Snowsnakes in the Lofoten

The wind drives clouds of snow across the roads like snakes. We head to Fredvang and Ramberg and watch the sunset at the Eliassen Rorbuer.

Annina & Nicolas 12 February 2024 · 3 min read

In short

The wind drives clouds of snow across the roads like snakes. The phenomenon is called snowsnakes, and it stays with us all day. After Fredvang and the frozen Rambergstranda, we watch the sunset at the Eliassen Rorbuer. In Reine, a shop owner even waives the museum entry fee because of Annina's Lofoten headband.

Quite contrary to the forecast, today turns out to be another very beautiful but also very windy day. We have a leisurely morning and then drive north. We first stop at Fredvang and enjoy the view of the beach from the same car park where several hikes start in summer. The sea air isn’t exactly pleasant, though, because the wind blows the snow into our faces. On the roads you can see so-called snowsnakes: Wind-driven clouds of snow that look like writhing snakes on the ground. Despite the fierce wind, Nicolas dares to fly his drone, which makes only very slow headway. In the constant sunrise light, the view of the mountains, the sea and the iconic bridges connecting the small islands at Fredvang is dreamlike.

The wind driving clouds of snow across the white plain — At Fredvang the wind drives the snowsnakes across roads and plains, with the iconic bridges linking the islands · 8 photos

The snow-covered road running under the bridge — At Fredvang the wind drives the snowsnakes across roads and plains, with the iconic bridges linking the islands · 8 photos

The next destination is Rambergstranda, the beach at Ramberg with the idyllic little red cabin. The beach looks quite unusual with its mix of sand and snow, two things that somehow don’t belong together. We stroll along the beach and take lots of photos, but eventually the cold makes us call it a day.

A yellow house on the shore below the snowy mountain range — Rambergstranda with its little red hut, where sand and snow lie side by side · 6 photos

A little red hut in the snow at Rambergstranda — Rambergstranda with its little red hut, where sand and snow lie side by side · 6 photos

We pop into a grocery shop and the Lofoten Store to warm up. We want to watch the sunset in Hamnøy in the early evening. We walk through the Eliassen Rorbuer and enjoy the view of the red cabins from the bridge. Finally, we make a detour to Reine and visit a shop connected to a small museum. The owner takes a liking to Annina’s Lofoten headband and lets us visit the museum for free! After a short look around we head to our apartment and wait for darkness and northern lights, but tonight we’re left disappointed.