Skating trips on natural ice

Small groups, personal guidance, natural ice in Sweden, Finland and Austria.

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Your skating trip

+Accommodation
+Local transport
+Guidance on the ice

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All trips

Orsa

Dalarna

A guided group trip on Lake Orsa, with a swept track of about 15 km and accommodation in cabins right by the ice. Dates and price coming soon.

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Falun

Sweden

A guided group trip on historic ice, with Falun's red mine buildings in the background. Same set-up as Orsa.

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Skating track on Lake Saimaa near Punkaharju

Finland

From €995

An independent skating trip without a guide on Lake Saimaa near Punkaharju, staying in your own cabin with sauna.

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Weissensee

Austria

Independent skating on a mountain lake in Carinthia, known from the Alternative Elfstedentocht. Dates and price coming soon.

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Tracks in the ice on the frozen Gulf of Bothnia near Luleå

Luleå

Swedish Lapland

An individual, independent skating trip on the public natural ice route along the frozen Gulf of Bothnia. No guide or fixed programme; you decide how long you travel and how you fill your days.

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Why Novakse

Because natural ice is different every day, the route is never quite fixed.

Natural ice can't be planned. That's why every morning we look again at the weather, the ice quality and the group - and adjust the route, the lake or the whole programme accordingly.

Groups of 4 to 12

Small enough for personal attention, large enough for good company along the way.

Joey comes along himself

Years of experience on natural ice, and an eye for what a day really needs.

Three levels

Recreational 1–4 hours, sporty 2–5 hours or fanatic 3–6 hours a day. You set your own pace.

Two skaters together on the ice at sunset

Open group trip Join a group You sign up for a fixed departure date and skate together with other participants, with Joey as your guide. For Orsa and Falun you register in pairs. Request an open trip

Group of friends together on a skating trip

Your own group Go with your own people With friends, family or colleagues, on a date you choose yourselves. We put the programme together with you. Request a private group trip

Joey Novak with his dog by the water — Joey Novak, founder of Novakse

Joey skating on a frozen lake — Joey Novak, founder of Novakse

The story behind Novakse

"Being outside, in nature - that's what it's all about for me. Skating on natural ice gives an unmatched sense of freedom."

Joey has been skating since he was a child and built up years of experience on natural ice. He later trained as a sports instructor and gained experience at the 11shop in the Elfstedenhal, working with skating equipment and sharpening.

But in the end, it's no longer about performance for him - it's about experiencing the skating and the nature around it. In the Netherlands, good natural ice is becoming rarer; in Sweden and Finland you can still skate on and on.

Joey Novak

Founder and trip guide

Two participants cheering on the ice at sunset

Experiences

What previous travellers thought

Reviews from previous participants are on our Google page. We'll add a direct link here soon.

Ask Joey your question

Frequently asked questions

Still have doubts? These come up most often

When is the best time to skate on natural ice in Scandinavia?

The best moment differs per destination and per winter. In Scandinavia the winter is usually longer than in the Netherlands, but natural ice still depends on temperature, snow, wind and the conditions on site. That is why we work flexibly on the guided trips and look on the spot at what gives the best options at that moment.

How good a skater do I need to be?

You don't have to be a competitive skater, but you do need to be able to skate independently and in control. We work with three paces: recreational (1–4 hours a day), sporty (2–5 hours) and fanatic (3–6 hours). You choose where you feel at home. If you're unsure about your level, Joey will think it through with you beforehand.

Is skating on natural ice safe?

Natural ice always calls for good assessment and preparation. Conditions can differ locally and change over the course of a day. That is why on the guided trips we look again every day at the weather, the ice and the route. Guidance never removes the risk entirely, but it does add extra knowledge, preparation and adjustment to the conditions. Ice picks and a helmet are mandatory.

What if the ice or weather isn't good enough?

Our skating trips always depend on weather conditions and ice quality. We adjust routes and programmes daily, and switch to another suitable lake or offer an alternative programme when needed.

Can I come along if this is my first skating trip to Sweden or Finland?

Yes, depending on the trip and your skating experience. If you still have little experience with Scandinavian natural ice, a guided trip is usually the most logical choice: Joey comes along, reads the ice and decides where the day will come into its own best. An independent trip suits skaters who can judge the current conditions for themselves.

What skating equipment do I need?

You bring your own skating equipment, winter clothing and safety gear. You'll receive a packing list and advice on what you need beforehand. For natural ice we recommend touring skates; ice picks and a helmet are mandatory.

How big are the groups?

A trip runs from 4 participants and takes a maximum of 12. This keeps room for personal attention and guidance on the ice.

How does payment and cancellation work?

All trips require a deposit of 50% of the trip price; you pay the remainder no later than 5 weeks before departure. Cancel more than 6 weeks in advance and you pay 50% of the trip price; after that, 100% applies.

Trip request