Traces in the ice on the frozen Gulf of Bothnia at sunset
Swedish Lapland

Skating in Luleå

Independent skating on natural ice along the Gulf of Bothnia. You decide how long you travel, the pace and how you fill your days.

Trip typeIndividual, independent
GuidanceNone
Trip lengthUp to you
AccommodationHotel of your choice
Dates and priceOn request
Traces in the ice on the frozen Gulf of Bothnia
Birch trees along the frozen bay near Luleå
Reindeer antlers in the snow near Luleå
The Gulf of Bothnia, Swedish Lapland
Where you skate

A public ice route on the frozen Gulf of Bothnia, past the harbour, the coast and the wintry archipelago.

When the ice conditions allow, the municipality of Luleå maintains a public natural ice route on the frozen Gulf of Bothnia. Here you skate independently past the harbour, the coast and the wintry archipelago, entirely at your own pace.

Under optimal conditions the route is about 10 kilometres long. It is not a closed race track: the route is also used by walkers, cross-country skiers and people on a traditional Swedish kicksled.

The length, quality and opening can change daily because of temperature, snowfall, wind and the condition of the natural ice. You only enter ice that has officially been released and decide for yourself whether the conditions suit your experience and level.

Reindeer antlers in the snow near Luleå, away from the crowds of the Grand Prix
Calm instead of an event

For those who prefer calm over a grand prix

Luleå is also known for the Grand Prix, the busy skating day on the Gulf of Bothnia. Novakse does not focus on that: this trip is planned precisely outside those event days.

That way you have the frozen gulf, the coast and the wintry archipelago much more to yourself: calm, space in nature and all the time you need to set your own pace and route.

View from the plane on arrival in Swedish Lapland
Where you sleep

A hotel of your choice

You travel to Luleå independently and stay in a hotel you choose yourself. No fixed accommodation and no fixed schedule: you decide what your stay looks like.

There is no Dutch-speaking tour leader or skating guide, no shared departure time and no compulsory excursion. You are responsible yourself for your route, your equipment and how you plan your days.

Your pace

Your trip, your travel length

A stay of 5 days is a popular choice, but not compulsory. The trip is tailored to your preferred travel length, flight options and the availability of the accommodation.

3 to 4 days

A short city break, with room for a couple of days on the ice.

5 days

The most chosen set-up for a complete skating trip.

6 days or more

A longer stay, with time for other winter activities.

Your days, your way

No fixed programme - you plan your own days

Your stay has no set daily programme. You could go skating early, plan a free afternoon in town or spend a whole day on another winter activity.

Think of winter walking, cross-country skiing, a husky tour, a snowmobile excursion, sauna and winter bathing, a visit to Gammelstad Church Town, or a northern lights excursion. All activities are optional and you undertake them independently or as a separate excursion.

What you arrange yourself

  • Checking the current ice status
  • Following the instructions of the municipality and local authorities
  • Renting and bringing suitable skating equipment
  • Deciding on your route and how you plan your days
  • Booking any excursions or additional activities

Not sure about your own judgement of the ice? Then a guided trip to Orsa or Falun is the better choice.

Good to know

  • Natural ice, track length and opening can never be guaranteed in advance
  • If the ice is insufficient or closed, no guided replacement programme is included
  • You then fill your days independently with other winter activities in and around Luleå

This trip is above all suited to independent, flexible travellers.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about Luleå

Is the skating trip to Luleå guided?

No, the trip to Luleå is an independent trip without a guide. There is no Dutch-speaking tour leader or skating guide, no shared departure time and no compulsory excursion. You are responsible yourself for your route, your equipment and how you plan your days.

Where do you skate in Luleå?

When the ice conditions allow, the municipality of Luleå maintains a public natural ice route on the frozen Gulf of Bothnia, past the harbour, the coast and the wintry archipelago. Under optimal conditions the route is about 10 kilometres long.

How long does the trip to Luleå last?

You decide yourself how long you travel. A stay of 5 days is a popular choice, but not compulsory - the trip is tailored to your preferred travel length, flight options and the availability of the accommodation.

What if the ice near Luleå is not good enough?

Natural ice, track length and opening can never be guaranteed in advance. If the ice is insufficient or closed, no guided replacement programme is included; you then fill your days independently with other winter activities in and around Luleå.

Possible components & price

A tailor-made trip, with a price to match

Because you decide yourself how long you travel and what you include, we put together a tailor-made quote for Luleå. Depending on your wishes, the package can consist of a return flight to Luleå, hotel nights, daily breakfast, luggage and transport between the airport and the hotel, and information about skate rental and winter activities. Skate rental, excursions, meals and local transport are only included when this is explicitly stated in the trip description or the quote.

Request a quote Practical travel information

Prefer to have a guide on the ice?

Orsa and Falun are guided group trips. Joey comes along, judges the ice and decides every morning where the day will be at its best. Luleå you skate independently, just like Finland.

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