Fun things to do without skis

During winter, large parts of Norway is usually transformed into a snow-covered haven for people who enjoy the great outdoors.

It’s no secret that skiing is deeply rooted in our traditions, and it’s still a big part of the Norwegian lifestyle. However, there are many other fun things to do that don’t require skis, whether you’re travelling in the mountains, in a city, or along the coast.

If you are in Norway during your winter break, take a look at our guide to some of the highlights of this season.

Be a musher for a day

Join a dog sledding tour and get to know our four-legged friends who’s eager to show you the white wilderness. Try your hand as a musher and steer your own pack of dogs for several days, or enjoy the view as a passenger on a one-day dog sledding trip.

You will often get the chance to feed and look after the huskies yourself, something that will appeal to dog lovers everywhere. Below you’ll find some of the most popular dog sledding offers on TripAdvisor.

Find your inner child on a sledge

Dynamic Variation:

Stay on top of winter with snowshoes

Many of us wonder how it’s like to walk on clouds. Well, this is probably the closest feeling we’ll get. With a pair of snowshoes, it doesn’t matter how deep the snow is – you can cruise through the white landscape without problems.

Join a guided hiking tour and experience the crisp winter air, snow draped trees, and white mountains.

But don’t forget to take a break during your stroll in the mountains. In Norway, hiking trips go hand in hand with chocolate-covered wafer bars, oranges, and warm drinks.

Ice fishing – a hole lot of fun

Countless lakes and rivers and an impressive coastline mean outstanding opportunities to catch fish here in Norway. During winter time, most of the lakes and fjords are frozen, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying your fishing luck.

Drill a hole, throw the line into the water, and wait. Nothing beats the exciting feeling you get when you’re waiting for a fish to swim by.

Remember to be careful, though. Listen to tour guides, and stay off the ice if you don’t know for sure that it’s safe.

Go on a relaxing sleigh ride

Imagine sitting in a horse-drawn sleigh underneath a sheepskin blanket. The horse pulls you through an idyllic village in a leisurely pace, and the only thing you can hear is the sound of the sleigh’s bells and the rhythmic beat from the horse’s hooves. Sounds good?

Many operators in Norway offer sleigh tours, and if you travel up north, you might even get the chance to be drawn by reindeer across the white plains of Finnmark. It’s not just an exciting activity, it’s a great way to get a taste of what life was like in the old days, when horses and reindeer were amongst our most faithful servants.

Hit the ice on skates

Norway has a long skating tradition and has produced many world champions over the years. And whether you are as elegant as Sonja Henie, as fast as Johan Olav Koss, or have trouble just keeping your balance, skating is all about having fun. Outdoor skating rinks are found in most cities and towns in Norway.

During winter, you can also go skating on a number of frozen lakes, rivers, and fjords. However, make sure the ice is safe before venturing out. Ask locals, look for signposts, or drill a hole and check the thickness yourself.

Skates can be hired at most manned skating rinks, but if you want to go skating anywhere else, you must bring your own equipment.

Dynamic Variation:

How to dress for winter in Norway

If you are heading high up or far north – or both, for that matter – dress warmly and in layers. Use wool rather than cotton or polyester, and make sure you can protect yourself from getting wet and being caught in the wind.

Wind chill factor will make you feel much colder than the temperature actually says, and this effect will get worse the stronger the wind. If you’re wet, hypothermia and frostbite may not be far away – unless you are well prepared and dressed.

Find winter activities all over Norway

Check out and read more about some of the best winter activity spots.

Featured

Snowshoeing

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Snowshoe hike to Stegastein viewpoint

Come and experience the Norwegian winter on snowshoes! This guided hike will take you into our local mountains, for an exceptional view of the fjord… Read more

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Fjord snow shoe week | Norway Adventures

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Snowshoe hike to Molden

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Snow Shoe Hiking Årdal

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Snowshoe hike in the Lyngen Alps - XLyngen

We will take you for a snowshoe walk in the valleys of the Lyngen Alps or along the coastline with beautiful views of the open sea. Read more

Snowshoe hike in the Lyngen Alps - XLyngen

Snowshoeing on the Edge of Tromsø – Evening – Aurora Alps

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A snowshoe adventure

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Family snowshoeing, tobogganing and pinnebrød baking

Family friendly snowshoe trip that suits all ages Read more

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Snowshoeing at Mokk Farm

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Ice skating

Ice scating in Loen

Winter in Western Norway may be moody, and ice covered lakes are sometimes difficult to find. But in Loen, ice conditions are good… Read more

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Ice skating rink in Kristiansand

Go ice skating in Kristiansand city center. Read more

Ice skating rink in Kristiansand

Arendal artificial ice rink

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Arendal artificial ice rink

Vingnesvika ice skating track

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Vingnesvika ice skating track

Ice Skating Hallingdal Feriepark

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Ice skating

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Frogner Ice Skating Rink

Outdoor ice skating at Frogner stadion, open in the winter season. Read more

Frogner Ice Skating Rink

Spikersuppa Ice Skating Rink

The Spikersuppa ice skating rink in the middle of Oslo city centre is open and free for everybody. Read more

Spikersuppa Ice Skating Rink

Skating rink at Hovden

Skating rink from December to March Read more

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Ice fishing

Ice fishing near Comfort Hotel Grand

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Ice fishing near Sillongen

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Ice fishing near Gjøvik Hostel Hovdetun

When you stay at Gjøvik Hostel Hovdetun you are just a quick drive from a lot af good fishing spots, like Einavatnet, Ihle and Landåsvatnet. Right… Read more

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Ice fishing near Quality Hotel Strand

Ice fishing near Quality Hotel Strand Just a stone's throw from Strand Hotel you can fish for trout and pike in Mjøsa, Norway's greatest lake with… Read more

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Ice fishing near Sveastranda

Ice fishing possibilities near Sveastranda Camping: - Pike and Perch on Mjøsa, Norways largest lake with more than 20 fish species. - Perch and Trout… Read more

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Ice fishing in Skjækra

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Ice fishing near Lyngstrand Camping

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Ice fishing from Bellevue - Hønefoss

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Ice fishing from the Selmer cabin

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Ice fishing near Fjordtitt

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Ice fishing on the fjord in Lyngen - XLyngen

During the cold winte rmonths the sea in Nord-Lenangen in Lyngen freezes, making it perfect for ice fishing. It's possible to catch cod and haddoc.… Read more

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Ice fishing

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Ice fishing

Join us for the ice fishing at the Lapphaugen lake surrounded by the beautiful and arctic mountain 60 km north of Narvik. Read more

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Ice Fishing on the Edge of Tromsø - Aurora Alps

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Jigging Ål in Hallingdal

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Sleigh rides

Horse sledding at Langedrag

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Horse sledding at Langedrag

Horse sleigh rides from Venabu Fjellhotell

Horse sleigh rides Read more

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Horse drawn sleigh Ål in Hallingdal

A ride in a horse-drawn sleigh under a starry sky is guaranteed to put you in a romantic mood, particularly when it is followed by a tasty meal and a… Read more

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Sleigh Ride

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Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride - Geilo hestesenter

We provide a pickup service at all the hotels or at any prearranged place and take a leisurly tour lasting around 45 minutes. We supply lovely warm… Read more

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Northern Lights Reindeer Sledding - Lyngsfjord Adventure

Come on a tour to the drier inland valleys to search for the Northern Lights from a sleigh driven by reindeers Read more

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Sledding

Aasgjerdet Alpine and toboggan run

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Storefjell Ski- and Tobbogan Centre

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Lillehammer Olympic Bob- and Luge Track

The only bobsleigh and luge track in Scandinavia. Wheelbob available throughout the summer season. Read more

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Toboggan run: Korketrekkeren

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Storefjell Ski- and Sledding center

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Toboggan in Hallingdal Feriepark

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Lia ski and sledding

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Sledge-track

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Sledge-track

Rauland Ski Resort / Vierli

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Tobogganing

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Airboard, Beitostølen

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Sleding Gålå

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Rafting on huge hoses Ål in Hallingdal

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Dog sledding

Dogsledding, 4 hours - Green Dog Svalbard

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Beito Husky Tours - Dog sledding, winter

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Spitsbergen dogsledding expedition to the east coast - Arctic Husky Travellers

5 days dogsledding to Svalbard's East Coast - an experience for life and a special way of travelling the Arctic! Read more

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Dog Sledding on wheels

Dog sledding on wheels throughout the summer, until the snow arrives! Read more

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Arctic sledding - Svalbard Husky

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Dogsledding in the Polarnight at daytime - Arctic Husky Travellers

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RørosHusky- Dogsledding

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RørosHusky- Dogsledding