Winter guide · 69°N
What a winter week in Ilulissat really feels like, how much daylight you get, what to wear on the sled, and which tours run when snow and ice allow.
Weather & daylight
Typical temperatures and daylight hours for Ilulissat. Winter here is cold and dry, and the light changes faster than most visitors expect.
| Month | Daylight | Day | Night | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | About 5 hours | −5 °C | −10 °C | Sea ice starts to form in the fjord |
| December | Polar night: no sunrise | −8 °C | −15 °C | Blue twilight at midday, northern lights |
| January | Sun returns mid-month | −10 °C | −17 °C | Short, pink days and dark evenings |
| February | About 8 hours | −10 °C | −17 °C | Coldest, clearest weeks for dog sleds |
| March | About 12 hours | −8 °C | −15 °C | Long light and firm snow |
| April | About 16 hours | −3 °C | −9 °C | Spring light, still good snow on the ice |
For about five weeks around midwinter the sun does not rise over Ilulissat. The days are not black: for a few hours around midday the sky glows deep blue and pink, and the snow reflects it back. From mid-January the sun climbs over the horizon again and daylight grows by several minutes a day.
The thermometer is only half the story. Wind funnelling down the ice cap and across the bay makes −10 °C feel much colder on open water and on a snowmobile. That is why we plan winter departures around the day’s wind and visibility, and why a windproof outer layer is the most useful thing you can pack.
Clothing
Dress in layers you can open and close. Sitting still on a sled is much colder than walking through town, so bring one more layer than you think you need.
01
Merino wool or synthetic long sleeves and long johns. Skip cotton: it holds moisture and gets cold.
02
A fleece or thin down jacket that traps warmth. Bring one extra layer for snowmobile tours, where wind chill is stronger.
03
A windproof and water-repellent jacket and trousers. Snow is dry here, but wind is what you feel most.
04
Insulated winter boots with room for a wool sock, thick mittens rather than gloves, and a hat that covers the ears.
05
Sunglasses for the low sun and snow, lip balm, a buff, and a power bank because cold drains phone batteries fast.
Ask us before you travel if you are unsure about footwear or an extra layer. It is much easier to sort out in advance than on the morning of departure.
Winter tours
All winter tours start in Ilulissat and depend on safe snow and ice. Duration, price and season are listed here, so you can choose before you book.
A one-hour dog sledding tour straight from town with an experienced local musher. The easiest way to try the old Arctic way of travelling.
1 hour · from DKK 1,200 · winter season
Book nowTwo hours on the runners, further out on the sea ice, with stories from everyday life with the sled dogs.
2 hours · from DKK 1,800 · winter season
Book nowA guided snowmobile tour with Palle through snowy landscapes outside Ilulissat, adapted to your level and the day’s conditions.
2.5 hours · from DKK 1,750 · winter season
Book now
Aurora season · late August to mid-April
Questions
Typical winter days sit between −5 °C and −17 °C. Wind coming off the bay makes it feel colder, so windproof outer layers matter more than thickness alone. We check the forecast before every departure.
Ilulissat lies at 69 °N, so the sun stays below the horizon for roughly five weeks around midwinter. Midday is not fully dark: the sky turns deep blue and pink for a few hours, which is one of the most photographic light conditions in Greenland.
Aurora season runs from late August to mid-April, with the darkest nights from November to February. Clear skies and staying away from town lights give the best chance. It is never guaranteed, but the dark months are the right time to try.
No. Dog sledding and snowmobile tours depend on safe snow, ice and weather. If conditions are not safe we move the tour or cancel it, and you are covered by our trading conditions.
Our winter tours run from one hour to two and a half hours. The one-hour dog sledding tour is the shortest way to try the sled, and the snowmobile tour is the longest at 2.5 hours.
All winter tours start in Ilulissat. The exact meeting point is confirmed in your booking, and it is always close to the town centre.
Yes. Plan them on different days so a weather cancellation does not take out both experiences. If you only have one winter day, choose the one you care about most.
Winter season · Ilulissat
Browse dog sledding, snowmobile and private winter tours, and book the one that fits your dates.
