Travel guide · Norway · Vinter means winter

What to Wear in Norway in Winter

Norway in winter is two countries. On the coast, Tromsø and the fjords stay surprisingly mild for the Arctic, warmed by the sea. Inland, on the Finnmark plateau, nights fall below −30°C, and Kautokeino has gone below −43°C.

Red wooden cabins under the northern lights in Norway

The short answer

Mild by the sea, fierce inland: pack for where you will sleep.

Most winter trips to Norway mean long evenings outside under the northern lights, on a boat, or behind a team of huskies. Merino against the skin keeps you warm while you stand still for hours, and comfortable again indoors.

Month by month, Tromsø (northern Norway, by the sea)

When to go, and what to pack

Average temperatures and hours of daylight. From late November to mid January the sun does not rise at all: the polar night, the best time for the northern lights.

MonthBy dayAt nightPack
November 5 h daylightNorthern lights season; polar night begins
2°
−2°
240 GSM
December 0 h daylightPolar night; Christmas lights in the dark
0°
−4°
240 GSM300 GSM
January 2 h daylightColdest month; the sun returns mid-month
−1°
−5°
240 GSM300 GSM
February 7 h daylightDeep snow; husky and reindeer sledding
−1°
−6°
240 GSM300 GSM
March 11 h daylightBright snowy days, auroras at night
1°
−4°
240 GSM

January, place by place

From 5°C in Bergen to −20°C on the Finnmark plateau

Average temperatures in January, the coldest month, and which Sleet weight to pack.

WhereBy dayAt nightPack
BergenFjord city; mild and often rainy
5°
1°
240 GSM
OsloThe capital; museums and the Opera roof
0°
−5°
240 GSM
Lofoten IslandsFishing villages between sea and peaks
1°
−3°
240 GSM
TromsøNorthern lights capital
−1°
−5°
240 GSM300 GSM
AltaNorthern lights cathedral and ice hotel
−4°
−10°
300 GSM
KirkenesSnow hotel and king crab, near Russia
−7°
−15°
300 GSM
Karasjok & KautokeinoSámi towns on the Finnmark plateau
−9°
−20°
300 GSM

Tromsø has never been colder than −20°C. On the Finnmark plateau, a cold spell can bring −40°C: Kautokeino has gone below −43°C.

Winter moments

Four Norwegian winter moments, and what to wear for them

Nordlys

The northern lights

Hours outside in the dark and the cold, waiting for the sky to move.

Wear: 300 GSM, top and long john.

Hundespann

Husky sledding

Racing across the snow behind a team of dogs; the wind makes it feel much colder.

Wear: 300 GSM under your snowsuit.

Fjord

A winter fjord cruise

Whales, sea eagles and snowy peaks from the deck of a boat.

Wear: 300 GSM; the sea wind bites.

Tromsø

An evening in town

The Arctic Cathedral, a warm restaurant and a walk by the harbour.

Wear: 240 GSM for the city.

Most northern lights tours start late in the evening and last four to six hours, much of it standing still. That is when a merino base layer matters most.

Which Sleet weight

Choose for the coldest place on your trip

To −10°C

240 GSM Midweight

Oslo · Bergen · Tromsø city · Lofoten villages

Warm for towns and villages, light enough for long lunches, shops and evenings out.

Shop 240 GSM To −30°C

300 GSM Heavyweight

Northern lights tours · husky sledding · Alta · Kirkenes · Finnmark

For long northern lights nights, husky trips and the coldest inland towns.

Shop 300 GSM For every traveller

Twin Layer & Kids

Sensitive skin · children

Twin Layer: soft cotton inside, merino outside, cut for men and for women. Kids: extra-fine merino sets.

See the collection

Northern lights at night, the city by day? Take 300 for the tours and 240 for town.

How to layer

Three layers, easy to take off

  1. Base layerMerino against the skin, top and long john. Warm on the lift, cool enough at lunch.
  2. Middle layerA fine wool or cashmere jumper, or a light ski fleece. Off at the table, on again outside.
  3. Outer layerSki jacket and trousers for the slopes; a tailored wool coat for the village.

Norwegians say there is no bad weather, only bad clothes. A merino base layer is how they stay warm for hours outside.

Packing list

  • Merino base layer: two tops, one long john
  • Wool jumper or fleece
  • Warm insulated coat and snow trousers
  • Hat, neck warmer, mittens and liner gloves
  • Thick wool socks, two or three pairs
  • Winter boots with grip, or ice cleats
  • A head torch for the dark afternoons

Questions travellers ask

Is Tromsø very cold?

Less than people expect: about −1°C by day and −5°C at night in January, warmed by the sea. But northern lights tours mean hours standing still at night, so take 300 GSM for those.

Where is the coldest place in Norway?

The Finnmark plateau, around Karasjok and Kautokeino. January nights average about −20°C, and a cold spell can bring −40°C.

What should I wear for the northern lights?

300 GSM top and long john against the skin, a wool middle layer and a warm coat. Most tours also lend thermal suits.

240 or 300 GSM?

240 for Oslo, Bergen and Tromsø city; 300 for northern lights tours, husky trips and anywhere inland in Finnmark.

What size should I take?

See the size guide, or message us on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.

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Going to Norway this winter?

Tell us where you will stay and what you plan to do. We will tell you which weight and size to take.

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