Enjoy Luleå's ice track
The ice track in central Luleå guarantees extraordinary experiences. Enjoy walking, kicksledding and fantastic conditions for ice skating. All within walking distance to everything the city has to offer such as cafés, restaurants and shopping.
Did you know that Luleå's frozen archipelago is listed number 45 on CNN's 50 awe-inspiring natural wonders for your bucket list. Read CNN:s article about Luleå's ice here.
The latest updates are available at: The ice track's Facebook page
Ice skating
The ice track is perfect for ice skating. The ice is polished, which makes it possible to ice skate with regular ice skates and long-distance ice skates on it. There might be some bumps and cracks in the ice, which makes it a little easier to skate with long-distance ice skates.
Long-distance ice skates can be rented at Äventyrsbutiken on Storgatan 26 just a short walk from the entrances in the northern and southern harbours. It is also possible to borrow regular ice skates atFritidsbanken on Porsön.
The kicksleds
Head to one of the kicksled parking lots next to the ice track's entrances in the northern and souther harbours (Norra and Södra hamn). The kicksleds are can be borrowed free of charge! First come, first served.
Please care for the kicksled! In other words; don't ride five people on one kicksled.
Did you know that there are smart kicksleds? The smart kicksleds are designed by children and are equipped with sensors so they can be followed on a map.
Follow the smart kicksleds
Fatbikes
Cycling on ice? Is it possible? Of course! We recommend that you rent a fatbike. Fatbikes have wide tires that make it easier to cycle on slightly more difficult surfaces. Get around easily on the ice track, or why not cycle out onto the ice roads in the archipelago? Here you can cycle between the mainland and islands and discover an absolutely fantastic environment with miles of open winter landscapes.
Walking
Ice track might sound slippery, but do not worry! There is a polished, very slippery part along the snow sidewalk. The snow sidewalk has a thin layer of snow on it which increases friction and provides a perfect surface for walking.
Gråsjälören
On weekends and school holidays, Luleå residents and visitors make a pilgrimage to the island of Gråsjälören. Here, the local Lions association serves delicious waffles for charity. There are also barbecue areas on the island to use. A wonderful atmosphere is promised!
If the flag is hoisted, the café is open!
Did you know...
...that the Dutch Skating Federation has chosen to hold its annual speed skating competitions at Luleå's ice track? At the end of February, the Schaatsen Grand Prix is held. The ice rink is filled with hundreds of skating enthusiasts who whizz past at breakneck speed. Exciting races are promised!
The making of an ice track
The ice track around Luleå city is prepared annually by Luleå Municipality and usually opens between the end of December and the middle of January. It opens as soon as the quality and thickness of the ice is acceptable from a safety perspective.
The staff establish "ice protocols" to know when it is safe to use the various vehicles that prepare the ice track. At the beginning of the season, the staff uses lighter vehicles such as snowmobiles and a small tractor to mark the track and clear the snow. Clearing the track of snow is very important to speed up the freezing of the ice. Otherwise, the snow risks insulating the ice so that it grows more slowly.
To make the ice suitable for skating, a tractor weighing 6 tons is used, and for this the ice needs to be of good quality and 40 cm thick. When the ice track is completely finished, it is approximately 10-11 kilometers long and is used for skating, walking and cycling by many locals and visitors. The ice track is truly one of Luleå's highlights during the winter!
The season usually ends in late March – early April when the ice begins to melt and can no longer be maintained.
The ice track + northern lights = true
Did you know that the ice track is good for northern lights hunting?
Here, you can escape the most of the city lights while enjoying a nice walk while looking up the sky. There are also several barbeque spots to light a lovely crackling fire to warm yourself by.
Learn more about the northern lights