Winter Sports
When the winter comes to Vaxholm and Stockholm – it’s amazing. Though, you never know how “good” the winter will be in advance. That's the charm – you can't order it, it's a heavenly gift. If you come during the coldest months in January–February, you give yourself the opportunity to receive it. Also, you'll be almost alone in museums and galleries from mid-January and until late April (except week 9 and the Easter).
When it’s cold for a long time without snowing, the ice on lakes and the sea will be thick and strong enough to be on. It's magical when the ice turns completely black and air bubbles have been trapped in it. Then, do try Nordic skating. It’s a wonderful way to be out in the nature. When you get the cuts right after some practice – it becomes almost meditative.
When there's a lot of snow, it's not possible to go long-distance skating. Now, you can go cross-country skiing instead. This is a great way to train your whole-body in a beautiful landscape covered in shimmering snow-diamonds.
The Lake Norrviken
Most likely, you've never done Nordic skating or own such skates. It's totally different from "ordinary skating". You can rent skates at Norrvikens Sjöisbana (the lake North Bay's Ice Track) 30 km from the Pearl Cottage by car. If you've the right size, you can borrow them from us as well as safety equipment.
The municipality in this area manages the ice trails on the lake (longest 14 km). Other municipalities make trails on their lakes too. Though, their webpages are in Swedish but we can help you with where to go.
Some winters the ice get great on the sea just 100 m from the Pearl Cottage. We can help you with how to go on this kind of ice. Also, you can take a course for Nordic skating, but you neeed to book this well in advance. We can help you to find a course (the webpages are mostly in Swedish and the courses changes every year).
Remember when you go out on any ice on a lake or the sea:
-
you’re skating at your own risk even on ploughed lake trails
-
ice is perishable and there is no guarantee of a strong ice everywhere (ok yesterday is not similar as ok today)
-
never go out alone
-
always have ice claws available (and see on You Tube how to use them)
-
bring a backpack with extra clothes packed in a waterproof bag
-
a safety line
-
ice spikes can be useful for controlling the thickness of the ice.
At the Waxholm Golf Course
Probably, you don't have any cross-country skis with you but you can rent equipment by pressing the button below. Winter time, the Waxholm Golf Course is transformed into an area for cross-country skiing. The municipality makes tracks for skiing when there is enough snow. You can start anywhere on the tracks, but remember to park the car at the clubhouse and follow the direction of other skiers. If you’ve not done this kind of skiing before, do check on You Tube – and people will happily help you on the track when you ask them.
Central Stockholm
In the middle of Stockholm, there’s an artificial ice rink at Kungsträdgården (Garden of the King). It's surrounded by beautiful buildings. Here, you can rent "regular" skates (check opening hours by clicking on the button below) and skate to music. Usually, the rink opens week 44 if the weather conditions are favourable for the construction of the ice. It’ll remain open until mid-March.