1-Day Nordic Ice Skating in Stockholm

Guided Natural Ice Skating on Sweden’s Frozen Lakes

Ready to experience Stockholm from the ice?

Experience Natural Ice Skating in Stockholm

Leave Stockholm behind and spend the day gliding across Sweden’s frozen lakes on Nordic skates. Far from the ice rinks and city crowds, natural ice opens up an entirely different winter landscape — kilometres of frozen water surrounded by forest, islands and crisp Scandinavian air. This guided ice skating adventure is not about speed or performance. It is about the freedom of travelling across natural ice, discovering the Swedish winter and experiencing one of Scandinavia’s most unique outdoor traditions.

Natural ice changes constantly. Temperature, wind and snowfall shape the lakes from one day to the next, which means there is no fixed skating location. Your guide follows the conditions, reads the ice and chooses the area offering the best and safest experience that day. Sometimes that means exploring one lake for the whole day; when conditions allow, we may pack up and discover a second location in the afternoon. These changing conditions are part of what makes every Nordic skating day different.

Before heading out, your guide introduces you to the equipment and takes you through a full safety briefing. We then spend some time getting comfortable on Nordic skates, working on the basic technique and finishing with a few balance challenges before setting off. You do not need previous Nordic ice skating experience. The aim is not to cover as many kilometres as possible, but to give everyone the confidence to enjoy travelling over natural ice.

After a few hours of skating, it is time to slow down. We leave the skates for a while, gather around a wood fire and enjoy a warm soup for lunch. Fire, hot food, fresh winter air and time to take in the landscape make this simple break one of the pleasures of a Swedish winter day.

The afternoon gives us more time to explore, following the conditions and the rhythm of the group. Before making our way back towards Stockholm, we stop for a traditional Swedish fika with a hot drink and something sweet.

By the end of the day, you may have learned a new way to move through winter, crossed kilometres of frozen water and stood in places that are lakes for most of the year. More than a skating lesson, this is a day spent experiencing Swedish winter from the ice itself.

LOCATION

Lakes surrounding Stockholm.
Most of the time, 1 hour of driving will be enough to find good ice and peaceful nature.


Duration

7 hours

A full-day Nordic ice skating experience, including transport from Stockholm, equipment fitting, safety briefing, skating, lunch and Swedish fika.

PRICE

Adult: 1750 sek/pers

Youth (12-15 y/o): 1050 sek/pers

Student: 1450 sek/pers

Minimum age: 12 years

MEETING POINT

True Nature Sweden / Green Trails Stockholm

Tideliusgatan 62, Stockholm 118 69


Meet us at our base in Södermalm, Stockholm. Transport to and from the day’s natural ice skating location is included.

Your Nordic Ice Skating Day at a Glance

  • Full-day guided natural ice skating experience

  • Maximum 8 guests per guide

  • Minimum age: 12 years

  • No previous Nordic ice skating experience required

  • Professional guide experienced in natural ice conditions

  • High-quality Nordic skating and safety equipment included

  • Transport from Stockholm to the day’s skating location and back

  • Warm soup lunch around a wood fire

  • Traditional Swedish fika with a hot drink

  • Location and route selected according to current natural ice conditions

    • Professional Nordic ice skating guide

    • Transport from Stockholm to the day’s skating location and back

    • High-quality Nordic ice skates and boots

    • Skating poles

    • Backpack

    • Specialist natural-ice safety equipment

    • Helmet and protection pads

    • Warm soup lunch around a wood fire

    • Swedish fika with a hot drink

    • Maximum 8 guests per guide

    • Winter clothing

    • Personal travel insurance

    • Minimum age: 12 years

    • No previous Nordic ice skating experience is required.

    • A reasonable level of fitness and balance is recommended for this full-day outdoor activity.

    • We skate on natural ice, so the exact lake and route are chosen according to current ice and weather conditions.

    • Our guides follow the conditions and may travel farther from Stockholm when necessary to find suitable natural ice.

    • Natural ice can never be guaranteed. If conditions do not allow us to operate the tour safely, an alternative date, experience or refund will be offered according to our booking conditions.

    • The pace is focused on enjoying Nordic skating and the Swedish winter rather than speed or performance.

  • Dress for an active winter day outdoors. Layers work best, as you will warm up while skating and cool down during breaks.

    Please bring:

    • Thermal base layer

    • Warm mid-layer, preferably wool or fleece

    • Windproof and water-resistant outer layer

    • Warm gloves

    • Warm hiking socks — wool or synthetic materials are recommended

    • Hat or beanie

    • Personal water bottle

    Avoid cotton where possible, particularly for base layers and socks, as it retains moisture and can become cold when wet.

    You do not need to bring Nordic ice skates, boots, poles or specialist safety equipment — we provide all the skating gear needed for the tour.

  • Can I go ice skating in Stockholm if I have never skated before?

    No previous Nordic ice skating experience is required. Your guide introduces the equipment, safety and basic technique before the group begins exploring the natural ice. You should have reasonable balance, general fitness and be comfortable with an active day outdoors.

    Is this tour only for beginners?

    No. While the tour is suitable for first-time Nordic skaters, the focus is on enjoying natural ice rather than performance or covering the maximum possible distance. More experienced skaters who prefer a relaxed day exploring the Swedish winter are equally welcome.

    What is Nordic ice skating?

    Nordic ice skating is the Scandinavian tradition of travelling across naturally frozen lakes and waterways using long-bladed skates. Sometimes also referred to as tour skating or wild skating, it is very different from skating around a prepared ice rink: the ice is natural, the landscape is constantly changing and the skates allow us to travel much greater distances.

    Where will we go ice skating?

    There is no fixed location. Natural ice conditions change with temperature, wind and snowfall, so our guides choose the destination according to the conditions available that day. Sometimes we skate close to Stockholm; at other times we travel farther within the region to find better ice.

    Is natural ice skating safe?

    Travelling on natural ice requires knowledge, experience and appropriate equipment. Our professional guides assess current conditions and choose the location and route accordingly. Every tour begins with a safety briefing, and specialist natural-ice safety equipment is provided.

    What equipment is included?

    We provide high-quality Nordic ice skates, skating boots, poles, a backpack and the specialist safety equipment required for travelling on natural ice. You do not need to own or bring Nordic skating equipment.

    What should I wear?

    Dress for an active winter day outdoors. Several layers are better than one very heavy layer, allowing you to regulate your temperature while skating and during breaks. Warm base layers, gloves and suitable winter outerwear are recommended.

    What is the minimum age?

    The minimum age for the 1-Day Nordic Ice Skating tour is 12 years. Children should be comfortable with physical activity and spending a full day outdoors in winter.

    How large are the groups?

    There is a maximum of 8 guests per guide, keeping the experience personal while allowing the guide to adapt the pace to the group.

    Is transport included?

    Yes. Transport from Stockholm to the day’s chosen skating area and back is included. The destination varies according to natural ice conditions.

    Are lunch and drinks included?

    Yes. We stop during the day for a warm soup lunch around a wood fire. Hot drinks are also included.

    Is Swedish fika included?

    Yes. During the day we stop for a traditional Swedish fika with a hot drink and something sweet — a particularly welcome break during a day outside in the Swedish winter.

    What happens if there is no suitable natural ice?

    Natural ice can never be guaranteed. Our guides follow the conditions and can travel farther when necessary to find suitable ice. If safe natural ice cannot be found, the itinerary may be changed or an alternative programme offered according to our booking conditions.

    When is the best time to go ice skating in Stockholm?

    The natural ice season varies from winter to winter and depends on temperature, snowfall and other weather conditions. Different parts of the season offer different experiences, from the short days of early winter to the longer daylight hours later in the season.

We Go Where the Ice Is Best

There is no single lake we visit every day — finding good natural ice is part of Nordic skating.

Ice conditions around Stockholm change constantly with temperature, snowfall and wind. Our guides follow weather forecasts, local ice information and current conditions throughout the winter to find the best opportunities for safe and enjoyable skating.

Some days the best ice is close to Stockholm. On others, we travel farther to find it. Depending on the winter and current conditions, our search can take us to different frozen lakes and waterways across the wider Stockholm region. We would rather travel a little farther for a great day on natural ice than simply choose the closest available lake.

Transport is included, so you do not need to worry about where the day’s adventure will take place. Your guide takes care of finding the ice — you just come ready to skate.

Is This Nordic Ice Skating Tour for You?

You do not need previous experience with Nordic ice skating.

At the beginning of the day, your guide explains the equipment, natural ice safety and basic skating technique. We take time to get comfortable before travelling farther across the lake, and the pace is adapted to the group.

You should have a reasonable level of fitness and be comfortable spending an active day outdoors in winter.

Most importantly, this experience is designed around enjoying Nordic skating rather than chasing distance or performance. First-time Nordic skaters are welcome, but so are experienced skaters who simply want a relaxed day exploring Sweden’s natural ice.

Natural Ice, Weather & Safety

Natural ice changes constantly, and its quality and accessibility depend on winter conditions. No particular lake, route or type of ice can therefore be guaranteed in advance.

Your guide assesses the conditions and chooses the location and route accordingly. Every tour begins with a safety briefing, and specialist equipment for travelling on natural ice is provided.

If suitable natural ice cannot be found or conditions do not allow the tour to operate safely, the itinerary may need to be changed or an alternative programme offered according to our booking conditions.

When Is the Best Time for Ice Skating in Stockholm?

Natural ice skating in Stockholm is a winter activity, but exactly when and where we can skate depends on the weather and ice conditions each year.

Early winter brings short Scandinavian days and the first opportunities for natural ice. As winter develops, conditions evolve across the region, while later in the season longer daylight hours create a different skating experience.

There is therefore no single perfect week for Nordic ice skating. What matters most is where good natural ice can be found when you are here — and finding it is part of what our guides do.

Looking for a different way to experience the ice?

Discover Stockholm after dark on our Nordic Night Ice Skating in Stockholm tour, or spend more time exploring the Swedish winter on our 2-Day Nordic Ice Skating in Stockholm experience