Winter in the Oslo region can feel tough, especially if you’re used to warmer weather and shorter winters. But it doesn’t have to be something you simply endure or wait out. With a little preparation, you can fully enjoy the holidays here.

Did you know the darkest day of the year is December 21st this year, before it becomes lighter every day? While the days may be short, there are plenty of ways to fill them with fun activities, cozy moments, and that special winter vibe.

Mari Srtømsvåg and Thea Ullhaug Pope, organizers of the “Warm up to Winter in Oslo" event and Norwegians who are used to colder weather here, shared some secrets behind enjoying the winter here, as well as some important information.

Vitamin D is a Must

Don’t forget to take vitamin D! If you’re wondering whether you need it, remember this simple rule: if the month has an 'r' in it (September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April), then the answer is yes.

There is no such thing as bad weather, you just have to dress better.

Dressing properly for winter is all about layering. Start with a thermal base layer to keep your body warm. Choose wool or synthetic and not cotton, to best stay warm and dry.

For the middle layer, choose heat-regulating materials like synthetic or wool, still avoiding cotton. It’s better to have several thin layers instead of just one thick ones, and you’ll need fewer layers if you’re active, but more if you’re staying still. It’s also helpful to air out your clothes and change into dry ones if you pause an activity.

Finally, the outer layer should be windproof and waterproof to protect you from the elements. You don’t need the most expensive gear, but do check the waterproof rating—20,000mm is ideal, though it may lack breathability.

Safety measures

Always wear refleks or reflector: Reflector makes you visible in traffic, and during the darker days it is the best life insurance. Wear reflectors on both sides, so you could be seen from different angles. Even if the street is lit up, cars have issues seeing you, until it could be to late.

Spikes and cleats: It can get really slippery in the streets during the winter, so you can buy shoes with built in spikes or just buy spikes separately that you can put on shoes. You should just buy them ahead of time (aka. ice), as it will be too late when you need them.

Stay warm with sauna

A Norwegian winter hack is to warm up in a sauna on a cold winter day. You can even try spending some time in a sauna on the Oslo fjord, followed by a quick cold plunge—which is great for your health.

Take a look at the video below to see how we warmed up to winter. ❄️

Stay active and connected

Mari and Thea shared some great ways to stay active and thrive during the winter, including trying cross-country skiing, skating, and sledding—all of which are available in Oslo. They also introduced the organizations that showcased their work during the event. Here are the organizations you can explore to stay connected and engaged this winter:

Blindern Rugbyklubb: The club offers opportunities for rugby players of all levels, from beginners seeking a new sport to players wanting to compete in local or international competitions. Their training sessions are open to all, so if you want to give this sport a chance, check out their schedule.

FugleAdvokatene is a voluntary organization that saves and rehabilitates injured birds. If you found an injured bird, don’t leave it alone, but stay with it to protect it or just keep an eye on it and contact FugleAdvokatene via Facebook group. If you are passionate about saving birds and helping out, contact them to join them.

Mikkeller Running Club in Oslo: This social running club began in Copenhagen 10 years ago. Their runs always end with a beer, so if you’re looking to start running or are a runner who loves beer, this club might be perfect for you.

Natteravnene are volunteers who walk the streets of Oslo to help make the local community safer. If you are between 18 and 80 years old, have a desire to help those in need, and don’t mind being outdoors in all kinds of weather, contact them and join!

Oslo Dawn Patrol: Year-round, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:40 am, Oslo Dawn Patrol organizes group bike rides. Check out their routes and join them for a ride! They even cycle during the winter, which could be a great way to stay active during the colder months.

Oslo Writers League: The Oslo Writers League (OWL) is an organisation for authors and writers who meet once a month to talk about writing and support each other. Also, they publish an anthology of short fiction, essays and poetry. One has been published in 2024, and the other one is scheduled for 2026.

POP Oslo: Paddle and Pickleball are racket sports similar to tennis, but perfect for both beginners and experienced players. POP Oslo offers enclosed courts, making it a fun way to enjoy a game with friends during the winter, and you can rent the equipment there as well. Check out some paddle and pickleball rules.

Prismatic Pages: While Prismatic Pages is a bookshop selling books in English, it is also a community that donates books, organizes book swaps, and hosts book clubs. Check out their events for more info.

Professional Women’s Network in Norway: This is a community where you can connect with like-minded professionals, find support, and learn new skills. They organize events and meetups year-round and even offer mentorship programs.

Oslo Toastmasters Club: This club was established in 2003 and is part of the Toastmasters International - a non-profit organization. Their members work on developing communication and leadership skills.

Oslo Ultimate Frisbee: They organize open practices and have teams in the Oslo area. Both beginners and professionals are welcome to join and try out this sport. If you enjoy throwing a Frisbee, this might be the perfect activity for you. You can find more information about their teams and open practices on their website.

Unlock Norway: Unlock Norway is an online platform and community for internationals and people moving to Norway. Instagram is the main social media channel where you can enjoy engaging and informative content about living in Norway. Unlock Norway regularly hosts events in Oslo and offers an ebook about navigating Norway.

XP Coaching: They wanted to introduce the Norwegian winter outdoor lifestyle to internationals, so they created courses for winter sports and activities such as winter hiking, snowshoeing, ice skating, cross-country skiing lessons, alpine skiing and snowboarding.