Winter in the Nordic countries

Storlien ski area - |Storlien, a ski resort at the Swedish-Norwegian border.

Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden Vikings and the Old Norse • History • Sami culture • Winter • Right to access • Boating • Hiking • Cuisine • Music • Nordic Noir

The Nordic countries include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. These countries have cold (or at least cool) winters, attracting travellers who want to training winter sport or experience a real winter environment. While the summer is the high travel season for most of the Nordic countries, the winter offers sights and events unique to the Nordic countries during the winter. And if you are looking for cold, dark and desolate Arctic landscapes, Nordic countries are likely the most accessible place in the world for this — as compared to North (Canada)|far northern Canada, Alaska or Siberia.

Greenland and Svalbard in the Arctic, politically associated with Denmark and Norway respectively, have snow and ice all year round. The advice here does not apply to them.

Winter in the Nordic countries Halal Travel Guide

Scandinavia.TMO2003050 - Typical winter: most of the ground covered with snow, bare ground seen in Denmark and coastal Norway, sea ice in the bays and archipelagos of the Baltic.

Weather

See also: Cold weather

Nordic summer (late May to early September) is mild with long daylight, and the most comfortable season for visitors. The winter is a more challenging – and exotic – experience, with snow, ice and limited daylight. Nevertheless, the climate is far from uniform throughout the Nordic countries, which is no surprise as the region spans 16 degrees of latitude from southern Denmark to northern Norway (going 16 degrees south from Denmark would land you in far southern Italy).

The northern half of Sweden and Finland, as well as Norway's mountains and Norway's interior, are usually covered by snow from December to April, with a few year-round glaciers. Indeed, in the far north, the mercury can drop below freezing any time of the year. The first lasting snow may fall already in October or November. The northern Fennoscandian inland has average day temperatures of about -10°C (15°F) in January, and temperature records of about -50°C (-60°F). Ski resorts in the north have their peak season later, during the winter holidays in February and especially at Easter; in northern Finland the skiing season usually ends in early May – people change focus to summer activities even though there is snow left.

Climate chart of Oslo.svg|December to March has annual mean below zero in Oslo.

In the southern areas of Sweden and along the south coast of Finland, the winters are very different from each other, with knee-deep snow, slush, or bare ground all being possible. Average day temperatures are slightly below freezing in e.g. Helsinki. Oslo and its hinterland enjoy relatively stable winters and offers skiing (cross country and alpine) as well as other winter activities. Also inland Sweden at comparable latitudes and the inland of southern Finland have relatively stable winters. Even in coastal southern Finland it's not unusual to have day temperatures around -20°C (0°F) for a week in January–February, with lowest ever recorded day temperatures below -30°C (-10°F), and there are opportunities for winter sport every winter, although the season is shorter and less predictable than farther north.

Despite their relatively northern location, Denmark, southernmost Sweden, the Faroe Islands, coastal Iceland and coastal Norway usually have a temperature above zero throughout the year and if you expect snow you may get disappointed. If snow falls at all, it usually melts away within days.

The temperatures vary a lot from year to year as well. You can get temperatures only slightly below freezing even in places like Inari in midwinter, while you might get -30|C|F|sigfig=1 in Helsinki 1,000 km to the south (or -40° C/F in Inari) the same dates another year. Weather forecasts are quite reliable a few days in advance, so checking them is certainly worthwhile. Periods with stable weather are quite common in the inland in winter.

In cloudy days in late autumn and midwinter there is usually little difference in temperatures between day and night. When the sun climbs higher on the sky during late winter, differences between day and night are significant, and in March-April snow often thaws during day and freezes during night. Clear sky amplifies this effect.

The mercury does not say everything about temperature. Moist air feels much colder, so -30°C in Helsinki (which is very rare) is probably worse than -40° in Kautokeino. Both are still extreme compared to weather in more densely populated countries. Wind in low temperatures is even worse, with Celsius -25 in 10 m/s (20 knots) feeling like -40°. Coastal areas are usually windy and moist, but they seldom have extreme temperatures. In the fells and high mountains, high winds are quite common also in winter.

Daylight

Note: It's 10 o'clock in the morning, turn the flash on!

The farther north, the longer daylight in summer, and shorter in winter. At 60 degrees north (around Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki]]) the sun is up for 6 hours a day at the Winter Solstice on December 21–22. In the extreme north, it is below the horizon for weeks – this period is known as the polar night]] or locally as mørketid (literally "dark period") or skábma/kaamos. There will however not be plain darkness for the whole 24 hours, but a few hours of twilight during midday. As in the summer when the midnight sun shines at these latitudes, it's easy to get confused about the time of the day. Dawn and dusk last for more than an hour.

To take use of the precious daylight in winter, try to already be outdoors before the first daylight; about an hour before sunrise. Snow and ice conditions are usually best for winter sport in the morning, and most ski lifts close at sunset. For ice skating and cross-country skiing, many fields/routes in cities and at ski resorts have electric light, and for skiing in the wilderness, also moonlight (sometimes even starlight – and polar lights) can be used.

After spring equinox (March 21) days are longer in the Nordic countries than further south. The skiing season still continues in the north and in the mountains – in some mountainous areas skiing is possible even in June. The long days and often bright sunshine combined with plenty of snow offer an unusual experience.

Approximate dates for Polar night (winter darkness) by city

City	Start darkness	End darkness	Notes
Bodø, Rovaniemi]]	n/a	n/a	No polar night
Svolvær, Kiruna, Levi]]	December 7	January 5
November 27	January 15
November 25	January 17
November 20	January 22
Svalbard	October 26	February 16	Christmas also|Christmas and New Year travel|Christmas markets}} Rovaniemi pajakyla 2 - Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland. Christmas, called jul in Danish, Norwegian and Swedish, jól in Icelandic, and joulu in Finnish, is the biggest holiday of the year. As in much of the world, Christmas starts showing up in the streetscape already in November or even earlier — for instance the American Black Friday that marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season has in the 2010s become common here too. In Advent there are Christmas lights in the "Christmas street" in many towns, many shops have special Christmas displays (often really nice), most every choir gives a Christmas concert and people go on Christmas parties of their workplaces and clubs. There are Christmas markets with traditional handicraft in many towns. December 13th is Saint Lucy's day in Sweden and Swedish speaking Finland. In many towns there is a ceremonial coronation of a young woman chosen to be Lucia, who then "spreads light in the winter darkness" the rest of the month with candles in her hair, singing with her company e.g. at retirement homes and at many public occasions. Child Lucias perform in preschools, schools and homes. Yule lads in Akureyri - Three Icelandic Yule Lads The main Christmas holiday is Christmas Eve, Danish juleaften, Norwegian julaften, Swedish julafton, Finnish jouluaatto, Icelandic Aðfangadagur, December 24, as families gather. There are services in the churches, and many people visit graveyards and light candles on the graves. In Turku, Christmas Peace is declared at noon, broadcast on television in Finland and Sweden and with a live audience of thousands. Finns go to Christmas sauna in the afternoon as opposed to later in the evening as usual. In the evening, a traditional Christmas dinner is eaten, a bit different in each of the Nordic countries. Most establishments are closed on December 24th (at least from noon) and 25th, like most transport. Unlike many other parts of the world, here Santa Claus comes through the door late on Christmas Eve (and at many of the Christmas parties) and personally hands out gifts. And on Iceland there isn't just one Santa, but 13 "Yule lads" (jólasveinarnir or jólasveinar) that start arriving already halfway into December. In addition to handing out gifts (or rotten potatoes, if the kids have behaved badly during the year) they are according to tradition also up to all kinds of shenanigans including stealing stuff. December 25th is not as burdened by tradition as in English-speaking countries. The Church of Sweden and the Evangelical Church of Finland hold a julotta, a nativity mass in the morning, with high attendance in otherwise secular countries. There are concerts in some churches in the evening. In Finland the day is otherwise spent peacefully with the family. In Sweden, the evening of Christmas Day is usually dedicated to nightlife in small towns, as the young adult emigrants celebrate homecoming. December 26th is an official holiday, and the day for many sport events. Many families go to visit their friends for dinner or coffee. The days from December 26th to New Year's Eve (called romjul/mellandagarna) is vacation for many: schools are closed, and many workplaces are closed or run on reduced staff. Many retailers run a sale on Christmas shopping surplus. While a White Christmas is a common trope associated with the Nordic countries, none of the Nordic capitals are guaranteed to have snow in late December. In Helsinki and Reykjavík it is a toss-up chance, and in Copenhagen it is rather unusual. Farther north, and up the mountains, the chance for snow is greater. Other holidays and events Note: S:t Lucy's Day, or Luciadagen Some major Finnish ski resorts (from south to north, most in Northern Finland): Jämsä|Himos GPS 61.8802, 25.3040 Central Finland 13 pistes Kuopio#Go next|Tahko GPS 63.2915, 28.0152 24 pistes Sotkamo|Vuokatti GPS 64.1272, 28.2692 Also features a skiing and snowboarding tunnel, so wintersports are possible year-round. Pudasjärvi|Iso-Syöte GPS 65.626, 27.607 26 pistes, next to Syöte National Park. Ruka GPS: 66.165, 29.151 Among the nation's bigger ski resorts with 34 pistes and over 500 km of cross-country skiing tracks. Pyhä GPS: 67.022, 27.243 Features a 1020 m piste; near Luosto and Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Luosto GPS: 67.1500, 26.8833 Near Pyhä and Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Ylläs/Äkäs GPS: 67.564444, 24.224444 Two ski resorts with 63 pistes combined, including Ylipitkä and Jättipitkä which both have a length of 3000 m; near Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. * Levi GPS: 67.805, 24.802 43 pistes, 1000 km of different tracks and 600,000 visitors every season, it's Finland's biggest ski resort and the only one to feature FIS Alpine Ski World Cup event every November; quite near Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. * Saariselkä GPS: 68.4198, 27.4123 More suitable for cross-country skiing though alpine skiing is also available, doubles as a popular destination to view the Northern Lights; by Urho Kekkonen National Park. Some major Swedish ski resorts (from south to north): * Järvsö GPS: 61.7167, 16.1667 Gävleborg county 20 pistes, 8 lifts * Sälen GPS: 61.15, 13.27 Dalarna 37 pistes, commonly called Kläppen, popular due to its relatively southern location. * Vemdalen GPS: 62.4447, 13.8599 Härjedalen The busiest ski resort in Härjedalen. * Storlien GPS: 63.3163, 12.1012 Jämtland 23 pistes, near the Norwegian border. The Royal family has a house here. * Åre GPS: 63.3500, 13.4667 Jämtland Huge ski resort with 89 pistes, the longest of which is 6,5 km, also featuring a FIS Alpine Ski World Cup event. * Hemavan GPS: 65.817, 15.083 Västerbotten County 47 pistes together with next door Tärnaby, heliskiing is also an option here; by the large Vindelfjällen nature reserve. * Abisko GPS: 68.33, 18.85 Norrbotten County A cross-country skiing destination, also a good place to see the Northern Lights. * Riksgränsen GPS: 68.428, 18.122 Norrbotten County 11 pistes, but best known for offpiste skiing, and the skiing season reaches until the end of June. The most important alpine skiing resorts in Norway (per 2017, from south to north): * Hovden GPS 59.570, 7.347 Best free-style. * Gaustablikk GPS 59.881, 8.736 Telemark * Røldal GPS 59.824, 6.740 Lots of snow and very good off-piste, open until May. * Norefjell GPS 60.219, 9.567 1952 olympic venue, limited off-piste. * Oslo/North|Oslo GPS 59.9892, 10.6674 Freeski park. * Hemsedal - GPS: 60.8600, 8.5170 Buskerud All options in a high valley, stable winter. * Trysil - GPS: 61.3080, 12.2348 Hedmark Variety of alpine slopes, well suited for families, Norway's largest winter resort. * Geilo GPS 60.533, 8.202 Perfect for cross-country skiing and for families, limited off-piste options. * Voss GPS 60.650, 6.406 Offers everything, more unstable temperatures than the eastern interior. * Myrkdalen GPS 60.860, 6.480 near Voss Lots of snow and fine off-piste. * Beitostølen GPS 61.250, 8.904 Opens early November. * Hafjell GPS 61.243, 10.490 Lillehammer Few off-piste options. * Kvitfjell GPS 61.468, 10.126 Demanding Olympic downhill slope. * Stranda GPS 62.291, 6.844 Above the great fjord near Geiranger/Valldal, great off-piste, deep snow. * Oppdal GPS 62.605, 9.691 All options in a high valley, somewhat dated facilities. * Narvik GPS 68.436, 17.451 Wild mountains directly on fjord, limited offers for families and cross-country skiers. Lillehammer offers excellent cross-country in addition to Hafjell near the city. Tromsø GPS 69.675, 19.067 has some mediocre alpine facilities, but superb mountainous hinterland. At Folgefonna GPS 60.222, 6.435, Stryn GPS 61.951, 7.360 and Juvasshytta GPS 61.664, 8.356(Jotunheimen) Norway also has ski resorts that are open in summer only. Although skiing isn't what Iceland is best known for, you can find ski resorts there too (though not as big as elsewhere in the Nordic countries). Bláfjöll and Skálafell GPS 63.982, -21.636 are southwest and east of Reykjavik, and the major concentration of ski resorts are in North Iceland around Akureyri GPS 65.681, -18.101}}. Muslim Friendly Shopping in Winter in the Nordic countries Many towns have Christmas Markets|Christmas fairs, often with local handicraft and food from small producers (bread, jam etc.). As in other GCC countries, there are big sales usually from Boxing Day (some stores start even a few days before Christmas) and into January. In south-eastern Finland these sales are traditionally popular among Russian visitors (who hand out presents at New Year). The Nordic countries are rather expensive destinations for shopping. Nevertheless, you will find a good selection of appropriate winter clothing and gear for winter activities, so if you plan to visit cold climates in the future but have a problem finding such stuff at home and find purchasing them online impractical, this is a good opportunity for getting them. Also, winter clothing and other gear are often sold at a discount at the end of the season, and some equipment cheaply even in season in second-hand charity shops (Emmaus, The Salvation Army, UFF etc.). Halal Food & Restaurants in Winter in the Nordic countries Julbord - Swedish Christmas dishes also|Nordic cuisine}} The first seasonal specialty during the winter are the S-shaped saffron buns known as lussekatt(er). Lucia day is celebrated on December 13th in Sweden and Finland, and this day is associated with these buns. Just before Christmas, Þorláksmessa is celebrated in Iceland, during which cured skate is eaten. Christmas food is the most traditional part of Nordic cuisine. The Swedish julbord is a Christmas buffet, as a variant of the well-known smörgåsbord. Norwegian Christmas traditions (including pre-Christmas parties - "julebord") varies by region, and variation covers sheep (several varieties), Beef, fresh cod and lutefisk ("lye fish"). In Finland you can commonly find Christmas ham (as in Sweden), herring, lye fish and different casseroles (most notably made of potatoes, carrots and Swedish turnips). And in Denmark; stuffed duck, roast Beef, caramelized potatoes and sweet and sour red cabbage. The traditional Icelandic Christmas fare is somewhat different from the other Nordic countries including smoked lamb and a range of game birds. Across the Nordic Countries, Christmas buffets are served on many different kinds restaurants. On one end there are the more affordable Christmas buffets of roadside diners, on the other hand more formal and expensive Christmas dinners that need to be reserved beforehand. Coffee keeps Nordic people's mood and body temperature up through winter. The German Glühwein is known glögg/glögi/gløgg and quite popular. It's usually served warm (can be cold too) and may or may not contain alcohol. There are also special "Christmas" soft drinks for sale in supermarkets, the most iconic being the Swedish julmust (available as påskmust during the Easter season). The New Year is commonly celebrated with a glass of sparkling wine like in much of the world. Many Finns eat potato salad accompanied by thin sausages (nakki/knackkorv or prinssimakkara/prinskorv) at New Year. Around this time of the year you start finding Runeberg tortes in Finnish shops and cafés. This pastry was presumably invented by Frederika Runeberg, the wife of the 19th century poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg, and they are traditionally eaten on 5 February, his birthday. Thorramatur - þorramatur]] During January and February, Þorri season is celebrated in Iceland, and this means high season for some traditional Icelandic dishes (collectively known as þorramatur ) like hákarl (putrefied shark cubes), sviðasulta (brawn [head cheese made from svið, sheep's head), lundabaggi (Sheep's fat) and hrútspungar (pickled ram's testicles). A Shrovetide (just before Lent begins) delicacy in this part of the world is a bun filled with at least whipped cream but usually also jam or almond paste. It's known as fastelavnsbolle in Danish and Norwegian, semla in Sweden, fastlagsbulle in Finland Swedish and laskiaispulla in Finnish. Buy Muslim Friendly Condos, Houses and Villas in Winter in the Nordic countries eHalal Group Winter in the Nordic countries is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Winter in the Nordic countries. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Winter in the Nordic countries. At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Winter in the Nordic countries ensures that customers have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property. For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000, these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Winter in the Nordic countries. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living. If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Winter in the Nordic countries, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values. For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Winter in the Nordic countries are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million, these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@ehalal.io Muslim Friendly hotels in Winter in the Nordic countries SnowCastle, Kemi, Finland - Dining room in Kemi's snow castle, part of which is a hotel]] There are hotels built out of snow and ice in Jukkasjärvi (Sweden), Kemi and Kittilä (Finland) and Kirkenes (Norway). Even if you do not decide to sleep there, they are interesting sights. Several countryside hotels have holiday packages, and since most venues are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, they are probably the most exciting place to spend the Christmas holiday for foreigners in the Nordic countries. Winter camping is the most adventurous option. It requires advanced equipment or advanced skills. There should be wilderness guides with the needed equipment and skill in most regions – probably not cheaper than the hotel, but you get the adventure. A less extreme adventure is renting a cottage, with a stove for heat, a well for the water, a sauna, winter swimming|a hole in the ice and an outhouse toilet. You could of course get a cottage with electricity and a modern bathroom, if you prefer comfort over adventure – you would still get wintry landscapes away from city life. All normal options are of course still available. Stay safe as a Muslim in Winter in the Nordic countries Valtavaara - Snow covered day hut at Valtavaara, Kuusamo also|Nordic countries#Stay safe|Cold weather|Snow safety|Ice safety|Winter driving}}}} Crime is less of a risk than in much of the rest of the world. Scandinavians are heavy holiday drinkers, so do stay out of drunken brawls. Nature and weather, on the other hand, pose greater risks. These are to be taken seriously especially when venturing away from towns for activities such as backcountry or off-piste skiing. Dangers include the cold itself, snow storms and avalanches. There are also risks with winter sports themselves, mostly from high speeds. Staying warm is a common concern for winter visitors. In cities, cold air is more of a nuisance – for those not properly dressed – than a real danger, as you can get warm by going indoors. Proper clothing is however important for your enjoying your stay and for your not catching the flue. And carefully watching your children and others who are vulnerable is important; babies will not use energy on alarming you, and even quite big children might not recognize the feeling of cold or react sensibly on it. For ordinary activities, such as strolls downtown, a big jacket (like warm parka or overcoat) is often most practical. Hood (or good headwear), mittens and scarf may also be needed. Indoor is generally well heated all year, usually to 18–24°C, and you have to take off winter clothes not to get uncomfortably warm; good winter underwear is thus often awkward in city settings (but light trousers alone are not enough even at freezing). Some cottages are heated to the same standard, but others are not; for a cottage weekend, check or have warm clothes also for indoor use. Look out for situations where you cannot get indoors: when the nightclub closes there is nowhere to go but to your lodging, and all taxis may be busy. Similarly, if you get lost on your walk, you may have to be outdoor much longer than you planned. If you feel the situation is deteriorating, do get help in time (on a cold night frostbite can happen, and a lone drunk person is in lethal danger). Snow itself is a good insulator, but when snow melts on your clothes, the water replaces insulating air pockets. This is a major concern when temperatures are around freezing and when going in and back out in snowy weather. Waterproof boots are needed in temperatures around freezing (0°C, 32°F) and when deep snow is melting and transforming into slush in above freezing temperatures. For intense outdoor activity layering is important: many layers of clothing keeps you warmer and makes adjusting clothing easier. Too much clothes accumulates sweat. During intense activities such as running, walking swiftly uphill or cross-country skiing, surprisingly little clothing is needed even in quite cold winter days. Keeping toes, head, ears, fingers, and neck warm is most important – and at breaks you need something warmer such as a big parka or down jacket. For intense cold a quilted (down) vest can be useful, wear it under a wide anorak or on top of light sports clothes during breaks. During prolonged outdoor activity frostbite may occur on unprotected skin and toes. In temperatures below -25°C (-15°F) this is a risk to take seriously, particularly with wind chill. At -15°C (+5°F) frostbite is unlikely, although possible in some situations, especially with wind chill. Downhill skiing and snow mobile driving create notable wind chill by themselves; 50 km/h corresponds to a fresh gale, which effectively turns -15°C into -30°C. Dress accordingly. Hypothermia can occur also above 0°C because of wind, wet snow or rain, and is a risk factor particularly during backcountry skiing and activities on frozen lakes, such as ice fishing. Most people would go indoors before getting too cold, but if you are far from any house, get lost or have to wait for transport that is not always an option. See also Christmas and New Year travel]] Hiking in the Nordic countries Right to access Winter in North America