Winter in Greenland

October – May

Seasons in Greenland are different to the seasons you probably know from back home. We only really have two definitive seasons – a long winter and a short summer.

Greenland’s winter may seem a little daunting according to our 8-month timespan of October to May. But do not fear – this doesn’t mean that we are freezing cold and off-limits for most of the year. On the contrary, every region of Greenland (except the National Park, which requires a permit) is easily accessible all year round.

Why visit Greenland in the winter?

Greenland is a true winter wonderland for most of the year. Snow carpets every city, town and settlement in fluffy white.

This, coupled with our trademark colourful houses poking out of the wintry landscape, completes the unique and iconic scene of Greenlandic winter. In the cities, short days mean warm lights in windows and long, cosy evenings enjoying local cuisine and culture. But Greenlanders love to be outside and don’t let the cold stop them – it is common to see locals zooming around town on their snowmobiles once the snow has set in. Further north, the water freezes in lakes and fjords to allow you to dogsled or ski across totally new terrain.

Of course, winter is cold. But winter temperatures vary greatly between regions, and in places where conditions are very dry and still, like Kangerlussuaq, -40ºC does not feel as bad as it sounds! As long as you dress right, you can enjoy the magic of Greenlandic winter in comfort and style.

Temperatures

Because Greenland is so vast, it is hard to generalise about its weather and temperatures. They vary greatly between – and even within – regions. These temperatures represent the range of average temperatures throughout the winter season in the different regions of Greenland. These temperatures are only advisory and are averages over a period of years. You may encounter considerably colder or warmer temperatures on site. One of the best sources to check the weather day by day once you’re in Greenland is the DMI website.

During the winter, the wind can increase the effect of the cold and make it feel much colder than the thermometer shows. Always check the windchill when deciding how to dress.

Explore summer in Greenland

Winter Activities

Gyrfalcon -EN, Kissaviarsuk -KAL, Jagtfalk -DA, Falco rusticolus -LAT. Photo by Carsten Egevang - Visit Greenland — Birdwatching
Regardless of what level of bird watching you are at, knowledge of bird species gives an extra dimension to the overall nature experience!

Ice Fishing Scene in Ilulissat. Photo - Aningaaq R. Carlsen, Visit Greenland — Ice fishing
When the temperature drops to below freezing and the water crystallises into a thick layer of ice, the fjords become a frozen expanse for snow adventures, dog sledding and ice fishing.

Nuuk Water Taxi stopping at a waterfall. Photo by: Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland — How to travel safely in Greenland
We will go through a number of risky moments that you, as a guest in Greenland, should be particularly aware of, in order that you can have a safe and secure trip.

Sarfaq Ittuk arriving in Ilulissat in Greenland. By Mads Pihl — Sarfaq Ittuk ferry: All you need to know
Sarfaq Ittuk (Arctic Umiaq Line), is a passenger ship travelling along Greenland’s west coast. Here you can find everything you need to know about the ferry

Raven sitting on the glacier, Qalerillat Sermiat, Narsaq, South Greenland. Photo by Peter Lindstrom – Visit Greenland — Glaciers
Greenland’s coastline is absolutely riddled with fjords and inlets, through which the magnificent ice sheet seeps out into the surrounding oceans.

Mountain biking in the Narsarsuaq backcountry. Photo by Mads Pihl. — Biking
Paved roads are not always necessary to embrace the freedom and flexibility that a bicycle can offer - why not take on Greenland’s backcountry with a good quality mountain bike, or even conquer snow and sea ice on a fatbike!

Diving under icebergs in Greenland. Photo by: Morten Beier — Diving
Take an adventure and dive among whales and icebergs in the glow of the midnight sun. Read about the unique diving experiences Greenland has to offer.

The Greenland passenger ferry in the sunset near Ilulissat ice fjord. By Mads Pihl — Coastal ferry in Greenland
Meet locals and watch the Greenland coastline change from green hills to steep granite peaks on board Sarfaq Ittuk, the only coastal ferry in Greenland.

Ponant Cruises L'Austral in early morning light near Ilulissat in Greenland. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland — Cruises
The sea and seafaring has always been vital to us, and for you as a guest it makes for an optimal way to tour large parts of the country.

A photo tour on the Greenland Ice Sheet near Kangerlussuaq. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland — The Ice Sheet
Tourist flights, boat trips, and the only road to the Greenland Ice Sheet bring one of only two polar ice caps in the world directly to your doorstep.

Northern Lights over the backcountry near Sisimiut in Destination Arctic Circle in West Greenland — Northern Lights
Northern lights or the Aurora Borealis is one of the great surprises of the Arctic night, and you can experience this multicoloured light show from September to April.

A tour boat in fron of an iceberg wall in the Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland — Ilulissat Icefjord
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Greenland's icebergs at Ilulissat Icefjord. Witness thousands from air, water, or land. A must-see!"

The reflection of an iceberg in the Disko Bay — Icebergs
Experience colossal icebergs grounded in the Ilulissat Icefjord or find them along Greenland’s coastline like floating sculptures.

A family visiting Uunartoq Springs in South Greenland — Hot springs
There are hot springs in several places in Greenland. Uunartoq in Southern Greenland is the spring used as a pool, frequented all year round by local and foreign visitors.

Two Air Zafari planes heading towards the Greenland Ice Sheet near Kangerlussuaq Airport — Flightseeing
Experiencing Greenland from the air provides a new perspective of the enormous size of the country, and the conditions for life in the Arctic.

Reindeer in winter colors in Greenland — Arctic Wildlife
Polar bears, humpback whales, musk oxen, walruses, reindeer and sea eagles are just some of the many species that you may experience by land, air and sea around Greenland.

Kamiks, an Ulo and other souvenirs in Narsaq in South Greenland — Souvenir Shoppinghttps://visitgreenland.com/wp-admin/edit.php
Keep your memories close to your heart as reindeer horn, soapstone and muskox wool turn into souvenirs like symbolic statues, beautiful jewelry and clothing for you to carry home.

Cast iron figures inspired by norse runes in Qassiarsuk in South Greenland — Vikings in Greenland
The Vikings inhabited Greenland for more than 400 hundred years and created a tradition of farming which today has become a corner stone of everyday life in Southern Greenland.

National Clothing, National Museum. Photo – Peter Lindstrom , Visit Greenland — Museums
The museums of Greenland are like a modern voyage of discovery through the history of culture and artistic expression.

Four women sharing a meal on the rocks near Narsaq in South Greenland — Meeting Locals in Greenland
Modern Greenland is a diverse, geographically extensive society with an adventurous population.

A drum dancer performing in Nuuk on the National Day, June 21 in Greenland — Inuit Culture in Greenland
The Greenlandic roots are an exciting mix of various immigrating peoples and their ability to adapt to the Arctic challenges on the world’s largest island.

A guided walk in Ilulissat in North Greenland — Guided Sightseeing in Greenland
The best way to experience the towns and natural wonders of Greenland is through the eyes of a local guide who lives there.

A selection of greenlandic meat being prepared on the rocks in Nuuk in Greenland. Photo by Rebecca Gustafsson - Visit Greenland — Greenlandic Gastronomy
In a country with extensive permafrost and just a tiny bit of arable land, Greenlanders get creative with flavors from both land and sea.

Arctic Circle Race Participant in Green. By Mads Pihl — Arctic Circle Race
Greenland’s Arctic Circle Race is a 160 kilometer-long adventure type, cross-country race in Sisimiut. The Race is known as the world’s toughest cross-country race.

Snowshoeing in the Sermermiut valley near the Ilulissat Icefjord in North Greenland's UNESCO World Heritage area — Snowshoeing
Explore winter in Greenland the slow way, hiking through the landscape on snowshoes with a seasoned guide and a group of friends.

A photographer shooting flowers and plants by the Knud Rasmussen Glacier in East Greenland. By Mads Pihl — Photo tours in Greenland
A unique way to explore Greenland are through photo tours develop your photography skills or learn from other enthusiasts about catching that perfect moment

Skiing among remote peaks in East Greenland near Kulusuk — Heliskiing
Greenland is the spiritual home of heliskiing. Mountain upon mountain offers first descents in a landscape where glaciers often flow straight from the ice cap to the coast.

Cross country skiers in the backcountry around Tasiilaq in East Greenland — Cross Country Skiing
Explore Greenland on skis and get access to the snowy backcountry on both short, easy runs around many towns, and on longer trips with guides.

A group of skiers climbing a mountain near Kulusuk on a ski touring trip in East Greenland — Ski Touring
Ski touring in Greenland is an active backcountry experience dominated by silence, grandeur, and first runs from peak to beach.

A snowmobiler jumping off a windlip near Sisimiut in Greenland. Photo by Mads Pihl. — Snowmobiling
Snowmobiles are an integrated part of everyday life in Greenland, they give us freedom and mobility during the winter, and we use snowmobiles for transportation, work and sports.

Dogsledding in Kangerlussuaq. Photo by Anders Beier - Visit Greenland — Dog sledding
Arctic temperatures and several meters of snow are no match for the natural impressions and cultural twist that will warm your soul while dog sledding in Greenland.

Package Tours

Arctic Dream

Arctic Jewel 8 days of dog sled tour in East Greenland

8-day winter adventure with 5 days of authentic dog sledging on Ammassalik Island in warm huts incl. Greenlandic food and meeting locals.

FROM €2,700

Arctic Hiking and Expeditions

Arctic Villages

Visit the region's villages and its capital, Tasilaq. Learn about Inuit culture, climb Kuummiit mountain and enjoy sailing among icebergs.

FROM €3,349

Greenland Tours

Beyond the North

8 days to remote Liverpool Land incl. dog sledding expedition incl. flights

FROM €5,750

Nomad Greenland

Ilulissat to Saqqaq: 6 Days of Arctic Magic

Embrace Arctic enchantment with colossal icebergs, breathtaking landscapes, and the rich tapestry of Inuit culture.

FROM €5,615

Need to know

What to bring for winter in Greenland?

In cold weather, layering is the key. Bring multiple layers, so you can adjust accordingly to temperature and weather. Take off layers when you are warm and put on layers when you are cold. Check out our video about dressing for the Greenlandic winter.

What are the best places to visit in the winter?

Where to go in Greenland depends a lot on what you want to do. Take a look at our first-timers page to get some direction in planning your trip.

Will it be dark all the time?

As you probably know, the days in Greenland get short during winter, but sunrise and sunset vary greatly according to location, so check out the hours of daylight where you’re headed.

Are there any special holidays or events in the winter?

An important winter celebration is the Return of the Sun, which is the day on which towns and settlements above the Arctic Circle see the sun again, sometimes after months of darkness. It is a big day of celebration, but it happens on a different date depending on where you are, so make sure to check if you want to be a part of it.

I still have more questions!

Of course you do – that’s totally normal. For answers to more general questions, or for more inspiration, head over to our first-timers page or our frequently asked questions page. If you know where you want to go or what you want to do, head to destinations or things to do, and get planning. See you in the winter!

Summer in greenland

Explore Here

Places to stay

Plan your trip

How to get there

Commercial airlines are the only way for travelers to get to Greenland, served by airports in Denmark and Iceland unless you arrive with a cruise ship.

How to get around

Read about boats, helicopters and planes that tie the country together in a web of sea and air connections operated by both large and small scale operators.

Where to sleep

Read about accommodation possibilities in Greenland - where is it possible to stay for longer or shorter period of time.

When to go

Summer is a season of the midnight sun, while winter is for dog sledding, northern lights, ski trips, and star gazing. Read more.

See plan your trip

Winter in Greenland

October – May

Why visit Greenland in the winter?

Temperatures

Winter Activities

Birdwatching

Ice fishing

How to travel safely in Greenland

Sarfaq Ittuk ferry: All you need to know

Glaciers

Biking

Diving

Coastal ferry in Greenland

Cruises

The Ice Sheet

Northern Lights

Ilulissat Icefjord

Icebergs

Hot springs

Flightseeing

Arctic Wildlife

Souvenir Shoppinghttps://visitgreenland.com/wp-admin/edit.php

Vikings in Greenland

Museums

Meeting Locals in Greenland

Inuit Culture in Greenland

Guided Sightseeing in Greenland

Greenlandic Gastronomy

Arctic Circle Race

Snowshoeing

Photo tours in Greenland

Heliskiing

Cross Country Skiing

Ski Touring

Snowmobiling

Dog sledding