10 FREE activities in LAPLAND (winter season – Alta)

❄️ 10 tips on what to do in Alta for FREE during the winter season
(December – mid-April)

Alta in northern Norway is known as the City of the Northern Lights — and it's not just a marketing slogan. In winter, you'll experience Arctic nature, snow, animals, silence, and magical light. And the best part? You can enjoy a lot of experiences here completely for free.

This is our personal selection of 10 tips we've tried ourselves.

1️⃣ Cross-country skiing!

Our very first cross-country skiing experience was at Kaiskuru Stadium. The route was 5.6 km long and took us about 2.5 hours (we are real beginners, HEHE). Be prepared to fall — but since you fall into snow, it doesn't really hurt, you'll mostly just laugh.

Tips for beginners:

• If it's your first time, definitely rent your skis from BUA (you'll learn what BUA is below).

• Choose skis with skins — they're much easier uphill and downhill.

• When turning downhill, put your inner foot slightly forward to help with balance.

• At BUA you'll find a paper with exact measurements to help you choose the correct ski length.

Cross-country skiing is a classic in Alta and the perfect way to enjoy winter like a local.

⭐ BUA – if you're going to Norway and don't know BUA, you're missing out

BUA is, in our opinion, one of the best free things Norway offers.
It's a free rental service for sports and outdoor equipment, available in Alta as well.

You can find, for example:

• cross-country skis, alpine skis, snowboards

• sleds, ice skates, hockey sticks

• tents, sleeping bags

• fishing equipment

• bicycles and much more

All you need to do is register, and you can borrow equipment for a whole week completely free.

⚠️ Just be careful to return everything on time — late returns are fined depending on the number of items, starting at around 300 NOK (approx. €26).

If you want to try new activities in Norway without spending a fortune, BUA is an absolute game changer.

2️⃣ Whale watching (free from the shore)

Whales can be spotted around Alta from December until the end of January — directly from the shore, without a boat.

It's best to come during daylight. At this time of year, Alta experiences a mild version of the polar night — the sun doesn't rise above the horizon, but it's still light outside roughly from 10:00 to 13:00.

👉 The ideal time is just after "sunrise", when daylight begins — whales often feed at this time.

Tips:

• Head towards Talvik

• Binoculars are very useful

• Watch seabirds on the water — if many birds gather in one place, there's probably a feast going on below, and whales are likely nearby 🐋

3️⃣ Komsa viewpoint – the proudest hill in the city center

Komsa is an iconic hill right above Alta. The hike takes about 45 minutes, and you'll find viewpoints along the way.

Where to start:

• On foot from the city center

• Or find a bus stop / starting point along Komsa veien

The view from the top is especially beautiful on clear winter days.

4️⃣ Northern Lights watching – Alta as the "City of Aurora"

Alta is one of the best places in Europe to see the Northern Lights.

Make sure to download the Aurora app — it's completely free.
It's not 100% accurate, but it shows the probability of aurora activity where you are. People also report sightings in real time — if you see a report nearby, it's worth waiting.

Important tips:

• The best views are outside the city, away from light pollution

• You might see them in the city, but they're usually weaker

• If you have a car, drive towards Gargia Lodge — there are several rest areas along the road where you can park

Often you'll see the aurora first on your phone camera (long exposure). To the naked eye, it may initially look like a pale, elongated cloud — like a snake.
Be patient — the Northern Lights come and go.

If you get cold, you can warm up at Gargia Lodge with tea, coffee, or cake. You'll also see sled dogs (don't approach them without permission) and traditional Sámi tents called Lavvu.

5️⃣ Fairytale walk to the frozen waterfall – Orvvosfossen

Past Gargia Lodge begins a beautiful winter trail through a snowy forest leading to the frozen Orvvosfossen waterfall.

• Parking at the lodge is paid

• If you park about 50 meters further up, parking is free

• The trail is marked with reflective signs on trees

• The path is often packed down, but from our experience we recommend snowshoes (BUA saves the day again)

• Total distance: approx. 4.2 km round trip

• Most people (including us) finish it in just under 3 hours

The frozen waterfall is pure magic.

6️⃣ Alta town square – skating, lights & the heart of the city

In winter, you can ice skate for free on the main square in Alta.
It also feels like Christmas never ends — the trees are decorated with cozy lights and the atmosphere is lovely.

Parking:

• Free after 18:00 on weekends

• Free after 20:00 on weekdays

• If you're a Biltema customer, you can park for free across from the main parking lot

If you want a drink, Mikkeli is a great choice — we recommend the Pikachu cocktail or Special Mikkeli 🍸.
There's also a huge gift shop in the center with a very kind owner and an amazing selection.

7️⃣ Gargia Lodge Gallery – history

Gargia Lodge offers many activities (we'll write about those in another article), but for free experiences, definitely visit the Gargia Lodge Gallery.

It's located on the upper floor and includes:

• The history of Gargia Lodge (originally a mountain station and shelter for travelers and Sámi people)

• Historical photographs

• Traditional Sámi clothing

• Antlers and other authentic items

8️⃣ Sledding – you're never too old

You're never too old for sledding.
Borrow a sled from BUA, park near Komsa Skole or the Spekt sports center, and behind the school you'll find a perfect sledding hill.

Now imagine this: sledding under the Northern Lights.
Yes — we've experienced it more than once, and it's pure joy.

9️⃣ Reindeer watching (and maybe a moose)

Drive carefully between Gargia Lodge and Alta — you might spot a moose if you're lucky.

But the real highlight is REINDEER.
Yes, you can see them for free and guaranteed, as they are located in an enclosure HERE. Please just observe them — if you want to feed them, book an activity with Sami Siida HERE.

Fun facts:

• Only Sámi people can own reindeer

• Female reindeer have antlers all year round (unlike males)

• Reindeer are extremely important to Sámi culture — for food, clothing, and tradition

🔟 Fishing – simple and free

In Norway, you can fish without a permit.
All you need is a fishing rod (BUA again 👀), warm clothes, and patience.

It's a peaceful activity, perfect for slowing down and enjoying Arctic nature.

✨ Alta in winter proves that the most beautiful experiences don't have to cost money.
You just need to know where to go — and not be afraid of the cold.

Alta taught us one thing:
the best experiences don't have to cost anything.

Just dress warmly, slow down, step outside, and let nature do the rest.
Cross-country skis, sleds, forest silence, reindeer, whales, frozen waterfalls, and the Northern Lights above your head — all of this is free.

If you're planning a trip to northern Norway, we hope this article helps you experience Alta the way we did — authentically, slowly, and without unnecessary expenses.

✨ If you liked this article, save it, share it, or let us know which place you'd like to see first.
📌 And follow us — in the next article we'll cover paid but absolutely unique activities in Alta, where we spend 5 months.
Follow us on Instagram @duotravelmonkeys, and if you want 50% off, send us a DM.

Accommodation: we highly recommend Booking.com — you can find places from €55 per night, which is a very good price for Norway.

Car rental: the best deals are via Getaround.com or again through Booking.com.

Check other paid - but UNFORGETTABLE activities HERE :