Swedish Lapland Activities

Activites in Swedish Lapland:

• Hovercraft Pack Ice Tour (2.5 hours)
• Ice Breaker Adventure in Piteå (2 hours)
• Ice road tour (1 hr)
• Snowmobile tour to pack ice fields (4 hrs)
• Snowmobile Forest and Lakes Tour (2 hrs)
• Snowmobile night tour (2 hrs)
• Dog Sledding Forest and Lakes Tour (2 hrs)
• Drive your own dogsled - 2 hours
• Driving On Ice Day (cart and/or car) (2 hrs)
• Driving On Ice at night (Cart and Car) (2 hrs)
• Northern Lights Tour in Snow Shoes inc. Dinner (2 hrs)
• Visit Sami camp and Gammelstand World Heritage Church Village (3.5 hrs)
• Lulea top Tips in Winter

All these activities can be combined with most of the Swedish Lapland itineraries

Hovercraft Pack Ice Tour (2.5 hours)

Hovercrafts operate over even surfaces whether it’s ground, water or ice. They are supported by an air cushion, which ensures the craft never touches what lies underneath and this provides a safe, fun and quick means of transportation. On this spectacular tour you will visit the outer edges of the Luleå archipelago travelling 30 centimetres over the ice! The tour begins with a guided minibus tranfer from your hotel, which will take you out onto the ice roads. On the way the guide will talk about Luleå and the archipelago and after about 20 minutes in total you’ll meet with the hovercraft. After a briefing and go through of equipment the journey towards the pack-ice fields outside the archipelago begins. After arrival at the outer edges of the islands you will take a walk around the towering ice on trails checked by the guide. If conditions for pack-ice are not ideal then the islands of Kluntarna and Brändöskär with small idyllic fishing-villages will be visited instead. On this tour the participants will experience the vastness of sea in a new way - frozen. Maybe, if you are lucky, you can also spot a seal or sea eagles.

Available: February to April (varies depending on the thickness of ice)

Operation dates: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 11:00-14:15

Includes: Guided transfer from hotel or Kulturens hus and back (20 minutes each way) and a light lunch and refreshments.

Notes: Please bring warm clothes and especially warm boots since tour includes walking on ice. This tour will operate if there are 2 people booked.

Price: £239 per adult £119 per child under 10

Ice Breaker Adventure in Piteå (2 hours)

Travelling by sea - quite important to mankind but made impossible by climate in the strong arctic winter. Only since the steam-engined steel vessels of the 19th century has it been possible to operate the channels of the northern seas in wintertime. Experience the might and the wide-open spaces of the ice-covered sea. Listen to the sound of ice blocks being crushed against the hull of the boat Arctic Explorer and get a glimpse of what little man can do in the hands of nature. The tour includes about 1 hour of ice-breaking and if the ice of the Bothnian Bay is not thick enough the Arctic Explorer will go upstream the River Piteå instead where there is plenty of thick ice to break.

Meanwhile the passengers can stroll around the boat, both in- and outside, visit the captain on the bridge and the non-restricted areas of the engineroom. After about 30 minutes’ journeying the boat stops and the passengers are allowed out onto the ice and for those who dare is the chance of trying to swim among the floes dressed in a survival-suit!

Available: Beginning of January - March/beginning of April

Operation dates: Saturdays 10:00-14:00

Includes: Return guided tour from Luleå to Piteå by minibus (1 hour each way). A hot drink is included, snacks and additional drinks are for sale on board

Notes: Warm winter clothes are available for rent for approx £28 per person. Boat has toilets. For those who like to swim survival-suits are provided at no extra charge. This tour does not require any skills. A security briefing is held before tour begins and instructions are given for swimmers on how to behave in the water. This tour requires a minimum of 10 people to operate; please contact us for up to date booking status.

Price: £192 per adult £96 per child aged 4-14

Ice road tour (1 hr)

Imagine a place where the ocean freezes up to a meter thick and ice roads stretch out from the main land to the islands of a beautiful archipelago. Luleå Guided Tours offer a mini buss tour out onto the ice roads where you will stop, mid ocean, and walk around on the sea ice before driving out one of the islands to explore this frozen winter landscape where once seal hunters and fishermen etched out a living in the harsh arctic conditions.

Available: late January to late March (subject to ice conditions)

Operation dates: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 08:00-09:45

Includes: Return guided transfer from participant’s hotel or Kulturens hus to the ice roads and archipelago (15-20 minutes each way).

Notes: Guests should bring their own warm winter clothing

Price: £65 per adult £32 per child under 13

Snowmobile tour to pack ice fields (4 hrs)

Four hours on the glistening ice and in the deep forests of the northern parts of the archipelago of Luleå on a snowmobile! Along the way the guide will tell you about the surroundings and about life in the northern wilderness. The participants are offered hot beverages and a chance to try icefishing. The destination of the tour is the island Bräändöskär in the outermost archipelago, an idyllic fishing village dating from the 17th century. The chapel dated from 1774 and one of the fishing-huts will be visited. Outside the island is the frozen Bothnian bay with its seemingly endless fields of pack ice and snow. Some years the blue ice of the sea piles up into formations about 10 metres high - a mighty experience! The lunch for the day is cooked over an open fire in a large muurikka-pan.

Available: early January to late March

Operation dates: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 10:00-15:30

Includes: return guided tour from hotel to start point of excursion (30-45 minutes each way) and snowmobile suit, boots, socks, warm gloves, fleece suit, balaclava and helmet are provided by the operator. Lunch and hot beverages are included in the tour.

Notes: Instructions on driving a snow mobile will be given before the tour.

Price: £242 per adult £122 per child under 13

Snowmobile Forest and Lakes Tour (2 hrs)

Try the favourite winter-past time of the locals, a snowmobile excursion through snow-covered forests. The tour goes to some beautiful places with great views and the tranquility of the forest. Experience the wilderness and freedom of Swedish Lapland with Luleå only 15 kilometres away! Along the way stops are made and the guide will tell you about the surroundings and what life is like in the region. The tour is based on two people per snow mobile. You may upgrade to a single person per snow mobile.

An experienced guide leads you on your way and will help ensure you find your way home.

Available: early January to early April

Operation dates: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:00-12:00

Includes: return guided transfer from hotel or Kulturens hus to start point of excursion (20 minutes each way) and warm drink.

Notes: Helmets, warm winter overalls, hats, balaclava, boots and gloves are provided. This tour is not suitable for under 16 year olds.

Price: £155 per adult

Snowmobile night tour (2 hrs)

Drive into the polar night on a snowmobile excursion throughsnow-covered forests and across frozen lakes. Experience the wilderness, freedom and cold crisp winter of Swedish Lapland. This tour takes you from the openness of lake Ebbenjarka through dense arctic forests. Outside the lightened sky of the town it might be possible to view arctic lights and the stars of the northern hemisphere.

The tour is based on two people per snow mobile, you may upgrade to a single person per snow mobile. An experienced guide leads you on the tour and ensures that you will safely find your way home.

Available: early January to early April

Operation dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 18:00-21:00

Includes: return guided transfer from hotel or Kulturens hus to start point of excursion (20 minutes each way) and warm drink.

Notes: Helmets, warm winter overalls, hats, balaclava, boots and gloves are provided. This tour is not suitable for under 16 year olds.

Price: £155 per adult

Dog Sledding Forest and Lakes Tour (2 hrs)

Have you ever heard the sound of 60 excited Alaskan Huskys communicating? This is what greets a visitor at Svedjekojan, the Husky-farm located at Tanuträsk some 35 minutes from Luleå. The team of dogs are enthusiastic and ready to go and you will soon be seated on a sled with 2 or 3 other people behind a team of 4 or more huskies.

When your sled driver, you and the huskies are ready you will take off at pace along trails through the forest and across frozen lakes on a 2 hour adventure. Going on a dog-sledding tour through the arctic winter is an extraordinary experience in many ways. The strength of the dogs and their capability to pull the sled at high speed in the varied terrain, the crisp climate and stunning surroundings all gives the visitor a thrill never forgotten!

Available: mid-January to early April

Operation dates: Monday and Friday at 12:30-16:00

Includes: return guided transfer from hotel or Kulturens hus to start point of excursion (35 minutes each way) and warm drink.

Notes: Participants should bring their own warm winter clothing. Blankets are provided for those sitting on the dog sleds. Limited numbers and sizes of adult winter overalls are available for hire for approx £11 per person per tour. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by adults on the sled. Please note that on this tour participants do not drive the sleigh themselves but sit in a sleigh and guide maneuvers the husky team. If you prefer driving the husky sleigh, please see ’drive your own dogsled’ excursion.

Price: £208 per adult £104 per child under 10

Drive your own dogsled - 2 hours

Test-drive your own team of friendly Alaskan Huskies over frozen lakes and through snow covered forests. This is high adventure on miles of trails with no sounds other than your commands to the team, their quick footfall and the sled against the snow. Svedjekojan is located at the small village of Tanuträsk where 60 of the inhabitants are Alaskan Huskies. Pulling sleds in the crisp winter cold is what they love to do. Before the tour you will receive instructions on the how to drive he dog sled from the local experts and together with your team of huskies you’ll manage up steep hills as well as along straights in high speed. Returning to Svedjekojan after this stunning tour you will enjoy swapping stories of the days adventure.

Available: mid-January to early April

Operation dates: Monday and Friday at 12:30-16:00

Includes: return guided transfer from hotel or Kulturens hus to start point of excursion (35 minutes each way) and warm drink.

Notes: Participants should bring their own warm winter clothing. Blankets are provided for those sitting on the dog sleds. Limited numbers and sizes of adult winter overalls are available for hire for approx £11 per person per tour. 2 people per sleigh. Participants between 16 and 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian on the sled. You will take turns with one driving and one resting on the sled over the 2 hours

Price: £185 per adult

Driving On Ice Day (cart and/or car) (2 hrs)

Test your skills driving on ice! The beautifully set lake Ebbenjarka is covered by solid arctic ice during wintertime and upon it six different tracks are prepared. Challenge yourself or your friends in a car and/or cross cart in the extreme conditions when simply staying on track may be difficult. The cars in this activity are older Volvos in which you may practice sliding into corners, braking on slippery straights and avoiding surprise obstacles on the track. The carts are also fantastic fun and a different experience as you are so close to the ground. With 25 kilometres of ice tracks on the lake you will enjoy two hours of fun and adventure and take home some fantastic memories. The vehicles are prepared with special winter tires but should you go too far out into the snowy side of the track the instructors will provide assistance. Time is divided between driving cars and cross carts and there is expert supervision.

Available: early January to early April

Operation dates: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 09:00-12:00

Includes: return guided transfer from hotel or Kulturens hus to start point of excursion (20 minutes each way).

Notes: Helmets are provided by the tour operator. Warm winter overalls, hats (or balaclavas), boots and gloves are available at no extra cost. Instructions on how to drive on ice are given before tour starts. Drivers of motor vehicles must be 16 years of age

Price:

Driving On Ice at night (Cart and Car) (2 hrs)

Test your skills at driving on ice in the darkness! Lake Ebbenjarka is covered by solid arctic ice during winter and upon it six different tracks are prepared. Challenge yourself in the extreme conditions when simply staying on track may be difficult, try braking or sliding into corners on the slippery ice! The vehicles in this fun acticity are older Volvos and cross carts prepared with special winter tires and extra headlights which are needed in the absence of daylight. Should you go too far out into the snowy side of the track instructors will provide assistance. Time is divided between driving cars and cross carts and there will be expert supervision. In the polar night 15 kilometres away from the bright lights of Luleå there might even be the chance of viewing arctic light!

Available: early January to early April

Operation dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 18:00-21:00

Includes: return guided transfer from hotel or Kulturens hus to start point of excursion (20 minutes each way).

Notes: Helmets are provided by the tour operator. Warm winter overalls, hats (or balaclavas), boots and gloves are available at no extra cost. Instructions on how to drive on ice are given before tour starts. Drivers of motor vehicles must be 16 years of age.

Price: £179 per adult

Northern Lights Tour in Snow Shoes inc. Dinner (2 hrs)

Snow shoes have been used thousands of years in winter conditions and they really make life easier when the snow cover is thick. Instead of sinking to the hips with every step taken, the snowshoes allow the user to tread on top of snow and explore otherwise inaccessible terrain. Walking through the Brändö forests the experienced guide will tell about the surroundings and life in the northern wilderness and if conditions are right the northern lights may be spotted! Underway there will be a pause during which the participants will learn how to light a fire in the snow, when this is ready coffee and tea will be prepared. Dinner will be prepared outdoors by the guide and the participants themselves and enjoyed sitting on reindeer furs under the dark sky. This is as close to nature you can get.

Available: early January to late March

Operation dates: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 18:00-21:00

Includes: return guided tour from hotel to start point of excursion (30 minutes each way); snow shoes, boots, warm suit, hat, socks, warm gloves and fleece suit are provided by the tour operator; dinner and warm beverages

Notes: Instructions will be given before the tour.

Price: £149 per adult £75 per child under 13

Visit Sami camp and Gammelstand World Heritage Church Village (3.5 hrs)

Meet a Sami family and their reindeer at a Sami camp near Storklinten just north of Boden. The Sami are the native people of Swedish Lapland and their culture and way of life are important to local history. At the camp you will meet representatives from a Sami family, sit down in a tipi and listen to their stories, get to know their ways, taste their food and familiarise yourself with their hand crafts. You will get close to the reindeer that are kept at the camp. There will also be an opportunity to take a sleigh ride. A hot lunch is served as part of this tour which lasts in total about 3 hours. On the way home to Luleå the guided tour will stop at the world heritage Gammelstad church village for a guided tour. World Heritage Gammelstad Church Town is the largest and best preserved example in Sweden of an old church town that has roots in the Middle Ages. The stone church dates from the 1400’s and the many surrounding cottages have a long tradition that still lives today.

Exploring these historical sites with your guide will give you an insight into the rich and interesting history that exists in this northern city. Prices include the Sami guide, overalls, shoes, gloves at the Sami camp.

Available: from December to April

Operation dates: Wednesdays 12:00-17:30

Includes: return guided tour from hotel to start point of excursion (1 hr each way); boots, warm suit, hat, gloves are provided by the tour operator; warm drink and light lunch

Notes: Instructions will be given before the tour.

Price: £200 per adult £94 per child under 13

Information about snowmobile tours:

You do not need a driver’s license to drive the snowmobile as you are part of a tour and not driving on the public road system. It is usual that the driver must be over 16 years of age to be in charge of the snowmobile and in the case of those aged between 16 and 18 they would need a parent to sign the liability disclaimer at the start of the tour and be able to commit to the potential self risk liability in case the snowmobile is damaged during the tour.

Luleå Top Tips in Winter

World Heritage

The Church Village of Gammelstad is inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. A picturesque environment with hundreds of small church cottages and art and craft shops huddled around the 500 year old stone church.

Ice Roads

Enjoy the brilliant white snowy scenery of the frozen sea by driving out into the Luleå archipelago on one of our ice roads. Every winter in Luleå Archipelago, about 25 km of ice roads are kept clear of snow and can be safely used by cars and even trucks. The ice roads are about 40-45 metres wide and the ice is about half a metre thick when clearing begins. It is a very special feeling to cross the icy expanses by car. Extra tip, savour a crispy waffle with local berries and ice cream at Jopikgården on the island of Hindersön.

Luleå Hockey Bears

Watch an elite series ice hockey match in Luleå’s COOP arena and show support for the local team as they battle the best teams from the south ofSweden. Click here to find out more

Restaurants

Luleå has over 100 restaurants and cafés. Take a break from shopping for a refreshing coffee. Enjoy a glass of wine with your lunch. Treat your near and dear ones to dinner. Find out more here

Slalom skiing

Take the minute journey from Luleå to the Måttsund ski mountain, hire some skis or a snow board and spend the day or evening skiing on the fantastic family friendly slopes.

Ice tracks

Around the city of Luleå, on the frozen river and out to nearby islands, the city council builds ice tracks. Take a skate or cross country ski or a walk out across the ice tracks to visit a nearby island or try your hand at icefishing.

The northern Lights

On clear evening and nights keep a look out into the skys to the north of Luleå. With luck you will see the beautiful skimmer of the colorful northern lights.

Luleå Archipelago

Luleå Archipelago is situated along the coastline that stretches from the Västerbotten border in the south to the Finish border in the northeast. With over 700 islands, it is one of the most picturesque archipelagos in the country, offering rich and varied plant and bird life and in winter it is a frozen landscape perfect for snowmobile and dogsledding tours and of course ice fishing. There is even a hovercraft experience out across the ice in winter and spring.

Indoor activities

If you want to stay indoors in the warmth winter is fantastic for music, theatre and sporting events. Kulturens hus has a diverse program including everything from concerts to art exhibitions and literature events. There is also family focused locations such as Technicians hus (science park) and Leos Lekland (large indoor playground) which will entertain mum and dad and the kids for hours.