What to wear in Abisko
Most of an Abisko winter day is spent standing still outside: waiting for the aurora, sitting on a snowmobile or riding an open chairlift. Dress for that, in layers, and check which tours lend overalls and boots.
SMHI's normal for 1991 to 2020 gives Abisko a mean of about minus 10 °C in January and February and about 12 °C in July. Cold feels different when you are moving. On a snowshoe walk you warm up quickly, but on an aurora tour you may stand for an hour beside a fire or a van, and on a snowmobile the wind does the rest. This page collects what the Aurora Sky Station, the regional tourist board and the tour operators themselves advise, and what the tours lend you.
Layers from the skin out
Kiruna Lapland recommends dressing layer upon layer, so you can add or remove one as you go. The Aurora Sky Station, run by the Swedish Tourist Association, gets more specific. Start with long underwear and a long-sleeved base layer, add a warm sweater, then put your warmest jacket on the outside. Its reasoning is simple: loft and trapped air are what insulate against the cold, so clothes should not be tight.
A scarf or neck warmer and a hat are not optional. Outback Abisko hands out a balaclava with the helmet on its snowmobile tours, and the Aurora Sky Station expects you to bring insulated gloves of your own.
Feet and boots
The Aurora Sky Station suggests footwear somewhat larger than normal, to leave space for socks and insulating air. Kiruna Lapland adds a seat pad or a reindeer skin to sit on and hand warmers for long waits. Some tours lend winter boots and some do not: the Thursday-morning Sámi and reindeer tour includes overalls but lists winter boots as not included, and the photo tour by Lights Over Lapland lists boot rental as not included.
What the tours lend you
Inclusions vary a lot between operators, so read them before you pack:
- Outback Abisko lends warm clothes, boots, gloves, a balaclava and a helmet on its snowmobile tours from Björkliden and to Lake Abiskojaure.
- Abisko.net lends winter overalls, warm boots and mittens on its evening husky walk, and headlamps if needed, but not base layers.
- On the Sámi-inspired barbecue and aurora chase by Experience Abisko warm clothing is included, while thermal underwear and warm socks are recommended and not provided.
- Experience Abisko's small-van chase and the autumn chase by Lights Over Lapland rent out warm clothing for an extra fee, so ask in advance.
- The ice climbing tour includes boots, crampons, harness and helmet but no warm clothing, and the snowcat trip above Björkliden lists warm clothes and a headlamp as not included.
If you are short of something, the shop at STF Abisko Turiststation sells outdoor clothing and equipment and rents some items out.
The chairlift and the Sky Station
The ride up Mount Nuolja to the Aurora Sky Station is on open two-person chairs and takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on stops. The station sits at about 900 metres. Overalls and boots are handed out at the lower station only to guests with a booked night visit or dinner, and you still need your own warm hat, a neck warmer or balaclava and insulated gloves for the walk to the lift and for the ride. Daytime lift tickets come with the requirement to wear warm winter clothing. Our page on the Aurora Sky Station covers opening times and booking.
Skin, sauna and small details
Two pieces of advice from the Aurora Sky Station surprise many visitors. Do not use water-based face creams before going out, because they raise the risk of frostbite. And do not shower or take a sauna just before a cold evening outdoors. Kiruna Lapland also recommends reflectors and a headlamp with a red light for walking in the dark, which matters during the polar night when there are only a few hours of twilight.
For the Icehotel day trip to Jukkasjärvi, Lights Over Lapland points out that the temperature inside the Icehotel is always -5 °C, and asks guests to wear warm clothes, a hat, gloves and insulated boots.
Outside the winter
From June to September the Aurora Sky Station runs as a daytime lift and walking area, and the Kungsleden trail starts at STF Abisko Turiststation. Summer tours lend much less. Abisko.net's husky hike in the Abisko valley lists warm clothing and hiking shoes as not included, and one reviewer calls the walk demanding and advises being sure-footed. Bring solid shoes, a warm layer and something against rain, even though Abisko is the driest weather station in Sweden. For the season you are coming in, see the best time to visit.
Questions travellers ask
Do the tours in Abisko provide warm clothing?
Many do, but not all. Outback Abisko includes clothes, boots, gloves, a balaclava and a helmet on its snowmobile tours, while Experience Abisko rents out warm clothing on its van chase for an extra fee. The ice climbing tour lists warm clothing as not included. Check the inclusions of each tour.
What should I wear on the chairlift to the Aurora Sky Station?
Your warmest winter clothes. The chairlift has open seats and the ride takes 20 to 40 minutes. Overalls and boots are only handed out at the lower station to guests on a booked night visit or dinner, and even then you bring your own hat, neck warmer and insulated gloves.
Why should I avoid face cream in the cold?
The Aurora Sky Station advises against water-based face creams before going out, because they increase the risk of frostbite. It also recommends not showering or using the sauna just before a cold evening outside.
Can I buy or rent winter clothing in Abisko?
The shop at STF Abisko Turiststation sells outdoor clothing and equipment and also rents some of it out. Several tour operators lend overalls and boots for the duration of a tour.
What do I need for a summer visit?
Proper hiking shoes and your own warm layers. The summer husky hike from Abisko.net lists warm clothing and hiking shoes as not included, and one reviewer describes the walk as demanding.
Where these facts come from
Dates, opening hours and rules change. We checked these pages in October 2026; the official source has the final word.
