What You'll Find in This Post
Quick Facts About Reindeer in Tromsø
- Reindeer Season: November to April
- Sámi People: Indigenous Arctic people of northern Europe known for their centuries-old culture rooted in their deep bonds with reindeer
- Price Range: ~$150 to $170 USD
- Reindeer Experience Types: Feeding, sledding, culture, northern lights, snowshoeing
Pro Tip: During Polar Night (late Nov to mid-Jan), choose a daytime slot to catch the gorgeous 2–3 hours of blue twilight, or book an evening tour for a chance to feed reindeer under the Northern Lights!
If you’re planning a visit to Norway in the winter, you’ll likely want to know—where are the reindeer, how can you see them, and do they fly?! Well, while they sadly don’t fly, seeing the reindeer is definitely a bucket-list activity in the Arctic, and I’m here to tell you how you can do it!
Reindeer in Tromsø
In the city of Tromsø during its magical winter season, reindeer migrate from high mountain pastures where they spend the summer to lower lands near the coast in search of winter vegetation. All of the reindeer in Tromsø are owned by local reindeer herders. The herders, called the Sami, will either allow the reindeer to freely wander all year or gather them up in the winter. Once gathered, they’ll be kept in an enclosed area at a traditional Sami camp for protection and to ensure they’re well-fed during these harsh months.
While you will definitely spot reindeer in the wild among the snowy coastal landscape, it’s easier to get up close to these beautiful animals by visiting one of the Sami camps. The animals who wander all year aren’t as comfortable with humans and will often freeze (hoping they’ll become invisible) or walk/run away. The ones who spend winters at the camps are semi-domesticated and used to human visits, so they'll come right up to you for food and pets. The Sami offer winter activities at their camps including reindeer sledding, feeding the reindeer, snowshoeing, and learning about the Sami culture. These activities make your Arctic holiday very special, particularly around Christmas season when the city is decked out in decorations!
Who Are the Sami People of Arctic Europe?
The Sami are the indigenous people of Arctic Europe—they have historically lived and worked in the area they call Sápmi, which encompasses the northern Arctic sub-arctic areas of Norway, Finland, Sweden, and the Russian Kola Peninsula. They’ve been around for thousands of years, which makes them the earliest ethnic group in Arctic Europe. Having an animistic worldview, their culture is deeply connected to the land and to nature as they believe all significant natural objects possess spirits including animals, plants, and rocks.
The livelihood of the Sami in mountainous areas have traditionally been centered around reindeer herding, where they live a nomadic lifestyle with the reindeer and are guided by the seasons. The Sami sell and eat reindeer meat, use their hides for mittens, shoes, blankets, and other products, and their horns are used for both tools and art.
What Can I Expect When Visiting a Sami Reindeer Camp?
There are many companies that work with Sami families to provide tours; I used the company Tromsø Arctic Reindeer. I personally had a wonderful experience there, and they have a good reputation from other visitors. They have reindeer sledding, reindeer feeding, and snowshoeing tours.
Me snowshoeing after feeding reindeer with Tromsø Arctic Reindeer
You’ll be bussed from Tromsø Centrum to whichever camp works with the tour operator you chose—if you’re using Tromsø Arctic Reindeer, then you’ll be visiting their camp in Krokelvdalen, which is about a 25-minute drive. Upon arrival, the first thing you’ll do is go feed and pet the reindeer, no matter what tour package you chose. You get buckets of food and can walk around the herd. They have around 300 reindeer in their camp, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to get up close. If you’ve chosen sledding or snowshoeing, you’ll then go do that activity; if not, you’ll wait with the reindeer. Afterwards, everyone will return to camp to escape the cold and head inside.
After completing your chosen reindeer activity, everyone gets to warm up by a fire in a traditional lavvo (Sami tent) and listen to joiking (traditional singing) and stories told by the Sami family that owns the camp. Typically, hot drinks and a traditional Sami meal are also included, which consists of hot cocoa and reindeer stew (called bidus), though vegetarian options are available too.
Extra Tips
- 🦌 When feeding the reindeer, make sure you hold the bucket at arm’s length. Their antlers can be quite long, so it can hurt if it smacks you. They’ll also push each other with their antlers, ‘fighting’ over the bucket to eat—this is normal and super common, so don’t be alarmed, but you don’t want to be caught between them.
- 🪣 You’re safe, but if you get nervous, you can place or toss the bucket onto the ground, and they’ll follow it instead of you.
- 🌿 If you see lichen, winter vegetation found under logs and at the bottom of large trees, rip off a piece and take it to the reindeer. They dig through the snow to find it and go crazy over this snack as it’s their favorite of the season!
Reindeer Sexes: Fun Fact
You’ll notice some reindeer with both antlers, some with just one, and some with none at all! Why? Reindeer shed and regrow their antlers every year, so it all depends on the animal’s gender and needs. Males need their antlers to fight for dominance and mates during the fall mating season and will shed them after it’s over (around late fall/early winter). Any reindeer with only one antler are males who haven’t fully shed them yet. Females need them to defend food resources (as food access is critical when pregnant after mating) and to protect their young in the winter. They will shed them in the spring after they’ve given birth to their calves.
For a full Tromsø Norway travel guide, visit my blog post Tromsø Norway: Winter Travel Guide (Top Things To Do)!
