The 13 Winter Days Out in Scandinavia That Earn Their Price

1.Tromso Aurora Hunt with Bonfire, Soup, Winter Gear & Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,290 reviews · 5 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $226Our pick

Meet at Scandic Ishavhotel in central Tromsø and ride into the Arctic countryside with an English-speaking guide. The team may cross into Finland to find clearer skies. At camp, warm up beside a bonfire with vegan, gluten-free soup while guides explain the aurora and take souvenir photos. Thermal suits and boots are supplied.

“Despite the challenging weather conditions and limited aurora activity, our driver and guide made an exceptional effort to ensure we had the opportunity to witness the auroras. The atmosphere was delightful, and the experience of having a bonfire in a remote location with people from various backgrounds was truly memorable. We were fortunate to see some auroras initially, and although they briefly disappeared, our patience was ultimately rewarded with their reappearance. It was a wonderful experience, and we are deeply grateful for all the dedication they demonstrated in helping us see the auroras.”

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2.Guided Husky Snowshoe Hike and Husky Camp Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 555 reviews · from $175

Ride a minibus from Tromsø to a husky camp on Kvaløya, then follow an English-speaking guide on an easy-to-moderate snowshoe hike with one or two working huskies. Expect snowy mountain views, time with puppies, warm drinks, and homemade chocolate cake by the fire.

“Very nice visit to the camp and grtting to know how they keep a sustainable model for the dogs and being able to see the pups. The snowshoe walk was EPIC...! The nature, being able to walk with the dogs, and talk to the trainers. I definitely recommend the experience”

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3.Rent Winter Clothing Sets

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 507 reviews · 1 - 10 days · from $54Best value

Rent a complete winter clothing set from Winterent in Rovaniemi for 1 to 10 days. You receive a jacket, trousers, snow boots, mittens and tube scarf, with adult sizes up to 7XL and children’s options available. Collect at Jaakonkatu 3, or arrange hotel delivery and pickup for an extra fee.

“The gear was clean , the assistant helpful and organised. It was no problem changing a few items”

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4.Cross Country Guided Skiing Course

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 503 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $99

Meet at Charlottenlund Aktivitetspark for a 2.5-hour beginner-friendly lesson and guided ski through Tromsøya. Guides such as Sissel, Tuva, Elias, and Elen teach balance, gliding, stopping, and hills before leading you toward Prestvannet Lake. Skis, boots, poles, a warm drink, and Norwegian sweets are included.

“Guides were knowledgeable and provided good advice to beginners to enable whole group to have fun. Well organised.”

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5.Snowshoe Hike in the Arctic

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 467 reviews · 4 hours · from $157

Leave Tromsø by black Mercedes for a three-hour snowshoe hike in Ersfjordbotn. Your guide, possibly Truls, Adrian, Espen, or another local leader, sets the pace for a small group of up to eight. Expect fjord views, snowy slopes, wildlife clues, hot chocolate, snacks, and sometimes a playful slide back down.

“It was a great adventure in the snow! A big thank you to Truls who was very professional and bringing good vibes to the whole group!”

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6.Snow Hotel Tour and Ice Restaurant Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 345 reviews · from $229

You’ll tour Rovaniemi’s Arctic SnowHotel with an English or Finnish guide, then eat a three-course dinner in the Ice Restaurant. Choose elk, salmon, chicken, or a vegan falafel main course. Return transfers, the Ice Bar, Sky Bar, sledding, and tobogganing are included, but drinks cost extra.

“The snow hotel is absolutely amazing! I cannot believe they build it in three weeks! We had dinner in the restaurant which was both amazing as an experience, and the food was truly delicious! Our waitress was absolutely fabulous had a great sense of humour and was very accommodating and taking photographs et cetera. The tour of the rooms within the hotel was totally amazing! I cannot believe every single room is completely different and absolutely amazing. The ice chapel is gorgeous and the ice bar is definitely somewhere to have a drink. Bizarrely it’s much warmer in the ice hotel than it was the whole week we were there……”

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7.Winter Sea Kayaking Tour with Wildlife Sightings

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 333 reviews · from $191

Join Sommarøy Adventure Tromsø AS for a five-hour winter kayaking trip from Tromsø. Guides such as Rune and Eamonn lead small groups through snowy fjords, with drysuits, boots, gloves, transport, hot drinks, and snacks included. Calm water, seals, sea eagles, thin ice, and polar-night skies may all be part of your day.

“We liked this activity very much! Chill, not crowded, beautiful views. We really enjoyed it.”

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8.Arctic Snow Hotel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 302 reviews · from $118

Take a 3.5-hour guided visit from Rovaniemi to the Arctic SnowHotel. See hand-carved ice rooms, the Ice Chapel, Ice Bar, and Ice Restaurant, then enjoy free time for tobogganing and kick sledding. Your English or Finnish guide explains how the hotel is built and operated, with return transfers included.

“The activity was excellent. The ice hotel Was incredible and a sit to behold. Unfortunately the trip lacked guidance. No one was there at the coach meeting point to explain what was happening and no guide on the coach to tell us about local traditions, people etc.”

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9.Winter Kayaking, Swedish Fika and hot Sauna Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $160

Join Skärgårdens Kanotcenter for a three-hour winter sea-kayaking trip near Vaxholm. Guides such as Sam, Jules, Rowan, and Karl lead beginners through icy channels in dry suits, with fika, hot drinks, and a sauna afterward. The small group size keeps the outing calm, personal, and easy to follow.

“Awesome experience and first time kayaking in a dry suit. From the equipment to kayaking in general for the beginners, everything was explained very well with safety in mind. It was great to get out of Stockholm, on the water, warm up in the sauna, and enjoy the Fika!”

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10.Snow Hotel Tour with Food by the Fire

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 144 reviews · from $201

Visit Rovaniemi’s Arctic SnowHotel with a Finnish or English-speaking guide, see ice-carved suites, try a drink in an ice glass, then eat a three-course Lapland-inspired dinner beside an open fire. Evening pickups run from Santa Claus Village, Ounasvaara, and central Rovaniemi.

“This was a fantastic experience. Driver was friendly and very skilled on the icy roads. We were greeted by our guide who explained the plan for the evening then showed us around the hotel and how it was built. He showed us all the rooms, each incredibly unique with fantastic ice sculptures. We had a chance to have a shot in the Ice Bar and throw the ice glass against the wall. We then had time to explore the rooms again on our own and relax in the Sky Bar with hot lingonberry or a cold drink before an amazing meal next to the open log fire. Sadly the Northern…”

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11.Wilderness Snowshoe Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 94 reviews · 2 hours · from $88

Walk through Abisko’s snowy birch forest on a two-hour, small-group hike led in English by guides such as Anne, Anna, Michelle, and Cecilia. Expect easy-to-moderate snowshoeing, wide views over the area, wildlife tracks, warm clothing, and a hot drink. The outing runs from 14:00 to 16:00 and suits children aged eight and older.

“Had a lovely afternoon with Anna who showed us a beautiful panorama and took photos for us …. And she gave us so much information about the wildlife - we were lucky to see two moose! The snowshoes were fun and made it much easier to walk through the snow.”

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12.2-Hour Winter Kayaking Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 80 reviews · 2 hours · from $135

Meet your Norwegian or English-speaking guide at Svolvær harbor, gear up in a dry suit, and paddle calm winter waters in a stable double kayak. You’ll see the shoreline from the sea, hear about local customs and Svolvær’s past, and may spot white-tailed sea eagles. No kayaking experience is needed, but good fitness and warm layers are essential.

“Very nice way to discover Trollfjord in confort, and protected by the harsh wind. The team is very nice, and they also took the time to include a marine wildlife exposée on the tour which was original!”

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13.Arctic Snow Hotel Tour and Snow Sauna Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 75 reviews · from $207

Spend five hours touring Rovaniemi’s Arctic SnowHotel with an English or Finnish guide, then use a private snow sauna, Finnish sauna, and outdoor jacuzzi. You’ll see ice rooms, the Ice Bar, Ice Chapel, Ice Restaurant, and themed sculptures before returning by included transfer. Guide Emma has led some visits.

“The visit of the Arctic Snow Hotel with Emma was really amazing, we had a great time visiting the ice bar, the ice chapel, the rooms, and all the small village with the sculptures. And we really enjoyed our time in the Finnish Sauna and snow sauna to get warmer in these cold days.”

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