Free and cheap things to do in Oslo in winter

Winter can feel long when you've just arrived in Oslo. The good news is that many of the best winter activities in the city cost nothing, or only the price of a metro ticket. Here's a list built from the City of Oslo's own pages and the official sites of each place, with notes on where you might pay something.

For what's on this particular weekend, see our weekly list of free and cheap things in Oslo this weekend.

1. Ice skating at Spikersuppa (free)

Spikersuppa is Oslo's best-known skating rink, right in the city centre on Karl Johans gate between the Parliament and the National Theatre. The City of Oslo says it is free to use and open to everyone.

• Bring your own skates or rent a pair for NOK 200 at the stand next to the rink. Sharpening also costs NOK 200.
• The ice is resurfaced between 09:00 and 10:00 every day, and no skating is allowed while that's happening.
• No hockey sticks or pucks.
• Nearest metro stations: Stortinget or Nationaltheatret.

Prefer something with more history? Frogner stadion, near Frogner Park, is another main rink where you can rent skates. The City of Oslo notes it has hosted several world championships going back to the early 1900s.

People also skate on lakes such as Nøklevann and Østensjøvannet when the ice is safe. The city's warning is blunt: ice can be dangerous and deadly even when it looks safe, so only go out on it when local information says it's OK.

2. Sledding down Korketrekkeren (free with your own sled)

Korketrekkeren ("the Corkscrew") is a sledding run of about 2,700 metres with a 255-metre drop, from Frognerseteren down to Midtstuen. A non-stop run takes about 8–10 minutes, and at the bottom you simply take the metro back up to Frognerseteren and go again.

• It's free with your own sled. The City of Oslo recommends wearing a helmet.
• Sleds can be rented from Akeforeningen and Skimore at the top. Check their prices before you go.
• It's only open when there's enough snow, so check conditions first.
• There are toilets in Akeforeningen's clubhouse at the top, between Frognerseteren restaurant and Skistua.

The only real cost is your Ruter ticket. See our guide to Ruter tickets in Oslo to work out whether a 24-hour ticket is better value for a sledding day.

3. Cross-country skiing in Oslomarka (free trails)

The City of Oslo says there are thousands of kilometres of ski tracks in Oslomarka, the forests around the city, that you can use for free. If you're new to skiing, it suggests Skullerudstua and Holmenkollen as good places to start. You'll need skis, boots and poles, so borrow from a colleague or rent if you don't own them yet.

Want to try downhill? Tryvann is a large downhill ski centre in the hills north of the city that you can reach by public transport in winter. It isn't free, so check the lift prices first.

4. Vigeland Park (free, always open)

The sculpture park in Frogner Park is free and always open, according to the Vigeland Museum. It's beautiful under snow and makes an easy walk at any hour. Take tram 12 or bus 20 to the Vigeland Park stop.

The separate Vigeland Museum just south of the park is not free (adults NOK 120, under 18 free, free with the Oslo Pass). Outside summer it's open 12:00–16:00 Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays.

5. Walk on the Opera House roof (free)

The Oslo Opera House was built so people could walk on it. Visit Norway describes the marble roof as "a beautiful surface meant to be stepped on", and you don't need a ticket to go up. Watch your step when it's icy. From there, the harbour promenade (Havnepromenaden), a 9-kilometre walk along the fjord, makes a good winter stroll, past the MUNCH museum and Bjørvika's waterfront saunas.

6. Spend a cold afternoon at Deichman Bjørvika (free)

Oslo's main public library, Deichman Bjørvika, sits between Oslo Central Station and the Opera House. Deichman welcomes everyone to spend time reading, working or relaxing, and offers free Wi-Fi and computers, plus printers, scanners and even 3D printers (you pay a small fee for materials such as paper).

• Borrowing is free with a library card, available to everyone who lives in Norway and has a national ID number, D number or DUF number. You can register online or get help in the library.
• Several branches run language cafés where you can practise speaking Norwegian in small groups. That's useful if you're learning Norwegian.
• The libraries host thousands of events every year, from concerts to debates.

7. Cheap warmth: a shared sauna session

After a day outside, a shared sauna session is one of the cheapest ways to warm up in Oslo. Several operators run floating saunas on the fjord, and prices vary with the time of day and the operator. Our Oslo & Bergen sauna guide lists current shared-session prices and hours as published by the operators, and our winter and saunas guide covers the beginner safety rules for cold-water dips.

Visitors in town? You can also browse Oslo tours and activities on GetYourGuide Advertising/affiliate link.

Tips for a cheap winter in Oslo

• Dress in layers and bring wool socks. You'll enjoy free outdoor activities far more if you're warm.
• Use one ticket for the day. A 24-hour Ruter ticket can make sense if you're heading to Frognerseteren and back and then into town (see our Ruter guide).
• Check conditions first. Korketrekkeren, ski trails and lake ice all depend on snow and frost, so look at the operator's or the city's latest updates before you set off.
• Check opening days around Christmas and New Year, when many places close or have shorter hours (see public holidays and opening hours).
• Look at our weekly list: Oslo this weekend picks free and cheap events every week.

Planning a trip north? Read our guide to seeing the northern lights from Tromsø.