Sweden in Winter: Weather, What to Pack & Things to Do!

Things to Do in Sweden in Winter

1. Go Dog sledding
2. Admire the Northern Lights
3. Experience Ice Fishing
4. Try out snowmobiling
5. Mountain Biking
6. Enjoy sightseeing in Stockholm
7. Alpine Skiing
8. Kayaking on the Coast
9. Go Skiing
10. Enjoy an outdoor Fika

Sweden in winter gets transformed into this magical wonderland that will entrance and enchant any traveler. The powdery blanket of snow offers a wide range of exhilarating activities such as alpine skiing, dog sled rides, snowboarding, riding snowmobiles, ice skating, ice fishing and so much more.

This beautiful country has some of the most spectacular natural phenomena that should definitely be part of your visit especially in winter. One such spectacular phenomenon is the amazing Northern Lights which is one of the most mesmerizing experiences you can enjoy here. You can stay in Ice Hotels where rooms are carved out of ice and offer ice bars and delicious Sami cuisine.

Another experience in Sweden that you should be a part of is the famous Fika where people take these short coffee breaks to indulge in hot coffee and some delicious snacks like the cinnamon bun. Sweden is the land of vikings, beautiful archipelagos, eye catching landscape, amazing music and extraordinary phenomena such as the Midnight Sun and it offers some of the most unique experiences that should definitely be in your bucket list.

Here are the some of the best things to do in Sweden in Winter:

01

Weather Conditions of Sweden In Winter

Sweden in winter is a snowy wonderland with temperatures constantly ranging at sub-zero levels. Winter usually lasts from December to February, but in areas closest to the Arctic Circle it can last from October to April. Temperatures in Stockholm city can range between -4 degrees to 2 degrees Celsius in these months. However, places closer to the North Pole like Kiruna see temperatures range between -17 degrees to -5 degrees Celsius.

Swedish winter means incredibly short days, with many northern places seeing the sun not rise for a over month. It's not completely dark during the daytime, and the nights are the time for the iconic Northern Lights.

02

Packing tips of Sweden In Winter

1. No matter what you include in your places to visit in Sweden in winter list, you will need to pack multiple layers of warm clothing.

2. Go for wool or synthetic base layers, sweaters, windproof jackets and pants, warm-down jackets, wool socks, and thick gloves.

3. Since Swedish winters mean lots of snow, you will need sun protection like sunscreen, sunglasses, caps and hats.

4. Keep snacks, first aid and necessary medications, and toiletries like soap and toilet paper handy.

5. Sturdy yet comfortable shoes, preferably boots, are a must for surviving the snowy cold in Sweden.

6. Since skiing and other snow sports are the most popular things to do in Sweden in winter, take flashlights, headlamps, and ski gear along.

03

Go Dog Sledding

Exploring the fantastic wilderness of Sweden in winter on a dog sled is nothing short of living a fantasy. The mesmerizing landscape covered in a thick blanket of powdery white snow will give you the feeling of being part of a fairytale. Riding a dog sled which is being pulled by a team of majestic Alaskan or Siberian huskies is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Sweden in winter. Besides taking in the stunning landscape you may get lucky and get a glimpse of the really rare Arctic fox or reindeer, wolverine or the Arctic hare.

Location: Swedish Lapland

04

Admire The Northern Lights

One of the best things about Sweden in winter is the incredible view of the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis is one of the most magical phenomena that you can view on your trip to Sweden. Behold the wonder of colors and the beauty of the shimmering arcs of light that are displayed across the clear, dark expanse of the Swedish skies. Head to the Swedish Lapland which is rather remote and you will have a better view of the Northern Lights from here. Sit back and relax while you enjoy one of the most beautiful and mesmerizing shows of nature.

Location: Kiruna, Aurora Sky Station in Abisko National Park, Jokkmokk, Lulea

05

Experience Ice Fishing

Swedish winters are long and glorious and offer fantastic conditions for ice fishing. Some of the most unique things to do in Sweden in winter that you will enjoy with your ice fishing expeditions are walking on a frozen lake, drilling a hole in the ice and waiting for the fish to bite. Pikes, Arctic Char, perch and trout are some of the variety of fish that you can catch here in winter. The mesmerizing landscapes and the peaceful quietness of the surrounding area is an added bonus that comes with the adventure of going ice fishing in Sweden.

Location: Krokom, Vemdalen, Are

06

Try Out Snowmobiling

The best way to explore the incredible landscape and wilderness of Sweden in winter is on a snowmobile. Your ride will take you across snow-covered forests, frozen lakes and snow capped mountains looming in the background. Go hunting for location to spot the Northern Lights or maybe spot a reindeer or the Arctic Fox on the way. On snowmobile tours you can go ice fishing, or visit mountain lodges or enjoy campfires in the wilderness.

Location: Kiruna in North Sweden, Rikgransen, Jovattnet, Salen

07

Mountain Biking

Sweden has many mountain biking trails and the best part about these trails are the variations. You can go from long flow trails to extremely challenging tracks with rocky and uneven terrains. This is one of the best adventure things to do in Sweden during winter with Finale Ligure being one of the top destinations for mountain biking in Sweden in winter. It has become one of the winter hotspots for bikers from around the globe. Some of the best bike parks in Sweden where you can test your prowess in the sport are Äre Bike Park, Järvsö, Gesunda Bike Park and Vallasen Bike Park.

Location: Finale Ligure, Äre, Järvsö, Gesunda

Entry Fees: Starting from INR 2000 per person

08

Enjoy Sightseeing in Stockholm

Enjoying the beautiful attractions of Stockholm is one of the best things to do in Sweden in winter. You can visit the world’s longest gallery which is the subways of Stockholm and famous for its Subway Art. Go on a guided tour of Gamla Stan, watch the Royal Guard Ceremony at The Royal Palace, go skiing at the Hammarbybacken Ski Resort or visit the intriguing Fotografiska Museum. While in Stockholm do make time to go on a food tour of the city and make sure you indulge in outdoor Fika with your friends and family.

Location: Stockholm

09

Alpine Skiing

Sweden in winter offers an amazing variety of ski runs, accommodations and entertainment for those yearning for the powdery white slopes. This magnificent country has some of the most welcoming and vibrant ski resorts in Europe and you can enjoy much more along with skiing in these resorts. You can indulge in ice climbing, food tours, be part of several events, kayaking and free riding. Some of the best places for alpine skiing in Sweden are Salen, Riksgransen, Swedish Lapland and more. After your skiing adventure head to the nearby town and enjoy some local craft beer along with some delicious Arctic cuisine.

Location: Are, Riksgransen, Lapland

10

Kayaking on The Coast

Solitude, peaceful environment and interrupted only by an occasional sighting of a coastal village along the way is what you will get with kayaking on the coast of Sweden in winter. As you head into the dark coastal water, in the distance you will be able to see the typical red and yellow houses that are characteristic of Nordic and Scandinavian countries. Kayaking along the Swedish coast is one of the most peaceful things to do in Sweden during winter. This expedition will sharpen your senses as you paddle methodically and maybe enjoy the company of some seals looking for food.

Location: Stockholm Archipelago, Gothenburg Archipelago, Skane

11

Go Skiing

Considering that this beautiful country is covered in a white powdery blanket of snow during winter, some of the best things to do in Sweden in winter is skiing. The slopes here are fantastic and you can look forward to over 1236 km of amazing ski slopes. If you are traveling with your family then you can enjoy this sport together as there are several ski trails that are kid friendly as well as those ideal for beginners. You can also try out heli-skiing, ski tours or just enjoy skiing in wide open spaces that are absolutely breathtaking.

Location: Are, Salen, Hemavan, Vemdalen, Duved, Tandalen, Stoten, Riksgransen and Romme

12

Enjoy An Outdoor Fika

Your trip to Sweden in winter is definitely going to be incomplete without indulging in a traditional outdoor Fika experience. Fika is a coffee break that Swedes take which they enjoy with some light snack like cinnamon buns or some cookies. Outdoor Fika is just more fun because your pot of coffee is boiling on an open fire with the great outdoors to keep you company. The beauty of the Swedish winterland and the intoxicating aroma of hot coffee will warm your soul and you will definitely come away with one of the greatest memories of your trip.

Location: Sweden

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