Open Tour
Join an open tour, a small group of fellow skaters and spend four days crossing frozen lakes and the Baltic Sea archipelago in Sweden with your own dedicated local guide. Routes are chosen every morning based on current ice conditions, so you always skate the best available surface.
Groups are limited to eight guests to ensure safety, flexibility and a genuinely personal experience.
Experience required for open tours
Nordic skating on natural ice demands that you feel confident and independent on skates. Prior experience from skating on ice hockey, figure skating, speedskating or recreational rink skating is required for our open tours.
You must be physically able to skate for 6 to 8 hours per day.
If you have any questions just contact us info@naturguiden.com
Open tour Schedule 2027
| Week | Dates |
|---|---|
| Week 2 | Jan 14–17 |
| Week 3 | Jan 21–24 |
| Week 4 | Jan 28–31 |
| Week 5 | Feb 4–7 |
| Week 6 | Feb 11–14 |
| Week 7 | Feb 18–21 |
| Week 8 | Feb 25–28 |
Choose your accommodation
Standard Hostel
€995 per person
We stay in a hostel with shared dormitory, shower and toilet.
A social and relaxed option that suits you that want to do shopping, meals and dishes together.
Comfort Hotel
€1,390 per person
We stay in a hotel (e.g. Scandic, Best Western), double room with private bathroom. Dinner together at the hotel restaurant or an nearby restaurant.
Best for you that like comfort and more privacy.
What to expect
Weather
Expect temperatures between 0°C and minus 15°C throughout the tour. There can be rain, snowfall and wind, though wind speeds are usually low to moderate.
Conditions can change during the day, so the ability to adapt your layers is more important than any single piece of clothing.
What to wear
Thermal base layer moisture wicking, close to skin
Mid layer, fleece or lightweight insulation
Light down jacket for breaks and lunch stops
Windproof outer layer for exposed ice and sea
Your four days on ice
Included: lunch pack, dinner
Included: breakfast, lunch pack, dinner
Day 3 is often the most rewarding. The group is confident, the guide can push further, and the routes tend to be the most scenic. If the conditions are right, we may skate by moonlight again in the evening.
Included: breakfast, lunch pack, dinner .
Included: breakfast, lunch pack
What is included in the price
Included
- Your private guide for all four days
- Private minivan for all local transport
- Accommodation in double room (Standard: hostel / Comfort: hotel)
- All meals
- Nordic skates and insulated boot
- Skating backpack, thermos, lunch box and seat pad
- Full safety equipment: ice claws, whistle, rescue line, skating poles and pike, helmet and knee pads
- Airport pickup and drop-off
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Flights and travel to Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Safety and equipment
Nordic skating on natural ice involves inherent risk. Every Naturguiden tour is led by an experienced guide who conducts a full safety briefing before the group sets foot on the ice.
The guide goes first at all times, testing the ice and choosing the route. All guests receive a complete set of safety equipment and carry a waterproof bag with a full change of dry clothes inside their skating backpack at all times.
Safety equipment provided
- Ice claws — for self-rescue if you fall through the ice
- Rescue line — so you can be pulled to safety from a distance
- Whistle — to attract attention
- Skating poles and ice pike — for balance and continuous ice testing
- Skating backpack — acts as a buoyancy aid
- Helmet
- Knee pads
A full safety and packing information document is available to download on the tour page.
Frequently asked questions about open tours
Nordic skating on natural ice is unlike anything you have done before, and we know you have questions before you book. Below you will find answers to the most common ones — from experience requirements and safety to logistics and what to pack.
This depends entirely on conditions and the group’s pace. Typical recreational skaters cover 25 to 50 kilometres per day. Your guide adjusts speed and distance to the group throughout each day.
Snow affects ice quality but rarely cancels a tour. Your guide will find the best available ice somewhere in the region. We drive up to 400 km from Stockholm to find best conditions.
We strongly encourage honest self-assessment before booking. For our open tours prior experience is required.
Your guide assesses the group on the ice throughout the tour.
You should be able to sustain physical activity for 6 to 8 hours. Skating on natural ice is less demanding on the joints than running, but it is continuous effort across varying surfaces. Regular exercise and comfort with endurance activity is good preparation.
Choose between:
Standard hostel (995€) We stay in a hostel and cook dinner together.
Comfort hotel (1390€) We stay in a hotel and have dinner together at the restaurant.
Book a Private group
A private group is a great option. Perfect for family and friends. And you can stay as long as you want.
