Long distance ice skating in Stockholm: a winter must-do activity
When was the last time you did something for the first time? Ours was not so long ago. When temperatures in Stockholm dropped to -17, we knew it was the perfect opportunity to try a new winter activity: long distance skating. Blades attached and excitement through the roof, we set on a journey over the frozen lake at Hellasgården. It was actually easy to get a hang of it and I loved every second of it. Just like that, long distance ice skating in Stockholm became one of my top recommendations of things to do in the city during winter. And in this post, you’ll find everything you need to know if you want to give it a try!
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Where can you long distance ice skating in Stockholm?
It’s possible to ice skate in pretty much every frozen surface in Stockholm, after all people have the right to roam freely in nature here. It’s called ‘Allemansrätten’ and it’s a big thing in Sweden, so make sure to understand the concept.
However, it goes without saying that skating frozen lakes is a very risky activity for newbies. It’s hard to assess the thickness of surfaces and the existence of wholes. Therefore, I recommend you try long distance ice skating in controlled and groomed areas like the one in Hellasgården. Or arrange a guided tour to feel completely safe and supported during the whole experience. A friend of mine booked this tour and loved it!
If you decide to skate independently like we did, these are your options:
- Trekanten in Liljeholmen
- Hellasgården in Nacka
- Drevviken and Magelungen in Farsta
- Judarns in Farsta
The first two options are closer to the city. I personally love the Hellasgården and would recommend visiting not only for ice skating, but also to experience Swedish nature. The forest there is beautiful, and the park is pretty central!
Make sure to check this site managed by the city of Stockholm for updated conditions and locations. And keep in mind that temperatures must be very low to freeze the lakes, so conditions may vary substantially between weeks.
If you would like to skate with traditional ice skates, consider visiting the ice rinks of Kungstradgården or Vasaparken.
How much does it cost to go long distance ice skating in Stockholm?
We rented boots and blades in Hellasgården for 240 sek an hour. They also rent other equipment and you can find prices + book yours in this link. Make sure to book in advance if you’re visiting during the weekend. This a popular activity and Swedes are pretty spot on with planning and reserving activities. Being spontaneous is (almost) never a great idea in Stockholm!
Guided tours usually include round-trip transportation from central Stockholm, equipment, lessons provided by experts and lunch. Duration is around 5 to 6 hours and cost lie between 1500 to 2000 sek per person. Book yours now and experience a traditional Swedish winter experience safely!
If you live in Stockholm, you may want to consider renting gear from cheaper association like Östermalms IP.
Enjoy other traditional winter experiences
If you decide to visit Hellasgården, I’d recommend combining ice skating with other traditional Swedish winter experiences. Cold plunging in a frozen lake followed by sauna sessions is a classic winter activity. You can give it a try at “Hellas”, but bookings are required.
Nature in Hellasgården is beautiful and I definitely recommend exploring it. It’s something we do very often, as this is one of our favorite parks in Stockholm. There are many hiking trails to follow, but you can keep it simple and take a 5km lap around the lake. It’s a hilly but rewarding hike!
And since you’re in Sweden, fika is a must. At Storstugan you’ll find delicious buns, sweets, sandwiches and meals. The atmosphere at this restaurant is magical, and I love to sit by the open fire and relax after exploring the forest. Find opening hours and menu here!
What should you wear to ice skate in Stockholm
If the lakes are frozen, you should expect very low temperatures outside. Thus, dressing properly is very crucial for a pleasant experience. That’s what I wore and recommend:
- Termic leggings underneath
- Preferably water-proof pants, but it’s totally fine to wear regular pants
- Warm sweater
- Insulated jacket
- Termic socks
- Insulated gloves
- Feet and hand heating pads
I hope this guide was inspirational and useful to you. If you have additional tips or question, please feel free to leave a comment below. And if you’re planning a trip to Stockholm, it would be great if you could use the links below. We may earn a small commission and you won’t pay extra for this. It’s a win-win, so thanks in advance! 🙂
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