2) DOG SLEDDING iN TROMSØ
No trip to Northern Norway would be complete without a husky safari in Tromsø!
Dog sledding is an unforgettable experience, and there is hardly a better way to enjoy being outside in the Arctic landscape than being pulled by a team of enthusiastic huskies.
Dog sledding is a fun activity suitable for anybody since you can choose between a self-driving tour and a tour where an experienced guide drives the sled.
It might come as a surprise, but driving a dog sled can be physically demanding.
When you’re going uphill, you might need to hop off the runners and jog alongside the sled to help the dogs so they are not pulling too much weight up the hill. If you’re getting tired, the alternative is to hop back on and help push the sled like you would a skateboard.
Whichever dog sledding type you choose, you are bound to have the experience of a lifetime.
GUIDED DOG SLEDDING
On guided husky sledding, the driving is done by a professional guide, and you sit in the sled, take pictures, and enjoy the ride.
This type of dog sledding is perfect for families with young children, people with medical conditions or physical restrictions, and those who want to chill and take it all in.
🐕 Tromsø: Guided Husky Sledding with Traditional Lunch at Tromsø Vilmarkssenteret
SELF-DRIVING DOG SLEDDING
On a self-drive dog sled safari, you get to be a musher (the sled driver) for the day.
Don’t worry if this is your first time trying it. Driving a sled is pretty straightforward, and the dogs know what to do. You steer, break, and now and then, you might need to jump out of the runners and help the dogs.
It can be a physically demanding activity, but it is also a great way to get some exercise and experience the thrill of traveling through the snowy landscape.
The sleds require one person sitting in the sled and one person driving it. You will change positions halfway. If you are a solo traveler, you will get paired up with somebody. The self-drive tours have an age limit of 16 years.
🐕 Tromsø: Husky Sled Self-Drive with Traditional Lunch at Tromsø Vilmmarksenter
🐕 Tromsø: Self-Drive Husky Dog Sledding Adventur e with Arctic Adventure Tours
DOG SLEDDING IN TROMSØ: SEASON
The dog sledding season lasts from the beginning of November until the beginning of April, depending on the snow conditions.
Most people think of dog sledding as a typical winter activity. However, you don’t have to wait for the snow to settle if you want dog sledding.
Most kennels provide tours in wheeled carts, husky walks, and kennel visits where you can learn about the history of the sport, how the dogs are trained, and pet the dogs and puppies.
DOG SLEDDING IN TROMSØ: PRICE
The price of dog sledding tours can vary, but they tend to be more expensive than other winter activities.
This is mainly due to the cost of maintaining the sled dogs – the winter dog sledding season is relatively short, and the dogs need to be fed and taken care of 365 days a year.
3) REINDEER SLEDDING & FEEDING + SAMI CULTURE
Reindeer and Sami people have a connection that is thousands of years old. In fact, according to Norwegian law, only Sámi people who have or had reindeer herding as their primary occupation can conduct reindeer husbandry in the Sámi herding area.
While you can stumble upon reindeer herds while exploring the surroundings of Tromsø, at Tromsø Arctic Reindeer, you can get up close and personal with these magnificent animals without disturbing their natural habitat.
You can partake in feeding the reindeer, reindeer sledding, and sharing a traditional meal while listening to the fascinating history of the Sámi people and stories about their culture.
Visiting the reindeer camp is one of my favorite activities in Tromsø. Here, you can read more about our experience visiting Tromsø Arctic Reindeer.
IS THE REINDEER FARM AN AUTHENTIC SAMI EXPERIENCE?
The tourism industry in Scandinavia has been criticized for turning Sámi culture into a marketing tool to attract tourists.
Gift shops have offered cheap reproductions disguised as traditional craftsmanship, and attractions featured non-Sámi staff dressed in traditional Sámi clothing.
However, in recent years, there has been a positive movement of Norwegians (Swedes and Finns) and Sámi towards working together and creating sustainable, small-scale, culturally sensitive tourism products.
The Tromsø Arctic Reindeer is a family business founded by the Sámi reindeer herder Johan Isak Turi Oskal in 2016.
The initial purpose of the reindeer farm was to protect the animals from the perils of climate change. Unfortunately, climate change-induced rainfall forms a thick layer of ice, which makes it impossible for reindeer to dig through it and obtain lichen and moss, the staples of their diets.
Tromsø Arctic Reindeer is one of the tourist attractions that combines the original livelihood of reindeer herding while sharing the Sámi culture and knowledge with visitors from all over the world.
REINDEER SLEDDING/FEEDING IN TROMSØ: SEASON
Tromsø Arctic Reindeer offers tours from the beginning of November until about mid-April. The reindeer sledding activity depends on snow conditions.
REINDEER SLEDDING/FEEDING IN TROMSØ: PRICE
The price for a reindeer sledding and feeding tour in Tromsø starts at around NOK 1,190 (about $119) per person. This price includes daytime reindeer feeding and the Sámi culture experience.
If you want to try reindeer sledding, expect to pay NOK 1,340 – 1,790 ($134 – $179).
4) WHALE WATCHING iN TROMSØ
Whale watching allows you to see whales up close and observe their behavior in their natural environment. It is a unique opportunity to learn about these animals and appreciate their beauty and majesty.
Whether you are a nature lover, a scientist, or someone who enjoys a unique and memorable experience, you might want to consider joining a whale-watching tour in Tromsø.
During the winter months, herring migrate into the fjords around Tromsø to feed on plankton and to spawn. This migration attracts a variety of whale species, including humpback whales and killer whales, which follow the herring into the fjords to feed on them.
THE MIGRATION PATTERNS CAN CHANGE ANY TIME
If you want to visit Tromsø and go on a whale-watching safari, do not postpone your trip for too long.
The migration patterns of herrings and, hence, the whales can change at any time. The Tysfjord area, located south of Narvik, has been the center of the seasonal Norwegian orca migration since 1990.
In 2012, the herring and Orcas moved more north to the surroundings of Tromsø.
However, in 2017, the whales swam into the fjords close to Skjervøy, just north of Tromsø. So far, they have been returning to Skjervøy every winter since, but it is uncertain when the herrings will change their migration pattern again.
Skjervøy is luckily not so far from Tromsø, so most tours depart early in the morning from Tromsø.
POPULAR WHALE WATCHING TOURS IN TROMSØ
🐋 A popular choice is the “silent “whale safari on board a comfortable electrical catamaran.
🐋 Another option is a tour on a RIB boat.
RIB stands for “Rigid Inflatable Boat.” These boats are known for their sturdy, rigid hulls and inflatable collars or tubes, which provide buoyancy and stability.
The RIBs have a smaller capacity, are faster, and you can get closer to the whales. However, they are not suitable for small kids or people who have problems with their backs.
It is too far to drive a RIB boat from Tromsø to Skjervøy; therefore, you will be transported to Skjervøy by bus.
WHALE WATCHING IN TROMSØ: SEASON
The whale-watching season lasts from the beginning of November until the end of January.
WHALE SAFARI IN TROMSØ: PRICE
Several tour operators in Tromsø offer whale safaris, and the price for these tours varies depending on the specific operator and the tour length.
🐋 The “silent” whale safari onboard an electrical catamaran costs NOK 1,590 (about $159) per person, and the tours typically last for around 8 hours.
🐋 The Whale Watching Tour onboard a RIB boat costs NOK 2,900 (about $290), including a bus transfer from Tromsø and a 3-hour boat trip.
It might seem like a big difference compared to the electrical catamaran, but bear in mind that the catamaran has a capacity of 140 people. At the same time, the RIB boat can only take 12.
5) VISITING AN ICE DOME
The Ice Bar in Tromsø is a popular tourist attraction and a fun place to have a drink. It is decorated with ice sculptures and has a range of ice furniture, including ice chairs, ice tables, and an ice bar. The bar serves various drinks, including cocktails, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.
However, if you want to see an even “cooler” place with a cinema or restaurant made of ice or spend a night in an ice hotel, add Tromsø Ice Domes to your bucket list.
BUILT NEW EVERY AUTUM IN TAMOK VALLEY
The Tromsø Ice Domes are constructed each winter using ice blocks and snow, and they offer a range of activities and experiences for visitors, such as ice sculpting, ice fishing, and snowshoeing.
In addition to staying in the ice rooms, you can also participate in various winter activities, such as dog sledding, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
If you do not have a budget for staying overnight in one of the ice rooms, you can visit the Ice Domes on a day trip from Tromsø.
TROMSO ICE DOMES: SEASON
The Tromsø Ice Domes are a popular attraction in Tromsø, Norway, and they are open seasonally from December to April, depending on the weather conditions.
The Tromsø Ice Domes in Tamok Valley will be open this winter season from December 20, 2023, to April 9, 2024.
TROMSO ICE DOMES: PRICE
The price for a trip to the Tromsø Ice Domes depends on the specific activities and experiences you choose to participate in, but a general admission ticket usually costs around NOK 975 (about $97) for adults and NOK 487 (about $49) for children.
This ticket includes access to the ice sculptures, the ice chapel, and the ice bar. In addition, there will be some free time to walk around and visit the reindeer herding next to the Ice Domes.
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The Tromsø Ice Domes also offer an overnight stay package, which includes:
❄️ An overnight stay in a standard ice room
❄️ Guided tour through the ice domes
❄️ Evening guided snowshoe hike
❄️ 3-course dinner & breakfast
❄️ Morning activity (dog sledding, snowmobile safari, or reindeer sledding).
The price for this package starts at around NOK 12,810 (about $1281) per 2 persons.
6) FJORD TOURS & WINTER SIGHTSEEING TRIPS
The fjords around Tromsø are a breathtaking destination in the winter months, with their stunning landscapes and diverse marine life. One of the best ways to experience the beauty of the winter fjords is to go on a fjord cruise.
The skipper will tell you about the marine life in the area. If you are lucky, you can spot sea eagles, a variety of seabirds, seals, and even a whale. You can also try your luck at fishing!
![Going on a fjord cruise in Tromso is one of the best ways how to see fishing boats in action.](https://guidetolofoten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/best-things-to-do-in-tromso-in-winter_fjord-cruise-tour-brim-explorer_27.jpg)
The fjords around Tromsø. Pictures were taken in January on a whale watching trip with BRIM EXPLORER.
![Brim explorer fjord cruise in the setting sun in january in Tromsø](https://guidetolofoten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/best-things-to-do-in-tromso-in-winter_fjord-cruise-tour-brim-explorer_05.jpg)
The fjords around Tromsø. Pictures were taken in January on a whale watching trip with BRIM EXPLORER.
![The surroundings of Tromso in winter](https://guidetolofoten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/what-to-do-in-tromso-in-winter_whale-watching-trip-to-skjervoy_26.jpg)
Amazing November light illuminating the mountains close to Skjervøy.
If you do not fancy a boat trip, you can take a road trip and see the fjords from the land. Take a scenic drive to Kvaløy island and visit the Ersfjordbotn village and Sommmarøy.
Sommarøy is an island surrounded by crystal-clear blue waters and sandy beaches, and it is a popular destination for visitors to the region. If you feel uncomfortable renting a car and driving in winter conditions, you can join a minibus tour that visits these stunning locations.
![Sommaroy is a perfect destination for a winter day trip from Tromso.](https://guidetolofoten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/winter-day-trip-from-tromso_sommaroy_08.jpg)
Sommarøy
![Kvaloya is a perfect destination for a day trip from Tromso.](https://guidetolofoten.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/winter-day-trip-from-tromso_sommaroy-and-kvaloya_02.webp)
Kvaløya
7) TRIP UP TO TROMSØ CABLE CAR
The cable car in Tromsø, also known as the Fjellheisen cable car, is a popular attraction that offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding landscape. In winter, it is a popular place to watch and photograph the northern lights dancing above the city.
The cable car takes passengers up to the mountain plateau of Storsteinen, which is 420 meters (1,378 feet) above sea level. From the top of the mountain, you can see panoramic views of the city, the fjords, and the snowy mountains.
In addition to the cable car ride and the spectacular view, there is also a restaurant and a viewing platform at the top of the mountain. The restaurant serves a range of local and international dishes, and you must try the Northern Lights chocolate cake! I am addicted to it!
If you’re looking for a unique way to see the city and the surrounding landscape, the cable car is one of the best things to do in Tromsø.
![Tromso in winter](https://guidetolofoten.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/visit-tromso-in-winter_28.jpg)
The viewpoint at the top of the cable car station in Tromsø offers the best view of the city and its surroundings. Pllus they serve an amazing chocolate cake!
SHERPA TRAIL UP TO MT FLØYA
If you do not fancy cable cars, you find the price too steep, or you enjoy hiking, you can take the Sherpa Trail up the mountain.
A 5.5-kilometer (3.4-mile) loop starts and ends at the Fjellheisen cable car station. The trail goes through the forest and along the mountain plateau, offering great views of the city and the surrounding landscape.
It is moderate in difficulty, with some steep sections and rocky terrain. It might be tricky in the winter and spring (bring ice cleats for your boots and hiking poles), but there are no dangerous sections. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow.