Winter activities in Drøbak

Drøbak is one of Norway's coziest summer towns, but it's also a gem in winter. Here are ten tips for Frogn and Drøbak in winter.

1. Skiing in Frognmarka

When snowflakes fall and create a white blanket over Frogn, forest paths, grassy areas, and parking lots transform into ski trails, sledging slopes, and ice rinks.

DFI's ski group maintains an artificial snow arena for sledding and play at Drøbak golf course, a loop of just over 3 km with illuminated and groomed ski tracks, as well as a trail network of 60 kilometers in winters with enough snow.

2. Swimming both outdoors and indoors

The bathing town of Drøbak also has long-standing traditions of ice bathing. Do you dare to jump into the Oslo Fjord in winter?

A nice place for ice bathing is at the newly renovated "Herrebadet" in Badeparken, a historic bathing facility from the early 1900s. Missing summer? Here you can read more about Drøbak's many beaches.

Is the fjord too cold? "Bølgen Bad" is a family favorite, featuring, among other things, a wave pool, diving tower, and water slide.

3. Drøbak Snowpark

Drøbak might not be the place you most associate with snowboarding and alpine skiing, but thanks to some local legends Drøbak now has a terrain park and training slope for snowboarding, freeskiing, snowskating, and cross-country skiing - perfect for the whole family! The location of the slope is on the north side of "Antonsenbakken."

Foto: Christian Nerdrum/Drøbak Snow Park

4. Cozy cafes

Drøbak has several cozy cafes where you can find warmth on a winter's day.

5. Ice skating

There are ice rinks at Sagajordet, Skrubben, near the water tower at Dyrløkke, at Dyrløkke school, and at Dal school.

Need to borrow skates? At "BUA Drøbak," you can borrow both hockey skates and figure skates completely for free!

Frogn also has several nice walks you can take on foot in winter, including "Rundtomveien" and the forest path to Øvredammen.

Photo: Atle Gulliksen / Nordstranda and Husvik Vel

6. Gallery tour in the artist town

Winter is a perfect time for a gallery tour, and Drøbak has a long history as an artist town. The town has charmed artists, writers, and bohemians over the years, such as Hans Gude, Oda and Christian Krogh, and Knut Hamsun. As the artist, and cousin of Edvard Munch, Edvard Diriks said: "There were only two places worth living; Paris in the winter and Drøbak in the summer." Today, there are several galleries both in and outside the center of Drøbak. Many artists still live here, and it is a very popular place to visit for culture tourists.

7. Drøbak Aquarium - Close encounter with Oslo Fjord's species

Drøbak Aquarium gives you a close look at the rich wildlife of the Oslo Fjord. In the family-friendly aquarium, which is the only saltwater aquarium in Eastern Norway, you will find a total of 50 aquariums, 2 large tanks, and a touch pool with various sea creatures. The aquarium has many exciting species to show you, including getting up close to the fearsome grin of the wolf fish named Hugo. In the aquariums, you will find everything from cute scallops to ghostly monkfish. Some of the tanks even house sharks.

8. Sunday Town

Idyllic Drøbak is one of the few cities in Norway where there's actually a lot to do on Sundays, so much so that Drøbak has earned the nickname "Sunday Town". Galleries, cafes, restaurants, all the lovely small niche shops, and attractions like Drøbak Aquarium, the Cartoonists' House, and Follo Museum are open on Sundays, all year round. Drøbak city center is completely free of chain stores and is therefore a nice place to go shopping. The niche shops in Drøbak city center are known for high quality and sustainable fashion - all within walking distance of each other. Drøbak also has two thrift stores - Fretex and the children's store Kløver.

9. Magical winter nights

Frogn and Drøbak have several fantastic accommodations that offer winter magic. The over 100-year-old Reenskaug Hotel is located in the heart of Drøbak and last year received a new look with The Lobby, a combined reception, bar, and restaurant that evokes associations with New York. At Oscarsborg Hotel & Resort, simple military barracks have been transformed into splendid hotel rooms, many with sea views. In winter, there is a very special calm on the historic fortress island. In Nordre Frogn, there is a brand new and unique accommodation, the glass cabin NEST Bunnefjorden, which includes a sauna and hot tub, so those who rent the cabin get their own little spa as a bonus - perfect when the thermometer shows minus degrees.

10. Concerts

Concerts in Drøbak offer a delightful blend of musical experiences both in summer and during the winter. Drøbak is known as a popular festival town in the summer, but even in winter, you can enjoy music events. Smia Flerbrukshus is the venue where several concerts will take place this winter. Check out the event calendar to get an overview of the exciting concerts awaiting you!