Sports and leisure activities Greenland

Budget & Tips

While there are many fun outdoor activities you can enjoy without spending a penny, you'll need to be self-sufficient and even experienced in some situations. Greenland's extreme climate and sudden changes can be formidable. A solo expedition such as a multi-day hike, kayaking, mountaineering, mountain biking or glacier climbing cannot be improvised. If in doubt, and for your own safety, it's best to sacrifice a few Danish kroner and enlist the help of a guide. For other adventures, such as whale-watching, dog-sledding or snowmobiling, you'll need to budget accordingly. All in all, stretching your legs and watching the northern lights under the stars are without doubt the only totally free activities on the frozen island... What's the point of spending more to see this majestic spectacle?

What's very local

Very attached to their traditions, Greenlanders are particularly fond of hunting, fishing, kayaking and, for those living above the Arctic Circle, dog-sledding. Since the first waves of Paleoeskimo migration some 4-5,000 years ago, Greenlanders have depended on nature's resources in the form of fish, birds, land and sea mammals. Hunting and fishing have always been a matter of survival in a country with short summers and a climate unsuitable for agriculture. These activities are practised not only for eating, but also for using the skins of their game for clothing and for covering kayaks. Today, this tradition remains firmly rooted in Greenlandic culture. From childhood onwards, the elders pass on traditional hunting tools and methods to the younger generations. It's not uncommon for children to catch their first seal by the time they reach secondary school. The first catch is a great event that is celebrated in a similar way to birthdays, when family and neighbors are invited to a kaffemik!

Your documents please

Impossible to hunt or fish in Greenland without a permit or licence. Catches remain very regulated and not respecting quotas means taking the risk of losing your hunting licence. Seal, polar bear and whale meat hunting and consumption is reserved for local people who are not allowed to export them.

To be booked

Like the rest of your activities in Greenland, it is highly recommended to book your excursions in advance. In particular during the high season in the most popular tourist sites.

Main events

High-caliber sporting events abound in Greenland, starting with the famous Arctic Circle Cross-Country Ski Race, reputed to be the world's toughest in extreme conditions. There are also numerous marathons organized throughout the country, including the Polar Circle Marathon, which crosses parts of the ice cap at times! Not forgetting the traditional kayak or dog-sled competitions with the most seasoned mushers. Some races are open to the general public, but you still need to be well prepared.

For less intense entertainment, there are festivals featuring Greenlandic food and music... or simply celebrating the return of the sun! A sumptuous ice sculpture event is also worth a visit in Nuuk.