6 essential items for visiting Norway in winter

As a Scandinavian country that is over 2,500 kilometres long, Norway possesses very different kinds of weather in all four of its seasons. While the summer weather is quite warm no matter where you go, the winter can vary widely depending on your location. Therefore, it is important that you bring these essential items when coming to Norway during winter!

Winter tour on snow shoes in Raundalen - Voss, Norway

For example, being anywhere along the coastline, especially in the southern half of the country, is going to result in a very mild winter season. However, as soon as you move inland, the winter weather becomes much more severe. In order to make sure that you are always prepared to handle whatever the winter season has to throw at you, here are the various winter clothes that you should be packing if your round trips to Norway occur in the winter.

Thermal Underwear

These handy garments allow you to wear a much bigger variety of clothes on the outside while still remaining warm. So if you do not want to have to bundle up with a massive layer of snow pants every time you head outside just to stop from freezing to death, then you can simply throw on a pair of thermal leggings and a pair of jeans on top of them and you should be fine.

Wool Socks

No matter which of the winter activities in Norway you choose to do, chances are that you are going to be on your feet for the vast majority of the time. That is why the last thing that you want to happen is for your feet to become chunks of ice. The best way to prevent this is by packing a good pair of wool socks, or even a few pairs of them, which will help to keep your feet dry and warm even in the coldest weather.

Winter Boots

Winter boots are an obvious must-have for anyone who is planning to visit Norway in the wintertime. While there are likely going to be times where they are not needed, an unexpected snowfall could occur at any moment, rendering other shoes almost useless. Therefore, you want to have a high-quality pair of waterproof winter boots packed away in your bag, just in case.

Bonfire in the snow - Snowshoe hike in Raunadalen, Voss, Norway

Snow Spikes/Stabilicers

Although these go by many different names, it might be a good idea to grab a pair of snow spikes, traction cleats, stabilicers, or whatever else they may be called, before heading off to experience a Norwegian winter. This is because in many parts of the country the streets can become especially icy or snow-covered during the winter season. Therefore, it can be tough for some people to avoid slipping at least once during their visit.

By having these handy spikes on your winter boots, you can make sure this doesn’t happen to you. They are especially useful if you are planning to do any sort of hiking on your vacation.

Sweater

Whether you’re outside or inside, sometimes you can become cold but not cold enough to warrant the use of a big winter coat. When this happens, you will want to have some sort of in-between layer to keep you the perfect temperature.

The ideal thing to have in this situation is a sweater, particularly one made out of wool. Luckily, Norway has quite the selection of these, although the locals know them as a lusekofte or setesdalsgenser. These traditional Norwegian sweaters can be found in most clothing stores, so even if you forget to pack one, it will not take much effort to find a nice one to purchase.

Gloves

There are not many things to do in Norway that will allow you to keep your hands in your pockets the entire time. Therefore, you are going to need to be prepared for your hands to be exposed to the outdoor weather by purchasing a pair of high-quality winter gloves. Ideally, they should be ones that are able to reveal fingers so that you can easily access your phone to take pictures or send messages without having to expose your entire hand to do it.

If you have all of these essential items packed in your bag, then you should be able to handle your Norweigan winter adventures without any issues. To find your next winter adventure in Norway, check out our Winter Site for Tours and Activities.

Winter tours

Looking for a complete winter experience? Several of our tours are available during the winter season. You can also easily add an exciting winter activity to your tour.

Norway in a Nutshell® Winter Tour

Winter magic on Norway's most popular tour

Discover breathtaking nature and one of the world's most spectacular fjords on this amazing winter experience. The Norway in a Nutshell® winter tour brings you close to stunning nature in a responsible way with emission-free transport. Ride the winter rails on two of the top train journeys in the world and cruise the snowy fjords on a quiet electric fjord cruise.

From 1600 NOK

View map

Sognefjord in a Nutshell™ Winter tour

A winter getaway on Norway's longest fjord

Cruise Norway's longest and deepest fjord, the stunning Sognefjord combined with the famous Flåm Railway. Experience beautiful scenery and cultural heritage on a relaxing winter adventure.

From 2130 NOK

View map

Top Winter Activities

Find the ultimate winter adventures in Norway. Join exciting experiences like dog sledding, whale watching, and snowmobile tours.

See all winter activities

Winter in Norway

Winter on Stegastein viewpoint - Go Viking with Fjord Tours , Aurland, Norway

Why should you do our Norway in a Nutshell® tour during the winter?

Norway sees plenty of visitors from all over the world every year, and winter is a very popular time to visit Norway due to the snowy winter landscape and varied opportunities for snow and winter activities. On our Norway in a nutshell® tour, you can get everything that you need for a perfect winter getaway.

6 essential items for visiting Norway in winter

Things to do in Tromso - Northern light safari in Tromsø, Norway

Winter activities in Norway

If you're looking for a winter escape from home, Norway might be just the ticket. Wintertime is the perfect time to take advantage of the fantastic natural landscape in Norway and explore one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Not only does Norway offer excellent skiing conditions, but several existing winter activities are just waiting to be discovered!

The dancing northern lights - Northern Lights cruise in Tromsø

Experience Norway's Magic: Fjords and Northern Lights in 5 Unforgettable Days

From the stunning fjords to the dancing Northern Lights, this 5-day adventure offers a perfect blend of natural wonders and local experiences. Start planning your ultimate Norwegian winter adventure today!