Want to be sure to catch snow, ice, and cold weather? Then you should visit Luleå between mid-December and the end of February. This is also when the city practically doubles in size, as the frozen sea ice of the Bothnian Bay becomes a long-awaited playground – best enjoyed from January well into March.
The famous 10+ kilometre ice track, which is ploughed as soon as the ice is thick enough, runs between Luleå’s north and south harbours. It is a natural place for walking, kick-sledding, winter cycling, skating and jogging – and both locals and tourists stop for selfies by the large Luleå signs at each harbour.
In February, the annual Schaatsen skating competition is organised by the Dutch Skating Association, and the ice track becomes a second home for hundreds of Dutch skaters.
The ice roads, strong enough for cars, add to the feeling that the archipelago and the city are intertwined, and offer exotic car rides through a white landscape.
During this darkest season, especially in December, the Christmas lights sparkle around the city and when the grand Christmas tree is raised on Storgatan, it marks the first Advent weekend and the season of warm drinks in cosy cafés around town.
Winter is also the season for national basketball and ice hockey leagues, drawing both locals and visitors to Luleå Energi Arena and Coop Arena. The city also offers a rich program of concerts and theatre performances during this time.
But be prepared – visiting our beautiful winter city means dressing properly for the cold and wind. Layering is key, as temperatures can drop to -35°C.
It is also about capturing the daylight, which is rare at this time of year. The sun sets as early as just after one o’clock on December days.
But that hardly matters when the dark, clear nights are occasionaly lit up by the magical northern lights – the Aurora Borealis.
We extend a warm welcome to experience winter in Luleå, we believe you will love it.
Temperature:
0 to -35°C
Weather:
Cold in clear weather, in precipitation snowfall.
Daylight:
4-12 hours
Discover Luleå at its winter finest! We’ve gathered the most thrilling activities to make your trip unforgettable. Lace up your ice skates, race across the snow on a snowmobile, or feel the rush behind a team of sled dogs. Try cycling on ice, downhill skiing, kick sledding, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing – and don’t miss the chance to chase the northern lights or dare to take an invigorating ice bath. Find inspiration here to plan your perfect winter adventure.
Show winter activities
Every year, an ice track is ploughed from the north harbour, around Gültzauudden, to the south harbour and further out to the island of Gråsjälören. In recent years, side tracks across the river to Bergnäset, and inwards on the river towards Mjölkudden, have also been ploughed. Points of entry to the ice track can be found at the north harbour, near Hälsans Hus, as well as at the south harbour. The Hälsans Hus entry point is accessible to disabled visitors. Generally, the ice track opens to visitors in late December.
The length and layout of the ice track varies from year to year. The total length is usually about 10 km. There are evenly spaced rest stops along the track, to stop for snacks and beverages, or to make a fire, sheltered from the wind. In addition to ice skating and kick sledding, the ice track is also suitable for walking or jogging. The sides of the ice track are left unpolished, to make them less slippery for walking. Thie ice track is always ploughed to Gråsjälören, where the local Lions association sells waffles in early spring.
More about the ice track
Driving a car out onto the sea ice, into the archipelago or on the frozen river may sound unreal to many. A French news channel described the roads on the frozen Gulf of Bothnia as ”a universe of snow and silence, like a huge desert of ice.” For Luleå locals, however, it is something completely natural to travel by car on frozen water during large parts of the winter. When the ice along the coast outside Luleå is about half a metre thick, about 30 kilometres of ice roads are ploughed, to a couple of the islands in the Luleå archipelago.
Driving on the ice is risk-free if you stay within the ploughed roads. The load-bearing capacity of the ice is carefully checked with test drills. Normally, the ice roads open in January or early February, depending on weather and temperature. Clear signage indicates if the ice roads are temporarily closed and when the season is over. Be aware that speed is limited. Feel free to take a day trip with your own car and visit, for example, the islands Hindersön, Sandön and Junkön.
More about the ice roads
The Gulf of Bothnia has brackish water, a mixture of freshwater and saltwater. The reason behind this is that eight major rivers flow out into the gulf. The Gulf of Bothnia is estimated to be approximately 4/5 parts freshwater, making it the most freshwater-diluted sea water area in the world. That is why the sea freezes here every year. When the ice has grown to about 40 cm thick, the 6-tonne machines can start ploughing the ice track around the city centre, from the north to the south harbour.
In Luleå in winter, you can see the large icebreakers Ale, Atle, Frej, Idun, Oden and Ymer parked, awaiting their tasks of keeping an open channel in the ice for incoming transport ships. In the municipalities Kalix and Piteå, icebreaker tours are organised, where you have the opportunity to take a dip in the icy water wearing a survival suit.
Svartöstaden and the icebreakers
The magical and fabled northern lights, Aurora Borealis, are formed by solar particles from space colliding with parts of the outer atmosphere, and the gusts of the solar winds as they move across the skies. The dancing lights in green, blue, purple and sometimes even red then sweeps over the dark evening sky.
Learn about the northern lightsIt is important to dress correctly, especially during physical activity. Think layer upon layer and use wool or other material that keeps you dry closest to your body. A warm down jacket as an outer layer is nice in a sharp cold. Don’t forget warm shoes, gloves and a hat. A seat pad is necessary when it’s time to enjoy your packed lunch. A hot drink in a thermos is perfect to warm up from the inside.
The Lovikka mitten was created in 1892 by Erika Aittamaa in the village of Lovikka. Today, you can find woollen mittens and other handcrafted products, among other things, at the Lapland Heartwork store in Luleå.
-41
In 1999, thermometers showed -41°C in Luleå. The Swedish record is -52°C.
113
In 2015, the snow depth was measured at 113 cm, thus breaking the record from 1966
16 481
Luleå municipality has the highest number of registered snowmobiles in Sweden. In 2024, there were 16,481 of them.
Winter in Luleå comes alive with vibrant events that turn the cold and snow into part of the experience. In the city park, the sparkling Advent calendar and the traditional Christmas market await, filled with scents, lights, and local crafts. You can also enjoy the international skating competition Schaatsen Luleå and the thrilling Sea Ice Marathon across the frozen landscape. Don’t miss the Luleå On Ice festival, where the entire city gathers to celebrate the magic of winter. Together, these events create a truly unique atmosphere that can only be found here in Luleå.
Show winter events
Look for a kicksled on one of the ice track’s ”kicksled parkings” and take a trip out to Gråsjälören or go from harbour to harbour. Here you will also find ”smart” kicksleds that are equipped with sensors that collect information about position, accessibility and distance. For each kilometre the kicksleds move, SEK 1 is donated by the company Lunet, which provides Luleå with digital infrastructure, to the children’s ward at Sunderby hospital.
Kicksleds are available to borrow for free at any of the kicksled parking areas around the ice track
Winter in Luleå offers more ways to get around than you might expect. Sleds, kicksleds, snowshoes, and even snowracers are used as practical means of transport – blending tradition with fun. Discover how these local modes of transportation turn everyday journeys into small winter adventures.
Show local modes of transportationWe couldn't find any hits with the current filtering.
Are you looking for a perfect combination of sunshine, snow and winter sports? Then you should visit the city in March or April. By the wide smiles and the many people milling about, you can be sure that spring winter has arrived.
Have a look!
