Experience the late winter in Umeå
Guided snowshoe hike in Tavelsjö
about the experience
Where: Tavelsjö, 30 km from Umeå
When: This experince is arranged as long as the weather permits, which is usually until mid-April.
Starting time: 9 am (if nothing else is arranged)
Duration: aprox. 3-4 hours + transfer (total aprox 6 h)
Difficulty: 3 / 5 read more
Whats included: transfer 2-4 personer (to and from centrala Umeå), guide, all necessary equipment , fika/sandwiches
Price 2-4 persons 1595 kr/person, 5-6 persons 1395 kr /person
For whom is this experience: This trip is for any one who wants to get out and experience the magic of the late winter. You need to have a general fitness and be able to be active a few hours in moderate pace.
This experience is not possible to book online due to the fast changing snow conditions this late in the season . If you are interested, please contact us
"Experience Umeå's nature for real"
In northern Sweden, there are, unlike in the southern parts of the country, five seasons. In addition to summer, autumn, winter, and spring, we also have "vårvinter" (late winter).
The late winter is the period when winter is coming to an end, but spring hasn't quite started yet. The ground is still covered in snow, and the nights are cold, but during the day the sun warms, the birds chirp, and you can feel how nature begins to wake up from its winter slumber, and life is on its way back.
This must be experienced to understand the magic!
On this tour, we move at a calm and comfortable pace to fully feel like a part of the forest and mountains we are in. We take in the silence and listen to the birds' chirping. We walk on both well-trodden winter paths and untrodden areas, using snowshoes.
Of course, there will be time to sit down, light a fire, and enjoy a fika (coffee break) in a beautiful spot. Hopefully, the sun will peek through. This tour is for you if you long to get out and enjoy what the northern Swedish winter has to offer and explore the forest and nature around Umeå. A real 'soft adventure.
Detailed description of the tour
- You will be picked up at your accommodation at the agreed time for a 45-minute transport to Tavelsjö.
- Once we arrive at Tavelsjöberget, we will go through the equipment, packing, and necessary information for the day.
- The first part of the hike goes steeply uphill towards the mountain. There are often well-trodden trails here, so we wait to put on the snowshoes until we reach the top of the mountain. We take it easy on the way up with plenty of breaks to enjoy the view. It takes about 60 to 90 minutes to reach the top.
- Once we are at the top of the mountain, we put on our snowshoes and wander through the untouched forest towards the eastern slope of the mountain, which offers a wide view over Västerbotten and will be our break spot.
- Now that we've worked up an appetite, it's time to light a fire and sit down for some conversation and a well-deserved fika.
- When we feel ready to go, we pack up and head down, back to the car. We take a shorter but steeper path down. The hike back to the parking lot takes about 30 minutes.
- Once we reach the car, we drive back to your accommodation, and the day comes to an end.
About Tavelsjö
Tavelsjö is a beautiful village located about 30 km west of Umeå, with just under 500 residents. Tavelsjö is characterized by its hilly landscape, shaped by the inland ice, and Tavelsjön (Lake Tavelsjö). It is a haven for outdoor activities in the Umeå area and offers a wide range of exciting experiences.
TIPS!
5 essential things to pack for a winter trip and keep easily accessible
Warm (down)jacket - to put on during breaks or when the wind is chilly
Buff / neck warmer - comfortable when it's windy and easy to take off and on as needed
Water - even though it's cold outside, it's important to stay hydrated
Snacks - physical activity combined with cold weather burns more energy than usual
Sunglasses - the snow can be blinding
Q&A
1. What do I need to bring on this experiece?
We provide all the equipment you need for the tour, such as: snowshoes, poles, backpack, seat pad, etc.
What you need to bring yourself is:
- A water bottle with water (at least 0.5 liters)
- Snacks
- Extra layers (depending on the weather)
2.How physically demanding is this experience?
This tour requires a normal level of fitness. The initial part of the tour goes uphill, at times steeply, but we take it slow and rest as often as needed.
Since we only have one group at a time on our tours, we have the flexibility to adjust and change the tour throughout the day based on your needs and conditions
.3. What clothes should I wear?
We recommend wearing a base layer close to the skin, with a windproof layer on top. In lower temperatures, it's also good to have a mid-layer, at least for the upper body. A hat and gloves are, of course, essential.
During the fika break, it's a good idea to have a warm jacket to put on.
It's important to keep in mind that you'll quickly warm up when moving, so you may need to adjust your clothing—taking off/putting on a hat and gloves or adjusting the zipper on your jacket.
For footwear, we recommend wearing regular hiking boots. If they are not high, it's a good idea to have pants that you can tighten at the ankle or alternatively use gaiters to prevent snow from getting into your shoes
.