December to February
When Lake Mälaren freezes, the islands change character. The bays become skating ice, the palace stands yellow against the snow and Ekebyhovsbacken starts up its lifts. It is quieter than summer, and closer: all of this is half an hour from Brommaplan.
When Lake Mälaren freezes, the bays around the islands are one of the Stockholm area's great skating waters, and the ice outside Drottningholm is the classic tour. Never skate alone and never without ice claws, an ice pole and a rescue line. The Stockholm Ice Skate Sailing Club publishes ice observations and safety rules.
The municipality's own ski slope at Ekebyhov: two lifts, the longest run 510 metres with a vertical drop of 84 metres, a children's area with its own lift and cross-country tracks with artificial snow. Ski school and hire through the resort.
The palace keeps winter hours with guided tours, and the park is open even when the snow lies. The Christmas programme is published by the Royal Palaces in November.
The farms, the heritage farms and the palaces hold Christmas markets from late November. The dates are gathered on the events page as the organisers confirm them.
The palace park on Svartsjöviken is open all year, and the palace keeps its guided tours and coffee house going in winter too; current days from the palace.
The World Heritage site on Adelsö is freely accessible all year. The ferry from Munsö runs as usual, and the royal mounds in snow are a different experience from July. Birka, on the other hand, is closed, with no boats from November to April.
Route 89 between Tappström and Klara Mälarstrand runs all year on a winter timetable, as long as the ice allows. It is the most beautiful way into town on a clear winter day.
Ekerö badhus at Tappström has pools, swimming lessons and a gym, for anyone who wants to swim while Lake Mälaren is frozen.
Lake Mälaren is large and regulated, and the ice forms unevenly: the bays first, the open stretches later, and in the sounds with a current it can stay open all winter. The skating clubs keep watch for one another, and anyone new to long-distance skating does well to join a club tour rather than heading out alone. The equipment is not negotiable: ice claws, a pole, a line, a buoyancy aid or a rucksack with dry clothes in a waterproof bag, and company.
The hotels and conference estates are open all year, and several serve a Christmas table. See all accommodation.
When the ice breaks up, spring begins, with Birka's first boat and the spring flowers on Eldgarnsö.
Information last checked 19 October 2026.