If someone had told us that during a summer vacation we would go from wearing shorts and t-shirts to bundling up in down jackets and wool socks in less than thirty minutes, we might have laughed in disbelief. However, that’s exactly what occurred when we traveled from Lom to the ice tunnel of Jotunheimen.
Klimapark 2469 is a unique site—a climate park featuring a 7,000-year-old glacier located within Jotunheimen National Park in Norway. It serves as both a tourist attraction and a site for research and historical excavation. The tunnel spans an impressive 375 square meters, adorned with lights that illuminate the natural icy formations along with sculptures crafted by talented artists. Experiencing this wonder is as simple as booking a tour, which is exactly what we did in August.
Our journey began just a few hundred meters from the tunnel entrance at Juvasshytta in Jotunheimen. Before entering the tunnel, we walked along a slightly elevated pathway where our guides shared fascinating insights about the surrounding landscape, the history of the ice tunnel, and the various types of glaciers. In Norwegian, there are two distinct terms for glaciers: isbre (which refers to the type of glacier many envision) and isfonn, indicating a stationary glacier—essentially the opposite of an icefall. The stationary nature of the latter means that when a tunnel is carved out, it maintains its structure, unlike active glaciers where the constantly shifting ice can lead to collapse, making the area dangerous.
Despite our visit occurring in mid-August, the temperature barely hovered above zero, and the weather shifted from clear skies to dense fog quite rapidly. Remarkably, this is one of the few places in Norway that features a summer alpine center. Yes, it is indeed cold enough to ski during the summer months, while in winter the area remains closed due to excessive snow on the roads leading up.
After a half-hour guided tour outdoors, we finally stepped into the ice tunnel. Before entering, we passed through an airlock designed to keep the “warm” air from permeating the ice. Climate change has made its mark here, with the ice shrinking each year. Unfortunately, this ice tunnel will not be around forever…
Upon entering, we were welcomed by the Eye of Odin, a figure from Norse mythology. The sculptures and artwork within the tunnel draw inspiration from Norse mythology, the religion that was prevalent in Norway many centuries ago. At the first intersection within the tunnel, we were struck by a massive tree known as Yggdrasil, the World Tree. Yes, the “tunnel” is more accurately described as an ice maze.
Before we set off to explore on our own, we were shown a brief film presentation. In an innovative touch, one of the walls had been carved into a screen, and a projector was ingeniously installed.
We learned that the ice is approximately 7,000 years old and that numerous artifacts have been discovered within, including shoes, ski poles, and weapons. While these items have been relocated to museums, reconstructions were retained in their original spots, allowing visitors to see and experience them as they appeared when they were trapped by snow and ice.
The lighting cleverly changed from room to room with a variety of creative colors. Additionally, the park encourages interaction, featuring an ice slide for children and notably absent “do not touch” signs—a refreshing touch!
The climate park is still under development, with new areas being excavated and converted into exhibitions. One room contained shelves but had not yet been completed, indicating ongoing work.
This development, however, comes with a downside; the ice is melting due to climate change. In an area where summer temperatures hover around freezing, even a slight increase can mean the difference between a glacier that is growing versus one that is in decline.
Practical Information about Klimapark 2469
Tickets and Booking
Klimapark 2469 is open from mid-June to the end of August. Tickets are priced at 375 kr (approx. 43 USD / 35 EUR) for adults. Availability is limited, so it’s advisable to book in advance. For tickets and more details about the climate park, visit Klimapark2469.no.
How to Get There
From Lom in Jotunheimen, a road leads to Juvasshytta, where you can park your car. In the parking lot, you’ll find a clearly marked car for Klimapark 2469, which is your meeting point. Be aware that there’s a toll road leading to Juvasshytta, and the condition of the road is rather rough!
Other Useful Information
In Lom, you’ll find a museum called Norsk Fjellsenter, which offers insights into the history, geology, and other fascinating aspects of the Norwegian mountains, closely related to the climate park. Many artifacts discovered in the ice have been relocated here. If you present your ticket from Klimapark 2469, you’ll receive a 30% discount at the museum.
For those interested in photography, bringing a tripod is highly recommended. The ice tunnel features both dark corners and brightly lit areas, which can make capturing good shots without a tripod challenging, as we discovered.
