Since we knew that we would stay in Alta, we knew that we had to book a snowshoeing and ice fishing trip. After a short research, I found the company GLØD on the internet, which seemed to be perfect for this trip. Basically, they offer a normal snowshoeing trip and also the snowshoeing trip with the possibility to try ice fishing. Obviously we opt for the second.

Snowshoeing

First of all, we had to try some different thermo clothes to be perfectly outfitted. We all got some sorts of shoes to put them over our own shoes. This was basically that your own shoes will not be destroyed by the snowshoes. We didn’t get the thermo suits directly, they were only meant to keep you warm during the ice fishing. Then we took the mini bus to get to our starting point in the forest of the Finnmark plateau.

As soon as we arrived, we put our snowshoes on. It was a really strange feeling and you have to get used to them. At the beginning it is really tiring to walk with the snowshoes but you get used to them really quickly.

Normally a dog is accompanying the group to carry all the stuff but unfortunately the dog wasn’t available and so our guide had to play the carrying dog.

The walk with the snowshoes through the wilderness and forest of Alta was amazing. We were very lucky with the weather because the sun was shining a little bit. The whole walk was so breathtaking and charming that I’d never leave this place again.

After 15 min of snowshoeing, we arrived at a lake with a tent on the side. This was the place where we tried the ice fishing.

Ice fishing

First of all, we had to walk with or without the snowshoes on the frozen lake. The ice is so thick that you can stand on it without breaking into the lake.

On the lake, our guide showed us how to make the whole for the fishing. You have to take the shovel to put all the snow aside an then you have to use a borer to get through the ice. This was really difficult for me as I don’t have so much force in my arms. But slowly I made my way through the ice.

Then you have to put some lure on your small fishing rod. Finally the lure have to be put into the lake through the whole that you made. To attire the attention of the fishes, you have to keep your fishing rod in motion.

Now you have to wait and wait and wait that some fish will like your lure. This is really difficult for me because I cannot be quiet for such a long time and I’m really impatient. So on the one hand, it was very boring to wait and be quiet, but on the other side, I really liked the silence and calmness of the nature outside there.

If you have to be quiet there sitting on the ice, it will get very cold at some point. So we put our thermo suit on, which we chose at the beginning. The guide gave us also some reindeer skin to sit on. This was really useful, because you will not feel the cold ice on which you are sitting.

Unfortunately we didn’t fish something, but it was absolutely worth the experience and I would try it again in order to be more lucky and have a fish at the end.

While we were ice fishing, our guide cooked some delicious salmon for us over the fire in the tent. It was very funny to sit around the fireplace and eat the freshly made salmon. Our guide was very lovely and told us some interesting stories.

So if you have the chance to walk with snowshoes or even to try ice fishing, be sure to try it because it is an amazing experience which you will not get every day.

Video of Snowshoeing and Ice fishing in Alta