Activities in Norrland
-
Ski Area
A fun, outdoorsy place to hang out in during the low season, Åre is beautifully situated in a mountain valley, but it gets uncomfortably crowded in winter, thanks to its famed ski area. The place has 45 ski lifts, 100 pistes and 1000 vertical metres of skiable slopes, including a 6.5km downhill run. The skiing season is from November to mid-May, but conditions are best from February, when daylight hours increase.
reviewed
-
A
Lake Cruises
You can take lake cruises on the old S/S Thomée steamship, including themed tours, dinner tours and trips to the small castle-capped island of Verkön (Skr110/40). Book through the tourist office; the schedule’s complicated, but it’s posted on a sign by the boat at the harbour. A handful of rush tickets are usually available at the harbour before each trip.
reviewed
-
B
Vindeln
Many activities are based at Vindeln, 54km northwest of Umeå. Adventures on offer include fishing, white-water rafting, jet-boating and canoeing on the local rivers, plus horse riding and a variety of walking trails (from two hours to three days). The tourist office can help organise these. Bus 16 connects Vindeln and Umeå.
reviewed
-
Chair Lift
Across the highway from the STF Turiststation, a chair lift takes you up the neighbouring Mt Nuolja (1169m), where those without vertigo can enjoy epic views from the deck of the Panorama Café. In summer this is a prime spot from which to see the midnight sun. Tickets are sold at the STF reception desk.
reviewed
-
Kiruna Snow Festival
Held in the last week of January, the Kiruna Snow Festival is based around a snow-sculpting competition. The tradition started in 1985 as a space-themed snow-sculpture contest to celebrate the launching of a rocket (Viking) from the space base Esrange.
reviewed
-
C
boat tours
A programme of boat tours of the archipelago with M/S Laponia and M/S Favourite depart from Norra Hamnen daily between June and August. Evening cruises are also popular; inquire at the tourist office.
reviewed
-
Björklidens Golf Course
The unique and highly rated Björklidens golf course is the world’s northernmost golf course – and as a result has a fairly short season (it is covered in snow for most of the year).
reviewed
-
Icelandic Horse Riding
An increasingly fashionable activity is Icelandic horse riding. Prices (from Skr300) include helmets and a snack; book through the tourist office. The riding school is 5km south of Östersund.
reviewed
-
D
Badhusparkens Uthyrnings Center
Badhusparkens Uthyrnings Center rents canoes and fishing gear, as well as bikes.
reviewed
