How to Embrace Winter Like a Norwegian

Struggling with short days and chilly weather? These tried-and-tested Norwegian habits can help you not just survive winter, but actually enjoy it.

Winter can feel endless. The dark mornings, frozen pavements, and biting wind don’t exactly make it the most popular season in many parts of the world. But in Norway, people have developed ways to live well through the cold and the dark.

From the mountain villages in the far north to the rainy streets of Bergen, Norwegians have long embraced the idea that winter is something to lean into, not avoid.

That mindset makes all the difference. And while you don’t need fjords or reindeer to follow their example, you might need a few extra woolly layers.

The Winter Experience in Norway

Norway’s winters are long, dark, and demanding. While many parts of the country don’t see the lowest temperatures in Europe, it’s the duration and the lack of daylight that make winter such a challenge.

In northern cities like Tromsø or Alta, the sun disappears completely during the depths of winter. From late November to mid-January, it doesn’t rise above the horizon at all. This phenomenon, known as the polar night, leaves the landscape bathed in a twilight glow for just a few hours each day.

Even in the south, winter days are short. In Oslo, the sun sets before 3pm in December. It’s no wonder many people feel the effects of darkness in the form of fatigue, low energy, and seasonal mood dips.

Yet Norwegians tend to handle it better than most. Surveys have shown that people living in Arctic Norway often maintain a more positive outlook on winter than those living further south. Why? It comes down to mindset and a few clever habits.

Rather than dreading the cold, Norwegians prepare for it. They accept that winter is a part of life and actively seek ways to make the most of it, from lighting candles indoors to heading out into the snow.

Their example offers a valuable lesson for anyone struggling with the colder months: winter might not change, but your relationship with it can.

Embrace the Outdoors

The biggest mistake you can make in winter? Staying indoors too much. In Norway, the cold is rarely seen as a reason to hibernate. Quite the opposite.

Norwegians are famously outdoorsy all year round, and winter is no exception. Whether it’s a lunchtime walk, a ski trip to a mountain cabin, or just popping out for a coffee, being outside is part of everyday life, even when it’s snowing sideways.

One reason for this is a deeply rooted concept known as friluftsliv. Often translated as “open-air life,” it’s more than just a love of hiking or camping. It’s a cultural philosophy that values time spent in nature for its own sake. And it doesn’t stop when the snow arrives.

Of course, dressing properly is key. Norwegians swear by the saying: “Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige klær”—there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. Wool layers, waterproof outerwear, and solid boots are standard kit, even for a short walk.

If the thought of spending time outside in freezing temperatures fills you with dread, start small. Take a stroll during the brightest part of the day, even if it’s just for ten minutes. You’ll likely feel better for it physically and mentally.

Exposure to daylight, fresh air, and gentle movement can lift your mood and help reset your body clock. Over time, you might even come to look forward to your daily winter walk, just like a Norwegian.

Prioritise Social Connection

In many parts of the world, winter can be isolating if you’re not careful. In Norway, where remote cabins and solo ski trips are common, people still make a conscious effort to spend time with others.

Inviting a friend over for coffee, joining a walking group, or simply catching up for a chat can help counter the solitude that long winters sometimes bring.

Whether it’s a regular quiz night, Sunday dinner with neighbours, or a group hike, shared rituals make winter more enjoyable and remind us we’re not in it alone.

Make the Most of Seasonal Routines

One reason Norwegians tend to handle winter well is that they lean into seasonal routines rather than resisting them. Winter isn’t treated as a pause in life. It has its own rhythm.

That might mean Sunday walks followed by kakao og boller at a café, lighting candles before breakfast, or planning a cabin weekend in the mountains. Over time, these small rituals build a seasonal structure that helps the darker months feel not only manageable, but meaningful.

Learn to Ski, and Learn to Enjoy It!

Cross-country skiing is more than just a hobby in Norway. It’s a national passion, a cultural tradition, and in many regions, a way of life.

For generations, it served as a vital form of winter transport. Today, it’s one of the most popular ways Norwegians embrace the season.

The beauty of cross-country skiing is that it’s not about speed or competition. It’s about getting outdoors, enjoying nature, and moving at your own pace through snowy landscapes. Ski trails crisscross the countryside, and in winter, many city parks are groomed for skiing too.

Even if you’ve never strapped on skis before, it’s never too late to try. Most Norwegian children learn from a young age, but many adults take it up later in life and find joy in the rhythm and stillness of a quiet forest trail.

That said, I’ll admit something: I never quite got the hang of it. But that hasn’t stopped me from enjoying a classic Norwegian winter getaway.

A ski cabin weekend with friends is just as much about the food, the firewood, and the shared stories as it is about the skiing. You don’t need to glide like a pro to take part.

So whether you give skiing a go or simply tag along for the ride, getting involved is a great way to connect with the season and with the people around you.

Light Up the Winter

When the sun disappears for weeks, it’s easy to understand why lighting becomes such a central part of life in Norway.

Creating a warm, inviting atmosphere indoors is one of the simplest and most effective ways to lift your mood through the dark season.

While the Danish word hygge may have been co-opted by marketing departments, Norwegians have their own version: koselig. You know it when you feel it: soft light, a warm drink, good company, and that sense of being safe and snug while the wind howls outside.

Candles are everywhere in winter. Norwegians light them in the morning, at lunch, and well into the evening. A flickering flame brings instant calm and cosiness, whether you’re reading, working, or just enjoying a quiet moment.

Another key element is soft, white lighting. While some cultures love bright, colourful Christmas lights, Norwegians tend to go for something more subtle.

Simple white string lights—draped over windows, shelves or plants—help create a gentle glow that feels wintery without being festive. Since they’re not overtly tied to Christmas, you can keep them up all season long.

You don’t need to redecorate your whole home. A few warm bulbs, a couple of candles, and a soft blanket or two can transform a cold evening into something special. It’s a small shift that makes a big difference.

Embrace Winter Fashion

With so much time spent outdoors, what you wear plays a major role in how well you handle the cold. But it’s not just about function. In a season where the world can feel grey and lifeless, clothing becomes a form of self-expression.

Wool is the real star of the show. Norwegians rely on merino wool base layers, woollen jumpers, and thick knitted socks to stay warm without sweating. A good underlayer (both top and bottoms) might not be glamorous, but it’s worth every krone. Add a windproof shell on top, and you’re ready for most conditions.

Even accessories matter. A scarf pulled up over your face, a pair of lined gloves, and a solid hat can completely change your comfort level on a cold day. When you’re properly dressed, winter becomes less of a battle and more of an invitation.

That doesn’t mean you have to dress in dull tones. On the contrary, many Norwegians add a splash of colour—bright jackets, patterned hats, or bold scarves—to liven up the landscape. It’s a subtle way of bringing cheer to the season.

Norwegian pop star Sigrid once summed it up perfectly in Vogue: “Anything goes in the winter, as long as you’re wearing wool underneath.” And she’s right. You don’t have to follow trends, just find what keeps you warm and makes you feel like yourself.

Bake simple Treats

When the cold sets in and the evenings grow long, there’s something deeply comforting about the smell of something warm baking in the oven. In Norway, winter is prime time for home baking and not just in the lead-up to Christmas.

Whether it’s a batch of cinnamon buns or a tray of buttery cookies, baking is a way to bring light and warmth into the home. It’s not about perfection or elaborate recipes. In fact, the best winter treats are often the simplest.

Norwegian supermarkets have baking aisles stocked year-round, with everything from cardamom to powdered sugar and packets of dry yeast. But even if you’re outside Norway, you can still try your hand at a few Nordic classics.

Sweet cardamom buns (boller), soft waffles, and simple spice cakes are all easy starting points. Or try baking lefse, a traditional flatbread often made around Christmastime and served with butter, sugar, and cinnamon.

These treats will fill the house with nostalgic aromas that turn an ordinary afternoon into something special.

In more traditional households, the lead-up to Christmas includes syv slag (seven sorts), a selection of seven different cookies baked in December to serve to friends and family. While not everyone sticks to the full seven these days, the idea lives on: baking as a shared ritual, not just a chore.

Shift Your Mindset

In the end, how you experience winter often comes down to how you think about it.

Many people see the season as something to endure. But in Norway, there’s a quiet pride in embracing winter as something meaningful, even enjoyable. It’s not that Norwegians are immune to the cold or darkness, they just view it differently.

Kari Leibowitz, an American researcher who spent a winter in Tromsø, explored this idea during her Fulbright research grant. Instead of asking locals how they coped with the long polar night, she asked what they liked about it. The answers surprised her: the soft light, the silence after snowfall, the slower pace of life.

She found that those with a positive winter mindset were more likely to feel satisfied and mentally well during the darker months. It wasn’t about pretending everything was perfect, but about noticing what made the season special and choosing to focus on that.

Maybe, for you, it’s the chance to light the fireplace in the middle of the day. Or the excuse to spend more time cooking, reading, or painting. Maybe it’s how the world sparkles after a fresh snowfall, or simply the peace of a quiet walk in the cold.

Winter will come regardless. But if you take a cue from Norway you might just find that you don’t have to wait for spring to feel like yourself again. Dress warmly, get outside, make your home cosy, and embrace the small joys of winter.