One of Sweden's signature winter activities is Polar World, a facility that makes its own snow when necessary, and breeds polar bears for species preservation, according to the Scandinavian Tourist Board. Sweden visitors can view polar bears in action at the exhibits and watch educational presentations at an amphitheater. Those looking for a little more adventure should consider going on an elk safari. According to the Scandinavian Tourist Board, travelers go for a snowmobile ride to the northern Swedish mountains to view reindeer and elk in their natural habitat.
Sweden is renowned for Northern Lights sightings, so much so that some travel companies arrange winter holiday tours around them. The Northern Lights are sometimes viewed in the Lapland and Kiruna area of Sweden. However, travel guides do not guarantee a Northern Lights sighting since they are an uncontrollable natural occurrence. Visitors might also be interested in an Ice Hotel tour. According to Sherman's Travel, artists rebuild the Ice Hotel each year out of ice so guests might enjoy drinks at the Icebar or a stay in one of its ice suites.
Sweden is home to several ski and sports resorts offering cross-country and Alpine skiing, snowmobiling, and bobsledding. Some resorts are child-friendly and have slopes and ski lifts designed especially for smaller skiers. More adventurous visitors might be interested in Husky sled rides. A trained guide helms the lead sled and first-time riders control their own sled of three or four Huskies after a training session, according to Swedish travel website simplysweden.co.uk. Extreme tourists can participate in ice climbing, where expert instructors teach students how to use climbing equipment and learn necessary techniques. According to Sweden's official travel website, visitsweden.com, climbers will tackle slick ice walls with only a rope attached to their bodies, an ice pick, and sharp shoe attachments called crampons.
A winter holiday in Sweden wouldn't be complete without relaxation time, Swedish style. Many Swedish resorts offer authentic Swedish massages and provide outdoor rock pools in which visitors can take a dip in the midst of freezing temperatures. According to visitsweden.com, swimming in hot springs in the wilderness is also a popular activity. These activities are typically part of Swedish wellness packages, which sometimes involve international culinary samples during breakfast or dinner.
