1. Cross-country skiing
When the snow crystals fall and settle like a white blanket over Frogn, forest paths, grasslands and car parks are transformed into ski slopes, toboggan runs and ice rinks.
DFI’s skiing group maintains an artificial snow arena for sledging and play at Drøbak golf course and a loop of just over 3 km of illuminated and groomed ski trails, as well as a trail network of 60 kilometres in winters with enough snow.
At Frognmarkas venner you can watch a film and get a description of two different ski tours: “Frogn på langs” and a 16-kilometre ski tour between Stubberudtjernet and Mindas kafé.
2. Bathing both indoors and outdoors
The seaside town of Drøbak also has long traditions of ice bathing. Do you dare to jump into the Oslofjord in winter?
Now the seaside resort of Drøbak has a sauna. Drøbak sauna is located on Lehmannsbrygga in the south of Drøbak and is open all year round.
Another great place to take an ice bath is at the newly renovated Herrebadet in Badeparken, a historic bathing facility from the early 1900s. Do you miss the summer? Here you can read more about Drøbak’s many beaches.
Is the fjord getting too cold? Bølgen Bad is a family favourite, with a wave pool, diving tower and water slide.
3.Drøbak Snowpark
Drøbak may not be the place you associate most with snowboarding and alpine skiing, but thanks to DFI Brett, Drøbak has got a terrain park and recruitment 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”. Check DFI Brett if the slope is open.
4. Cosy cafés
Drøbak has several cosy cafes where you can find warmth on a winter day.
5. Stand on skates
There are ice rinks at Sagajordet, Skrubben, by the water tower at Dyrløkke, at Dyrløkke school and at Dal school. Check Husvik and Nordstranda Vel, among others, to see if the ice rink at Sagajordet is open.
Do you need to borrow skates? At BUA Drøbak you can borrow both hockey skates and figure skates for free!
Frogn also has several nice walks you can do on foot in winter, including Rundtomveien and the forest trail to Øvredammen.
6. Gallery walk in the artist city
Winter is a perfect time to go on a gallery walk and Drøbak has a long history as an artist city. Throughout the ages, the city has charmed both artists, writers and bohemians, such as Hans Gude, Oda and Christian Krogh and Knut Hamsun. As the artist and cousin of Edvard Munch, Edvard Diriks, has said: “There were only two places worth living; Paris in winter and Drøbak in summer”. Today there are several galleries both in and outside the centre of Drøbak, there are still many artists living here and it is a very popular place to visit for the cultural tourist.
7. Drøbak Aquarium
Drøbak Aquarium shows you the rich wildlife of the Oslofjord up close. In the family-friendly aquarium, which is the only saltwater aquarium in Eastern Norway, you will find as many as 50 aquariums, 2 large tanks and a touch pool with different types of animals from the sea. The aquarium has many exciting species to show you, including the terrifying grin of Hugo the catfish. In the aquariums you’ll find everything from cute scallops to ghostly toadfish. There are also sharks in some of the aquariums.
8. Sunday town
Idyllic Drøbak is one of the few cities in Norway that there is actually a lot to do on Sundays, so much so that Drøbak has been nicknamed “Sunday Town”. Here, galleries, cafes, restaurants, all the great little niche shops and attractions such as Drøbak Aquarium, Avistegnernes hus and Follo museum keep Sunday open, all year round. Drøbak city centre is completely free of chain stores and is therefore a nice place to go shopping. The niche stores in Drøbak city centre are known for high quality and sustainable fashion – all within walking distance of each other. Drøbak also has four second-hand shops – Fretex, Frk. Getz, Emporiet and Sitrus Second Hand.
9. Winter accommodation
Frogn and Drøbak have several great places to stay, both of which offer winter magic. The over 100-year-old Reenskaug Hotel is located in the heart of Drøbak and was given a new look last year with The Lobby, a combined reception, bar and restaurant that gives associations to New York. At Oscarsborg Hotel & Resort, simple military barracks have been converted into beautiful hotel rooms, many with sea views. In winter, there’s a very special tranquillity on the historic fortress island. In Nordre Frogn, there is a brand new and unique place to stay: the glass cabin NEST Bunnefjorden has both a sauna and a hot tub, so those who rent the cabin get their own little spa – perfect when the temperature is below zero.
10. Concerts and cultural events
Drøbak is a popular festival city in the summer, but also the place for musical experiences in the winter. At Smia Multipurpose Centre there are several concerts this winter. Check out the event calendar here.