Traces in the ice on the frozen Gulf of Bothnia at sunset
Luleå, Sweden

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, flight included
PriceFrom €1,095 pp
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.

Travelling independently

Good to know about Luleå

Luleå is an individual trip. Here you largely decide for yourself what your day looks like, and you check the current information about the natural ice route yourself.

This trip is especially suited to skaters who

  • want to travel independently
  • have experience with natural ice
  • don't need daily guidance
  • like freedom in their programme

Not sure whether this suits you?

On this trip you assess the natural ice yourself. If this is your first skating trip to Scandinavia, or you're not sure whether you can judge the ice well, feel free to ask Joey beforehand. All Novakse trips are independent as standard; at Orsa and Falun you can add guidance on the ice, and there are guided group trips to Orsa and Falun on a fixed date.

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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
Flight and stay

Flight and hotel in one price

Your return flight to Luleå and your hotel nights are included in the price you see in the calendar. Some nights cost more: they have a dot in the calendar and the surcharge is already included in the total. Would you rather arrange your own flight? Tick that in the calendar and a fixed amount per person comes off the price.

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.

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

That does ask that you can judge for yourself whether the ice is safe.

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, you choose your own period for Luleå and book it directly. 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.

The price starts at €1,095 per person for 4 days with two of you. Pick your arrival and departure day below and you'll see straight away what your period costs.

Once the calendar loads, you pick your period here and book directly. If that doesn't work, email schaatsennovakse@outlook.com or message +31 6 17467643.

Rather ask a question first Practical travel information

Prefer a different destination?

Besides Luleå, you can also skate with Novakse in Orsa, Falun, Finland and on the Weissensee. All trips are independent as standard, without guidance on the ice. 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.

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