Experience winter in Greenland

Greenland is a great destination for adventurous travellers. The long winter lasts from October to May, but if you dress right the cold won’t stop you. In this winter wonderland, five iconic experiences await.

Did you know that Greenland is the world’s largest island that is not a continent? One of its main features is the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the second largest body of ice in the world (the largest being the Antarctic Ice Sheet). It covers 1,710,000 square kilometres, around 80 percent of the surface of Greenland, and reaches 3 kilometres in thickness at its maximum.

This coast-to-coast ice cap was historically fairly deserted, but thanks to aircraft and boats, and the 25 kilometre dirt road that leads directly to the ice sheet edge, this is now a sought-after spot for adventurers.

You will also find the Northeast Greenland National Park here, the world’s largest national park and the tenth largest protected area, with 972,000 square kilometres of unspoiled, pristine wilderness and Arctic wildlife. The national park is uninhabited by humans, apart from staff at a few meteorological, research and military stations. However, there are polar bears, walruses, narwhals, wolves, muskoxen, lemmings, and plenty of birds around.

The Big Arctic Five

According to Visit Greenland, there are five iconic experiences that you simply cannot miss when visiting. First out, authentic dog sled rides are a must. In Greenland, dog sledding has been a mode of transportation and hunting for around 5,000 years. These days, dog sledding is still used for transportation as well as an expedition-style experience for visitors.

The second not-to-miss experience is the magic of the Northern Lights, a natural wonder most likely to be seen from September to April. One area in particular is considered a great viewing spot; Kangerlussuaq, which has more than 300 clear nights per year.

Icebergs are part of the Big Arctic Five experiences too, and you can see them by the thousands at Ilulissat Icefjord. Another fascinating activity is whale watching. Whilst summer is the prime time for whale watching, it’s still possible in winter with three winter species around; beluga whale, bowhead whale, and narwhal. These are usually spotted in North and Northeast Greenland.

And last but not least, the locals are at the core of your Greenland experience, as guides, dog sled drivers, boat skippers, hunters, and more.

Photo: Tina Rolf Unsplash

For more information on destinations and what to see and do, see visitgreenland.com