2025 Ice Skating on Lake Drevviken: A Small-Group Tour Review

There is just something about gliding over a huge, frozen lake that you honestly can’t get anywhere else. Before I went on this small-group skate on Lake Drevviken, I sort of thought I knew what to expect, you know? A little cold, a bit of skating, maybe a nice view. But seriously, it was so much more than that. The whole idea of skating on miles of natural, black ice is kind of wild when you stop and think about it. It’s pretty much an iconic Swedish winter thing to do. So, I signed up for the 2025 tour, really hoping for an authentic day out, away from the city buzz. I was actually a little nervous, you know, about the cold and whether I was a good enough skater and stuff.

Frankly, that feeling of anticipation is almost part of the fun. You get picked up, and as you leave Stockholm behind, the buildings give way to these very pretty, snow-dusted pine forests. It’s like you’re heading into a totally different world, you know? A much quieter, simpler one. At the end of the day, that feeling of escape is what a lot of us are looking for. The trip to the lake itself is just long enough to build a bit of excitement with the other people in the van. And because it’s a small group, you actually start talking to each other almost right away, which is pretty cool.

First Impressions: Arriving at the Lake’s Edge

When you get there, well, the first thing you notice is the quiet. It’s a very profound silence, you know, just broken by the crunch of snow under your boots. Lake Drevviken in winter is just huge and white and totally still. It’s really something to see. Our guide, a super friendly guy named Lars, immediately made everyone feel comfortable, basically. He laid out all the gear—the long-bladed Nordic skates, poles for balance, helmets, and these little safety ice picks you wear around your neck. I mean, they take safety very seriously, which is actually very reassuring. He showed us how to fit the skates to our boots, and there was no rushing, just a lot of patient help for everyone.

Sitting on a small wooden bench, pulling on these professional-looking skates, you sort of feel like a real adventurer. Unlike a packed ice rink, it was just us, a handful of people on the edge of this immense frozen expanse. The air was incredibly fresh and crisp, you could practically taste it. The best part, to be honest, was that small-group feeling from the very start. We were all in it together, kind of getting ready for this little expedition. It really wasn’t intimidating at all; it was just plain exciting. And then came that first, slightly wobbly step onto the ice, a completely different feeling from the artificial stuff. This ice felt alive, in a way.

Gliding into Another World: The Skating Experience

Okay, so that first glide is just amazing. These Nordic skates are much longer than what you’re probably used to, so you cover a lot of ground with very little effort. The sound is completely unique, sort of a long, singing ‘zzzziiip’ as your blade slices across the ice. It’s almost musical. We set off, following Lars in a line, and pretty soon everyone found their rhythm. The vastness of it all is a little hard to describe, really. You’re not just going in circles; you’re actually traveling somewhere. You can skate for what feels like miles in one direction, with nothing but ice ahead and forest on the shores.

You quickly realize this is not about speed or tricks. Honestly, it’s about finding a steady pace, looking around, and just soaking in the sheer scale of your surroundings. It’s more or less a kind of moving meditation, you know?

Our guide was absolutely brilliant. He didn’t just lead; he sort of coached everyone along the way. He would skate backward for a bit to chat, give tips on technique, and point out interesting things. For example, he showed us how to read the ice, pointing out spots where the texture changed and explaining why. He carried a big pole to test the ice thickness ahead of us constantly, so you felt completely safe. This kind of expert guidance means you can just relax and enjoy the skate without having to worry about anything, really. That, for me, was a massive part of the appeal. We were free to just experience the moment, completely.

Scenery That Is Utterly Stunning

The scenery around Lake Drevviken is just so beautiful, it’s almost distracting. On one side of the lake, you might have these gorgeous little Swedish houses painted in traditional red, with smoke curling from their chimneys. On the other side, just pure, untouched forest stretching out. We even skated past a few small, rocky islands that were just covered in a perfect layer of snow, like something from a postcard. I mean, you just can’t stop looking around you. It’s a completely 360-degree experience, unlike anything else.

And the light, well, the winter light in Scandinavia is something else entirely. It’s very soft and has this kind of golden quality, especially later in the afternoon. It makes the snow sparkle and casts these long, dramatic shadows from the trees. At one point, we just all stopped in the middle of the lake, no one said anything for a minute, and we just listened to the silence and watched the sky. Honestly, those are the moments you really remember. It’s so peaceful and still that it feels a million miles away from normal life. That’s the magic of it, right?

The All-Important “Fika” Break on Ice

So, about halfway through our skate, Lars announced it was time for “fika.” For anyone who doesn’t know, fika is basically a sacred Swedish tradition of taking a break for coffee and a pastry. He found a sunny, sheltered spot, and we all took our skates off for a bit. He pulled out these inflatable sitting pads so we wouldn’t have to sit directly on the cold ice, which was a brilliant touch. Then, out came a huge thermos of hot chocolate and coffee, and another container filled with classic Swedish cinnamon buns, or ‘kanelbullar’. Frankly, that cinnamon bun, eaten in the middle of a frozen lake with a steaming mug of hot chocolate, was one of the best things I have ever tasted.

This little break was so much more than just a snack, you know? It was a chance for everyone to really chat and connect. We shared stories, laughed about who had the most wobbly ankles at the start, and just enjoyed being there. It’s a very communal and cozy moment that sort of breaks up the activity perfectly. It re-energizes you for the skate back, but it also solidifies that feeling of being a team, like a small group of friends on an adventure. It is just such a quintessentially Swedish thing to do, and it made the whole experience feel so authentic and special.

Why a Small Group Setup Is a Big Deal

I’ve done bigger tours for other things, and honestly, this small-group setup changes everything. With just a handful of us, there was no feeling of being herded around or lost in a crowd. Lars knew all our names within about ten minutes. If someone was having a bit of trouble, he was right there to help them out without holding everyone else up. It just felt so much more personal and relaxed, you know?

This approach also means you can be more flexible. One time, our guide spotted a patch of exceptionally smooth, black ice off to the side, so we all just changed course and went over to skate on it for a while. You just can’t do that with a group of thirty people. This made the trip feel spontaneous and unique to our particular group, on that particular day. It was almost like we were creating our own path across the lake. The conversations are better, the sense of camaraderie is stronger, and you just get so much more out of the guide’s expertise. At the end of the day, it is definitely the best way to do something like this.

A Few Practical Bits of Advice

If you’re thinking about going, my biggest tip is to dress in layers. Seriously. You actually get pretty warm when you’re skating, so you want to be able to take a layer off. But then when you stop for fika, you’ll cool down fast, so you’ll want to put it back on. Good, warm socks are an absolute must, maybe two pairs. And of course, bring a hat, gloves, and a scarf or neck gaiter. Also, surprisingly, sunglasses are a really good idea. The sun reflecting off the massive expanse of snow and ice is incredibly bright, even on a cloudy day.

As for your skating ability, well, you don’t need to be a pro. However, to be honest, having some basic skating or skiing experience is really helpful. Just being comfortable with the feeling of gliding and balancing makes a big difference. That said, there were people in our group who were pretty new to it, and they did just fine with the support poles the guide provided. Basically, the main thing is just to come with a positive attitude and be ready to try something new. The guides are super patient and they genuinely want you to have a good time, so they’ll do everything they can to make you feel safe and confident on the ice.

Read our full review: 2025 ‘Ice Skating Small-Group in Lake Drevviken’ Full Review and Details

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• The experience is far more than just skating; it’s a peaceful adventure into Sweden’s natural winter beauty.
• Small-group tours offer a personal, safe, and flexible experience you just don’t get with larger groups.
• All equipment is provided, and the guides are very focused on safety and making you feel comfortable.
• The “fika” break on the ice with hot drinks and pastries is a genuine cultural highlight and a very memorable moment.
• Dressing in warm layers is key to staying comfortable throughout the day.
• You don’t have to be an expert skater, but some prior balancing experience is helpful.