Hi! This is an attempt at collecting some useful information about visiting Lofoten in winter, since there have been many similar posts on the same topics. There are links to much, much more information. Hope it’s o!k to post this.

**Lofoten is great in winter!** The winter is usually from November to April. The winter days are short: The sun does not rise between early December and early January. It’s not completely dark, and the light can be beautiful, but outdoor activities are very limited. February-April is peak ski touring season. There still will be snow in the mountains in May, and is usually snows too.

**Lofoten winter information**: These are some good starting points:

* [https://visitlofoten.com/en/topic/winter-in-lofoten/](https://visitlofoten.com/en/topic/winter-in-lofoten/)
* [https://www.68north.com/info/seasons-on-lofoten/](https://www.68north.com/info/seasons-on-lofoten/)
* [https://guidetolofoten.com/lofoten-in-winter/](https://guidetolofoten.com/lofoten-in-winter/)

**Getting to Lofoten** by plane, car, boat, etc (all year):

* [https://visitlofoten.com/en/topic/travel-to-lofoten/](https://visitlofoten.com/en/topic/travel-to-lofoten/)
* [https://guidetolofoten.com/getting-to-lofoten-islands/](https://guidetolofoten.com/getting-to-lofoten-islands/)
* [https://www.68north.com/info/getting-to-lofoten/](https://www.68north.com/info/getting-to-lofoten/)

**When to visit Lofoten:** Here’s some good information:

* [https://www.68north.com/info/when-to-go/](https://www.68north.com/info/when-to-go/)
* [https://guidetolofoten.com/best-time-to-visit-the-lofoten-islands-norway/](https://guidetolofoten.com/best-time-to-visit-the-lofoten-islands-norway/)
* [https://hattvikalodge.no/summer/seasons-of-lofoten/](https://hattvikalodge.no/summer/seasons-of-lofoten/)

**Driving** in Lofoten in winter can be challenging. The roads are narrow, often without a dividing marker, and with barely enough space for two semi-trailers to pass each other. It will be dark a lot of the time, and most roads have no streetlights. Road closures can happen, and bridges, ferries and even airports may close in bad weather. Check [https://yr.no](https://yr.no/) (or the app) or weather and [https://175.no](https://175.no/) for road conditions. There is some good information about winter driving in Lofoten here:

* [https://www.68north.com/info/winter-driving/](https://www.68north.com/info/winter-driving/)
* [https://www.reinefjord.no/a/articles/winter-driving-in-norway](https://www.reinefjord.no/a/articles/winter-driving-in-norway?ac_parent=1)

Driving from Evenes airport to Svolvær typically takes 3-4 hours in winter. Driving from Tromsø to Svolvær typically takes \~8 hours in winter, if the weather is normal, road conditions are ok, etc. It can take much longer.

**Hiking**: Most of the famous mountain hikes are only possible in summer. In winter it may be possible to go on short, easy hikes with snowshoes, or to go in tracks/paths made by others, but most summer hikes are impossible. If you have seen photos from Reinebringen in winter: Be aware that the path goes through avalanche terrain, it’s dangerous, and no locals go there in winter. Local authorities want to close the path to prevent tourists to go there. If you still go and need help, it will depend on the local volunteers, and they will of course not risk their own life to save yours.

Even if you can’t go on all the famous summer hikes in winter, or up into the mountains, there are things to do:

* There is a long list of things to do in Lofoten in winter here: [https://visitlofoten.com/en/activity/?\_wp\_season\_taxonomy=winter](https://visitlofoten.com/en/activity/?_wp_season_taxonomy=winter)
* Go fishing: [https://visitlofoten.com/en/topic/fishing-in-lofoten/](https://visitlofoten.com/en/topic/fishing-in-lofoten/)
* Sea eagle and Troll fjord boat trips (RIBs, silent electric boats, etc) [https://visitlofoten.com/en/activity/?\_cbis\_product\_taxonomy=safari&\_wp\_season\_taxonomy=winter](https://visitlofoten.com/en/activity/?_cbis_product_taxonomy=safari&_wp_season_taxonomy=winter)
* Husky dog-sledding tour: [https://www.instagram.com/riebanhusky](https://www.instagram.com/riebanhusky)
* See the beaches: [https://www.68north.com/outdoors/travel-lofotens-3-best-beaches/](https://www.68north.com/outdoors/travel-lofotens-3-best-beaches/)
* Go kayaking: [https://visitlofoten.com/en/topic/kayaking-in-lofoten/](https://visitlofoten.com/en/topic/kayaking-in-lofoten/)
* Go horse-back riding: [https://visitlofoten.com/en/topic/best-places-to-ride-horses-in-lofoten/](https://visitlofoten.com/en/topic/best-places-to-ride-horses-in-lofoten/)
* Go on easy hikes that are safe in winter, either with snowshoes or with proper winter boots and spikes ([https://www.xxl.no/snowline-snowline-trail-navy-grey-eyelet-oransje/p/1131319\_6\_Style](https://www.xxl.no/snowline-snowline-trail-navy-grey-eyelet-oransje/p/1131319_6_Style))

Some **winter hikes** that *may* be doable, with proper knowledge and preparations, the right conditions, etc:

* Offersøykammen (456m) is nice. It’s a little steep as the start, but not too bad. The view is a Lofoten classic. [https://www.68north.com/lofoten-hikes/hiking-offersoykammen/](https://www.68north.com/lofoten-hikes/hiking-offersoykammen/)
* Hoven (368m) at Gimsøy is also pretty easy, and also has a nice 360°C view. [https://www.68north.com/lofoten-hikes/hiking-hoven/](https://www.68north.com/lofoten-hikes/hiking-hoven/)
* Storknubben (601m) is “next to” Hoven on Gimsøy. The view from the plateau is nice too, you don’t have to hike to the summit. [https://www.68north.com/lofoten-hikes/hiking-storknubben/](https://www.68north.com/lofoten-hikes/hiking-storknubben/)
* Ryten, with the famous view of Kvalvika, may also be possible, but it’s more demanding and more dangerous – at least in some places.  [https://www.68north.com/lofoten-hikes/hiking-ryten/](https://www.68north.com/lofoten-hikes/hiking-ryten/) Check Varsom.no both on the web ([https://www.varsom.no/snoskred/varsling/varsel?lat=13.09298&lng=68.08908](https://www.varsom.no/snoskred/varsling/varsel?lat=13.09298&lng=68.08908)) and in the app, with the map that shows gradient, etc.

**The Northern lights** (aurora borealis) can be seen from September until April. You only need a clear view of the sky, and to be somewhere dark (outside of the towns). The sun’s 11-year cycle means that there will be a solar maximum in 2024-2025, and extra strong northern lights. Some good places are Gimsøy, Flakstad, Ramberg and Uttakleiv. If you are in Lofoten, there is no need to go anywhere else to see northern lights. Some good info northern lights info:

* [https://visitlofoten.com/en/topic/northern-lights-in-lofoten/](https://visitlofoten.com/en/topic/northern-lights-in-lofoten/)
* [https://visitlofoten.com/en/how-to-see-the-northern-lights/](https://visitlofoten.com/en/how-to-see-the-northern-lights/)
* [https://www.68north.com/info/northern-lights/](https://www.68north.com/info/northern-lights/)
* [https://guidetolofoten.com/northern-lights-in-lofoten-how-to-see-aurora-borealis/](https://guidetolofoten.com/northern-lights-in-lofoten-how-to-see-aurora-borealis/)

If you are interested in **ski touring**: [https://visitlofoten.com/en/topic/activities-and-experiences-in-lofoten/ski-touring-in-lofoten/](https://visitlofoten.com/en/topic/activities-and-experiences-in-lofoten/ski-touring-in-lofoten/) Hiring a local guide is recommended. The snowpack in Lofoten is not the same as for instance the Alps, and the coastal climate means that the weather changes quickly. A few winters ago there was first a little snow, and then no snow for \~40 days, and then it snowed a lot again. The early snowpack was like porcelain, and the new snow slid. very easily on it. For someone just arriving in Lofoten it looked like epic skiing conditions, but locals knew hod deadly it was and didn’t go skiing (in “normal” skiing terrain) for a long time.

If you are on Facebook you can join this group and ask for advice on specific hikes and ski tours: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/192166430825643/](https://www.facebook.com/groups/192166430825643/)

Here’s some winter packing recommendations from the Norwegian Tourist Association (DNT): [https://www.dnt.no/turtips/turvett/artikler/pakkeliste-for-vinterturen/](https://www.dnt.no/turtips/turvett/artikler/pakkeliste-for-vinterturen/) (in Norwegian)

by Lillevik_Lofoten

1 comment

  1. There are soo often posts about winter vacation up north, perhaps we can pin this post?

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