Two skaters at dusk on natural ice

Your skating trip

  • +Accommodation
  • +Local transport
  • +Packing list and advice beforehand

Fill in the form and Joey will contact you personally.

01
Step
You send a request
02
Step
Personal contact
03
Step
We decide together
04
Step
Confirmation
Swept skating track near Orsa Wooden cabins in the snow by frozen Lake Orsa in Dalarna Natural ice track near Orsa, Sweden

Orsa

Sweden

An independent skating trip on Lake Orsa, with a swept track of about 15 km. The flight, accommodation in cabins right by the ice and local transport are included. From €995.

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Skaters on a frozen lake near Falun Accommodation near Falun A small group of skaters on the frozen lake near Falun under a clear blue sky

Falun

Sweden

An independent package trip on historic ice, with Falun's red mine buildings in the background. The flight, rental car and accommodation are included. From €995.

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Swept skating track curving along the forested shore of Lake Saimaa, with two skaters Skater on the track along the snow-covered pine forest near Punkaharju Wooden cabins in the snow among the pines near Punkaharju

Punkaharju

Finland

An independent skating trip without a guide on Lake Saimaa near Punkaharju, staying in your own cabin with sauna. From €895.

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Swept natural ice track on the Weissensee Skaters on the Weissensee among the mountains

Weissensee

Austria

Independent skating on a mountain lake in Carinthia, known from the Alternative Elfstedentocht. From €1,095.

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Tracks in the ice on the frozen Gulf of Bothnia near Luleå Birch trees along the frozen bay near Luleå Reindeer antlers in the snow near Luleå

Luleå

Sweden

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. From €1,095.

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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. You skate independently and plan your own day, based on the weather and the current ice information. For Orsa, our online service helps you with information about the ice, alternative skating locations and weather updates.

Skater on wide-open natural ice

Your own day

You skate independently, at your own pace, and plan your days yourself.

Joey knows the ice

Years of experience on natural ice, and personal advice before you leave.

Flight and stay arranged

For Orsa, Falun, Finland and the Weissensee, the flight, the accommodation and local transport are included in the trip. For Luleå, the flight and the hotel are included.

Two skaters together on the ice at sunset Orsa & Falun Guided group trips Out on the ice together with other participants, with guidance on the ice, on a fixed date. Interested? Let Joey know 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
Lunch from the pan over a campfire on the ice
Joey grinding the rocker of a skate blade
Skater against the light on natural ice
Joey skating on a frozen lake
The car packed for a skating trip
Skating on natural ice by a windmill in the Netherlands
Skater with raised hands at sunset
Joey cooking over a campfire during a skating tour
Fika around the campfire on the ice
A group resting on the ice
Skating on black ice, close up
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 travel guide

Two participants cheering on the ice at sunset
Experiences

What previous travellers thought

Real feedback from previous participants, straight from our Google page.

View all reviews on Google
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.

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. Because you skate independently, you also need to be able to judge for yourself whether the ice is safe. 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. You skate independently, so you judge the ice yourself and keep checking the current information on site. Ice picks and a helmet are mandatory.

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

Natural ice always depends on the weather and the quality of the ice, and can never be guaranteed in advance. For Orsa, our online service gives you current information about the ice, all alternative skating locations and weather updates, plus information about alternative activities.

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

Yes, depending on the trip and your skating experience. All trips are independent as standard, without guidance on the ice. They are therefore best suited to skaters who can judge the current conditions for themselves. At Orsa and Falun you can add guidance on the ice. There are also guided group trips to Orsa and Falun, on a fixed date.

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 does payment and cancellation work?

You pay the full trip price in one go at booking. Cancel more than 8 weeks in advance and you pay 25% of the trip price. From 8 to 4 weeks it is 50%, from 4 to 2 weeks 75%, and after that 100%.

Not sure which trip suits you? Ask Joey for advice

Trip request

Tell us where you want to go

Fill in the form and Joey will contact you personally.

  • A direct reply from Joey, no call centre
  • Also for a trip with your own group
  • No obligation - first a good conversation

Prefer to reach out directly? Email schaatsennovakse@outlook.com or message +31 6 17467643.

Also at Novakse
Skater in action during training on the ice rink
Skating lessons

Group lessons & personal training

Technique and tempo, in small groups or one-on-one.

More about skating lessons