Each January and February, when the mountain lakes above Nusfjord froze thick and solid, men made the steep journey upward to harvest winter itself. The ice was carefully measured and marked into precise grids before long, specialised saws cut deep, straight lines through the frozen surface. Heavy blocks were freed with axes and lifted using iron hooks — demanding work that required both skill and strength.

Several of these original ice saws can still be seen in the village smithy today, quiet reminders of the craftsmanship behind this winter ritual.

Once released, the great rectangular blocks were transported down the mountainside by horse and sled, gliding over packed snow toward the harbour below. The journey was challenging, but winter made what would otherwise be impossible entirely achievable.
Inside the icehouse, the blocks were stacked tightly and insulated with thick layers of sawdust from Nusfjord’s own sawmill. The sawdust trapped air, slowed melting, and absorbed moisture, allowing the ice to last well into late summer.

This stored ice was vital to daily life and to the fishing economy. Freshly caught fish was layered with ice before export, enabling it to travel farther and arrive in better condition. Without the winter harvest, the village could not have sustained its trade.

The Upper Icehouse is therefore more than a storage building. It stands as a testament to foresight and resilience — to a community that worked with nature, harvesting winter to secure the prosperity of summer.