This guide is built from our own winters in the Arctic and from the live Legendary Adventure tour pages in Tromsø — prices, pickup times and what is included come straight from the operator, never invented.

What the Light Is Like in January

People often worry that January in Tromsø is too dark for daytime activities. The truth is more interesting. In the middle of winter, the sun stays below the horizon for several weeks, a period known as the polar night, but it does not mean total darkness. Around midday the sky glows in blue, pink and orange tones, and the snow reflects it, so the landscape has a soft light that photographers love.

By mid-January the sun is on its way back, and the days lengthen quickly. Plan your day around that midday glow: the 10:00 pickup of the Arctic Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 means you are out in the mountains while the sky is at its brightest. For a feel of the season, see our guide to the polar night light on the fjord tour.

Snow Conditions and Why Snowshoes Work

January usually brings the deepest, most reliable snow, and that is exactly when snowshoes shine. A big, flat frame spreads your weight so you stay on top of snow that would swallow you to the thigh, and you walk without technique. Poles help with balance on the climbs.

The hike is led by a local guide, who chooses a route that matches the conditions, and the equipment (snowshoes and poles) is included. The operator describes snow-capped mountains and fascinating fjords along the way. With deep January snow, the views and the silence are the whole point.

Cold: What January Feels Like

January is cold, but cold is manageable if you dress properly. Coastal Tromsø is milder than many people expect, because the Gulf Stream keeps the sea from freezing, but the wind and the damp can still bite, and inland the temperature drops. The key is layers.

Start with merino or synthetic base layers, add a fleece, and finish with a windproof outer jacket and trousers. Your boots matter most: insulated, waterproof boots with ankle support. Clothing is not provided on this tour, unlike the northern lights tours that include a winter suit. Our what to wear in Tromsø guide has the full packing list.

Day Hike or Evening Hike? A Comparison

Legendary Adventure runs two versions of the same 4-hour format. Which one suits January?

In January the Aurora Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 is a good option if you want to combine the walk with a sky show, but it carries no guarantee. The day hike is the one to pick for views. Our aurora snowshoe versus chase guide explains how it compares with the longer northern lights tour.

How Hard Is It in Deep Snow?

Deep snow makes any walk more tiring, but the guide controls the pace, and the snowshoes make it a lot easier than wading. If you can walk for a couple of hours at a steady pace and handle some uphill, you can do the hike. The operator recommends ages 10 and up.

If you are a strong hiker looking for more, the Arctic Snowshoe Adventure (Advanced)5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 is a 6-hour version for ages 16 and up at NOK 2,100 per person; our Arctic versus Advanced comparison helps you choose. For beginners, our beginner guide sets expectations.

Families and Groups in January

For families with children of ten and over, or a group of up to eight, the Private Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 costs NOK 12,000 per group, has the same 4-hour format and lets you pick the pickup place. In the dark and cold of January, not having to walk to a meeting point is a real benefit. For eight people it equals the shared price per head.

Our snowshoeing with kids guide goes into the family side.

Photography on a January Hike

January light is gentle, and that is good news for photographers. The midday glow gives the snow a pink and blue tone, and the mountains and fjords look soft and dreamlike. You do not need a professional camera: a modern phone handles it well if you keep it warm.

Keep the phone in an inside pocket between shots, because the cold drains the battery quickly, and use a thin liner glove under your mitten so you can operate the screen. If you bring a camera, a lens cloth helps with snow and condensation. Tell the guide if you want a moment to take a picture; groups are small, and guides generally accommodate it.

If you want to photograph the sky as well, the evening Aurora Snowshoe Hike is the version for that, although the lights are never guaranteed. Our northern lights photography guide covers the settings.

Planning a January Week Around the Hike

January is a month for slowing down, and a snowshoe hike fits that mood. We would place it early in the trip, on a morning after a good night’s sleep, and keep the northern lights tour on night two or three. The hike is 4 hours including the transfer, so you are back by early afternoon with time to rest.

Remember that January has the shortest days of the year, so plan your outdoor time for the middle of the day. Indoor options such as cafés and the harbour are good for the dark hours. A sensible rhythm is a morning activity, a long lunch, a rest and an evening tour.

Our January northern lights guide explains the evening side, and the Northern Lights Tour5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at NOK 2,300 per person is the tour most visitors add. As always, book the evening on a night with a spare behind it.

How to Book With the Hungrytravelfamily Discount

Open the Arctic Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 page, choose a January date, and enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 in the promo-code field at checkout for 5% off. The discount works when you book on Legendary Adventure’s own booking page. Cancellation is free more than 48 hours before the start, with a 100% charge inside that window.

We are Legendary Adventure’s partner and may earn a small commission; it never changes your price. For the full list of tours, see our Tromsø activities guide.

FAQ

Our Honest Final Word

January is a lovely time for snowshoeing: the snow is deep, the light is gentle and the mountains are quiet. Dress properly, accept the cold as part of the experience, and pick the day hike for views or the evening hike for a chance at the lights.

Book the Arctic Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 or the Aurora Snowshoe Hike5% off · HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 and use HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 for 5% off.

5% off · code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5

Our Tromsø snowshoe picks

Tap a tour to see live dates and prices. Enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 in the promo-code field at checkout for 5% off.

Small group · 4 HoursArctic Snowshoe HikeFrom NOK 1 500 per personBook with 5% off →Small group · 4 HoursAurora Snowshoe HikeFrom NOK 1 500 per personBook with 5% off →Private · 4 HoursPrivate Snowshoe HikeFrom NOK 12 000 per group (private)Book with 5% off →Small group · 6 Hours (including transfer)Arctic Snowshoe Adventure (Advanced)From NOK 2 100 per personBook with 5% off →

Code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 works on every Legendary Adventure tour booked online. We are Legendary Adventure’s partner and may earn a small commission — it never changes your price.