Snowshoeing is the simplest way to explore a winter landscape. Wide frames strapped under your boots keep you on top of deep snow, so you can walk through forest and across open ground where ordinary shoes would sink. This small-group tour takes you into the forest near Kiruna with a guide who explains the winter ecology, the tracks of animals and the way trees and plants survive the cold. The pace is slow, the group is small and the atmosphere is meditative, with the squeak of snow underfoot and the hush of the trees. A fika stop gives the tour its Swedish flavour: a hot drink and a sweet bun or biscuit, enjoyed outdoors, often beside a fire. There is no experience required, and the physical demand is moderate, so most people can manage it. The tour suits families, couples and anyone looking for a break from motors and engines. In the right light it is also a chance to see colours that are only possible in the north: the blue of twilight and the pink of a low sun on snow.
How it works
After meeting the guide, you are fitted with snowshoes and poles and given a short demonstration. The group walks a loop through forest or along a ridge, stopping to look at tracks and trees, and then pauses for fika. The route is chosen to suit conditions and fitness.
What to know
Dress in layers and wear waterproof boots. Snowshoes are provided, but bring gloves, a hat and a small daypack if you wish to carry water. Walking on deep snow is more tiring than on a path, so take it slowly. Children who can walk a couple of kilometres can usually join, subject to age limits.
The ecology
Northern forests are dominated by pine, spruce and birch, and the snow cover shelters small animals such as voles and ptarmigan. Tracks on the surface show who has passed, from hares to foxes to the occasional moose. The guide can help you read them.
Why choose it
Snowshoeing is quiet, affordable relative to motorised activities and a good way to warm up after hours in a vehicle. It is also an excellent daytime partner for an evening aurora tour.
Pairing
Follow the walk with a sauna, a hot meal and an early night, or move straight to an evening outing if you have the energy.
Reading the forest
Even in deep winter, a surprising amount of life leaves its mark. Look for the tidy double prints of hares, the straight lines of a fox trotting from one cover to the next, and the neat holes where grouse have dived into the snow to sleep. Branches loaded with frost and snow, called tykky in the north, create sculptural shapes that look different at every turn, and the guide can explain how the weight of snow shapes the trees.
Because the walk is slow, you will notice sounds as well: the creak of cold timber, the chirp of a tit in the spruce and, now and then, a complete and ringing silence. Bring a thermos if you like a second drink, and consider wearing sunglasses on bright days, since snow glare can be intense even in the cold.
What to expect
The experience
A guided small-group snowshoe walk through the forest with a fika stop.
Best time
December to April, when snow cover is deep.
How long
Roughly three hours.
Tips
Dress in layers, wear waterproof boots and walk slowly.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Quiet nature lovers and families.
- Families
- Suitable for school-age children who can walk a few kilometres.
- Couples
- A peaceful outing with a warm drink.
- Pair with
- A sauna or an evening aurora tour.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
What is fika?+
A Swedish coffee break, usually with a sweet bun or biscuit, and a cherished social ritual.
Do I need experience?+
No. Snowshoeing is like walking, with wider feet.
Are snowshoes provided?+
Yes, equipment is part of the tour. Check the details when you book.
Is it tiring?+
Moderately, because walking in snow takes effort. The pace is gentle.
What if there is no snow?+
Operators may adjust the activity. Check the policy when you book.