Winter is here!
Finally, the lovely white snow cover has arrived. This means that there are loads of winter activities to do!
What activities can we do now?
The cross country ski tracks at Ormberget outdoor center are open for the season. Cold temperatures have made it possible for the snow cannons to produce artificial snow for the 2,5 kilometer cross country ski track. Normally the tracks open somewhere around mid to late November. This year, the ski track opened on November 22nd.
So, how do you behave to go cross country skiing?
First, visit Äventyrsbutiken Hägglunds to rent cross country skis, then walk the 200 meters to the main bus stop Smedjegatan and hop on bus number 2 towards Björkskatan. After approximately 9 minutes, hop off at Ormberget bus stop and walk about 650 meters up to the ski stadium. If you are a beginner we recommend you to learn how to maneuver the skis at the ski stadium before going out in the tracks. The tracks are lit up until 22, so you can ski from early morning until late evening. When we get more snow, ski tracks up to 10 kilometers will be prepared for many enthusiastic skiers to enjoy!
How about the famous ice track?
The ice trackhas not opened for the season yet! Normally the ice track opens in late December or early January. At the earliest it has opened November 28th and the most difficult year as late as January 25th.
How to make the ice track
The ice track around Luleå city is annually prepared by the Luleå council and usually opens between late-December and mid-January. It opens as soon as the quality and thickness of the ice is acceptable for safety reasons.
When preparing the ice-track the staff makes “ice-protocols” to know when it is safe to use the different tractors. At the early stages of the season the staff uses lighter vehicles like snowmobiles and a small tractor to mark the track and clear it from snow.
Clearing the track from snow is very important at the early stages since snow insulates and makes the ice grow slower. To make the ice suitable for skating they use a tractor weighing 6 tons and for that the ice needs to be of good quality and 40 cm thick.
When the track is complete it is roughly 10-11 kilometers long and is used for skating, walking and biking by loads of locals and visitors. It is really one of the best things about Luleå in wintertime!
The season usually ends in late March – early April when the staff of the ice-track are unable to maintain the track any longer as the ice slowly begins to melt.
Meanwhile, for the ones longing for ice skating — why not visit one of Luleå's indoor ice rinks? See the opening hours here.
Ice skates can be borrowed from Fritidsbanken.
Photo: Magnus Stenberg
How about the famous ice track?
The ice trackhas opened for the season on December 23. What a perfect Christmas present for all of Luleå's inhabitants and visitors! Normally the ice track opens in late December or early January. At the earliest it has opened November 28th and the most difficult year as late as January 25th.
How to make the ice track
The ice track around Luleå city is annually prepared by the Luleå council and usually opens between late-December and mid-January. It opens as soon as the quality and thickness of the ice is acceptable for safety reasons.
When preparing the ice-track the staff makes “ice-protocols” to know when it is safe to use the different tractors. At the early stages of the season the staff uses lighter vehicles like snowmobiles and a small tractor to mark the track and clear it from snow.
Clearing the track from snow is very important at the early stages since snow insulates and makes the ice grow slower. To make the ice suitable for skating they use a tractor weighing 6 tons and for that the ice needs to be of good quality and 40 cm thick.
When the track is complete it is roughly 10-11 kilometers long and is used for skating, walking and biking by loads of locals and visitors. It is really one of the best things about Luleå in wintertime!
The season usually ends in late March – early April when the staff of the ice-track are unable to maintain the track any longer as the ice slowly begins to melt.
Meanwhile, for the ones longing for ice skating — why not visit one of Luleå's indoor ice rinks? See the opening hours here.
Ice skates can be borrowed from Fritidsbanken.
Photo: Magnus Stenberg