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The seaside cabin hotel at Sortland, Norway - Photo: Torgeir Sørensen
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The seaside cabin hotel at Sortland, Norway

Winter in Vesterålen

Join a killer whale safari or go cross-country skiing in Vesterålen.

Interest:  Fishing, Skiing, Safari, Hiking, Water activites, Arctic Norway

The official Vesterålen website
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Getting to Vesterålen

It is easy and inexpensive to make a short or long visit to Vesterålen by air, bus, car or by the Hurtigruten. Vesterålen has two airports at Andenes and Stokmarknes, with direct flights to Tromsø and Bodø.

There is an airport bus from Vesterålen to the main airport at Evenes. 

Activities under the northern lights

There are ski centres and floodlit trails, winter fishing, killer whales and an active cultural scene.

Andøy Outdoor Centre

Visit the westernmost offshoot of the vast Siberian Taiga, treasure the sight of Norway’s oldest pine tree and try a guided owl safari in Forfjorddalen.

Experience the arctic landscape from a kayak and get up close to seals, golden eagles, gulls and eider ducks. Feel the frozen water beneath your feet, as you drill a hole in the ice and hope for a good catch of fish. Hiking at dawn with a guide in fantastically beautiful surroundings, in search of the king of the forest – the elk unsuspectingly browsing in the valley.   
 
Stimulate your palate with local game specialities of elk or reindeer, finished off with cloudberries in the farmhouse kitchen of Andøy Outdoor Centre – voted “the most innovative restaurant in Nordland in 2006”. Lower yourself into an outdoor hot tub and count the stars of the polar night. Dream sweet dreams about the day’s discoveries in comfortable and well equipped wilderness cabins. New experiences like kiting, skiing or a sleigh ride await you next morning.

Holmvik Brygge

Holmvik brygge offers accommodation in friendly surroundings in fabled Nyksund.
We organise various winter activities including dog sledding with huskies and killer whale safaris. You can also come long-line fishing. Click onto ”Winter Tours” on our website.

SjøhusSenteret, the seaside cabin hotel at Sortland

In the heart of the world’s most beautiful archipelago you have the opportunity to experience the real culture of the north Norway coast. Stay in comfortable, warm cabins overlooking the sea and our own marina.   

The Sjøstua restaurant boasts a panoramic view across the sea and serves an Arctic Menu based on local ingredients. The restaurant is recommended by the Professional Food and Drink Forum

Guided sea fishing trip: with experienced local fishermen to the fishing areas which are also visited for the sea fishing festivals in Vesterålen - and where much more fish gets weighed in than at the world cod fishing championships in Lofoten.
Later you will be served your own catch in the restaurant.
Boat hire. 15 foot boat with 30 hp motor.

Wood fired hot tub on the seaside rocks. An exotic experience below the flaming northern lights or in a winter storm.

See slideshow with pictures of the northern lights.

Activities

  • Killer whale safari in Vestfjorden. See killer whales hunting for herring
  • Guided walk in central Sortland, the town with the blue houses
  • Ånstadblåheia ski lift and alpine run
  • Floodlit cross-country skiing
  • Dog sledding with huskies across the white moorland on Langøya
  • Sea rafting to Anda lighthouse. Get close to seals, sea eagles and other seabirds.
  • Ice fishing in Gullesfjord
  • Lihallen cultural centre and the well known painter Tove Hov Jacobsen
Last updated: 2009-04-06

Related

Have a whale of a time in Vesterålen

- Whale, shouts the captain as he points eagerly in front of the ship. Full of anticipation we make our way to the gunnel and see the whale’s blow.
Interest: Safari, Coast & Coastal culture

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Hiking around Ringstad Sjøhus

Tour suggestions include Steine and Lynghaugstinden, and take you along a rocky coast to tall mountains with views over the Lofoten Islands.
Interest: Hiking

Multimedia

Northern lights over Sørvågen in Lofoten, Norway - Photo: Stockshots.no/Innovation Norwayprevious
Northern lights over the fishing village of Ersfjord in Troms, Norway - Photo: Bjørn Jørgensen/Innovation Norway
Northern lights over Svolvær in Lofoten, Norway - Photo: Stockshots.no/Innovation Norwaynext

Northern lights pictures

Seeing the northern lights in Norway is a jaw-dropping and mystical moment. The lights are at their most frequent in late autumn and early spring.
Interest: Nature attractions, The northern lights, Arctic Norway
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