[Hi, just after Christmas we will be roadtripping around the Nordics. I hope it’s okay to ask here for some advice?](https://imgur.com/gallery/MdtGkQK)
We will be driving through the north of your lovely country and I was wondering what sort of sights are unmissable during winter?
We will be crossing from near Narvik and heading towards Rovaniemi in Finland and would appreciate any sights worth seeing and whether you think it is safe for someone who has not much experience in snow but will be in an AWD with proper winter tyres. Also, are there any foods & drinks we must try?
by DyingInYourArms
25 comments
The Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi.
Go dog sledding somewhere, I like Aurora Borealis Adventures in Ekorrsele, because they seem to take good care of their dogs (And they lend ouut really good equipment!). But that might be too far off. But there are a lot of companies that do dog sledding tours.
Idk really since there aren’t a lot of must see places. The nature in general is very beautifull.
However driving through this area of country I STRONGLY recomend preparing a bit. Idealy have snow showels, towcable and chains for the tyres if you get bogged down in the snow. Generally beware while driving, it’s not fun sitting on the roadside with your car in the ditch miles away from any town.
I hope you are aware that in these parts it’s currently [polar night](https://kirunalapland.se/en/polar-night/) , sunset in Kiruna was [dec 11](https://www.vackertvader.se/kiruna/soluppg%C3%A5ng-och-solnedg%C3%A5ng) and next sunrise will be jan 2. So prepare for only a couple of hours of twilight.
Studded tires
Have you seen Ice road rescue? You might want to save their contacts on your phone just in case.
The first leg of the journey in Sweden will be along what is colloquially known as the ‘road of death’ amongst locals. It’s a notoriously deceptive road with strange curves and dangerous inclines. Have proper studded winter tires and drive very carefully.
Don’t drive in tunnels like May did😃
Don’t know. It will be dark and cold. The first part in norway and the mountains is beutifull and the most adventurous. I would skip Kiruna – Rovaniemi and in stead take some days skiing in the old forests close to mountains. Its better late mars – early april when there is some sun and not as cold.
I would recommend focusing on the kiruna-lofoten stretch
Probably obvious, but plan for an accident (e.g. your car breaks down or you slide off the road). Some basic preparations make waiting for hours in ice cold pitch black wilderness a lot easier. Also, check your cell phone operator’s radio coverage where you are going beforehand.
Not really sure how much of the sights you’d be seeing since it will be dark at all time until like the first week of January. But definitely have a shovel ,download maps for offline use or have actual maps with you. some high energy food like almonds and hazelnuts are very good to keep and lastly perhaps vitamin D supplements since sunlight is practically nonexistent.
Watch out for reindeer on the road. If a meeting vehicle flashes their lights it means there are reindeer on/next to the road.
Garbage bags hanging along the road is a warning that they are in an area.
Travel safe
AWD means fuck all when you begin to slip. Won’t help with breaking either. Speeders go to prison in Norway and get day-fines in Finland, so the keyword is obey.
Don’t overtake the snow ploughs. The high centre of gravity of an elk makes it a particularly deadly prospect to colide with one. Lorries are longer than in other countries.
I can very much recommend a snow mobile tour from Kiruna to the Ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi and back. It’s open as a museum during the day and not worth spending money to stay a night imo.
Completely different option is if you have time and are interested in that sort of thing is the LKAB mine in Kiruna which is the deepest and largest iron ore mine in the world and has excellent tours.
Food wise you have to try Suovas which is the traditional Sami reindeer “kebab” and reindeer meat in general.
Very good winter tyres is a must. I hope you have planning the route well.
You don’t wanna get stranded up there during the winter!!!
Make sure to pack sleeping bags or blankets for use in the car in case something were to happen (accident, mechanical failure etc). Cars don’t stay warm for long when they turn off and you can find yourself in a rough spot.
Some companies sell “car sleeping bags” that are the size of a beer can when packed and help retain body heat in an emergency. Can literally save your life, in and out of the car.
Best of luck! Pack more food than you need!
I hope your used to driving on the snow. The law says you must have winter tires. Have a spare blanket and a shovel plus a flashligh. The roads can be scary this time of the year. Alot of accidents in the snow
Stop for a Bjerkviking-burger where E6 intersects with E10.
Use nordic winter tires and not EU. Stubs are also kinda necessary but plz no EU winter tiers you won’t get anywhere.
But what to see = trees
Normal winter rhings. Have some winter cloths whit you and a flashlight and some candles they can keep you warm it’s not much to warm up in a car but keep the window open a little bit for air then.
good luck and it’s safe
When are you doing this trip?
While the landscape is incredibly beautiful, there is no sunlight so you wont get the full experience imo, unless the skies are clear, full moon, maybe some aurora etc.
Its dark and the only thing you will see is the sky,and i am guessing that most attractions are closed anyways
Abisko is a good tourist destination. Skiing tours, ice climbing, aurora sighting and probably a decent restaurant.
The ice hotel is also cool!
When are you going? Jokkmokk has a big market beginning of february that could be an amazing experience.
Edit: i realized jokkmokk is very much more south than i thought.. ignore that
Define propper winter tires. All year round or non studded tires can mean death if you drive on a icy surface.
Also people drive fast up there and will be annoyed if you are slow. So try to keep a good speed and not die. Also 4wd is kinda only good to not get stuck. You won’t get any more breaking action or traction in a turn with 4wd.
I’m going to be honest, as someone who loves Kiruna and lived in northern Sweden for many years, the winter is probably the worst time to visit if you want to “see” something. It’s cold, dark and covered in snow. Sure there’s plenty of winter activities, but nothing unique to the area. Except the Ice hotel which someone already mentioned. When you get to Narvik however you might get some wonderful views if you’re lucky.
Generally I think the area shines in autumn and spring. The mountain birch trees are beautiful during those times.
Summer is hell however… Never have I encountered so many mosquitoes.
Most importantly however, keep your eyes moving! Scan the tree-line! A moose can run at 10m/s meaning they can go from inside the woods to the middle of the road in the blink of an eye! And if you hit them, you might as well have hit a tree. 😬