Winter is Finally Here... Ski Slopes to Open!

It has been a relatively warm winter so far... with no snow and temperatures well above freezing. Quite unusual! But winter (and the snow) has finally come to Stockholm. We had our first real snowfall this past weekend and the weather reports show more snow and continuing below freezing temperatures in the coming weeks.

Map of Hammarbybacken
www.skistar.com/sv/hammarbybacken/

This all means that the ski slopes around Stockholm can finally open for business! To give you an idea of how warm this winter has been... last year the ski slopes opened on December 13th. The Stockholm region has no mountains, so we are talking smaller slopes. But they still have lifts, multiple runs and the opportunity for the popular "after-ski". You can also rent ski and snowboard equipment there, so you don't have to worry about bringing it with you from home.

Hammarbybacken- open in the evening.
www.skistar.com/sv/hammarbybacken/

The closest slope to Stockholm is Hammarbybacken. In fact, it is so close (located in the southern suburbs) that you have great views of downtown Stockholm from the top. They are busy preparing the slope with snow cannons and plan to open on Saturday (Jan 18th). To get to Hammarbybacken from the Rival Hotel, it is only a 20 minute trip with the subway and street car (Tvärbanan) or by direct bus (#74). Other ski slopes in the Stockholm region that are planning on opening this coming weekend are Ekebyhovsbacken and Flottsbrobacken. These are, however, a bit further away than Hammarbybacken! Full list of nearby ski slopes.
Click here to read my article from last year (with more information).

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What to do on New Years Weekend?

(This is old information, for current info... click here!) What to do this New years weekend? Plenty to do... be aware that some museums are open one day and closed the other. Almost all stores are closed on New years Day... and many restaurants.


Friday, December 31th

Museums- Skansen is open from 10am to midnight. A very popular place with Swedes to ring in the New Year... with the hour before midnight filled with music and entertainment. Besides Skansen, the other museums open today are the Vasa Museum and the East Asian Antiquities Museum (Terracotta Warrior exhibit).
The changing of the guards at the Royal Palace in the Old Town: 12:15pm
Tours- Strömma offers the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour, Panorama bus tour as well as the Winter boat tour and Little Archipelago boat tour everyday all weekend.
Other activities- The midnight firework display will take place over the water on the eastern side of Stockholm (ocean side). This can easily be viewed anywhere on the waterfront or a place with a good view.
Ice skating at Kungsträdgården from 11am to 8pm. Hammarbybacken is open for skiing 9am to 4pm. 
Restaurants- Many restaurants closed and the ones that are open serve the traditional nyårsspé dinner. Hope you have a reservation... it's very hard to get one last minute!
Stores- many open, with shorter hours. NK Department store open 10am to 5pm. Gallerian shopping center open 11am to 5pm. Skrapan shopping center open 10am to 4pm.

Saturday, January 1st

Museums- Skansen, Fotografiska, The History Museum and the East Asian Antiquities Museum (where you can see the Terracotta Warrior Exhibition) are all open.
The changing of the guards at the Royal Palace in the Old Town: 1:15pm
Tours- Strömma offers the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour, Panorama bus tour as well as the Winter boat tour and Little Archipelago boat tour  everyday all weekend.
Other activities- Ice skating at Kungsträdgården from 11am to 8pm. Hammarbybacken is open for skiing 11am to 6pm.
Restaurants- Many restaurants are closed (hungover staff?)... there are restaurants open in the Stureplan district as well as hotel restaurants. Rival Bistro is open.
Stores- Most are closed, including NK, Gallerian and Skrapan.

Sunday, January 2nd

Museums- all major museums, including the Vasa Museum, are open for business.
The changing of the guards at the Royal Palace in the Old Town: 1:15pm
Tours- Strömma offers the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour, Panorama bus tour as well as the Winter boat tour and Little Archipelago boat tour everyday all weekend.
Other activities- Ice skating at Kungsträdgården from 11am to 8pm. Hammarbybacken is open for skiing 9am to 6pm.
Restaurants- many more restaurants are open for business, but it is a Sunday... so restaurants that are generally closed on Sundays will be closed today!
Stores- Open for business again! NK Department store open 12pm to 5pm. Gallerian shopping center open 11am to 5pm. Skrapan shopping center open 11am to 6pm.

The weather this weekend? Temperatures around -5 Celsius and snowfall expected late on New Year's Eve and in the morning on New Year's Day.

Happy New Years!
.

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AN activity, new year, sightseeing, winter

What to do on Christmas Weekend?

Edit: note the no swimming sign!

If you need a little help in planning in what to do while in Stockholm over the Christmas weekend, here are some options of things that are open & running day to day...

Friday, December 24th

Museums- Skansen is open from 10am to 2pm. Free entrance! The Stockholm Jewish Museum is also open from 12pm to 4pm. All other major museums are closed.
The changing of the guards at the Royal Palace in the Old Town: 12:15pm
Tours- Strömma offers the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour, Panorama bus tour as well as the Winter boat tour everyday all weekend.
Restaurants- Plan to eat at a hotel restaurant, any other restaurant of quality will be closed. The Rival Bistro is open!
Stores- many open, with shorter hours. NK Department store open 10am to 2pm. Gallerian shopping center open 10am to 2pm. Skrapan shopping center open 10am to 2pm.

Saturday, December 25th

Museums- Skansen, Fotografiska and the East Asian Antiquities Museum (where you can see the Terracotta Warrior Exhibition) are all open.
The changing of the guards at the Royal Palace in the Old Town: 1:15pm
Tours- Strömma offers the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour, Panorama bus tour as well as the Winter boat tour everyday all weekend.
Other activities- Ice skating at Kungsträdgården from 11am to 8pm. Hammarbybacken is open for skiing 11am to 4pm.
Restaurants- Besides hotel restaurants, a few other restaurants open for business. Especially in the Stureplan neighborhood.
Stores- Most are closed, including NK, Gallerian and Skrapan.

Sunday, December 26th

Museums- all major museums, including the Vasa Museum, are open for business.
The changing of the guards at the Royal Palace in the Old Town: 1:15pm
Tours- Strömma offers the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour, Panorama bus tour as well as the Winter boat tour everyday all weekend.
Other activities- Ice skating at Kungsträdgården from 11am to 8pm. Hammarbybacken is open for skiing 9am to 6pm.
Restaurants- many more restaurants are open for business, but it is a Sunday... so restaurants that are generally closed on Sundays will be closed today!
Stores- Open for business again! NK Department store open 12pm to 5pm. Gallerian shopping center open 10am to 6pm. Skrapan shopping center open 11am to 6pm.

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AN activity, christmas, sightseeing, strömma

Winter Sport Activities in Stockholm

Are you feeling a bit sporty or adventurous? There is plenty to keep you occupied during the winter months and it all happens very close to the city, if not within.

    



Photo: Henrik Trygg- Stockholms Visitors Board

• Ice Skating: I've already reported on the outdoor ice skating rink in the middle of the city at Kungsträdgården. If you feel like doing some long distance skating on the frozen lakes and rivers around Stockholm, then it is better to do it in a group with a guide (it's still a little early in the season). Two good guide companies that offers such tours, including equipment rental, are the Stockholms Guidebyrå and Ice Guide. They can be contacted at info@stockholmsguidebyra.se and info@iceguide.se (they have a contact form on their website) for more information and booking. Click here for a list of cleared skating routes in the greater Stockholm area. 
• Cross Country Skiing: If you have your own equipment then there are many tracks around the city, including Djurgården. I'm having trouble finding a place that rents cross country skis, but if I find a place then I will report back!



Photo: Skistar.com/hammarbybacken

• Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding: There are several hills in and around Stockholm high enough to support some alpine skiing! I've already reported on the opening of Hammarbybacken this week. This is by far the closest slope, in fact you can see the slope from parts of Södermalm where the Rival Hotel is located and the there is a great view of the city from the top of the hill. There are lifts and a restaurant and they do rent skiing equipment! Click here for some short movies of the slope. There are a few other slopes on the outskirts of the city... including Ekholmsnäsbacken, Flottsbro and Väsjöbacken. 

 

I would be remiss in talking about winter sport activities without mentioning Hellasgården. This nature area is located in Nacka, just a 15 minute bus ride on #401 from Slussen (10 minute walk from the hotel). Here you can find plenty of walking paths, cross skiing tracks and outdoor ice skating (with rental). Another activity offered here, not for the faint of heart (literally), is ice swimming. A very nordic activity involving heating up in a sauna or bastu and then plunging into frigid waters. Brrrr...!



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This Weekend!

December 3rd, 4th & 5th

Winter has a tight grip on northwest Europe. This has caused quite a lot of travel disruptions... we hope that your travel plans aren't affected! Stockholm has become a winter wonderland with lots of activities going on.

• I have written earlier about all of the Christmas markets in the city. This weekend there is a special market open at Drottningholm Palace. It is a little bit outside of the city, but worth the trip. A popular market... here you will find all sorts of traditional handicaft, hand made holiday decorations as well as delectable treats. While you are there, see the palace as well. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List! The easiest way to get there from the hotel, besides driving, is to take the subway to Brommaplan (green line) and from there take bus #301-323, or 177 & 178 to Drottningholm. More info!
• The Architecture Museum is having their 20th annual gingerbread house exhibition. It is running from December 1st to January 9th... but the competition is only until December 10th, and the public gets to vote! This year's theme is "I'm home now" and there are three categories: Professional architects & bakers, amateurs and children up to 12. The winners will be announced on December 12th. The museum is open 10am to 6pm all weekend and can be combined with the Modern Art Museum that is just next door.
• After 5 years in Malmö, Leksaksland (a museum dedicated to toys) is returning to Stockholm... with the premiere this weekend. Perfect for children or parents experiencing nostalgia, it is located in the downtown area so it is easy to pop in and take a break from holiday shopping.

And now for something happening on Monday, December 6th: Hammarby Ski Slope is opening for the season! Thanks to the cold weather and early snow, the slope is opening earlier than usual. It is a small slope but offers an unique experience... from the top of the mountain you can see out over Stockholm! It is located just to the south of the Södermalm neighborhood. During the first week they will be open in the evenings (5pm to 10pm) on the weekdays and 9am to 6pm on the weekends. They do rent ski equipment there. Contact me at the hotel for more information.

The weather this weekend? A little colder on Friday & Saturday (between -5 and -10 degrees Celsius) with it warming up on Sunday to about -3. Cloudy with some snowfall.

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AN activity, children, christmas, Museums, weekend

Ice Skating Rink at Kungsträdgården is Open for the Season!

This weekend we are expecting subzero (Celsius) temperatures which means that it is cold enough for the popular outdoor ice skating rink in Kungsträdgården to open for business. A sure sign that winter is not far off! Stockholmers have been skating here since 1962, when the rink first opened for business. It's location in the center of the city makes it a popular activity for both locals and tourists... whether they actually take to the rink or just observe. The downtown shopping district is nearby with the NK department store located right across the street. Starting next Friday (Nov 29th) a Christmas market will open up just adjacent to the rink. This market will be open daily, 11am to 6pm, until December 22nd.

On a snowy evening last winter... no snow yet this year!

The ice skating rink is also open daily: weekdays from 10am to 9pm and weekends from 11am to 9pm. If you don't feel like packing your ice skates when you come to Stockholm... don't worry, they have skates for rent! The cost is 60 SEK for adults and 30 SEK for youth/children under 20 (prices are for one hour rental). Children are required to use a helmet and they have them to borrow- free of charge (even for adults). The rink is lit up in the winter darkness and they have fun music playing over the loudspeakers, so it is worth a visit even if it is just to have a cup of glögg and watch the skaters. It is easy to get to from the Rival Hotel... either a 30 minute walk through Gamla Stan, 3-4 stops on the subway or a 5 minute taxi ride.

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Ice Skating in the Middle of Stockholm

Photo by Henrik Trygg

(EDIT: This info is from 2013-11, for current prices and opening hours... click here!) One of the more enduring and endearing sights of winter-Stockholm is the public ice-skating rink in the Kungsträdgården park in central Stockholm. Last week the rink opened for its 48th season! The rink is set up around the statue of Charles XIII in the middle of the park and while it's not the largest rink, people don't go there for the excercise but for the tradition, to soak up the Stockholm winter atmosphere and to get into the Christmas spirit. Skating equipment available to rent! It costs 50 SEK for adults and 20 SEK for children. The rink is open 7 days a week until the first week of March and generally closes at 6:30pm except on Tuesdays and Thursdays when it is open until 8:30pm. There are several cafés open around the rink... perfect for warming up with a hot chocolate after doing some skating.

Charles XIII

Kungsträdgården is located smack-dab in the middle of Stockholm, in between the royal palace and the NK department store. There is always something going on here... if not an event, then at least it is the place to feel the pulse of the city. Sunday, November 21st is the official start of the Christmas season in Stockholm. It is called Skyltsöndag and it is when a lot of the larger stores, like NK, will be unveiling their Christmas window decorations. There will be a Christmas parade that will start at Hötorget at 1:30pm and end in Kungsträdgården where there will be Christmas carolling between 2 and 3pm. Jultomten (Santa Claus) may show up! The weekend after that will be the start of the Christmas market in Kungsträdgården. I'll write more about that later as we get closer to the Christmas season...

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AN activity, children, christmas

Tip #11 - Walking/Jogging Paths

The Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation has created special paths throughout the country (110 so far) designed to make walking or jogging safe and easy. There are four in central Stockholm and the paths are well marked with kilometer markers and maps. My favorite is the one that goes around Djurgårds Canal... it is 7 kilometers long, though there is a bridge along the way if you would just like to do a five kilometer walk/run. The walk takes you along both sides of the canal through leafy forests, wetlands, parks and embassy village. Along the way you will find a few cafés, restaurants and ice cream kiosks if you want to take a break. I did the whole walk a few days ago with friends and it just took a couple of hours (with a stop or two).
The other three paths are Södermalm (11 km- and perfect if you are staying at the Rival Hotel), Kungsholmen (9 km) and Brunnsviken/Haga Park (12 km). All three of these paths are through green areas (mainly), along the water and with plenty of interesting things to see... and, of course, there is nothing saying you have to do the whole course!

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AN activity, Djurgården, excercise, tip, walk