Winter activities in Norway
If you're looking for a winter escape from home, Norway might be just the ticket. Wintertime is the perfect time to take advantage of the fantastic natural landscape in Norway and explore one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Not only does Norway offer excellent skiing conditions, but several existing winter activities are just waiting to be discovered!
How long is winter in Norway?
As a northern Scandinavian country, Norway is fairly cold during the winter, especially in the Arctic climate. Winter usually lasts quite long, but though the winter days are dark and cold, Norwegians tend to enjoy the wintertime due to all the fantastic winter activities they can take part in. The average temperatures can range from just below zero to about 20°F (-6°C), and this depends a lot on what part of Norway you find yourself in – so be sure to check the weather forecast ahead of your trip and pack warm clothes and good quality shoes!
What to wear in Norway during winter
It’s wise to check the local temperature and climate before you head off on your trip to Norway so you can dress and pack appropriately. You’ll need to pack for different weather conditions depending on where you’re planning to go, and temperatures below freezing are not uncommon at the peak of winter.
The best way to prepare for a trip to Norway? Invest in good-quality clothing that will keep you warm during your stay! In winter, clothes made from wool or other natural insulation are recommended as opposed to synthetics. You should pack wool sweaters, thick socks, woolen mittens or gloves, and a warm hat to make sure you can enjoy your experience of Norway in the winter without getting too cold.
If you’re heading to the Norwegian fjords during winter, you should wrap up warm. If you’re spending most of your time in one of the larger cities like Oslo, pack layers and sturdy shoes appropriate for colder temperatures and be aware that streets can get icy.
What to do in winter in Norway
Winter is the perfect time to enjoy all the fantastic winter activities Norway has to offer, and there’s no shortage of fun and interesting things to do. In Norway, popular winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowboarding, dog-sledding, snowshoeing, taking a tour on a bobsled, tubing down mountains, and much more.
Cross-country skiing is hugely popular among Norwegians, and if you’re headed to Norway’s capital, skiing opportunities abound just outside Oslo. During your winter stay in the capital, be sure to spend some time wandering around the picturesque Christmas market at Spikersuppa!
If you’d prefer winter activities that don’t include as much physical activity, there are a number of great options for you. You can take in the intense beauty of the northern lights with the beautiful surroundings , or clear your thoughts with some peaceful birdwatching or a wildlife tour in the winter wonderland.
Norway is one of the coldest countries in the world, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a fantastic visit! Explore Norwegian culture by visiting Viking villages, tasting traditional cuisine, or going on some of the best hikes in Europe. No matter what time of year you visit or where you decide to go, there’s no doubt that you’ll be able to see plenty of amazing things!
Where should you go in Norway during the winter?
All in all, Norway offers an array of fantastic destinations for those looking for winter activities, and you should choose where to go depending on what you’d most like to do while you’re here.
Few things would make your winter quite as magical as seeing the aurora borealis with your own eyes. If you’d like to see the northern lights on your trip, heading north to Tromsø is the best option for you.
For snow enthusiasts, winter is breathtaking in Norway with plenty of options for skiing and snowboarding. If you’re staying in Oslo, Norway’s capital alone has about eight ski resorts to choose from, offering great opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. From Bergen, you can easily travel to some great skiing destinations with our SkiTicket, while Mount Fløyen in Bergen is a popular spot for tobogganing down during the winter.
However, there are also many reasons why people might want to visit in the wintertime. In fact, here are six great reasons why tourists should come visit Norway in the winter season.
Dog Sledding
It is hard to go sledding when there is nothing but dirt, rocks, and grass on the ground. However, once November rolls around, much of Northern Norway will be covered in a pristine blanket of snow. This means that the dog sleds can come out and the locals and visitors can get the opportunity to participate in this exciting adventure.
In order to experience the best dog sledding opportunities, you should head up to Lyngsfjord and seek out the town of Tromsø. There, you can either choose to ride in a dog sled or even pilot your own team of dogs as you race across a seemingly endless stretch of secluded land. There is nothing quite like being pulled through a field of snow by several Huskies while you look around and admire the forest and mountain scenery.
Snowshoe Hiking
Further into the winter season, much of Southern Norway will also see its fair share of snow. This means that if you want to stick around the popular southern Norwegian cities of Oslo and Bergen, then you can do so while still participating in some fantastic winter activities.
For example, at the end of December, many people visit the area around Flåm in order to partake in some exceptional snowshoe hiking. Rather than traditional hiking, this activity allows you to get the same amount of workout while also looking out onto a gorgeous landscape covered in a light layer of snow. It is sure to be something that looks like it came straight out of a fairytale.
Winter Kayaking
Most people think of kayaking as a warm-weather activity. However, in the Norwegian town of Ålesund, winter kayaking has become an increasingly popular activity. This is because the Gulf stream gives the waters throughout the town a vast amount of clear water that makes it incredibly easy to see all of the various fish and aquatic life that exist in the area.
You do not have to worry about cold winter temperatures either as long as you are fitted with a dry suit because you will be sure to stay warm and keep your blood flowing once you begin to actually start paddling. The multiple hours it takes to complete the winter kayaking journey is almost certain to be better than any kayaking you may have done in the summer.
Snowmobile Safaris
Snowmobiling is another winter-only activity. And even for someone who is not that into adventure travel and has never had snowmobiling on their radar, snowmobiling in Norway is an activity no one should miss. This is because the snowmobile safari tours located near Tromsø offer some of the most gorgeous views you will ever experience.
Within a short distance of the northern Norway city is a series of remote mountains and inland valleys. By hopping on a snowmobile and traveling down a guided trail, you can climb to a height of over 850 meters and are even given the chance to partake in some exceptional
Winter Fjord Safaris
Exploring the best fjords in Norway during the summer months is a completely different experience from exploring them during the winter months. This is because the frigid temperatures change a lot about the usual fjord scenery, which makes it feel like you are touring a completely different part of the world.
These winter fjord safari tours based out of Flåm move through Nærøyfjord and give you a glimpse of some truly astonishing winter landscapes. The many different waterfalls that are located throughout the fjord will likely be turned into a giant glistening icicle rather than the flowing stream of water that they usually are. The water will also appear much clearer, making spotting wildlife a lot easier. If you are brave enough, you will even have the opportunity to jump in and do a little cold water swimming.
In addition, it will also likely be a lot less busy since not as many people tend to visit during the winter season, which means that you will have more time to admire things and engage in exciting activities without being interrupted or limited by other visitors.
Norway in a nutshell® wintertour
If you’d like to experience the best of what Norway has to offer during the winter, why not join our popular Norway in a nutshell® winter tour?
Traveling in Norway during winter is a special experience. On this tour, you get to enjoy magnificent winter nature on some of Europe's most beautiful train rides and take in the crisp and clean fjord air on a silent electric fjord cruise on the UNESCO-protected Nærøyfjord.
Winter tours
Looking for a complete winter experience? Several of our tours are available during the winter season. You can also easily add an exciting winter activity to your tour.
Sognefjord in a Nutshell™ Winter tour
A winter getaway on Norway's longest fjord
Cruise Norway's longest and deepest fjord, the stunning Sognefjord combined with the famous Flåm Railway. Experience beautiful scenery and cultural heritage on a relaxing winter adventure.
From 2130 NOK
View map
Norway in a Nutshell® Winter Tour
Winter magic on Norway's most popular tour
Discover breathtaking nature and one of the world's most spectacular fjords on this amazing winter experience. The Norway in a Nutshell® winter tour brings you close to stunning nature in a responsible way with emission-free transport. Ride the winter rails on two of the top train journeys in the world and cruise the snowy fjords on a quiet electric fjord cruise.
From 1600 NOK
View map
Lysefjord in a Nutshell™
Preikestolen, Lysefjord and charming Stavanger
This tour takes you to Preikestolen, the Pulpit Rock, one of Norway’s most photographed natural attractions. The tour includes a fjord cruise on the scenic Lysefjord and the charming city of Stavanger.
From 1381 NOK
View map
Winter activities
Winter in Norway
Winter Solstice
The winter solstice, hiemal solstice or hibernal solstice occurs when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt away from the Sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere (Northern and Southern).
Winter activities in Norway
If you're looking for a winter escape from home, Norway might be just the ticket. Wintertime is the perfect time to take advantage of the fantastic natural landscape in Norway and explore one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Not only does Norway offer excellent skiing conditions, but several existing winter activities are just waiting to be discovered!
6 essential items for visiting Norway in winter
As a Scandinavian country that is over 2,500 kilometres long, Norway possesses very different kinds of weather in all four of its seasons. While the summer weather is quite warm no matter where you go, the winter can vary widely depending on your location. Therefore, it is important that you bring these essential items when coming to Norway during winter!
Why does the sun not rise in the Winter?
There are basically two different kinds of people in the world when it comes to sunlight. Some are classified as “morning people,” which means that they absolutely love to wake up early in the morning to the warm glow of sunlight. On the flip side of the coin, their counterparts are known as “night owls,” which means that they actually prefer the evening when the sun is on its way down.