Winter Activities In Swedish Lapland
Winter is very long in Swedish Lapland. Or put another way, autumn is very short. From the end of October until well into April it is winter in these latitudes. Therefore, you have a long period of time to square this trip. It is very cold, it is obvious, but in return there are certain activities that you can only do in these parts of Scandinavia.
Getting to Swedish Lapland
To get to Sweden, the most common is to fly to the airport in its beautiful capital, Stockholm. It is a city that is always worth a visit. And also, from there you can take a flight further north, to the city of Skelleftea, which has become the true gateway to Swedish Lapland.
There, various hotels await you, some very curious, and the possibility of hiring excursions and the different winter activities that this territory offers you. It is an area that looks cold and inhospitable, but it can be turned into a great adventure.
The key to a trip to Swedish Lapland in winter
If you travel to Swedish, Finnish or Norwegian Lapland, in any of these territories there is a common note in winter: they are authentic frozen paradises. There are many things to do and many wonders to discover, but all of this can only be done in one way: wearing very warm clothes.
We are not going to fool you, it is an expensive trip that requires a good investment. So to make the most of it, don’t skimp on wearing the appropriate clothing and equipment for the occasion. A frostbite can be a very serious problem. So, once that aspect is solved, we can now enjoy everything that a winter trip to Swedish Lapland offers us:
1. See the northern lights
One of the reasons that alone is worth this trip is to stay in some cabins in the Lappish forests and take advantage of the long night to contemplate one of the most incredible light shows that nature offers us: we refer to seeing the northern lights. It is a spectacle of the Scandinavian skies that also marvels in Swedish Lapland.
2. Sailing on an icebreaker ship
Another activity that becomes an almost exclusive activity in these latitudes located so far north of the planet is sailing on an icebreaker ship. Of course, it is a truly memorable experience to go sailing on the frozen layer of the sea and hear the crunch of ice. It gives some respect, but those who carry these very special ships are true professionals.
3. Icy safaris during the winter in Swedish Lapland
Hearing the word safari, the African continent and warm lands where large mammals live come to mind. Well, also in cold Swedish Lapland you can go on safaris. Although, this time we will not see elephants or lions, the main protagonists of this experience are the moose. Without a doubt, some spectacular animals.
4. Go sledding
To get around Swedish Lapland in winter the most common vehicle is snowmobiles. But there are other ways to get around. One of them is the skates, which even allow you to slide down lakes and the Baltic.
And it is also very normal to do excursions with snowshoes. However, another very common and fun activity is sledding by powerful huskies. They are admirable dogs for their strength, beauty and personality.
5. Get to know the Sami people
We have named the moose and the huskies, well, now it’s time to talk about the reindeer. The animal around which the Sami culture develops. It is a town present throughout Lapland, also in the Swedish area.
To get to know them better, you can always go on excursions to their towns. It is even highly recommended to spend a few days with them, staying in their most comfortable cabins, despite the inclement weather.
6. A winter in Swedish Lapland: the baptism of ice
And to finish with the things to do in winter in Swedish Lapland we propose an activity only suitable for the brave: immersing yourself in a frozen river. Yes, you can take part in the Skellefte river swimming race in the city center. There is a typical competition that proposes to swim about 25 meters in its icy waters. You dare? It is one of the few free things you will do in Sweden.
