Experience the best slate in the world
ALTA QUARTZITE SLATE
Learn more about the long tradition of slate in Alta
Pæska is home to the important slate industry in Alta. Slate from here is used around the world.
Discover The Slate Quarry Of Alta
Available year around
Experience the best slate in the whole world, Alta Quartzite Slate! Raw and famous. Real and traditional.
Get the story behind the world-famous Alta slate. Join us for a guided tour. See the most important sights on the way, and last but not least; cut your own souvenir stone in genuine Alta slate quality.
Season: Year around
Capacity: 2-8 (minimum 2 adults)
Duration: 3 hours
Price: NOK 1350 per adult/675 per child (12 year or younger)
NOK 9450 per exclusive private tour (max 8)
Departure: 11:00 Monday – Saturday
Pick-up: At your hotel
Booking before 16:00 two days upfront
The world-famous quartz slate from Alta is more than 800 million years old, and is known for its hard quality and as a incredibly strong building material. We really believe that Alta has the world’s best slate, and we want to show it off to everyone!
Over time the Alta slate also became an important economic basis for the city, and you can see the Alta slate in use on roofs, along streets, on facades and in public and historic buildings both at home and abroad.
This has been a resource that has guided Alta through thick and thin, and became very important for the development of the city of Alta – both economically, and culturally for more than 160 years.
About this experience
We pick you up as agreed – then we drive you through the Alta valley while you enjoy the view, and listen to the guide as he gives you some interesting facts about Alta. On the way up to Pæskatun, we also make a short stop at the main quarry.
On arrival at Pæskatun, you first get a small tour of the slate workshop, and a brief introduction to slate from a geological point of view, and the workflow of a slateworker – then it’s your turn to try the slate scissors!
After the “working day” is over, we take you into the museum cabin where you will get a guided tour and a better understanding of what the living conditions of a slate worker have been like over many years.
Here we have collected several historical objects that have been important to the workers throughout the years.
We finish with fresh brewed coffee, cake, and a movie in one of our warm cabins.
On the return trip, we drive past some important sights associated with the Alta slate. (Slate harbor, Old Alta Church in Bossekop and Elvebakken)
This is what you learn
- See a real slate Quarry
- Get to know Pæskatun – a family-run tourism business in Alta
- Make your own handmade slate souvenir with a tradtional slate scissors
- Get to know the traditional craftsmanship behind the processing of the Alta slate. The techniques, innovations and methods through over 160 years.
- See real slate work-and sleep cabins that convey their own history. About the toil, and life in the rock – through years of hard work.
- Get to know the free slate worker. About the lifestyle, and the strong connection to nature.
- Experience the most important sights associated with the Alta Quartzite slate.
Who are we?
A family-run production and tourism company with nature and the Alta slate in focus. Here we make a living from, among other things, various handmade slate products. Our products are of course made with great passion, experience and precision.
What’s included on this tour?
– Coffee / tea /snacks
– Homemade Cake
– Film about drilling and blasting
– Guided tour of Pæskatun (workshop and museum cabins)
– Pick-up / delivery
– Make your own slate souvenir
– Sightseeing tour in Alta
Practical information
– The trip takes about 3 hours including transport. There will we toilets available along the way. The guide speaks both Norwegian and English. The bus has room for 8 guests on each trip.
– Wear proper clothes that is okay to bring to a slate quarry.
– There are also other souvenirs available for purchase.
Included:
- Pick-up and transport
- Self-made souvenir
- Hot beverages
- Snacks
VISIT PÆSKATUN
Available from June 19th to August 18th
Have you ever wondered why slate has been a cornerstone in the history of the Alta community? Take a trip up to Pæskatun, the only slate museum in Alta located right in the heart of the slate quarries, just 20 minutes from downtown Alta. Here, you’ll encounter not only the world’s finest slate but also breathtaking views and a rich cultural history that will make your visit truly unforgettable!
Season: 19.06 to 18.08 / Monday to Friday / 1100 to 1500
For free : Souverier shop, Panorama cafe
NOK 75: Museum, slate cabins, and slate workshop
NOK 95: Make your own unique slate souvenir with slate scissors
NOK 250: Guided tour that takes you on a journey through the fascinating world of Alta slate! Our guide will share interesting information about the slate industry and provide you with a unique demonstration of how the traditional slate scissors were used – a true journey back in time. But that’s not all – your ticket also includes access to our museum and cabins, where you can immerse yourself in the history and culture that have shaped the Alta community over the centuries. An experience you won’t want to miss!
NOK 300 Guided tour plus make your own slate souvernier
Welcome to Pæskatun – the heart of the Alta slate world! Here, you can experience an exciting journey through the history and culture of the slate industry in the Alta region.
Daily Tours: Join our daily tours and explore old slate cabins, where you will learn about the craftsmanship behind slate production and the rich history of the industry.
Create Your Own Souvenir: Take a piece of slate history home by creating your own souvenir in our workshop.
Coffee and Homemade Cake: Enjoy a well-deserved break with a cup of hot coffee and delicious homemade cake in our cozy café area.
Learn about the Slate Industry: Gain insight into the significance of the slate industry for Alta’s development and understand why this industry has been so important for the local community.
View of Alta valley: Be enchanted by the breathtaking view of Alta vallley as you explore our area.
Visit a Family Business: We are proud to be a family-run business, and we look forward to sharing our passion and knowledge with you.
Come and experience the magic and history of slate at Pæskatun – a place where the heritage of the past meets the inspiration of the future.
We look forward to welcoming you!
THE SLATE EXPERIENCE
Available year around
Up in the slate mountains at Pæskatun, a visually and acoustically impressive presentation will teach you about the world-famous Alta slate. Then one of our experienced and enthusiastic slate workers proudly and happily demonstrates a complete, practical workflow – from a large slate block to a finished roof tile. After he shows you how to do it, it’s your turn to try making your own real slate souvenir from Alta Slate!
Season: Year around
Capasity: 10-60
Duration: 1,5 – 2 hours in the slate quarry (depending upon group size)
Departure: As agreed
Price: Contact us
Booking 3 days in advance.
Join our signature experience since 1993!
The Alta Slate has a remarkable history dating back 7-800 million years and has been a significant part of the Alta community since the 1860s. The extraction of Alta Slate has been a cornerstone of the Alta community. Through generations, skilled slate workers have used their hardworking hands to create a livelihood for their families. What would Alta be without its slate?
About this Experience
Our signature slate experience, established in 1993, offers an exploration of the rich heritage and culture associated with the slate industry in Alta. At Pæskatun, high up in the slate mountains, visitors can observe an uniqe demonstration how we turn a block of raw slate into a rooftile! The demonstration goes trough techniques and innovations from the 1850’s until today. The demonstration is of course guided by an skilled slateworker.
After the demonstration you will have the opportunity to try it yourself with one of our slate scissors.
After the demonstration, you can explore several of our activities and facilities. Take a look at our handmade slate souvenirs, authentic pieces from your visit to Pæskatun. These unique items are crafted by our skilled slate workers and represent a true piece of Alta Slate’s heritage.
In addition to souvenirs, you can also experience an exciting film showing the blasting and drilling in the main quarry with black powder. This gives you a glimpse into the demanding process of extracting slate from the mountain and bringing it for further processing.
If you prefer a more leisurely pace, simply stroll among our museum cabins and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful views of the Alta Valley. These historic cabins provide insight into life through the years, offering an atmosphere of authenticity and tradition.
Whatever you choose to do after the demonstration, exploring our offered activities is a great way to immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of Alta Slate.
Wer’re looking forward to meet you!
Included
- Selfmade souvenir
- Hot beverages
- Snacks
Additional information
When you purchase a slate demonstration with us, we open the doors to a range of additional experiences for you to choose from. Explore our wide array of add-on options, including presentations about slate, the Northern Lights, or an exclusive dinner service in our newly-built panoramic cabin. We also offer alternatives such as corporate training and conferences, catering services, and team-building activities. Choose what suits you and your guests best, and tailor your own unique experience with us.
SLATE EVENING
Available from May 1 to August 31
A slate evening is an exciting night filled with adventure and learning, where participants explore the legendary Alta slate. It involves a blend of engaging lectures, hands-on demonstrations of slate work, and a delightful dinner in a unique setting. Afterwards, gather in cosy warm cabins to share stories and experiences, experiencing the magical atmosphere that only a slate evening can provide.
Note! Groups only.
Season: 01.05 – 31.08
Capasity: 10-100
Duration: 4-5 hours
Departure: As agreed
Price: Contact us with more information about your group
Booking minimum one week upfront.
Join us for a magical evening at Pæskatun – a feast experience with slate in focus! We look forward to sharing this unique evening with you.
About This Experience
The evening starts with an engaging lecture that takes you on a journey through the history of slate and how it has been used over time. You’ll learn about the slate industry in Alta, which has been around for over 160 years, and hear fascinating stories about how this unique stone has shaped both the local community and the world.
Next, experienced slate workers will demonstrate how they work with the slate. You’ll see the entire process from raw stone to finished product. The demonstration goes trough techniques and innovations from the 1850’s until today. The demonstration is of course guided by an skilled slateworker.
After the demonstration it’s your turn to cut your own slate souvenir!
After gaining insight into the slate industry, you can wander around authentic slate huts and see how people lived and worked in the past. You can view old tools and artifacts and learn more about the daily routines of slate workers throughout the ages. This gives a rich and vivid understanding of the cultural heritage of the slate industry.
Dinner in Panorama cabin / Slate-workshop
We invite you to a feast in our newly built panoramic cabin, where we serve rustic and flavorful dishes inspired by the nature around Alta. While you eat, you can enjoy the fantastic view over the Alta valley.
The evening concludes with a social gathering. We open the lavvu, light a fire, and create a cozy atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy the clear night.
An evening with slate is a perfect event for large groups, with plenty of space for activities and opportunities for courses, conferences, or team-building
Welcome!
