Snow Archives - The Best Viewpoints

February 25, 2024 • 0 Comment

Experience TOP 40 winter activities in Scandinavia

In 2012, I decided to move to Sweden to study and it was the best decision of my life because I love winter and here I can enjoy it fully! Since then, I managed to try a lot of winter activities in Scandinavia while others are still waiting on the list. Take a look at well-known and unknown winter activities that you can experience in Scandinavia.

1. Ice skating

Let’s start with the best winter activity you can do in the capital of Sweden. The region of Stockholm has hundreds of lakes of different sizes and together with the large areas in the Stockholm archipelago you have the best ice skating opportunities. Since it doesn’t snow much in Stockholm, you can skate pretty much anytime from the season start (usually November or December) until the ice melts (most often some time in April). If you would like to experience real freedom this is a winter activity for you. Imagine skating the whole day on the endless Swedish sea around islands and cute villages on islands. Would you like to join for a trip? In my free time I’m working as an ice skating guide. Learn more at my in-depth article about skating on natural ice. You can also take a look at how it is to fall through ice below.

*Skating in the city centre of Stockholm*

2. Cross country skiing – classic style

Let’s move to another traditional Scandinavian winter sport – skiing. Did you know that there are several kinds of skiing? We will go through all of them in this article. Let’s start with the most known skiing style which is classic cross-country skiing. Have you heard about Vasaloppet? This oldest cross country skiing race in the world has already attracted more than 1,700,000 participants around the world. The race is 90km long and promises an unbelieveable atmosphere not only for the racers but also for the spectators. Visit the finish of the race Mora and you won’t regret it.

If you would like to try cross country skiing yourself, many places across the country offer cross country skiing courses. Try it, it’s so much fun! And if you fall for skiing, after a few years of training you can participate in Vasaloppet too. Take a look at what my Vasaloppet experience was like.

*Start of Vasaloppet with over 15000 participants*

3. Cross country skiing – skating style

Recently, the skating technique of cross-country skiing has become more and more popular. The technique originated in the early 20th century and became widespread in the 1980s following Bill Koch’s success at the 1982 World Cross Country Championships. In order to compare the differences between the two cross-country styles, I managed to complete the Vasaloppet with both techniques. Which one do you think is better for such a long race?

4. Downhill Skiing

If you want to be even faster, go for downhill skiing. On downhill skis, you can easily reach speed above 100 km/h. There are many ski resorts around Scandinavia but you will find the best one in Åre. It offers the most tracks and most slopes. Another advantage is that Åre offers slopes for everyone regardless if you are a beginner, intermediate, advanced or pro skier.

You might be surprised but there is also a small ski resort in the middle of Stockholm. Hammarbybacken offers even a world cup competition for pro skiers. Even though the hill is relatively short, it also has its black slope which is perfect for a slalom race.

*Skiing in Åre can lead to ski jumping too*

5. Snowshoe hiking

Let’s take a break from skiing and let’s take a look at snowshoeing. Snow shoes are perfect for hikes in areas with a lot of snow. You’ll love the feeling of crunching snow under your feet. My personal favourite place for snow shoeing is Skuleskogen national park where you can hike daily 10-20 km and stay over in local huts, even free of charge. There you can have a great time having a barbecue under the Northern lights.

Beautiful snowshoe location in Swedish mountains (Jämtlands Triangel) — *This is another beautiful snowshoe location in Swedish mountains (Jämtlands Triangle)*

6. Watching Northern lights shows

Have I just mentioned Northern lights? It is the most exciting phenomenon to witness in Scandinavia so let’s take a look at them. Aurora Borealis occurs sometimes all around Scandinavia but you have the biggest chance to witness them behind the polar circle. I’m myself fascinated by Northern lights so much that I’m hunting them every time we have a chance to see them in Stockholm. Just keep in mind, you have to be patient to see the lights. If you want to learn more tips about when and where to see Lady Aurora, you can take a look at my Practical Guide to see Northern Lights.

*Admiring northern lights on Lofoten islands in Norway*

7. Ice fishing

Another activity which requires patience but brings a lot of joy is ice fishing. Create a hole in the ice with a special ice drill and catch your dinner. Ice fishing is so popular in Scandinavia that there are even ice fishing competitions. Can you beat the largest fish ever caught on ice in Sweden – 7kg arctic char?

*One of ice fishing competitions in Umeå*

8. Sauna

Are you becoming cold from all this talk about winter sports? I have something for you to warm up. Try a sauna with a jump into freezing water. It is not only a lot of fun but also healthy for your body. According to studies, taking a sauna helps with relaxing and detoxifying your body and Scandinavian countries know it. Therefore, sauna use in Finland, Sweden and Norway already starts in early childhood.

Cooling down in snow after sauna — *If there is no lake or sea to jump in after sauna you can ask your friends to cover you in snow. It works well too!*

9. Ice windsurfing

Let’s go from cold water back to ice. One of the most exciting winter sports I’ve ever tried is ice windsurfing. It is even more exciting than windsurfing on water. If you have a strong enough wind, you can reach speeds faster than 150km/h thanks to the very low resistence of the ice.

10. Snowkiting

The wind can also be utilized for snowkiting. Bring a kite and enjoy it either with skies in the mountains or with skates on a lake. Both are a lot of fun!

11. Ice hockey

Compared to summer, there are not many winter team sports but the existing ones are a lot of fun. You probably know ice hockey which is very popular around Sweden and Finland. Gather a group of friends to play a game or visit a match of Swedish hockey league and enjoy one of the best hockey games you can see in the world.

*When I was studying in the north of Sweden in Umeå we played ice hockey every week with other students*

12. Bandy

Have you already seen ice hockey but would you like to see something even more unique? Visit a match of Bandy. Simply said, it is like ice hockey just on a frozen football field played by 11 players on every side. It is regarded as one of the fastest sports in the world and is only played in northern countries. To give you a taste of the game, look at the best goals made in the Swedish league below.

13. Curling

Another winter team sport requires a lot of precision. Build a team and try curling in one of many curling halls around Scandinavia.

14. Biathlon

Currently, my favourite Olympic winter sport to watch is biathlon. Thanks to the shooting, the races are very unpredictable and that makes it very exciting! You can watch biathlon competitions every winter in Östersund which holds a world cup competition. When I visited one of the races, I was also happy to find out that you can even try biathlon yourself there. It was very cool to try to hit the targets like pro athletes. Now, I will not complain anymore about the biathletes who miss the targets. It’s pretty hard!

15. Winter camping

Do you like hiking and camping? Try it in winter too. There are much less hikers during winter so you can enjoy the nature on your own. It’s very cosy to wake up and have a view over a frozen landscape. As a bonus you won’t be bothered by mosquitoes compared to summer.

*Winter camping with my girlfriend at Jämtlands Triangle*

16. Ice Hotel

Do you prefer sleeping inside? Then, try something special during winter in Sweden. Visit the famous Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi and spend a night in an ice paradise. The hotel is unique every year with decorations made by artists from all around the world!

Once you’re there, don’t forget to take a shot in a glass made of ice and if you’re there with your fiancée, why not to get married there too? The Ice hotel also has a small chapel where couples from all around the world get married.

*Testing if it’s a good idea to get married at the Ice Hotel*

17. Back country skiing

Let’s get back to skiing. There are a few very popular ski activities you can try in Scandinavia. Let’s take a look first at ski touring and back country skiing. The difference is very small and the names are often exchanged with each other. In Scandinavia it’s two very different sports though. Back country skis in Scandinavia are very similar to cross country skis, they are just wider and they are used in free terrain. People often use these skis for travelling longer distances from hut to hut and they are also used for multiday trips with an extra sled where you can carry supplies. Try for example back country skis in popular mountain areas in Sweden such as in Jämtland close to Åre or far in the north at Kungsleden.

*A backcountry skier in the Swedish mountains*

18. Ski touring

Ski touring in Scandinavia is rather associated with off piste skiing. The skis are more similar to downhill skis and people use skins for going up in the hills. These skis are rather used to climb mountains and to enjoy downhill in free terrain rather than long distances. Thanks to ski touring you can for example climb Norway’s highest mountain – Galdhøpiggen.

*Climbing the highest mountain of Scandinavia in winter is a strong experience*

19. Ski jumping

One of the winter activities that I have not yet tried and have only observed so far is ski jumping. But if Eddie the Eagle could do it, why couldn’t I? 🙂

*Ski jumping championship in Falun, Sweden*

20. Heliskiing

Would you like to try world class off piste skiing in the best possible conditions? Try heli skiing behind the polar circle. In Abisko you can join a group of skiers and experience heli skiing.

21. Ice Cross

Have you heard about Ice cross? It’s popular mostly thanks to exciting Red Bull events. Check it out and if you dare, visit the ice cross facility in Stockholm.

22. Dog sledding

One of the most popular activities among visitors to Scandinavia is dog sledding. I have to admit I am a bit afraid of dogs so I haven’t tried it yet but I will one day. It looks very cosy! In addition to my own experience, I also have to see this special race in Norway once.

23. Ice climbing

If you like rock climbing you should definitely also try ice climbing. What about ice climbing directly on the highest waterfall in Sweden or the famous Gudvangen icefall in Norway shown in the movie below? It is also on my to try list this winter.

24. Winter swimming

We have already talked about sauna but did you know that it is very popular to swim in ice cold water without going to the sauna these days? There are even races in cold water in Sweden!

25. Winter kayaking

I prefer to utilize water in the solid state during winter for activities such as skiing or skating but there is also an option to experience an adventure on unfrozen lakes. Enjoy views over snow covered national parks or cities from a kayak. Stockholm offers many opportunities for instance.

*My frozen kayak during a sunrise tour in the Stockholm archipelago*

26. Fat biking

Biking and snow often don’t go together. Slippery roads can be tricky so bikers usually take a break from biking during winter months. Have you heard though about fat biking? These bikes have much thicker tyres so they can be used on snow. Would you like to try?

*My girlfriend testing a fat bike on a beach. It also works very well there. Next time we have to try it on snow!*

27. Car drifting

Let’s stay on snowy roads. Do you like cars? Then, I have a winter activity for you too. North west of Stockholm, there is a special lake where ice drive races are organized. Visit Dalarna and test your driving skills on ice!

28. Yukigassen

Yukigassen will bring you back to the childhood times when you had snowball fights with your friends. It is actually an official snowball competition. As you might guess from the name, it comes from Japan but there are Yukigassen associations in all major northern countries including Sweden. Visit Luleå for a national competition.

29. Sled

Let’s stay in our childhood and let’s enjoy children’s favourite means of transport in winter. Sledding is so much fun even for adults and there is even a sled championship in Sweden every year. Visit SM veckan and compete in Alpin Rodel.

30. Bobsleigh

We talked about the traditional childrens’ toy sled but how about a professional one? I admire the high speeds on skeleton/sled or bobsleigh tracks. Would you dare to try it?

31. Skijoring

Do you have pets and would you like to train together with them? Then, skijoring is the best thing for you! Skijoring is basically any sport where a person on skis is pulled by a horse, a dog (or dogs), another animal, or a motor vehicle (snowmobile or car for instance). In Sweden, you can find many cross country skiing tracks where pets are allowed.

32. Reindeer race

If you own a typical Lappland pet – reindeer, you can participate in a Reindeer race in Finland. This is a wonderful event when people gather from all around the world to admire Sámi traditions.

33. Snow mobiling

To be honest, I am not much of a fan of snow mobiling. I prefer moving in the pure nature with my own power but I understand snow mobiling is popular in Sweden. The machines are very quick and you can explore nature in much shorter time compared to skis or skates. For me, they are just very loud and smelly and I am not that happy to meet them on my trips. I am not surprised that they are banned in Norway in free nature and allowed only on specific paths. I hope Sweden will follow the rule in the future. Anyway, snow mobiles are allowed now so try them.

34. Snowboarding

I almost forgot about snowboarding. It’s not much a surprise because I am a skier and you know there is a small rivalry between both sports so maybe I forgot it on purpose 🙂 Anyway, Sweden offers perfect conditions for snowboarding too. If you are a skier like me, why not trying a snowboard too? Look what Ms. Ledecka managed. She won a gold medal both in snowboarding and skiing at the Olympic games. I am proud to be a Czech 🙂

35. Winter Safari

In winter it is wonderful to observe animals in their natural habitat. Witnessing a moose and reindeer in Swedish mountains during winter is pretty common. But how about watching polar bears on Svalbard?

36. Hunting for the lowest temperatures

I have to admit I’m a bit of a weather nerd. I follow weather forecasts every day and I’m fascinated by our atmosphere and its phenomena. That’s also why I decided to study a meteorology course at Uppsala University in Sweden. During that time I found out that it’s popular to “hunt” for the lowest temperatures. Very low temperatures are very interesting because you can try wonderful things like in the video below. Do you know where we can measure the the lowest temperature in Scandinavia?

37. Winter kicksleds

Have you ever heard of kicksleds? These are especially popular in northern Europe and are also used for classic shopping trips. Below is a video from one of the manufacturers.

38. Igloo

What is it like to sleep in an igloo? Despite the ice or snow structure, it should be “relatively” warm inside. It’s time to experience what it’s like to be an Inuit for a day.

39. Winter surfing

Surfing is very popular in the summer. However, while traveling beyond the Arctic Circle, I discovered that it is also popular in the winter in the beautiful Lofoten archipelago. Judging by the video below, isn’t it gorgeous?

40. Glacier caves

Finally, I have perhaps the most beautiful thing – the glacial caves that can be found in Iceland. See what nature can create. Let’s explore them quickly before the glaciers melt.

So what do you think: Is winter boring or not? 😉

View from the highest point of Poland - Rysy

December 31, 2023 • 0 Comment

Essential guide to climbing the highest point of Poland – Rysy

The High Tatras including Rysy are sharp and beautiful mountains on the border between Slovakia and Poland. After visiting the highest peak of every European country, I regard them even as one of the most beautiful mountain range in the whole Europe. Hikes in the high Tatras are wonderful and summit to Rysy definitely belongs to them too. Follow this article for all information you need before your visit to Rysy. I provide all practical information, a map and my personal experience.

Important information for climbing Rysy

Short description of the ascent from Štrbské Pleso: Hike with easy scrambling on the way
Essential equipment: Standard hiking gear
Best time to visit: 15th June - 1st November (the route is closed during winter)
Fees or restrictions: Yes, the route is closed between 1st November and 15th June, there is a small fee at the entrance of the national park if you decide to climb Rysy from Polish side
Camping allowed: No 
Nearest accommodation/food supply: Chata pod Rysmi
Recommended accommodation before the hike: From Poland - Zakopane; from Slovakia -  Popradské Pleso hotel
Height of the peak: 2499 m 
Hiking distance from Štrbské Pleso: 9.6 km (one way)
Time to ascend to Rysy: 4-6 hours up, 2-4 hours back
Elevation climbed: 1201 m
Water availability on the mountain: Chata pod Rysmi
Difficulty level: *** (6 stars maximum)
Personal rating of the mountain: ***** (6 stars maximum) 
Beer on the peak: Salus Tatranský pšeničný speciál 13 (wheat beer) *** (6 stars maximum)

What is the best route to Rysy?

From the Polish Side:

1. From Palenica Białczańska via Morskie Oko: To get to the start of this route hikers usually stay at Zakopane where you can find a great choice of accommodation as well as good food, drinks and entertainment. From there you can take a car or bus to the trailhead at Palenica Białczańska. The hike takes you through the scenic Tatra National Park, passing the beautiful Morskie Oko lake. Until Morskie Oko, the trail is very popular and the route can be crowded. An early start is highly recommended. From there, the trail continues to the Rysy summit. The final section involves a bit of scrambling and the trail is secured with a via ferrata. Check out map of the hike.

From the Slovak Side:

2. From Štrbské Pleso via Popradské Pleso:

This route begins in Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia, a popular mountain village with a lot of options of nice accommodation. The trail leads than through the picturesque Popradské Pleso lake where you could also possibly start your hike if you want to make it a bit shorter. There is a pleasant hotel where you can take a rest before your hike and it brings you an opportunity to start the hike to Rysy earlier than other hikers from Štrbské Pleso.

From Popradské Pleso the route is known for its beautiful alpine scenery, with several mountain lakes along the way. The final stretch to the summit involves some steep sections, including the rocky and exposed Pyramid section, which leads to the highest point. You can find a cozy mountain hut Chata pod Rysmi just 250 elevation meters under the peak. I highly recommend to stay over at this hut if you would like to witness a wonderful sunrise/sunset from the top of Rysy. Take a look at the map. We’ll take a deeper look at this route in this article.

Map of the best route to Rysy

My story of climbing the highest mountain of Poland – Rysy with personal tips

I climbed Rysy both from the Polish and Slovakian side. The Polish route is a bit more challenging and exposed but otherwise both of them are very beautiful. In this article I will explain to you the Slovakian route which I took during my expedition European Peaks during which I climbed the highest point of every European country.

After a warm-up at Sněžka in the Czech Republic I finally headed to real mountains. I very much looked forward to the High Tatras mountains because when I was born these mountains still belonged to my country Czechoslovakia. Now the Tatras are shared just between Slovakia and Poland after the Czechoslovakian state split in 1993.

While waiting for better weather you can climb another mountain

Bad weather in Slovakia made me change my plan for the first time during my expedition. I wanted to climb the highest mountain of Slovakia Gerlachovský Štít first but the weather was so bad for three days that it was impossible. Luckily it was not difficult to find an alternative plan. We just followed the simple rule: It doesn’t rain in pubs, cafes and restaurants so we tasted some local specialties and loaded some energy.

The weather forecast was not much better for the following day either but my time was running out so I couldn’t afford to wait any longer. In the end my father and I decided to visit mountain Rysy first despite an expected shower and try to attempt to summit Gerlachovský Štít later during better weather.

The perfect hike for beginners

The Polish highest point Rysy is much easier to summit than Gerlachovský Štít. There is a very nice path leading to the top and there is also a cabin called Chata pod Rysmi just 200 m below it. You can use it for a break with some snack on the way up or even stay overnight. This cabin became our goal the first day. Then depending on the weather we wanted to summit Rysy either in the evening or during the following morning to catch beautiful light on the top.

*Mountain Rysy during a sunny day (captured during our descent); camera Nikon D750; lens Nikon 35mm, f/1.8; Panorama consisting of 4 pictures*

Unfortunately, we had to choose the easier way up from Slovakian side. The way up from the Polish side is much more exposed and we didn’t want to risk any danger. The weather forecast was not good so we started our trip from Popradské Pleso. The big advantage of the High Tatras is that you can reach the entrances to the national park by train. This place was not an exception.

Hiking to Rysy from Slovakia

We took a lunch at Popradské Pleso and my father felt so strong after eating the local goulash that he accepted a challenge to bring some supply to the mountain cabin Chata Pod Rysmi. This cabin works on an amazing principle. Since there is no road leading to it the only way to carry food and other products to the local restaurant is on people’s backs. If you manage to carry more than 5 kg to the hut you will receive a reward – a hot tea. The cabin has been working on this voluntary principle since its opening and it has worked perfectly so far. I am proud of my father who managed to take up 5 kg of beer. I was happy with my 20 kg of climbing and camera equipment so I sadly didn’t help this time.

Supply to Chata pod Rysmi — *My father packing his 5 kg extra to bring it to the cabin; camera Nikon D750; lens Sigma 35mm, f/1.4; Single Exposure*

Snow surprise at Rysy

The weather forecast was correct! We were halfway to the cabin when a storm came. To our surprise it was not raining though but snowing. After half an hour the High Tatras received 5 cm of fresh snow. Very surprising for the 1st of July. Luckily the path uphill was so steep that we never got cold.

Just before reaching the mountain hut the storm finished and dark clouds disappeared. Suddenly, we got an amazing view over surrounding mountains. I especially liked the view from the local latrine. Amazing place if you need to poo.

*Latrine close to the cabin Pod Rysmi; camera Nikon D750; lens Nikon 20mm, f/1.8; Panorama consisting of 6 pictures + 2x exposure bracketing*

The cosy hut Pod Rysmi

Since we managed to ascent 1000 m and ended up in a small blizzard we got hungry. We ordered typical Slovak food “Halušky s bryndzou” and to our surprise the food was better and cheaper than back in the valley! This cabin is amazing!

Unfortunately, clouds came back while we were eating so we didn’t go up to the mountain Rysy that day. Instead, we joined a little party with Slovak, Czech and Dutch visitors. There was a perfect atmosphere. Nobody was checking Facebook since there was no signal. We played cards under candlelight since there was no electricity and drank chilled beers taken up by my father. As a bonus the children of the cabin manager played relaxing piano songs.

*Cozy atmosphere at cabin Pod Rysmi; lens Sigma 35mm, f/1.4; Single Exposure*

Next day I woke up at 3:30 a.m. to go up for sunrise. When I came to the window though I found out that the fog is even thicker than last night so I decided to continue sleeping. We woke up later at 6 a.m. but the weather was still the same. We took an excellent breakfast and wanted to go up. The weather was worse and worse though so we ordered some mulled wine. This order made my slightly impatient father able to wait a bit longer and finally at around 10 a.m. the weather started to improve. Time to go!

Waiting paid off

It took only one hour to summit the peak. The problem was which is the right one? The mountain Rysy has three peaks- the highest, the middle and the lowest. Instinctively I climbed the highest (2503 m) one but when looking on my map I realized that it was not the highest point of Poland. The peak I was standing on was lying in Slovakia. That’s why I had to descent to the middle one which lies on the border with Poland and that was finally the correct peak.

Our timing couldn’t be better. The clouds disappeared just when we arrived and we had a wonderful view over winter on the peaks and summer in the valleys.

Panoramic view from Rysy mountain — *View from Rysy mountain; Nikon 20mm, f/1.8; Panorama consisting of 7 pictures + 2x exposure bracketing*

View over the second highest mountain in Slovakia - Lomnický Štít — *View over the second highest mountain in Slovakia – Lomnický Štít; Nikon 200-500mm, f/5.6; Panorama consisting of 5 pictures*

Then, we had to go back in the valley. The 10 km long descent to Popradské Sedlo was tiring but still okay. The problem was that once we received phone coverage again we found out that the weather forecast for the following day is perfect. That meant only one thing: we have to move to the starting point of the climb to Gerlachovský Štít which is an additional 15 km hike. Good that it went smoother at least thanks to this awesome guide. We made it to the hut Sliezský Dom late in the evening.

A goat in High Tatras — *Our guide on the way to Sliezsky Dom; lens Nikon 85mm, f/1.8; Single Exposure*

My tips for the mountain Rysy:

Recommended accommodation before the hike: From Poland – Zakopane; from Slovakia – Popradské Pleso hotel
If you decide to climb the mountain Rysy, stay at the cabin Chata Pod Rysmi. It was for sure one of the most cozy accommodations on my whole expedition.
Summit both the highest and the middle peak of Rysy. Surprisingly, the middle peak is the highest point of Poland.
Help the mountain cabin Pod Rysmi and bring up at least a bit of supply. If you feel strong enough, you can bring over 5 kg and you will get a free tea.

February 26, 2023 • 0 Comment

Falling Through Ice and Rescue

My last article about ice skating in Stockholm got a lot of attention. I received many messages that my readers are interested to try ice skating on natural ice! I am very happy about it and I understand! It is the best experience you can do in Stockholm in winter! Besides that I got several questions about safety and the experience of falling through ice. Even though I said that falling through ice never happened to any guest of the ice skating company The Green Trails where I work, I would like to share my experience with you. I tried falling through ice during an Ice knowledge course in Sweden. It was such a cool and valuable experience that I decided to devote a whole article to this topic.

Let’s start directly with a video of my own experience when I fell through ice. It might look scary but I am very happy for such an experience. Even though I guide with huge respect for the ice conditions, this experience can be extremely valuable in case of an accident. During the Ice knowledge course I could try it in a controlled environment. There were experienced guides with us and they found the perfect ice conditions for us. We did our practice where ice gets thinner and thinner and we could test how far you can go as a skater. Thanks to this experience, I now know what to do in case of an unplanned fall through ice. It was also a great test of my equipment. Here is the short movie!

What do you think? Would you like to try this too? Cool, right? 🙂 Please, just don’t get too excited and never try this on your own. Even though I enjoyed this experience and it might look like fun, we had multiple lectures before to get ready for this moment. We were instructed properly what to do and there was also a safety boat with a diver in case of emergency.

Safety boat saving poles on ice — *Safety boat is saving skating poles which one skater forgot to take out from thin ice before leaving the cold water*

As you can see in the movie, I still made some mistakes, even though I had multiple lectures beforehand:

I had a bit small backpack which caused that even my head went under water. This normally doesn’t happen with a bigger backpack.
I forgot to open the safety line before throwing it to my friends.

Otherwise, it went pretty well 🙂 I managed to get out of the water with the ice picks, I crawled enough to stand out on safe ice and the changing of clothes which you don’t see on the video went well too thanks to my friends.

SSSK skating group on ice in Stockholm — *Discussion about what went well and what could be done better for next time*

How does it feel when falling through ice?

I always say that it feels like jumping into a frozen lake after sauna, just without the sauna. It means it’s pretty nice! The problem is that you don’t have the sauna nearby to warm up again. That’s why it is important to be ready for such an experience. Here are my tips:

TIP 1: Avoid risky ice conditions

Let’s start with the most obvious tip. Avoiding falling through ice is the best way to enjoy skating. Go on ice only if you have enough experience about the lake/sea and bring all safety equipment. Bear in mind that the ice thickness can vary on different places of the surface. If you don’t have enough knowledge, go to the ice with someone experienced or book a guide.

TIP 2: Learn about ice and ice conditions

Are you a novice when it comes to ice knowledge and skating? Then, the best way is to get a guide. Check out my article about skating in Stockholm where you can book even me as your guide. Can you skate, do you have your own skating equipment and would you like to go on ice with other skaters like you? Join SSSK club (Swedish language necessary) in Stockholm and join their organized trips. This is the best way how to learn about ice. This is also the place where I learnt most. You can join trips on both sea and lakes, always on the best ice in the Stockholm area. Besides trips, they also organize ice knowledge courses, like the one I did.

Rescue of a skater from a fall into of frozen lake — *A friend trying to get out of water*

TIP 3: Prepare well for the worst

In case you fall through ice, you need great equipment. Be sure to have following with you if you go on risky ice:

A partner – most important thing. Never go on ice alone. In case of an accident, you want someone to help you.
Have proper rescue equipment with you when on ice: safety line, ice picks and a backpack with a strap between your legs which serves as a life jacket.
Spare clothes in a dry bag – always have clothes ready in a dry bag in your backpack to be able to change in case of fall through. I have a hat, gloves, three layers for both upper and lower part of the body as well as:
- Extra tip 1: Seal Skinz socks – special waterproof socks which will help your feet to be dry even in wet shoes after you fall through.
- Extra tip 2: Dishwashing gloves – they will help your hands to keep warm when you wring out your wet clothes.
- Extra tip 3: Don’t forget a towel in your backpack to dry your skin before you put on dry clothes.
- Extra tip 4: Have a spare Gore-Tex jacket or some light rain jacket so your wet backpack doesn’t make your back wet when you start skating again.

TIP 4: Get organized help from your friends

Hopefully, you listened to my advice and you skated in a group. There are four important tasks when someone falls through. Divide the help effectively:

Person 1: talks with the person in the water, helps with the rescue and helps to take off clothes
Person 2: unpacks the backpack and dry bag and prepares dry and warm clothes
Person 3: wrings out the wet clothes and the safety line and puts them back in the backpack
Person 4: prepares hot drinks and food
If you have a luxury of Person 5, he/she can make videos and pictures so you can share your experience with me and others on social media 🙂

TIP 5: Warm up after you are in dry clothes

Do you know what is the best way to warm up? Here are some of my tips:

Drink something warm and ideally sweet. Liquids with sugar warm up body better than without.
If you have some food, eat to get new energy.
Move as soon as you can. To warm up, walking is better than skating since you will do better movements to warm up your feet and you won’t be so quick that you are cooled down by the wind.

TIP 6: Try a fall through ice in safe conditions

If you would like to prepare mentally for the fall through ice, try it in an organized environment. There are various courses enabling such an experience or try at least to take an ice bath before going into the sauna.

TIP 7: Avoid swimming and join a guided tour to enjoy skating

If you would like to skate on endless Swedish lakes/sea, I wrote a special article about that experience. I’m guiding trips around Stockholm and it’s so much fun. If you are interested, read more here.

*Skating in Stokholm city centre is an unbelieveable experience*

February 5, 2023 • 0 Comment

The best Czech winter adventures

Winter is beautiful in the Czech Republic… if you have snow. Unfortunately, global warming makes snow more and more rare so my tips will guide you to mountains rather than to cities in lowland. If you are looking for fairy tale snowy cities like on the picture below you will likely be disappointed. For your information, Prague usually only has snow for a few days every winter. Instead, my tips will guide you to the mountains. Czech mountains are beautiful in winter and there is a snow guarantee!

During 2021-2022 I visited the highest 16 mountain ranges of Czech Republic both in summer and winter including their highest peaks and it was amazing! My trips brought so many stories, experiences and pictures that I even published a book Crown of Czech Republic describing all the Czech mountain ranges with a peak above 1000m. You can find the list at the end of the article.

Unfortunately, the book is available only in Czech language but I have something better for you – a thorough selection of the best Czech adventures and experiences 🙂 Today, we’ll start with winter activities. You will be surprised how much you can enjoy Czech winter. Below you can find a list of the best winter adventures.

Wonderful Prague under snow — *Snowy Prague looks like from a fairy tale*

Witness Czech winter at mountain ridges after a snowstorm

Winter can be rough in Czech mountains during snow storms but the toughest conditions create the most beautiful scenery. Visit Czech mountain ridges some time after a heavy snowfall and you will be amazed. Rocks, bushes and trees or cottages covered in frost and freshly blown snow look wonderful. Where will you find the best views? Visit Jeseníky or Krkonoše because their highest ridges lie above the tree line and that brings the best viewpoints.

*Sunset at Krkonoše in winter after snow storm*

Spend a night at one of the mountains of the Crown of the Czech Republic

Some peaks offer comfortable huts, other ones cosy shelters where you can spend a night on your own if you have a warm sleeping bag. You can also try bivouacing. It became very popular in Czech Republic during last years so you can find sleepers even on the highest mountain of the country – Sněžka.

Which ones do I recommend to you? You will find the best accommodation with wonderful views on Ještěd and Lysá hora. I found very cosy shelters in Jizerské hory (Smrk) and Deštné hory (Velké Deštná) and I tried a bivouac on Králický Sněžník. All these adventures weren’t only fun, they also rewarded me with unforgettable sunrises and sunsets.

The most spectacular building of all Czech mountains - Ještěd during sunset — *The most spectacular building of all Czech mountains – Ještěd*

Try snowshoe hiking in remote Czech mountains

I will never forget the beauty of a quiet winter night when I hiked on snowshoes in Hanušovická vrchovina from the highest point Jeřáb back to civilization. It was very cold but the windless evening was beautiful. There were no other people around so I could fully enjoy the sounds of crunching snow below me. Kamenec (Novohradské hory), Vysoká (Hostýnsko-vsetínská hornatina) or Smrk (Rychlebské hory) are other mountains of the Crown of Czech Republic which are not frequently visited but offer an amazing snoshoe experience. All of the starting points are comfortably accessible by car.

Sign up for one of many cross country skiing races

If you prefer spending time in the mountains with people, participate in a cross country skiing race instead. There you will experience an amazing atmosphere. Finishing a cross-country race with a long tradition is an experience for a lifetime. Similar to Vasaloppet in Sweden, the Czech Republic has the 50 km long race Jizerská 50. An amazing atmosphere is guaranteed. Music at the start and at the finish, cheering locals around the track and the squirell Jizerka at the finish will make your experience unforgettable. Besides this race, you can find many others around the country. For more information take a look here.

Tour skiing in the Czech Republic is getting more and more popular

Try the new trending winter sport. Ski touring is becoming very popular in the Czech Republic and I understand why. Climbing up on skis is a great experience as well as a good workout and you are rewarded both by beautiful views and downhills. So much better and also faster than summer hiking!

The highest point of Šumava - Plechý covered with snow during sunset — *I visited the highest point of Šumava – Plechý on skis and it was one of the best experiences of my trip*

Downhill skiing in the Czech Republic

Let’s finish the summary with the most popular winter sport among Czechs. Downhill skiing has been the most favourite winter activity in every corner of the country and there are many options to choose from. You can find the largest and best ski resort in the east of the country at Krušné hory at Klínovec skiareál. I just recommend to avoid skiing there during weekends as it gets many visitors and queues are likely.

Skiareál Klínovec from drone — *The top of Skiareál Klínovec offer wonderful views*

Which activity and which Czech mountain will you choose?

Did you find a winter activity you would like to try? Before you head to the mountains, please just make sure to be safe. There are more and more injuries every year. Underestimating weather conditions or equipment can cause fatalities.

Finally, here is the list of all Czech mountain ranges above 1000m including their highest peaks.

List of the highest Czech mountain ranges

Krkonoše – Sněžka – 1603 m
Hrubý Jeseník – Praděd – 1491 m
Králický Sněžník – Králický Sněžník – 1423 m
Šumava – Plechý – 1378 m
Moravskoslezské Beskydy – Lysá hora – 1324 m
Krušné hory – Klínovec – 1244 m
Rychlebské hory – Smrk – 1127 m
Jizerské hory – Smrk – 1124 m
Orlické hory – Velká Deštná – 1116 m
Šumavské podhůří – Libín – 1094 m
Novohradské hory – Kamenec – 1073 m
Český les – Čerchov – 1041 m
Hostýnsko-vsetínská hornatina – Vysoká – 1024 m
Javorníky Malý – Javorník – 1019 m
Ještědsko-kozákovský hřbet – Ještěd – 1012 m
Hanušovická vrchovina – Jeřáb – 1003 m