, you can visit the rooftop café at Kulturhuset. There you will have the best view over the largest square in Stockholm – Sergels Torg.

Demonstration on Sergels Torg in Stockholm — *Sergels Torg is a gathering spot for demonstrations in Stockholm. I photographed this picture during demonstration after terrorist attack in Stockholm*

The Nest Wellness – Stockholm’s infinity pool

Stockholm viewpoints can also be relaxing. The capital of Sweden has its own infinity pool on a rooftop where you can marvel at Stockholm city centre while chilling in a pool with a glass of champagne. If you would like to experience some luxury, head to the top floor of this Scandic hotel and try its spa.

Drinking beer in an infinity pool at The Nest Wellness at Down Town Camper in Stockholm — *We took a beer instead and it was amazing*

Kaknästornet – the highest point of all Stockholm viewpoints

This TV tower is the tallest building in Stockholm and offers a spectacular view of the city. Unfortunately, it was closed in 2018 for visitors for military reasons. Let’s hope it will be open again. Until then, you can take a look at my pictures taken from the top before 2018.

Would you like to find more Stockholm viewpoints?

Visit the official website of Stockholm tourism for more tips. Are you looking for more tips about other activities in Stockholm and Sweden? Take a look at my other articles about Scandinavia.

Would you like to get memories for life from Stockholm?

I work as wedding and elopement photographer in Sweden. If you think of planning a proposal, elopement or wedding in Sweden, don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll plan and document your unforgettable experience.

September 30, 2025 • 0 Comment

The best way to/from Stockholm Arlanda airport? (updated 2025)

There are many options how to travel between Stockholm Arlanda airport and Stockholm city centre and that’s great! People like options. Whereas some prefer cheap options, others are looking for convinient and quick transfers. I made a summary of all of them so you can choose the one which fits you best! At the end of the article, I also have a special secret Arlanda tip. Check it out 🙂

My blog focuses on adventures in Scandinavia but once I am asked about some topic very often, I want to help and I write and article about it. This is one of the cases 🙂 Here is my guide to all the possible connections from Arlanda airport to Stockholm city centre and vice versa.

Travelling between a city centre and an airport anywhere in the world is often expensive. Stockholm is not an exception if you look at the most promoted option (Arlanda Express). However, there are many routes which can be even ten times cheaper! Below you can take a look at all the options including prices and times (from the most expensive to the cheapest).

The most popular travel from Arlanda airport to the city centre

The most common and popular way to reach Arlanda is by bus. Flygbussarna operates its buses every 10-30 minutes depending on time of the day. It’s the most efficient alternative if you compare the time and price. Another advantage is that there are direct buses going to several destinations, not only Centralen. You can also go to Liljeholmen and Bromma with multiple stops on the way by Flygbussarna. The journey takes ca 40 minutes and one way ticket costs 129 SEK. If you buy return ticket, you save a bit – total price 209 SEK. If you are 17 years old or younger you get 10 SEK discount. There are also group discounts.

The most convenient journey from Stockholm Arlanda to the city centre

The easiest option like at any other airport in the world is to take a taxi or Uber. It’s easier to take taxi as they are waiting at the terminal but Uber is a bit cheaper if you have time to wait. The price is around 500-1000 SEK depending on traffic and the trip will take around 45 minutes to the city centre. I usually take this option if I travel in a group (you can divede the cost) or if I have too much luggage since the taxi will take you directly to your accommodation in Stockholm. Very convenient.

Start of Vasaloppet — Pictures of public transport are rather boring so I rather show you pics of some cool activities you can do in Sweden – This is cross country skiing race **Vasaloppet**

The fastest transfer from Arlanda by Arlanda Express

The quickest and most comfortable way from the airport to Stockholm city is to get Arlanda express train. The train goes every 15 minutes and takes only 18 minutes. Such comfortable journey has its cost though. One way ticket costs 340 SEK. You can get though some discounts. If you are a student you can get 50%. Discount also pay off when you travel in a group. Depending on how big group you are, you can get a very interesting discount. Read more about prices on the Arlanda express website.

The cheapest travel from Arlanda airport to Stockholm City Centre by public transport

If you plan to buy or already bought a Stockholm public transport ticket, this is for you the best option. You have two alternatives. The more expensive but more comfortable option is to take a direct train from Stockholm city to Arlanda. The journey takes 39 minutes and you have to pay a passage supplement fee 147 SEK at Arlanda.

If you don’t hurry and want to save money, you can take instead a hiddenand the cheapest option. Take a train to Märsta station and subsequently bus 583 to Arlanda. You don’t have to pay any special fee if you take this route. It means this alternative costs 0 SEK if you have an Stockholm public transport ticket. This whole journey takes ca 60 minutes. Find your connections on SL website. You have to find the connection to Märsta and to Arlanda separatelly. Without SL card, the single journey costs 43 SEK.

I hope this article helped. Enjoy your stay in Sweden!

Strong northern lights in Sweden — *Witness northern lights in Sweden. Here is my **aurora guide**.*

Secret Arlanda tip from a local

Are you flying very early or landing very late in Stockholm? Do you or your kids love planes? Then, this is something for you. You can book a unique accommodation at former Boeing 747 jumbo jet, nearby Arlanda airport. There is a free shuttle bus going so it’s a convenient to reach it and you will have another uniqe experience from Stockholm visit.

Would you like to read more Stockholm tips?

Look for some inspiration for your trip. Check out my article about the best viewpoints in Stockholm or ice skating tips in Stockholm. Check out also my other articles about Scandinavia.

September 23, 2025 • 0 Comment

How to prepare for your first Vasaloppet

Are you planning to do Vasaloppet, the crazy 90km race in Sweden? Follow my experience and learn from my mistakes… Once I moved to Sweden and decided it will be my new home, I wanted to get to know the local culture and traditions as much as I could. Since I love winters, the tradition I wanted to experience first was Vasaloppet. What else can be more Swedish than a 90km long cross country skiing race? This oldest cross country skiing race in the world has already attracted over 1,700,000 participants who, sweaty and exhausted, completed different distances between Sälen and Mora. How will it be for me? Will I manage to complete the full distance with limited experience on cross country skis? If king Gustav Vasa made it when he was fleeing the war during the winter of 1520–1521 with poor equipment, I have to manage too!

Details and Statistics

Sport: Classical cross country skiing
Length of the race: 90km
Overall elevation: 813m
Difficulty: Very hard
Number of participants: 15800
Recommended training time: 2 years
Location: From Sälen to Mora

My first Vasaloppet race

After a cloudy, windy, rainy, snowy and dark February, the first week of March 2022 finally brought the dream Swedish winter weather. It’s sunny! Swedes call this kind of weather “vårvinter” and it literally means spring-winter. I love vårvinter because it isn’t only pleasant for its sun rays but it’s also perfect for cross country skiing. While the days are quite warm, the nights still get pretty cold. These changes in temperature make the snow very quick.

*Typical vårvinter weather at Vasaloppet*

My fiancée and I are driving now towards Sälen, a popular Swedish skiing resort but mostly the place known for the start of the most famous cross country skiing race in the world. The weather is supposed to be the same tomorrow. What a paradise weather for Vasaloppet!

We park our camper van at a parking lot just next to the Vasaloppet start. Now, the parking lot is almost empty. There are just a few more camper vans in the corner. It’s a quiet and peaceful night but volunteers preparing the tracks at the start remind us that something big is going to happen tomorrow. 15 800 skiers from all around the world will gather here in the early morning for one of the longest cross country skiing races in the world.

Aurora Borealis at Vasaloppet

Joanne and I are curious how the track looks like so we approach the Vasaloppet start. It’s very cold outside but it feels very cosy. The snow pleasantly crunches under our feet. While we are walking the dark sky suddenly turns to green. Am I dreaming? Northern lights just started to dance above the hard and solid track. It will be wonderful conditions for all the skiers tomorrow! We admire the amazing aurora borealis for a while, but we can’t stay long. We need enough sleep before the race starts tomorrow at 8! Good night from our comfy camper van!

Crazy wake up time and crazy snow conditions

I am woken up by my alarm at 2:30 a.m. on a mattress in a gym surrounded by 50 other waking guys. Shit! It was a dream! I quickly realize the reality. It is 2014. I am in a small village called Nusnäs at Siljan lake. Today, my father, our friend Håkan and I are doing Vasaloppet. We are two and a half hours of driving from the start, and we have to hurry to get some breakfast. While eating oatmeal and drinking tea we are looking outside. It’s snowing and temperatures are around 0 degrees. Damn it. This means the slowest possible snow for skiing.

*Evening before Vasaloppet. Lights were turned off at 8 p.m. and everybody went to sleep.*

Why am I talking so much about the snow conditions? For someone who doesn’t ski, it might sound like too much unnecessary information, but it actually matters a lot for skiers. Looking at the results of the past years´ races the bad and good snow conditions make a huge difference in racing time. While Petter Eliassen, the winner of 2020, needed 4:25:14 to complete the race, the next year’s winner Tord Asle Gjerdalen managed the race almost one hour faster with a time of 3:28:18. Among the amateurs, the time differences are even more significant. Slow snow means much more tough and demanding conditions.

*Beautiful winter weather but terrible for cross country skiing in Mora*

Don’t underestimate the preparation for Vasaloppet

After breakfast, we pack our skiing equipment, food supply for the race and head towards the bus. There I start to wonder. Did I train enough for Vasaloppet? As a kid I didn’t like cross country skiing much. It felt boring compared to other winter sports. Luckily, I was a happy kid. The winters were still cold so I could play ice hockey with my friends behind our house and my family spent most of the winter holidays in the mountains. There we did downhill skiing, and I enjoyed skiing at full speed.

After moving to Sweden though, my early disinterest in cross country skiing didn’t help me with my Vasaloppet goal. I was comfortable at downhills at least. These are often most scary for beginners. I was more worried about my poor technique and weak arms. Fortunately, I studied at Umeå University located in the north of Sweden, so I had a long winter to get ready!

First, I needed skis. As a broke international student, I only had money for second-hand skis. I bought all poles, ski boots, and skis for just 200 SEK (20 EUR). Well, the price equals the quality. My skis were made in 1988.

Old but very picturesque skis during sunrise — *My old but very picturesque skis*

When it comes to training, I never would have made it to the start without my amazing Swedish friend Håkan who is a big cross country skiing enthusiast and six times finisher of Vasaloppet. He often trained with me and gave me many valuable tips regarding technique. He also explained to me how important it is to do some race before: “Vasaloppet has many starting groups. If you don’t do a cross country ski race before, you automatically end up in the last seeding group 10. You’d rather start in some better group. If you start in the last group, there will be large queue in front of you and you will lose over one hour in time until you climb the first long hill.”

Long Vasaloppet start with 10 different seeding groups ready for 15800 racers — *The long Vasaloppet start with 10 different seeding groups ready for 15800 racers*

Take part in a preparation race outside north of Sweden

So that´s what we did. We participated in a local 40km race in Umeå called Vildmannaloppet. Unfortunately, I chose maybe the worst winter for the race. There wasn’t enough snow and Vasaloppet organizers were worried that the race will have to be cancelled due to lack of snow. A similar situation was going on in Umeå. The preparation race couldn’t happen on the usual 10km track due to the limited amount of snow so we had to do it on a 5km artificial snow track. We had to do 8 laps.

The race was not fun. Racing in the north of Sweden means that you compete with Swedes who were basically born on skis. It didn’t take a long time until all the local skiers left me behind. The only guy whose pace I managed to follow was another exchange student from France. Before I finished the first lap, I was already lapped by the fastest local skiers. This is not something that helps your self-esteem, but I kept on fighting.

The race was long and tough. I couldn’t even count how many times I was lapped but I was telling myself: “This will help you to qualify for a better starting group at Vasaloppet. You will have a better chance to finish it!” Here, I have to mention one more important detail. You can’t finish Vasaloppet in whatever time you feel like. There is a time limit and cut-off times on the way! The internal motivation helped me. I managed to complete the race even though I finished second last. Yes, I managed to beat the other exchange student! But most importantly – I will be seeded for Vasaloppet!

Vaxing cross country skis — *Another crucial task is to fix your skis. If you don’t know how to wax them and which way to choose, ask professionals. I was lucky to be helped by pros – my father and Håkan*

The start of Vasaloppet is full of emotions

We are arriving to Vasaloppet start. It’s 6 a.m., two hours before the actual start. Our bus manager´s tactics are to arrive early, so we get a good spot within our starting groups. My father and I are going towards the last group 10. Håkan forgot to mention one rule for the seeding – you need to finish the preparation race before a certain time to be seeded. I finished the preparation race too late.

Clever tip: In order to have better sleep before race, I highly recommend to find accommodation nearby the start in Sälen. Book it as soon as possible. All accommodation options are booked many months in advance

Coming early to the start helps for better position for the Vasaloppet race — *Coming early to the start helps for a better position for the race*

It’s still dark outside but huge lights are lighting up the thousands of skis placed in the tracks. I am putting my new racing skis, which Håkan lend me for the race (Thank you so much!), somewhere in the middle of group 10 next to my father’s skis. Now it becomes real: we will really run Vasaloppet! Today, I will either finish or I will die! Other members of our bus have already placed their skis in better groups, and my father and I watch them warming up their muscles with exercises and runs. We decide to save as much energy as possible and we take a short nap in the bus before the race.

It’s 7:40. I am finishing the last snack before the start, and I am heading towards my skis. The atmosphere there is incredible. There is a tower in the middle of every starting group with dancers who have the task to warm up all the participants. Even my father and I dance to the Avicii songs. 5 minutes before the start all the dancers leave. We listen to Vasaloppets anthem, and I feel goosebumps.

Vasaloppet start 2022 — *Vasaloppet start*

The longest day of my life

BANG! The race is initiated. The elite racers move quickly towards the first hill. We wait for a couple of minutes until we can start moving. “Good luck, dad! See you in in Mora in 12 hours!” Our group 10 slowly moves forward. When we reach the first uphill the crowd stops. I see some space at the left of the track, and I manage to overtake some participants. I think I found a cool shortcut but it still takes a lot of time to get to the top of the initial hill. My watch says 65 minutes. Håkan was right.

I was surprised how many people I managed to pass. It must have been hundreds of racers. Very many of them chose the wrong waxing strategy and had to stop to re-wax their skis on both sides of the track. I made it to the highest point of the whole Vasaloppet without stopping. Here, the crowd finally starts moving. Let’s go racing.

Vasaloppet start with thousands of skiers — *Quick start of the elite racers*

For people who like downhills the first 11km to the first stop Smågan are amazing. After the initial climb, the route goes smoothly down, and you can pass a lot of slow racers. It was my favourite part of the whole race. From this point the route starts to be challenging. After Smågan, there are six more stops on the way. To manage the whole Vasaloppet, it is very important to get enough energy at every stop. At each of these stops you can get the famous Vasaloppet blueberry soup, energy drink, water, a broth, a bun and at some stops also coffee. The distances between stops vary between 9 to 13km so it’s good to study the map before so you can expect what comes next.

Vasaloppet Risberg downhill — *One of great downhills but be careful: There are many falls every year. Google Vasaloppet Risberg falls if you want to laugh a little bit*

Plan your nutrition intake before Vasaloppet

I heard that many racers manage to complete the race just by taking what is offered during the race, but should I risk it? Since I have never experienced such a long race before, I didn’t dare to underestimate it. You might laugh at me, but I brought small pieces of bread and my favourite food for emergency – 5 small schnitzels.

Mångsbodarna stop at Vasaloppet — *Mångsbodarna stop*

It turned out to be a great food strategy. At every stop I took one of each of the offered drinks plus one small schnitzel and I had enough energy for the first 60km of the race. Even though the snow was slow and my speed was only around 10km/h, I never had to stop. I passed Mångsbodarna, Risberg, Evertsberg and Oxberg and two thirds of the race were behind me.

*A volunteer giving out blueberry soups to a racer*

Count on an unexpected crisis

After climbing to Oxberg I felt quite confident. I had heard that there shouldn’t be any large climbs anymore. I believed I would manage to finish the race. But here I made a mistake. I underestimated my energy intake and my waxing stopped working due to a change in temperature. I collapsed somewhere halfway on the way to the next stop at Hökberg. The situation was bad. I suddenly went out of energy, and I experienced a big crisis. I could only go very slowly, and I was scared that I will have to give up. Many racers were passing me, and I felt hopeless.

The worst Vasaloppet weather ever — When I saw this weather forecast before the race, I felt hopeless. It was very difficult to choose the wax strategy for the race on Sunday (Sorry, the screenshot is in Czech. Let me give you a short language lesson – pátek – Friday, sobota – Saturday, neděle – Sunday, pondělí – Monday, března – of March)

At this point only a miracle could save me. And the miracle occurred. Out of nowhere I saw an angel. There was a small girl standing next to the track. She was cheering on the racers with her father in typical Swedish: “Heja, heja” and she was giving out pancakes to those in need. When I heard her say “Vill du ha en pannkaka?” my emotions just got to me, and I started to cry of happiness. The pancake gave me enough energy to make it to the next stop at Hökberg. There was a waxing service which fixed my skies and I could continue.

Finishing at Vasaloppet — *At the end of the race there are usually worse snow conditions. Save some energy for the last kilometers.*

The last 20 km hurt me everywhere in my body. I even felt pain in parts of my body where I didn’t know I have muscles. It was also getting dark but the supporting spectators along the way gave me enough energy to finish. At the last stop I took an extra boost by taking a coffee and at a time of 09:09:33 I successfully passed the finish line. What a feeling! Vasaloppet is finished!

*I made it! I finished Vasaloppet 2014!*

Now it’s just time to celebrate with my father and Håkan in a pub nearby over a local beer. We managed the Vasaloppet in one of the worst conditions in years. Out of 15800 who registered for the race only 11248 finished in 2014. We managed to beat for instance the Swedish ice hockey star Peter Forsberg who gave up his race somewhere between Evertsberg and Oxberg.

Back to the dream Vasaloppet 2022

Eight years later, the dream I had before Vasaloppet 2014 came true. Joanne and I just took a different role at the 100^th edition of Vasaloppet. This time I got a press accreditation to document the race. In this way I could return to my memories of my first Vasaloppet and show you pictures of how amazing the race is. If you consider doing the race, don’t hesitate for a moment. Even though it was the toughest physical exercise I ever experienced I would do it again. I actually already did. In my next post, I will tell you how Vasaloppet was in perfect vårvinter conditions, this time using a different skiing technique – skating/freestyle.

Vasaloppet goal — *See you soon Vasaloppet!*

Fun facts about Vasaloppet

Vasaloppet belongs to the four grand classic races. The other races are Italian Marcialonga, Czech Jizerska50, and Norwegian Birkebeinerrennet. A victory in all four races, a grand slam, gives the winner 100,000 Euros! If you get good enough in skiing you can also get pretty rich!
An average racer drinks over a litre of blueberry soup during Vasaloppet. During the whole Vasaloppet week 2022 (consisting of different races) the participants consumed 33,900 litres of blueberry soup, 28,000 litres of Enervit sport drink, 11,900 litres of vegetable broth, 3,100 litres of coffee and 200,000 Vasaloppet buns.
No littering! If a participant is found to have littered in or along the Vasaloppet course (which is a nature reserve) then he or she will receive a time penalty of 15 minutes.
The average age in Vasaloppet 2014 was 42.1 years. The youngest participant in Vasaloppet 2014 was 18 and the oldest was 87.
2.195 racers in 2014 were women which means 13,8% of all participants.
Racers from 73 countries participated in Vasaloppet 2014.
The average racer loses 3kg of body weight during a full Vasaloppet.
All 15 800 tickets for Vasaloppet 2014 were sold out in just 10 minutes!

Vasaloppet logistics — Vasaloppet organizes amazing logistics. You can leave your personal items in a plastic bag at the start and it will be delivered to the finish. Thanks to this service you can for instance prepare dry and warm clothes

My personal tips for your first Vasaloppet

Be ready to buy the ticket for Vasaloppet in time. They sell out in just a few minutes.
It’s recommended to start training at least two years before the race. During summer consider training on roller skis.
Try to participate in a race before to seed better than in the last starting group. Choose a race outside north of Sweden. There’s higher competition there, so it’s more difficult to qualify.
Take great care of your skis before the race. It’s worth spending some money for a professional waxing service.
Book your accommodation before the race close to the start at Sälen. You will have more time to sleep, and it will save you a lot of energy.
Plan your food strategy and test it before the race. Don’t experiment with something new on the race day.
Take some food at every stop on the way. You never know when a crisis gets you. Take some food with you for emergencies.

Come to Vasaloppet start in time — My last tip for you: Arrive well in advance so you don’t end up like these racers. Every year, hundreds of people come late to the start because of long traffic jams. You don’t want to miss the amazing start.

DISCLAIMER: Everything described in the dream actually happened. The only exception is the comfy camper van. We slept in a standard rental car and I have to admit: It could have been more pleasant. In -15°C we were pretty cold and when we got home we got sick. Rent a proper camper van.

September 9, 2025 • 0 Comment

Winter is not boring: Experience 39 winter activities in Sweden

Global warming makes winter sports less and less accessible around the world. I am very happy to live in Scandinavia which still guarantees wonderful winter conditions. I have tried multiple outdoor activities in Sweden and I have to say we have a real winter wonderland here. Check out both well-known and unknown sports activities you can experience in Sweden and ideally visit us to try them. They are so much fun!

What to do in Sweden in winter time?

I have recently seen a question in the Expats in Stockholm and Sweden Facebook group asking if it is a good idea to visit Sweden in March. The vast majority of people answered negatively: “To be honest, there really isn’t much to do here as a tourist destination, especially for a whole month, and March is still a relatively cold and dark period. I’d consider going somewhere on the Mediterranean. Don’t visit Stockholm.” After reading all the answers, I just thought: Oh my god. Why do people live in Sweden when they don’t enjoy March here? It is my favourite month! Let me explain you why.

First of all, let’s take a look at how dark March is. The fact is that we have a solstice on our planet and it is every year on the 21st of March. It means that day and night have the same length all around the world. After this date, Sweden has actually longer daylight than anywhere else further in the south. It means it is not dark during March in Sweden 😉

Now, let’s take a look at the main point of this article: there really isn’t much to do here as a tourist destination. I summarized what I experienced during the last 10 years in Sweden and what you should try out too! Look how many amazing winter activities you can do in Sweden! I have found 39 which means you can have one for every day in March and eight extra for April 😉

Northern lights in Stockholm — Another answer to “There isn’t much to do and see in winter in Sweden!”

1. Ice skating

Let’s start with the best winter activity you can do in the capital of Sweden. The region of Stockholm has hundreds of lakes of different sizes and together with the large areas in Stockholm archipelago you have the best ice skating opportunities. Since it doesn’t snow much in Stockholm, you can skate pretty much anytime from the season start (usually November or December) until the ice melts (most often some time in April). If you would like to experience real freedom this is a winter activity for you. Imagine skating the whole day on the endless Swedish sea around islands and cute villages on islands. Would you like to join for a trip? I devoted to it a whole article to ice skating.

2. Cross country skiing – classic style

Let’s move to another traditional Scandinavian winter sport – skiing. Did you know that there are several kinds of skiing? We will go through all of them in this article. Let’s start with the most known skiing style which is classic cross-country skiing. Have you heard about Vasaloppet? This oldest cross country skiing race in the world has already attracted more than 1,700,000 participants around the world. The race is 90km long and promises an unbelieveable atmosphere not only for the racers but also for the spectators. Visit the finish of the race Mora and you won’t regret it.

If you would like to try cross country skiing yourself, many places across the country offer cross country skiing courses. Try it, it’s so much fun and if you fall for skiing, after a few years training you can participate in Vasaloppet too. Take a look at what my experience was like.

Cross country skiing in Sweden at Vasaloppet — Vasaloppet

3. Cross country skiing – skating style

If you want to be faster on cross country skis, you can try skating style, also called freestyle cross country skiing. This new technique was developed at the beginning of 20th century and it was widely adopted in the 1980s after the success of Bill Koch in 1982 at the cross-country skiing championship. I personally prefer this style since it really feels like you are flying on the skis. So much fun! Similarly to the classic skiing style, you can find many courses across Sweden to learn it. If you are looking for great tracks nearby Stockholm, I highly recommend my favorite tracks in Falun, Lugnet. Otherwise you can find inspiration at skidspar.se.

4. Downhill Skiing

If you want to be even faster, go for downhill skiing. On downhill skis, you can easily reach speed above 100 km/h. There are many ski resorts around Sweden but you will find the best one in Åre. It offers the most tracks and most slopes. Another advantage is that Åre offers slopes for everyone regardless if you are a beginner, intermediate, advanced or pro skier.

You might be surprised but there is also a small ski resort in the middle of Stockholm. Hammarbybacken offers even a world cup competition for pro skiers. Even though the hill is relatively short, it also has its black slope which is perfect for a slalom race.

Skiing in Åre can lead to ski jumping too

5. Snowshoe hiking

Let’s take a break from skiing and let’s take a look at snowshoeing. Snow shoes are perfect for hikes in areas with a lot of snow. You’ll love the feeling of crunching snow under your feet. My personal favourite place for snow shoeing is Skuleskogen national park where you can hike daily 10-20 km and stay over in local huts, even free of charge. There you can have a great time making barbecue under the Northern lights.

Snowshoe hiking at Jämtlands Triangel during wonderful sunny day — This is another beautiful snowshoe location in Swedish mountains (Jämtlands Triangel)

6. Watching Northern lights shows

Have I just mentioned Northern lights? It is the most exciting phenomenon to witness in Sweden so let’s take a look at them. Aurora Borealis occurs sometimes all around Sweden but you have the biggest chance to witness them behind the polar circle. I’m myself fascinated by Northern lights so much that I’m hunting them every time we have a chance to see them in Stockholm. Just keep in mind, you have to be patient to see the lights. If you want to learn more tips about when and where to see Lady Aurora, you can take a look at my Practical Guide to see Northern Lights.

Watching northern lights from tent at Jämtlands Triangel — Watching Northern lights from our tent is one of the greatest experiences of my life

7. Ice fishing

Another activity which requires patience but brings a lot of joy is ice fishing. Create a hole in the ice with a special ice drill and catch your dinner. Ice fishing is so popular in Sweden that there are even competitions. Can you beat the largest fish ever caught on ice in Sweden – 7kg arctic char?

8. Sauna

Are you becoming cold from me talking about winter sports? I have something for you to warm up. Try a sauna with a jump into frozen water. It is not only a lot of fun but also healthy for your body. According to studies, taking a sauna helps with relaxing and detoxifying of your body and Scandinavian countries know it. Therefore, sauna use in Sweden, Finland and Norway already starts in early childhood.

Jumping in snow after sauna — If there is no lake or sea to jump in after sauna you can ask your friends to cover you in snow. It works well too!

9. Ice windsurfing

Let’s go from cold water back to ice. One of the most exciting winter sports I’ve ever tried is ice windsurfing. It is even more exciting than windsurfing on water. If you have a strong enough wind, you can reach speeds faster than 100km/h thanks to the very low resistence of the ice.

10. Snowkiting

The wind can also be utilized for snowkiting. Bring a kite and enjoy it either with skies in the mountains or with skates on a lake. Both are a lot of fun!

11. Ice hockey

Compared to summer, there are not many winter team sports but the existing ones are a lot of fun. You probably know ice hockey which is very popular around Sweden. Gather a group of friends to play a game or visit a match of Swedish hockey league and enjoy one of the best hockey games you can see in the world.

Outdoor ice hockey in Sweden — When I was studying in the north in Umeå we played ice hockey every week with other students

12. Bandy

Have you already seen ice hockey but would you like to see something even more unique? Visit a match of Bandy. Simply said, it is like ice hockey just on a frozen football field played by 11 players on every side. It is regarded as one of the fastest sports in the world and is only played in northern countries. To give you a taste of the game, look at the best goals made in the Swedish league below.

Take a look at some of the best goals in Bandy

13. Curling

Another winter team sport requires a lot of precision. Build a team and try curling in one of many curling halls around Sweden.

Deep focus before next move at curling — Deep focus before the next move

14. Biathlon

Currently, my favourite Olympic winter sport to watch is biathlon. Thanks to the shooting, the races are very unpredictable and that makes it very exciting! You can watch biathlon competitions every winter in Östersund which holds a world cup competition. When I visited one of the races, I was also happy to find out that you can even try biathlon yourself there. It was very cool to try to hit the targets like pro athletes. Now, I will not complain anymore about the biathletes who miss the targets. It’s pretty hard!

Shooting at biathlon range — Trying biathlon in Östersund

15. Winter camping

Do you like hiking and camping? Try it in winter too. There are much less hikers during winter so you can enjoy the nature on your own. It’s very cosy to wake up and have a view over a frozen landscape.

Winter camping at Jämtlands Triangel — Winter camping with my girlfriend at Jämtlands Triangel

16. Ice Hotel

Do you prefer sleeping inside? Then, try something special during winter in Sweden. Visit the famous Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi and spend a night in an ice paradise. The hotel is unique every year with decorations made by artists from all around the world!

Once you’re there, don’t forget to take a shot in a glass made of ice and if you’re there with your fiancée, why not to get married there too? The Ice hotel also has a small chapel where couples from all around the world get married.

Kissing at Ice Hotel in Sweden — Testing if it’s a good idea to get married at the Ice Hotel

17. Back country skiing

Let’s get back to skiing. There are a few very popular ski activities you can try in Sweden. Let’s take a look first at ski touring and back country skiing. The difference is very small and the names are often exchanged with each other. In Sweden it’s two very different sports though. Back country skis in Sweden are very similar to cross country skis, they are just wider and they are used in free terrain. People often use these skis for travelling longer distances from hut to hut and they are also used for multiday trips with an extra sled where you can carry supplies. Try back country skis in popular mountain area in Sweden such as in Jämtland close to Åre or far in the north at Kungsleden.

A backcountry skier at Swedish mountains

18. Ski touring

Ski touring in Sweden is rather associated with off piste skiing. The skis are more similar to downhill skis and people use skins for going up in the hills. These skis are rather used to climb mountains and to enjoy downhill in free terrain rather than long distances. Thanks to ski touring you can for example climb Swedish highest mountain – Kebnekaise.

Ski touring in Jämtland - summit picture of Åreskutan (1420m) — Ski touring is very popular in Åre area too. This is my summit picture of Åreskutan (1420m)

19. Ski jumping

I wonder why Sweden sucks so much at international ski jumping competitions. Both neighbors Norway and Finland have world star ski jumpers but Sweden has none. Do you think it is because there are no ski jumps in Sweden? That’s not the problem. There is a large ski jumping area in Falun called Lugnet which held world championships in the past. Lacking a ski jumping tradition will be more likely the reason. Anyway, keep an eye on competitions at Falun and watch amazing jumps from athletes all around the worlds except Sweden 😀

*Ski jumping championship in Falun, Sweden*

20. Heliskiing

Let’s turn to another winter activity where Sweden excels. Would you like to try world class off piste skiing in the best possible conditions? Try heli skiing behind the polar circle. In Abisko you can join a group of skiers and experience heli skiing.

21. Ice Cross

Have you heard about Ice cross? It’s popular mostly thanks to exciting Red Bull events. Check it out and if you dare, visit the ice cross facility in Stockholm.

22. Dog sledding

One of the most popular activities among visitors to Sweden is dog sledding. I have to admit I am a bit afraid of dogs so I haven’t tried it yet but I will one day. It looks very cosy!

23. Ice climbing

If you like rock climbing you should definitely also try ice climbing. What about ice climbing directly on the highest waterfall in Sweden? It is also on my to do list this winter.

Take a look at a short ice climbing movie from Abisko

24. Winter swimming

We have already talked about sauna but did you know that it is very popular to swim in ice cold water without going to the sauna these days? There are even races in cold water in Sweden!

25. Winter kayaking

I prefer to utilize water in the solid state during winter for acivities such as skiing or skating but there is also an option to experience an adventure on unfrozen lakes. Enjoy views over snow covered national parks or cities from a kayak. Stockholm offers many opportunities for instance.

My frozen kayak during sunrise tour in Stockholm archipelago — *My frozen kayak during a sunrise tour in the Stockholm archipelago*

26. Fat biking

Biking and snow often don’t go together. Slippery roads can be tricky so bikers usually take a break from biking during winter months. Have you heard though about fat biking? These bikes have much thicker tyres so they can be used on snow. Would you like to try?

A girl on flat bike on a beach — *My girlfriend testing a fat bike on a beach. It also works very well there. Next time we have to try it on snow!*

27. Car drifting

Let’s stay on snowy roads. Do you like cars? Then, I have a winter activity for you too. North west of Stockholm, there is a special lake where ice drive races are organized. Visit Dalarna and test your driving skills on ice!

28. Yukigassen

Yukigassen will bring you back to the childhood times when you had snowball fights with your friends. It is actually an official snowball competition. As you might guess from the name, it comes from Japan but there are Yukigassen associations in all major northern countries including Sweden. Visit Luleå for a national competition.

Yukigassen snow ball fight in Umeå, Sweden — Yukigassen fight in Umeå, Sweden

29. Sled

Let’s stay in our childhood and let’s enjoy children’s favourite means of transport in winter. Sledding is so much fun even for adults and there is even a sled championship in Sweden every year. Visit SM veckan and compete in Alpin Rodel.

30. Bobsleigh/

We talked about the traditional childrens’ toy sled but how about a professional one? I admire the high speeds on skeleton/sled or bobsleigh tracks. Would you dare to try it? You can try it in Swedish village Hammarstrand which is the only place with a professional track in the whole Scandinavia. It hosted even Winter Olympics in Lillehammer which took place in 1994.

31. Skijoring

Do you have pets and would you like to train together with them? Then, skijouring is the best thing for you! Skijoring is basically any sport where a person on skis is pulled by a horse, a dog (or dogs), another animal, or a motor vehicle (snowmobile or car for instance). In Sweden, you can find many cross country skiing tracks where pets are allowed.

32. Reindeer race

If you own a typical Lappland pet – reindeer, you can participate in a Reindeer race during Jokkmokk winter market. This is a wonderful event when people gather from all around the world to admire Sámi traditions.

33. Snow mobiling

To be honest, I am not much of a fan of snow mobiling. I prefer moving in the pure nature with my own power but I understand snow mobiling is popular in Sweden. The machines are very quick and you can explore nature in much shorter time compared to skis or skates. For me, they are just very loud and smelly and I am not that happy to meet them on my trips. I am not surprised that they are banned in Norway in free nature and allowed only on specific paths. I hope Sweden will follow the rule in the future. Anyway, snow mobiles are allowed now so try them.

34. Snowboarding

I almost forgot about snowboarding. It’s not much a surprise because I am a skier and you know there is a small rivalry between both sports so maybe I forgot it on purpose 😉 Anyway, Sweden offers perfect conditions for snowboarding too. If you are a skier like me, why not trying a snowboard too? Look what Ms. Ledecka managed. She won a gold medal both in snowboarding and skiing at the Olympic games. I am proud to be a Czech 🙂

35. Winter Safari

In winter it is wonderful to observe animals in their natural habitat. Witnessing a moose and reindeer in Swedish mountains during winter is pretty common. But how about watching bears in Sweden?

36. Hunting for the lowest temperatures

I have to admit I’m a bit of a weather nerd. I follow weather forecasts every day and I’m fascinated by our atmosphere and its phenomena. That’s also why I decided to study a meteorology course at Uppsala University in Sweden. During that time I found out that it’s popular to “hunt” for the lowest temperatures. Very low temperatures are very interesting because you can try wonderful things like in the video below. Do you know where we can measure the the lowest temperature in Sweden?

37. Winter kicksleds

Have you ever heard of kicksleds? These are especially popular in northern Europe and are also used for classic shopping trips. Below is a video from one of the manufacturers.

38. Igloo

What is it like to sleep in an igloo? Despite the ice or snow structure, it should be “relatively” warm inside. It’s time to experience what it’s like to be an Inuit for a day.

39. Glacier caves

Finally, I have perhaps the most beautiful thing – the glacial caves that can be found not only in Iceland which is famous for this activity but also in Sweden. Visit Ristafalls ice caves.

CONCLUSION: Is Swedish winter boring or not?

So what do you think? Is winter still boring in Sweden? Feel free to share my article if you have a friend who thinks winter sucks. I am sure you will change his/her mind 😉

Selfie of group of skaters on a Swedish lake during sunset

September 2, 2025 • 0 Comment

Your guide to ice skating in Stockholm

After finishing Vasaloppet, I present to you a new winter sport. Do you know what Stockholm is unique for in winter? Why is it called a winter paradise among a large outdoor community? The answer is ice skating opportunities. Thanks to hundreds of lakes and the largest archipelago in the world nearby there are countless opportunities. Would you like to try skating on endless lakes or sea too? Follow my tips or join me on a a private organized skating tour. I am not only enjoying trips on ice in my free time on my own, I also work as a skating guide in Stockholm. You’ll find more information about how to book me as your ice skating guide at the end of this article. But first, let me introduce to you the Stockholm skating paradise.

Stockholm is the best place for ice skating in the world

If you look at the latitude of Stockholm, the Swedish capital lies far in the north but winters are surprisingly moderate here compared to other places this far in the north, for instance in North America. The gulf stream does its job so temperatures usually flactuate around 0 in winter. This might not sound perfect for Stockholm ice skating opportunities but it actually is!

Let me explain to you the unique ice skating conditions we have in the Stockholm area and why it is the best place to skate in the world. For great ice skating conditions we need to fulfil two assumptions:

Cold temperatures so lakes and the sea freeze
No precipitations so the ice is not covered by snow

Skating in central Stockholm, Sweden — *Winter conditions vary every year. In 2019 Mälaren in central Stockholm froze and we could skate in Stockholm city centre*

In Stockholm’s climate there is always a cold period when eastern winds prevail. During that time (usually coming in November and December), cold temperatures freeze the lakes and sea and it creates amazing opportunities for skating.

This moment usually doesn’t last long in other cold parts in the world because snow follows soon and the ice disappears under a thick white layer. On the other hand, snow is much less common In Stockholm and if it snows it often doesn’t last for a long time. Western winds show up, they bring warmer weather and the snow melts. This is good news for skating. Ice needs much higher temperatures to melt so the snow disappears and we can skate again!

These warm and cold periods usually alternate through the whole winter in Stockholm and that’s why we have the best skating conditions here. Another advantage of Stockholm is the large variety of water surfaces. We can find here small, medium and large lakes as well as the archipelago so there is also a new place to skate. Everything mentioned above brings the opportunity to skate basically anytime from the season start (usually November or December) until the ice melts (most often some time in April).

Skating on a mirror like sea. — *After rain and during plus temperatures lakes and the sea look like a mirror*

Safety first during ice skating

While skating is so much fun it’s also very important to do it safely. Swedish lakes and especially the sea can be very tricky and you have to know where it is safe to go. Luckily, Sweden in general is very good with safety rules and you can see it also in the equipment of any Swedish skater. Local Swedish skating clubs don’t allow their members to enter ice without:

Ice Skate & Boots – it would be difficult to skate without them 😉
Skating Poles – important tool to check the quality and thickness of the ice, also helpful if you have to go against strong wind
Ice picks– a necessary tool to get you out of the water in case you fall through the ice
Whistle – helps you to call help if you are in trouble
Rescue Lines – will allow your friend(s) to help you get out of the water
Backpack with extra clothes in waterproof bags

I would never go to unknown ice conditions without the above mentioned equipment either. During the last seven years of skating in the Stockholm area and three years of being a guide I still explore new areas every winter and the right equipment is crucial.

If you would like to buy your own equipment I recommend Alewalds store in Stockholm where you can get the best advice on winter equipment in Stockholm. If you would like to test the equipment first you can book a trip with the company I work for (booking below) and you can test the skating with me.

I also have to add that it’s necessary to have a skating partner. In case of an accident it is important to have someone who could help out. That’s why I always go on a skating trip in a company.

Skating at Saltsjöbaden — *My girlfriend Joanne demonstrates well the full ice skating equipment*

Skating at Siljan — *Joanne once more on an endless lake in Dalarna. The freedom you have on ice is amazing*

How is it to fall through ice?

It might sound crazy but I have never fallen through ice since I started to skate in the Stockholm area. I am always very careful and don’t give the ice the opportunity to trick me 🙂 I am mostly thankful to the skating poles which always help me to evaluate the thickness. I was curious though how it feels to be in the freezing water so I tried it out in a course.

I was supposed to jump in a hole in ice and stay there for three minutes. Then, I had to get out of the water on my own thanks to the ice picks. I have to admit I was a bit scared but the experience was not as bad as I had feared. It was actually similar to jumping into a freezing water after sauna, just without the sauna to warm up again 🙂 Luckily, the extra clothes are compulsory on such courses too so I changed into fresh and warm clothes and I was completely fine. Getting out of the water with ice picks worked very well too.

It was a great experience because I know now that in case of an accident it isn’t scary or a big deal. I am curious when my first fall through happens. I hope at least after seven more years 🙂

Swimming in a frozen lake — *Swimming in the frozen lake*

Try out skating in Stockholm with a guide

Of course, I started skating in Stockholm with guides. I had no idea what is safe or not. The guides give you safety because they have experience and they always go first on ice. If somebody from a group falls through the ice, it should always be the guide. The guests are 99% safe if they follow guide’s decisions and recommendations. I have learnt from many guides during last seven years and taken a special ice course in Stockholm and I am enjoying the time skating with both my close friends and clients while guiding.

If you would like to experience natural ice too, book a trip with me below and I will take you to the best ice of the day and you will have an unforgettable experience. I guide people who know how to ice skate already and I have the full safety equipment ready for you. Please note that I make the trips extra safe and no client has fallen through the ice yet.

Skating guided tour in Sweden — *One exciting trip led us to the edge of the ice*

Book a skating trip with me below

I guide private skating trips for intermediate and advanced skaters. Basically, if you can skate, a trip is suitable with me because nordic ice skating is technically easier than on regular skates. I organize both full day trips and and all inclusive 2-5 days trips with accommodation and local food. If you want to experience an unforgettable ice skating adventure, send me a message to info@jardazaoral.com.

Perfect new black ice in front of Stockholm City Hall

August 26, 2025 • 0 Comment

Ice safety: How thick should ice be to be safe?

Ice is fascinating. If it’s thick enough it allows people to make wonderful trips on lakes or seas. But ice skating is an adventurous sport and safety should never be underestimated. Do you know how to evaluate ice? You can’t just simply check the thickness and say that if it is 5cm thick, then it’s safe. In fact, it’s such a tricky question that I devote this whole article to it. I have been guiding on ice for three years and I took a thorough ice knowledge course in Sweden. Here are my most important learnings.

There are different kinds of ice and the quality matters

First, we have to go through the different types of ice as their quality differs. Since ice skating is so popular in Sweden, there is a extended vocubalury regarding ice terms. In my course we took a look at 117 of them. It isn’t important to know all of them but I will present to you the 5 most important ones.

Macro photo of snow ice structure — *This is a macro photo of snow ice structure. Is it a strong ice? Read below?*

Which ice has the highest quality?

Black ice (in Swedish kärnis) – this ice is created on open water during cold and clear nights. It is the best ice to skate on. It’s so clear that you can see through the ice and 4 cm is usually enough to skate on. This applies though only if you are experienced and have full ice safety equipment with you. Check out the recommended ice thickness by authorities below. The only disadvantage of black ice is that it melts faster during spring time when sun shines strongly due to its colour. This ice makes wonderful sounds so you can also evaluate the thickness by listening to it.
Snow ice (in Swedish stöpis) – this ice is created when there is snow on top of an ice layer which turns into ice during stöpning (Swedish word for the process of snow slowly melting and turning to slush which subsequently freezes). This ice is white in colour due to many small bubbles in the structure. The advantage of this ice is that it melts slower in heat due to its white colour. The disadvantage is that it quickly becomes soft on top in warm weather. This ice also cracks easier than black ice. I fell through once when the snow ice was 8 cm thick because it cracked after many other skaters who passed and there was no stable black ice underneath.
Salt ice (in Swedish saltis) – salt ice has similar characteristics as snow ice. You hardly ever get black ice on the sea due to salt crystals. The water freezes during colder temperatures (-0,5C at Baltic sea and -1,8C at North Sea) and it also melts faster. This ice doesn’t make much sound compared to black ice so it is more difficult to evaluate the thickness.
Double ice (in Swedish överis) – this ice occurs when there is water on top of the ice, for example because of rain, which subsequently freezes. The water slowly freezing on top creates a double ice layer with some water in between. This isn’t dangerous when it comes to falling through. However, you can get serious injuries if you come quickly from classic ice to double ice: your skates will suddenly stop and you will fall forward, often leading to knee and head injuries. Sometimes noses are even cut off… If there is a danger of double ice, it’s important to be extra careful and go slowly.
Spring ice (in Swedish våris) – this is the most tricky ice. Spring ice is usually beautiful to skate on during early mornings if temperatures were below zero over night, but the quality of the ice can change dramatically under the hot sun. The structure of the ice can break into small pillars and you can suddenly fall through. So even if the ice is 20 cm thick, it can still fall apart under strong sun and your weight.

*Fresh and beautiful black ice in front of Stockholm City Hall*

*Salt ice looks similar to snow ice but if you look closely you will see snow crystals*

Combination of black ice and snow ice — *This is a combination of black ice and snow ice. It was created after a heavy snow fall when snow was lying in the water during a very cold night. The snow created beautiful patterns in the ice.*

Skating in double ice isn't fun. It's actually almost impossible — *Skating in double ice isn’t fun. It’s actually almost impossible*

These are the most important ice structures you should know before coming to the ice but there are many more. Take a look at summary of Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute.

Ice safety according to authorities

Now that you know the differences of ice quality we can finally take a look at how thick the ice should be to be safe. According to both Issäkerhetrrådet (Swedish Ice Safety Advisory) and Snowfed (Swedish Snowmobile association), the ice should be 10 cm thick to safely walk on, icefish or to ice skate. If you would like to take a snowmobile, car or a small truck the ice should be even thicker (see below). These numbers refers to the highest quality of black ice. If the ice is of lower quality, it must be even thicker.

The strength of the ice varies both in time and space

Has ice safety become more clear already? Let’s make it more complicated again because the ice does not have the same thickness everywhere. As we were told during our ice knowledge course: “The ice can hold here, but not there. It can hold here now, but not later.” Why? The reasons are explained on the pictures below. If you want to go ice skating, it’s always important to take a look at a map beforehand to investigate potential dangerous areas. The Swedish terms are explained under the picture.

Map os where ice can be weak — *Explanation of the Swedish terms is below.*

Areas with possibly weak ice

Even though it’s very cold, it doesn’t mean that the ice is safe everywhere. At some places the water flows more, so skaters must be extra careful. Below you can see a list of places where it’s worth being extra careful:

Grund – Shallow water – when there is suddenly shallow water, the water flows faster there, which often causes weaker ice or even holes.
Vindbrunn – Wind hole – is created when there is a new layer of ice after the first cold night but winds destroy a part of it.
Inlopp – Water inlet – when water enters into a lake/sea, it causes weaker ice due to the flow.
Utlopp – Water outlet – the same happens when water leaves a lake – the area nearby can have weaker ice.
Avlopp – Drain – Areas where pipes drain water cause weaker ice too, again because there is a stream of (sometimes even warm) water.
Udde – Headland – There is also usually some stream around headlands (edges of peninsulas). Be aware of these places.
Råk – Crack – Cracks occur when the ice is shrinking and expanding in changing temperatures. There is no surprise that ice can be weaker around cracks. Skate a bit along the crack to find the best place to pass it.
Ränna – Large crack caused by boats – These cracks are impossible to pass and there is also often a weaker ice around. Be careful around them especially when a new boat passes. Waves caused by the boats can cause new ice cracks.
Vass – Reed – Water around reed often doesn’t manage to freeze as effectively as on open water. Before I learnt this I fell through once in such area. Be careful.
Bro – Bridge – Ice under bridges is often weaker than elsewhere.
Brygga – Jetty – they usually absorb more heat from sun and the ice around them gets weaker.

Wind hole which was created by wind during the creation of new ice — *Typical wind hole which was created by wind during the creation of new ice, then the hole increased in size due to even stronger wind*

There are two more interesting terms that aren’t included on the map but they are good to know about. They aren’t usually dangerous because they are usually very small but sometimes they can grow into significant sizes:

Slukhål – Suckhole – After rain, there will be some water on the ice which usually disappears slowly under the ice via small holes or cracks. The flowing water can create so called suckholes which can become pretty large if there is a lot of rain.
Stöpvattenhåll – Snow ice hole – we talked about the stöpning process when snow slowly turns into ice. What we haven’t mentioned is that wet snow becomes very heavy and that causes water coming from below through small holes or cracks to the top of the ice. If these holes become larger they create snow ice holes which look like neurons, aren’t they beautiful?

Stöpvattenhåll - Snow ice hole — *Stöpvattenhåll – Snow ice hole at Brunnsviken*

The danger of spring Ice

Let’s get once more back to the spring ice (våris) because it can be very dangerous. When the sun is very strong (in Sweden, it starts to impact ice significantly from beginning of March), it can change thick ice into dangerous area because the ice loses its structure from below and it’s hard to see it. Take a look what happened to an ice fisherman in 2023 in Sweden.

Ice Knowledge Summary

We have gone through all the important terms. We learnt about the different types of ice and we also checked all the potentially dangerous areas with weak ice. What I haven’t mentioned in this article is the safety equipment and the importance of experience and being in a group. I wrote a w h ole article about that before and you should definitely study it too before coming to the ice. You can also check out how it is to fall through ice and how you save yourself. I tried it in a course and it was actually a lot of fun 🙂 If you would like to try skating on natural ice under safe conditions, I am also working as an ice skating guide in Stockholm. Let me know if you are interested. I hope to see you on the ice some day!

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