Top 8 winter activities in Sweden

Want to get closer to animals, experience the cold and enjoy nature? Then go dog sledding in northern Sweden! Swedish Lapland is a dream destination for these kinds of experiences. From short dog sledding trips to multiple days excursions, you’ll experience the natural beauty of Swedish landscapes by driving your huskies across frozen lakes, snow-clad forests and lands with magnificent mountains in the background. What winter adventure could give you a more dream-like and thrilling sensation?

Did you know that you can find skiing trails in the city centre of Sweden’s major cities? After a day’s work or during your lunch break, buy a sandwich or a cinnamon bun at a bakery, take your coffee thermos (never miss a fika!), pack your bag and head to one the city’s cross-country skiing spots. In Stockholm, you’ll find trails in Nacka, Gärdet, Stadion, Hellasgården, Djurgården, or Värmdö in the archipelago. And if you’re up for an alpine-skiing session, head to Hammarbybacken in the southern part of the capital to slide down a nice slope or two. Sweden’s best alpin resorts also include Åre, Riksgränsen, Sälen, Vemdalen and Romme Alpin. Here are some other tips about where to go skiing in Sweden.

What is more magical than watching the night sky come alive with beautiful streaks of pinks, greens and purples dancing above our head? The Northern Lights can be seen between early September and the end of March in northern Sweden. This unique natural light show is a bucket list experience for many and deserves a trip to Sweden alone. And did you know that Sweden is known as one of the best spots in the world to admire these spectacular beauties?

During the coldest period of the year, many lakes and rivers freeze and when the sun decides to show its happy face on a cold winter’s day, the conditions are perfect to take your ice-skates with you and go gliding on natural ice. It might be a bit scary at first but once you feel your skates gliding over the frozen water and you hear the wind cradling around you, you will start to enjoy the feeling of freedom while admiring the surrounding scenery. If you don't have a lot of experience in ice-skating yet, don’t worry, you’ll find guided tours for both beginners and more experienced ice-skaters. Safety is crucial when ice skating on natural ice. Before going ice skating, make sure you have the right knowledge and equipment.

With 100,000 lakes, majestic rivers and a long coastline dotted with thousands of islands, Sweden is a paradise for fishing enthusiasts. And for a really cool experience, go ice fishing during winter by drilling a hole in the ice angling pike, perch or an Arctic char. If you want to enjoy the sunny winter days, slightly warmer but at least lighter, you can even go ice fishing in late winter, early spring around March and April. And if you prefer urban, coastline or river fishing, Sweden has it all.

Have you ever spent a night in an igloo or a hotel entirely made of ice and snow? Welcome to Sweden – welcome to something else! This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you don’t want to miss. Popular destinations offering igloos accommodations include Igloo Åre with its breath-taking views over the valley or the Ice and Light Village of Kalix in Swedish Lapland. Further in the north, the legendary and world-famous Icehotel is a not-to-be-missed place. Every year, about 40 artists from all over the world gather in Jukkasjärvi and contribute to create a new edition of Icehotel and one of the most unique overnight experiences in the world.

One of the first words you will learn in Sweden (and for sure one of the most important!) is “fika”. Much more than a coffee break, the tradition of fika is so established in Sweden that you can do it several times a week, there is no limit. What you need is a large amount of coffee and delicious pastries – the Swedish cinnamon buns are known as the big favourites. Then, share and enjoy it with colleagues, family or friends, inside or outside in Swedish nature.

Afraid of a winter plunge in cold or frozen water? Among Swedes, cold bathing is a tradition that's trendier than ever. The Swedish coastline is studded with open-air public baths, often with direct access to the sea and open year-round. However, many Swedes go cold bathing in their nearest lake, even without a hot sauna close by. There is something invigorating with winter bathing and some say they feel re-born after a dip. Try it and you'll most certainly feel as brave as a Viking and you will want to do it again. And again.