What to Wear for Skiing in Tromsø

Every beginner course in Tromsø lends cross-country skis, poles and boots. Clothing is a different matter: SkiTromsø lends a jacket, trousers, hat and gloves, Tromsø Outdoor rents winter clothing, and on every other option you come dressed for the cold yourself. Cross-country skiing is also hard work, so the trick is to stay warm during the breaks without overheating on the trail.

What each option provides

From the product pages. “Not stated” means the listing says nothing about it. Sorted by number of reviews.

Course or tour	Type	Provided	Reviews ↕	Price ↕	Book
Cross-country course at Charlottenlund Tromsø Adventures AS	Cross-country course	Skis, poles and boots; clothing not included	★ 4.7 (597)	€91 per person	Book now
Learn to ski at Tromsø Ski Stadium SkiTromsø - Arctic Ski Experience	Cross-country course	Skis, poles, boots and winter clothing (jacket, trousers, hat, gloves)	★ 4.9 (321)	€88 per person	Book now
Beginner course with transfer Tromsø Outdoor	Cross-country course	Skis, poles and boots; winter clothing for rent	★ 4.8 (209)	€125 per person	Book now
Sledding and mini skis Arctic Fun	Family	Not stated	★ 4.7 (97)	€95 per person	Book now
Easy ski touring day The Natural North	Ski touring	Not stated	★ 5.0 (1)	€95 per person	Book now
Backcountry cross-country trip The Natural North	Backcountry cross-country	Not stated	New, no reviews yet	€95 per person	Book now
Night ski touring The Natural North	Ski touring	Headlamp included; other gear not stated	New, no reviews yet	€95 per person	Book now

Course and tour prices here are per person and refresh from GetYourGuide; the booking page shows the final amount for your date and option.

Every option with its inclusions

Each one with skill level, minimum age, what is provided and where it starts. Open a card for the full details.

Tromsø Adventures AS

Guided cross-country skiing course at Charlottenlund

Duration: 2.5 hours (the description says 2.5 to 3)
Skill level: No experience requirement stated
Minimum age: From 7 (up to 80)
Start and getting there: Charlottenlund activity park (bus 26 to Skoglyst, free parking); transfer not stated
Provided: Skis, poles and boots; clothing not included

✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from €91 ★ 4.7 (597 reviews)

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Full details

Highlights

Skis, poles and boots included
Breaks by the lake Prestvannet
Warm drink and a sweet snack
An alternative activity if there is not enough snow

About this trip

A guided cross-country course that starts at the Charlottenlund activity park on Tromsøya, with breaks by the lake Prestvannet along the way. Skis, poles and boots are provided, together with a warm drink and something sweet.

Winter clothing is not part of the package, so come dressed for a couple of hours outside. If the snow is not good enough for skiing, the operator offers an alternative activity.

What’s included

Cross-country skis, poles and boots
Warm drink and something sweet

Not included

Winter clothing

Meeting point

Charlottenlund Aktivitetspark, at the car park (parking is free). By public bus: line 26 to the Skoglyst stop. The listing offers two options.

Know before you go

The largest boot size is given as EU 47 in one place and EU 48 in another. If you have large feet, check before booking.
If the snow conditions are insufficient, the operator will try to offer a suitable alternative activity.

Not suitable for

Children under 7
People over 80

Taken from the operator’s product page on the booking platform.

SkiTromsø - Arctic Ski Experience

Learn to ski, developed with a local Olympic champion

Duration: 2.5 hours
Skill level: Learn-to-ski format; no experience requirement stated
Minimum age: From 6
Start and getting there: Tromsø Ski Stadium, Dramsvegen 192; transfer not stated
Provided: Skis, poles, boots and winter clothing (jacket, trousers, hat, gloves)

✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from €88 ★ 4.9 (321 reviews)

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Full details

Highlights

Course developed with Olympic champion Erik Valnes
Ski equipment and winter clothing included
Snacks and warm drinks
Some local culture and history along the way

About this trip

A learn-to-ski session at Tromsø Ski Stadium, built on a programme developed with the local Olympic champion Erik Valnes, with some local culture and history along the way.

This is the only course here that lends you winter clothing as well as skis, poles and boots: jacket, trousers, hat and gloves. Snacks and warm drinks are included.

What’s included

Cross-country skis, poles and boots
Winter clothing: jacket, trousers, hat and gloves
Snacks and warm drinks

Meeting point

Tromsø Skistadion, Dramsvegen 192.

Know before you go

Erik Valnes developed the course but is not normally the guide on the daily tours.

Not suitable for

Children under 6
Pregnant women

Taken from the operator’s product page on the booking platform.

Tromsø Outdoor

Beginner cross-country ski course with transfer

Duration: 3 hours
Skill level: Beginners
Minimum age: From 12
Start and getting there: Transfer included from Tromsø Outdoor, Fredrik Langes gate 14
Provided: Skis, poles and boots; winter clothing for rent
Group size: Up to 8

✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from €125 ★ 4.8 (209 reviews)

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Full details

Highlights

Small group of up to 8
Transfer to the groomed trails at the top of Tromsøya
Skis, poles and boots included
Hot drink and lefse

About this trip

A beginner course for groups of up to eight. You meet at the Tromsø Outdoor shop in Fredrik Langes gate and ride to the groomed trails at the top of Tromsøya, where the lesson takes place.

Skis, poles and boots are included. Winter clothing is available to rent if you have not packed enough. A hot drink and lefse, the soft Norwegian flatbread, are part of the break.

What’s included

Transfer to the trails
Cross-country skis, poles and boots
Hot drink and lefse

Not included

Winter clothing (available to rent)

Meeting point

Outside Tromsø Outdoor AS, Fredrik Langes gate 14.

Not suitable for

Children under 12

Taken from the operator’s product page on the booking platform.

Arctic Fun

Sledding, mini skiing, campfire and aurora cinema

Duration: 2 hours
Skill level: No requirement stated
Start and getting there: Charlottenlund activity park, Conrad Holmboes veg 89; transport not stated

✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from €95 ★ 4.7 (97 reviews)

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Full details

Highlights

Sledding and mini skis
Sami lasso throwing
Campfire with snacks and hot drinks
Outdoor aurora cinema

About this trip

Two hours of winter play at the Charlottenlund activity park on Tromsøya: sledding, mini skis, Sami lasso throwing and a campfire with snacks and hot drinks. An outdoor aurora cinema is part of the programme.

It is a playful session rather than a ski lesson. The listing names no minimum age, but it is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, or visually impaired guests.

What’s included

Sledding and mini skis
Sami lasso throwing
Snacks and hot drinks at the campfire
Outdoor aurora cinema

Meeting point

Charlottenlund aktivitets- og friluftspark, Conrad Holmboes veg 89.

Not suitable for

Pregnant women
People with back or heart problems
Visually impaired people

Taken from the operator’s product page on the booking platform.

The Natural North

Guided easy ski touring

Duration: 6 hours
Skill level: Experienced skiers: comfortable on blue and red slopes, off-piste and between trees
Minimum age: From 14
Start and getting there: Depends on the option; you get there on your own (local bus or car)

✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from €95 ★ 5.0 (1 review)

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Full details

Highlights

Season from December to May
About 400 metres of ascent
Off-piste skiing and runs through the forest
Beginners can ask for a private tour

About this trip

A day of ski touring for skiers who are already comfortable on blue and red slopes and happy to leave the piste. The tour climbs about 400 metres and comes back down off-piste, partly between trees.

The meeting point depends on the option you book, and getting there is up to you: the operator asks guests to take the local bus or drive. Beginners can ask for a private tour.

What’s included

Safety briefing
Gear instructions
Ski guide and coaching

Meeting point

Depends on the option you book. You travel to the start by local bus or car.

Know before you go

Whether ski touring equipment is included is not clear from the listing. Check the product page before booking.

Not suitable for

Children under 14
Skiers who are not yet confident on red slopes

Taken from the operator’s product page on the booking platform.

The Natural North

Relaxed backcountry cross-country skiing trip

Duration: 3 hours
Skill level: Some skiing experience recommended
Minimum age: From 14
Start and getting there: Eide Handel, Fjordvegen 12, Kvaløysletta; transport not stated as included

✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from €95 New, no reviews yet

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Full details

Highlights

Wide backcountry cross-country skis, away from groomed tracks
Campfire with hot chocolate
Coaching from a ski guide

About this trip

A three-hour trip on wide backcountry cross-country skis, away from the groomed tracks, starting at Kvaløysletta on Kvaløya. The pace is relaxed and the trip includes a campfire with hot chocolate.

Some skiing experience is recommended, and guests must be at least 14. The listing does not state that transport to the start is included, so plan your own way to Fjordvegen 12.

What’s included

Safety briefing
Gear instructions
Ski guide and coaching

Meeting point

Eide Handel AS, Fjordvegen 12, Kvaløysletta.

Not suitable for

Children under 14

Taken from the operator’s product page on the booking platform.

The Natural North

Guided night ski touring (randonnée)

Duration: 3 to 6 hours, about 3 of them touring
Skill level: Confident on blue and red slopes; no ski touring experience needed
Minimum age: From 14
Start and getting there: Storelva ski stadium, Nedre Storvollen 105, Kvaløysletta; transport not stated
Provided: Headlamp included; other gear not stated
Group size: Up to 6

✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from €95 New, no reviews yet

Book on GetYourGuide

Full details

Highlights

Small group of up to 6
Headlamp included
Off-piste, but outside avalanche terrain
Towards Rødtinden on Kvaløya
December and January in darkness, February and March in long twilight

About this trip

An evening ski tour from the Storelva ski stadium on Kvaløya towards Rødtinden, with no more than six guests. You need to be a confident skier on blue and red slopes, but no ski touring experience: the guide explains the gear and the technique.

The route goes off-piste but stays outside avalanche terrain. In December and January the tour runs in darkness with a headlamp and a chance of northern lights; in February and March there is long twilight.

What’s included

Safety briefing
Gear instructions
Ski guide and coaching
Headlamp

Meeting point

Storelva Skistadion, Nedre Storvollen 105, Kvaløysletta.

Not suitable for

Children under 14
Skiers who are not yet confident on red slopes

Taken from the operator’s product page on the booking platform.

Who each option suits and what it provides

Skill level, minimum age, clothing, ski equipment, getting there, group size and food, taken from the product pages. “Not stated” means the listing says nothing about it.

Tour	Skill level	Minimum age	Winter clothing	Skis, poles, boots	Getting there	Group size	Whole trip	Food
Guided cross-country skiing course at Charlottenlund	Not stated	From 7 (up to 80)	Not included	Yes	Not stated	Not stated	2.5 h	Warm drink and something sweet
Learn to ski, developed with a local Olympic champion	Beginners	From 6	Included	Yes	Not stated	Not stated	2.5 h	Snacks and warm drinks
Beginner cross-country ski course with transfer	Beginners	From 12	For rent	Yes	Transfer from the meeting point	up to 8 guests	3 h	Hot drink and lefse
Sledding, mini skiing, campfire and aurora cinema	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	2 h	Snacks and hot drinks at the campfire
Guided easy ski touring	Blue and red slopes plus off-piste	From 14	Not stated	Not stated	On your own (bus or car)	Not stated	6 h	Not stated
Relaxed backcountry cross-country skiing trip	Some skiing experience	From 14	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	3 h	Campfire with hot chocolate
Guided night ski touring (randonnée)	Confident on blue and red slopes	From 14	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	up to 6 guests	3–6 h	Not stated

From the product pages, checked in October 2026. The length of the whole trip is the operator’s figure.

Layers that work on skis

Cross-country skiing warms you up quickly. One first-timer on the Tromsø Outdoor course wrote about getting hot despite the snow all around. The usual answer is layers: a thin wool or synthetic base layer, a light fleece or wool mid-layer and a windproof outer layer you can open. Cotton stays wet once you sweat and then cools you down during the breaks. For the stop at the lake, the campfire or the van, a warm extra layer in a small backpack helps.

Hands, feet and head

Gloves matter more than anything else: thin ones for skiing, warmer ones or mittens for the breaks, and a spare pair if the snow is wet. A hat or a headband and a buff for the face cover the rest. Wear warm socks, but not so thick that the boots get tight. The boots are part of the equipment on every beginner course, and on the SkiTromsø course gloves and a hat are part of the clothing it lends. Critical reviews mention the boots: one traveller found the rental boots uncomfortable, and another disliked changing into them while standing in an icy car park at Charlottenlund. Arrive with socks on that you can ski in, and keep your own shoes easy to slip off.

Water and snacks

The courses include a warm drink and a snack, and the backcountry trip a campfire with hot chocolate. A traveller on the Tromsø Outdoor course still advised bringing water for the ride home, because the session is quite a workout.

Spring sun and ski touring

From mid-February the sun returns quickly, and Visit Tromsø advises sunglasses and sunscreen for the Tromsø Outdoor course from then on. For ski touring, bring layers you can open on the climb and close for the descent; the night tour provides a headlamp. Whether touring skis, skins and boots are lent is not clear from the listings of The Natural North, so check before you book if you travel without your own. More on ski touring in Tromsø.

Children

Children cool down faster than adults during breaks. SkiTromsø lends winter clothing on its learn-to-ski course, which takes children from 6. For the Arctic Fun evening with sledding and mini skis, the listing does not mention clothing, so dress children for two hours outside with wool layers, warm boots and mittens. See skiing with children.

Travellers on gear and clothing

What participants say about warmth, effort and equipment. The critical reviews are about rental boots that hurt and about changing boots in an icy car park; both are worth planning for.

★★★★★

“It was our first time skiing at all, and this was a very fun introduction! Fell over a few times, got hot despite the snow all around and had a lovely time”

Sangitha · Netherlands · March 2026 Beginner course with transfer · Tromsø Outdoor

★★★★★

“Felix was so patient with all of us who had never touched skis before. I was the first to fall and he immediately jumped in to teach me how to get back up. Pretty sure I've got a new hobby for life now, thank you! Overall, super fun experience. The hot juice and snacks were super tasty, but definitely bring some water for the ride home because this is quite a workout!”

Nicole · United States · March 2026 Beginner course with transfer · Tromsø Outdoor

★★★☆☆

“Changing boots while standing in an icy parking lot was not a good experience. There could be a better solution for that. The short introduction to cross-country skiing technique was OK. The instructor, Tuva, was nice and made an effort. At Lake Prestvannet, we were given a cup of tea and a piece of chocolate. That was also the only spot with a nice view. The advertising had promised much more. The price is too high for a few trips back and forth to Charlottenlund Park. For the price of the activity, you could rent skis in the city for 2 full days, go to the cross-country ski trails in the park on your own, and watch a video.”

Traveller · Germany · March 2026 · translated review Cross-country course at Charlottenlund · Tromsø Adventures AS

★☆☆☆☆

“I was very disappointed with my ski lesson experience. The instructor had a bad temper, was rude, and shouted at us for every small mistake. […] On top of that, the ski shoes were uncomfortable and were hurting my feet, which made the experience even worse.”

Traveller · Spain · January 2026 Beginner course with transfer · Tromsø Outdoor

★★★★★

“Astrid and William were perfect instructors! Helped us a lot during the ski! Me and my wife enjoyed a lot the experience! The whole circuit took around 2 hours and 30 minutes, the equipment is very good and near the end, they serve juice and cake. I highly recommend it!”

Cicero · Brazil · April 2026 Learn to ski at Tromsø Ski Stadium · SkiTromsø

Reviews by skiers after their course or tour, from GetYourGuide.

FAQ

Which ski course in Tromsø lends winter clothing?

The SkiTromsø learn-to-ski course lends a jacket, trousers, hat and gloves. Tromsø Outdoor rents winter clothing for its beginner course. Tromsø Adventures states that clothing is not included.

Do I need my own ski boots?

Not for the beginner courses: skis, poles and boots are included on all of them. For ski touring and the backcountry trip, the listings do not make clear whether equipment is lent.

What should I wear under a ski jacket?

A wool or synthetic base layer and a light mid-layer. Cross-country skiing makes you warm quickly, so layers you can open are better than one thick jacket.

Do I need sunglasses?

From mid-February, yes. Visit Tromsø advises sunglasses and sunscreen for the Tromsø Outdoor course from then on.

What each option provides

Every option with its inclusions

Guided cross-country skiing course at Charlottenlund

Highlights

About this trip

What’s included

Not included

Meeting point

Know before you go

Not suitable for

Learn to ski, developed with a local Olympic champion

Highlights

About this trip

What’s included

Meeting point

Know before you go

Not suitable for

Beginner cross-country ski course with transfer

Highlights

About this trip

What’s included

Not included

Meeting point

Not suitable for

Sledding, mini skiing, campfire and aurora cinema

Highlights

About this trip

What’s included

Meeting point

Not suitable for

Guided easy ski touring

Highlights

About this trip

What’s included

Meeting point

Know before you go

Not suitable for

Relaxed backcountry cross-country skiing trip

Highlights

About this trip

What’s included

Meeting point

Not suitable for

Guided night ski touring (randonnée)

Highlights

About this trip

What’s included

Meeting point

Not suitable for

Who each option suits and what it provides

Layers that work on skis

Hands, feet and head

Water and snacks

Children

Travellers on gear and clothing

FAQ

Related on this site

Cross-country skiing

Best time to ski

Skiing with children

Compare all ski courses and tours