Scandinavians know how to make the most of winter, both indoors and outdoors. They love festive markets with local crafts, food, and holiday cheer. In many cities, they host full winter festivals, with music, art, and cultural events. They also indulge in cosier activities, such as enjoying saunas. These are an integral part of Scandinavian culture, providing warmth and relaxation during the colder months and optimising physical health when contrasted with the lower air temperatures.
Many take advantage of the extended darkness to witness the mesmerising Northern Lights, otherwise known as Aurora Borealis. In regions like Northern Norway and Sweden, witnessing these natural light displays is entirely feasible, not to mention breathtaking. Winter’s extended darkness provides optimal conditions for spotting this spectacular phenomenon. Tromsø and Abisko in Sweden are popular spots for Northern Lights viewing.
If you’re thinking about taking a trip to this part of the world and want to partake in something more physically thrilling, you won’t be disappointed. Scandinavians stay pretty active in winter, with sports like skiing, skating, and sledding. Read more about the different activities you can enjoy in our comprehensive guide.
Cross-country skiing
Locations: Widely popular in Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
Scandinavia offers extensive cross-country skiing trails, with stunning landscapes to enjoy. This sport sees participants use skis to traverse snow-covered terrains, emphasising endurance and technique. Unlike downhill skiing, it involves moving across flat or gently undulating landscapes. Skiers use a gliding motion, propelling themselves forward with poles.
The sport is marked by long-distance races or leisurely journeys through picturesque winter landscapes. It has physical benefits such as enhancing cardiovascular fitness, engaging multiple muscle groups, and providing a low-impact, full-body workout. Cross-country skiing requires skill in managing varied snow conditions and mastering classic or skate techniques, making it a versatile and accessible winter activity enjoyed both recreationally and competitively.
The Vasaloppet in Sweden is one of the world’s oldest cross-country ski races. Then there’s the Idre Fjäll resort, which is suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers and has excellent cross-country skiing. Norway’s Birkebeinerrennet is another iconic event, while Buskerud is a favourite resort.
Downhill skiing
Locations: Sweden and Norway have numerous ski resorts.
Downhill skiing is an exhilarating winter sport, involving descending snow-covered slopes on skis. Skiers wear bindings that secure boots to the skis, allowing for controlled turns and manoeuvres. Gravity propels you down the mountain, as you navigate by shifting body weight and adjusting the ski edges. There are various difficulty levels, from gentle slopes for beginners to challenging, steep descents for advanced skiers. Skiing involves speed, precision, and a sense of freedom as you carve through snow.
Åre in Sweden is Scandinavia’s largest and most popular ski resort. It offers diverse slopes for all skill levels, has a vibrant après-ski scene and picturesque surroundings. Also in Sweden, Sälen is one of the largest ski resorts in Northern Europe. It’s family-friendly with a variety of terrain.
In Norway, Hemsedal is known for its extensive network of slopes, while Buskerud and Hordaland’s Geilo and Hedmark’s Trysil, the country’s largest ski resort, are also beloved destinations. In Finnish Lapland, there’s Levi, with the bonus of giving you the chance to experience the magical winter landscape of this renowned festive destination.
Ice skating
Locations: Lakes and designated rinks in Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.
Outdoor ice skating is a classic Scandinavian winter activity, providing a charming experience. It’s a graceful winter activity which sees skaters gliding on ice using specially designed skates. The skates have thin blades, allowing for smooth and controlled movements on frozen surfaces.
On both outdoor rinks and frozen lakes, skaters propel themselves forward using a rhythmic combination of pushes and glides. You can take it at your own pace and enjoy a combination of recreation and athleticism, enhancing your balance, strength, and agility. It caters to all skill levels, from casual skaters wanting a leisurely glide to figure skaters performing intricate routines.
Stockholm, Sweden, has various formal outdoor ice rinks, while Lake Mälaren often freezes, offering a unique natural ice skating experience.
Dog sledding
Locations: Popular in Norway and parts of Sweden and Finland.
Dog sledding is a thrilling winter adventure where a team of trained dogs pulls a sled across snow-covered landscapes. The musher, or driver, stands on the sled, steering and directing the dogs. This traditional mode of transportation has evolved into a popular recreational activity. The bond between musher and dogs is essential for effective communication and teamwork.
You can experience the serene beauty of snowy landscapes while enjoying the unique companionship of these skilled and energetic dogs. Dog sledding excursions often provide an immersive, nature-focused experience, allowing you to appreciate the winter wilderness while relishing the power and enthusiasm of a well-trained dog team.
Tromsø in Norway and Kiruna in Sweden are popular bases for dog sledding adventures.
Snowmobiling
Locations: Widely available in all Scandinavian countries.
Snowmobiling is an exciting winter activity that involves riding motorised vehicles equipped with skis and a track over snow-covered ground. Riders navigate a variety of landscapes, from groomed trails to open powder fields, experiencing a thrilling combination of speed and control. Snowmobiling provides access to remote areas not easily reached by other means, so you can explore the winter wilderness with an added adrenaline rush.
This is a versatile activity suitable for both adrenaline lovers and people after a leisurely ride. From guided tours to freeriding adventures, snowmobiling is a dynamic way to explore snowy landscapes and enjoy the winter outdoors.
Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland offers snowmobile safaris through snow-covered forests and frozen lakes. You can also hop on a snowmobile in Finland’s Ruka, in Kuusamo.
Ice fishing
Locations: Lakes in Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
Ice fishing is a classic Scandinavian winter activity, where you drill holes into frozen bodies of water, typically lakes, to catch fish beneath the ice. Anglers set up on the frozen surface, often in heated shelters, and use specialised equipment like ice augers and tip-ups. Patiently waiting for bites, ice anglers employ various bait and lures to entice fish.
This slow-paced, solo or communal activity combines the thrill of the catch with the peacefulness of winter landscapes. Ice fishing is a cultural tradition here, loved for its sense of camaraderie and unique connection to nature during the frozen months.
Experience traditional ice fishing in serene, frozen environments in Sweden, where Lake Vänern and Lake Vättern are popular spots for an excellent catch.
Curling
Locations: Sweden and Norway
If you delight in playing games in the company of others, curling may be for you. This is a strategic winter sport where teams slide granite stones on a sheet of ice towards a target area, known as the house. Players use brooms to sweep the ice in front of the sliding stone, altering its trajectory and speed. The objective is to place stones closer to the centre of the house than the opponent’s.
Combining precision, teamwork, and strategy, there’s an intricate interplay of skill and communication. Curling offers a social and competitive atmosphere, requiring you to master the art of strategy and finesse on the icy playing surface.
Curling facilities are found in cities like Stockholm and Oslo, with clubs welcoming newcomers.
Winter hiking
Locations: Throughout Scandinavia
Winter hiking is an invigorating outdoor activity, as you trek through snow-covered landscapes on marked trails. With snow-capped scenery and crisp air, you can enjoy a mindful and picturesque experience. Hikers in Scandinavia can take their pick of snowy terrains to navigate, often wearing insulated gear and traction devices for slippery surfaces.
The trails wind through forests, hills, and sometimes frozen lakes, making for incredible winter scenes. It’s a great way to boost your physical and mental fitness, while enjoying a oneness with nature. From short day hikes to longer excursions, you can explore the quiet charm of winter while savouring peaceful solitude or participating in a group walk.
Jotunheimen National Park in Norway and Kungsleden trail in Sweden are popular winter hiking destinations.
Snowboarding
Locations: Throughout Scandinavia
Snowboarding is a dynamic winter sport where you ride a single board down snow-covered slopes, using gravity for descent. Originating as a response to the skiing culture, snowboarding involves riders securing both feet onto a single board and manoeuvring by moving their bodies accordingly. The sport encompasses various styles, including freestyle, freeride, and alpine, each emphasising distinct techniques and terrains.
Snowboarders navigate slopes, performing tricks, jumps, and turns, creating a thrilling and expressive experience. Known for its creativity and adrenaline-inducing nature, it has evolved into a globally popular winter activity, attracting enthusiasts to mountain resorts worldwide.
Sweden’s Hundfjället has a snow park with jumps and rails. Finland’s Rika snow park, with its modern features, attracts snowboarders looking for a mix of jumps and rails. In Iceland, a unique Icelandic snowboarding experience can be found at Bláfjöll.
Ice climbing
Locations: Norway, Sweden and Finland
Ice climbing is a daring winter pursuit where adventurers ascend frozen waterfalls or icy rock surfaces using purposely-designed gear. Armed with ice axes and crampons, climbers meticulously navigate the vertical, often treacherous, terrain. The sport demands a blend of strength, endurance, and technical skill.
Set against striking snowy backdrops, ice climbing provides an exhilarating experience, combining the challenges of rock climbing with unique, icy conditions. It gives you the chance to conquer nature’s frozen vertical landscapes in a thrilling and visually stunning winter adventure.
Rjukan in Norway is renowned for its dramatic ice falls, such as the famous Rjukanfossen. Sweden’s Sarek National Park also offers challenging ice climbs, while the country’s Abisko National Park features frozen waterfalls, for a unique ice climbing experience under the Northern Lights. Finland’s Korouoma Canyon also presents frozen cliffs and waterfalls for avid climbers.
What is the most popular winter sport in Sweden?
While both cross-country and downhill skiing are popular, ice hockey holds a special place in the hearts of Swedes. The country has a strong ice hockey tradition, and the sport is widely played and followed.
Which Scandinavian country is best in sports?
Determining the best in sports is, of course, subjective, and each Scandinavian country excels in different areas. Norway has a strong tradition in winter sports like skiing, Sweden has a notable presence in ice hockey, and Denmark is known for its achievements in handball. Each country has its own unique sports culture and successes.
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This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation.