This year you can experience Jorvik Viking Centre like you’ve never seen it before – in the snow!
For the first time in 40 years, a thick blanket of the white stuff will cover the Coppergate Centre attraction to show how Vikings fared during the cold winter months.
The brand-new experience, called A Winter Adventure, welcomes visitors from today (11 November) and the snowy makeover will run through until February 2025.
Guests can experience a ride through the frosty Jorvik streetscape, and will be introduced to the archaeology of the Coppergate site.
They’ll learn how York’s Viking residents cared for their livestock, fed themselves, and kept warm during the colder winter months.
In the galleries, the tradition of fireside storytelling will be recreated, with JORVIK’s very own Vikings becoming skalds (Viking poets and storytellers) for winter-themed tales of gods and monsters.
They’ll also discuss the type of kits required to make it through a tough Viking winter.
YorkMix spoke to Dr Chris Tuckley, JORVIK’s head of interpretation and learning, who explained how the ride has been transformed for the experience.
“Normally when you’re on the ride at Jorvik, it’s an autumn day, that’s always been the case at Jorvik. We’ve never had a seasonal change on the ride before.
“What you would normally see is the kinds of seasonal plants that would be growing, the weeds, and the kinds of seasonal food that would be available.
What we’ve got now is a snowy scene, there are icicles, there’s ice, frost and snow. So it will feel like a very wintery experience for people as they travel through.”
Chris explained that winter has always been an important period for the JORVIK Viking Centre, due to their annual viking festival that takes place every February.
“Winter has always been a bit of a time of celebration and activity for us, so the makeover is just a new layer, really,” he added.
Gareth Henry, head of operations, said: “York is a fabulous place to visit during the winter –the Christmas markets, the Ice Trail in January and, of course, Jorvik Viking Festival in February – and we want Winter in Jorvik to be one of the highlights of the season.”
Pre booking for A Winter Adventure at Jorvik is essential, as no tickets are available on the door.
Prices are £16.50 for adults, £13.25 for concessions and £11 for children. Family tickets are also available from £46.
To book a slot, visit the website here.