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- See the Northern Lights
- Dog sledding
- Snowmobiling
- Floating in an icy lake
- See reindeer with the Sami or in the wild
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
- Ice fishing
- Enjoy the sauna and jump into the icy lake
- Skiing the slopes
- Exploring winter nature
- Sleeping under the northern lights in a glass igloo
- Visit an ice hotel!
- See Santa’s village
The idea of traveling to Finnish Lapland is starting to tickle your fancy but you’re wondering what you can do? Well, I’ve got great news: there’s an almost infinite number of activities, including snow!
Of course you’ll want to see the Northern Lights, try your hand at dog sledding and get around like the Finns on a snowmobile, that’s normal. The basics. But I’m going to introduce you to some other great activities, some of them masochistic, like jumping into a frozen lake.
Then again, normally the activities depend on where you’re staying in Finnish Lapland, with most of the providers based in Rovaniemi, the region’s nerve center, and Levi. But in all honesty, you can do everything absolutely anywhere, in Inari, Ylläs, Kilpisjärvi… in fact, I’ve provided recommendations for each location.
So let’s get to it!
See the Northern Lights
Oh yes, that’s where we start. If you’re going to Finnish Lapland, especially in the middle of winter, there’s a good chance you’ll want to see the northern lights.
And that’s just the thing! Finnish Lapland is one of the best places to see the aurora, especially in Europe. Indeed, with its very cold and dry climate, the sky is often uncovered. And as you can easily get away from the cities and into the countryside, you’re far from light pollution. So these are great conditions!
The Northern Lights are visible from late August to mid-April in the region, and we recommend being as far north as possible. I prefer Saariselkä/Inari/Ivalo or Levi because they’re much higher up than Rovaniemi, but this one’s just fine 🙂
If you’re going to hunt for the Northern Lights yourself, then here are a few tips:
- you’ll need to hire a car to get to the right spots, if the sky isn’t clear above your location
- you need to know where the clear skies are, using applications that tell you the cloud cover, such as Ventusky or Windy.
- Then find a well-oriented spot with a clear view. Try not to stand on the side of the road. Okay, there’s not a lot of traffic on Lappish roads, but still.
- And wait, I’m saying that when you have a clear sky, you have a 90% chance of seeing the northern lights. Look at apps like Aurora, sites like Spaceweatherlive, to find out how active they are. But generally speaking, there are auroras every night, more or less strong.
If you want to go through an agency and a guide who knows how it’s done, then you need to look at a few things before you book:
- the agency’s reputation. Sites like Getyourguide or Viator give an assessment based on user feedback, which is super important
- the size of the group, to avoid ending up with a bus of 40 people
- the price: if it’s too low, there’s a wolf!
But here are a few recommendations:
Dog sledding
If there’s one experience you absolutely must have in Lapland, this is it. Dog sledding is the magic of the Far North in all its glory. Just you, the huskies and the white immensity.
You glide across the snow, surrounded by frosted fir trees and silence. Not a sound, except the puffing of the dogs and the rubbing of the sled. No engines, no crowds. Just that rare sensation of being alone in the world, in the heart of Arctic nature.
Here, it’s not just a tourist activity. Dog sledding is part of Lapp culture. In the past, it was an indispensable means of transport. Even today, some families still raise their dog teams with passion. Dog sledding is also about meeting people from the North and sharing their know-how.
Above all, it’s an opportunity to spend time with adorable dogs! Huskies are tireless. Powerful, cheerful, cuddly… they’re just waiting to run! You’ll learn to harness them, encourage them and talk to them. And after the ride, they’ll come to you for petting as if they’ve known you all their lives. It’s impossible not to fall for it.
Recommended agencies
In Rovaniemi
- Husky & Yoga Nature Lapland
- Bearhill Husky
- Apukka Husky
- here are the best dog sledding tours in Rovaniemi
In Levi
In Saariselkä / Inari
In Pyhä
In Äkäslompolo
Snowmobiling
If there’s one activity that sums up adventure in Lapland, it’s snowmobiling. The thrill of the Far North, the icy wind on your face, and that exhilarating feeling of total freedom. You whiz through snow-covered forests, frozen lakes and white hills as far as the eye can see, your hair blowing in the wind. It’s powerful, exhilarating and insanely beautiful.
Here, the snowmobile is not a gadget for tourists: it’s the Lapps’ means of transport. The locals use them to reach their villages or cabins lost in the middle of nowhere. Fun fact: as you drive along, you’ll come across snowmobile trails with their own signposts.
And what a backdrop! By day, golden light illuminates the frosted fir trees. At night, the sky sometimes blazes with the northern lights as you glide across the snow. A timeless moment of adrenalin and wonder.
Recommended agencies
In Rovaniemi
In Levi
In Saariselkä / Inari / Ivalo
In Pyhä
In Yllas
In Kilpisjärvi
Floating in an icy lake
It’s probably the most unusual experience in Lapland: floating in a frozen lake, bundled up in a wet suit. Yes, yes, in icy water! And yet, don’t panic: you don’t feel the cold, just absolute calm.
So let me reassure you, this is not an everyday activity for the Finns. Because… they do it without wetsuits! Yes, it’s more fun that way (more on that later, for the masochists).
Lying on the water, surrounded by snow and silence, you look up at the sky. Sometimes the stars, sometimes the northern lights. It’s a strange and soothing sensation. OK, so it’s not a crazy activity, full of sensations like the previous activities, it’s a sensory experience. The body relaxes, noise disappears, time stands still. A completely disconnected parenthesis, to be done at least once.
See reindeer with the Sami or in the wild
Reindeer in Finland are more than a cliché, they’re an institution. And wanting to see these gentle ninnies (you’ll understand when you see them walking) is totally normal in the land of Santa Claus.
There are two ways to see them: the simple method of going to the Sami people who have been domesticating them for hundreds and hundreds of years, or the “man vs. wild” method of trying to come across them in the wild.
Well, seeing them in the wild is really a matter of luck. I’ve spent a lot of time in Finnish Lapland, and sometimes I’d see a whole bunch of them, while at other times I wouldn’t see a single one for several days. So yes, you have to get away from the main roads, but it’s still a matter of luck. And if you do see one, you should know that they’re not afraid of you in the car, but standing humans are!
But there are hundreds of thousands of reindeer in Lapland, so you can still see some 🙂
If not, the other possibility, the simple version as I said, is to go and see them “at the source”, at the herders’, on the Sami farms. Ok, it’s less authentic than meeting one on the road (so be careful, they cross a bit like idiots), but it’s really nice because you can feed them, they’re quite used to human presence, and what’s more you learn about the Sami culture, this people, their language. And that’s interesting too!
You have to choose your farm carefully, as there are some huge ones and others that are more human-scale. But they’re all over the country!
In Rovaniemi
- Reindeer Farm Porohaka: this small family farm is much appreciated for its authenticity.
- SieriPoro Safaris: “Authentic” farm, run by a reindeer family for generations, located near Lake Sierijärvi.
- Santa Claus Village: not the most authentic or original, but the feedback on the reindeer farm is excellent.
In Levi
- Soma Adventures, see the reindeer and take a snowshoe tour
- Eanan Levi Tours, highly rated but you need a car to get there
In Ylläs
- Safartica, which will take you to a small local farm
In Pyhä
- Kairankutsu with a fun sleigh ride
CAR RENTAL IN FINNISH LAPLAND
Rent a car in Lapland from Discover Cars
- Rent a car from Rovaniemi or Kittilä
- Small car, SUV or 4×4 for adventure
- Prices from €20
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
Cross-country skiing is more than a sport in Finland. It’s a way of life practised by absolutely everyone who’s a bit in touch with nature.
Because sometimes you just want to settle down, slow down, enjoy the silence. And that’s what snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are perfect for. You don’t have to be a great sportsman: you can go at your own pace, in totally unspoilt natural surroundings, surrounded by snow-covered fir trees and animal tracks in the powder. It’s an opportunity to discover wilder corners, where there’s no one around. Just you, the snow, and the sound of your footsteps or skis gliding by.
All you need is a flat area. And I’m not going to surprise you by saying that Lapland is pretty damn flat, so it’s a huge playground for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing!
There are several ways to do it. If you’re staying in private accommodation, chances are the owner will lend you his equipment (they did with me). Otherwise, there are always stores where you can rent some. But if you’ve never done any, then there are opportunities to take lessons. I’d say it’s not bad for a first time, and then go off on your own 🙂
And frankly, seeing the low-angled sun illuminate the forest during an early-morning stroll is a simple joy, but one you won’t forget.
Ice fishing
It’s totally Nordic and, frankly, a great experience even if you’re not a fan of fishing. Every weekend, the locals head out to the frozen lakes and fjords to stock up on fish.
So yes, when you put it like that, sitting on a frozen lake waiting for a fish to bite may sound strange. But in reality, it’s a unique experience. You start by drilling through the ice (and that’s fun!) with a big hand-held screwdriver, and then you sit, all bundled up, with a line in a water hole in the middle of nowhere.
And then we discover something rare: total silence. No noise, no network, just the calm of nature. It’s almost meditative. And if you catch a perch or a trout, it’s the icing on the cake (or the accompaniment to dinner, as you prefer). And you wonder “how the hell do they survive in frozen water?” I’ve stopped asking myself that question, but I still don’t have the answer 😀
It’s a gentle and surprising way to experience a Lappish winter. And frankly, even without fish, you’ll come out of it with a smile on your face. And toes a little cold.
Enjoy the sauna and jump into the icy lake
Got a bit of a masochistic side? Perfect, this is the activity for you!
It’s a true local tradition. Here, everyone goes to the sauna. Kids, grandparents, everyone. It’s not just to relax, it’s an art of living. We settle into a little wooden hut, the heat gently rises, and then… we completely forget that it’s -20°C outside. Well, temporarily forgotten, because…
Then there’s the crazy part: we get out in our swimsuits, run through the snow, and throw ourselves into a hole dug in the ice. That’s right. It sounds crazy, but I swear, it’s a sick feeling. Your body’s in a panic, your brain’s laughing, and you’re on an endorphin high like no other.
You come out invigorated, red as a tomato, feeling like you’ve done something Viking. You say to yourself “never again torture like that”. And then you go back. Because once you’ve tasted the sauna + ice water combo, you’re hooked.
Skiing the slopes
So no, we’re not in the Alps or any other big mountain range. Especially since, as I keep saying, Finnish Lapland is pretty damn flat. But the Finn is stubborn and tenacious (the Sisu). So on every (or almost every) big hill they have, they’ve built a ski resort.
We arrive with our big clogs on, “That little thing there, do they ski?” Well yeah, and it’s really nice too! So no, there aren’t 200 pistes, it’s not Courchevel. But there are between 11 runs (in Rovaniemi) and over 60 in the biggest ski area in Ylläs. Not bad at all!
What I love most of all are the magnificent views at the top, as far as the eye can see over forests and lakes. And the freezing cold at the very top, you can see the panels completely frozen 😀
All the resorts have rental stores, so it’s very easy to come and warm up your bum!
The biggest resort (which is family-friendly) is Ylläs, the best-known is Levi, and the other areas are smaller. Pyhä is family-friendly, Saariselkä family-friendly too, but not very big.
Exploring winter nature
So yes, I know, I often say that Finland is lakes and forests, then lakes, then forests again. In itself, that’s true. Except that in winter, with the cold and the amount of snow, these forests become magical! You’ve got all the fir trees covered in snow, and in some places they’re truly petrified by the cold, it’s incredible.
It’s something you see mainly in Finland and Sweden, less so in Norway, where there are fewer fir forests, which is a shame.
So take a walk in the forest! Go and meet these trees, and especially if you get the chance, on aurora borealis nights, to get some super photogenic shots of these white giants.
If you don’t know where to go, then there are always guided outings that take you out to discover nature. And quite honestly, I love the colors of Finnish Lapland in winter – it’s all rosy at sunset.
And above all, if you have the chance and you’re not too far away, go to Riisitunturi Park, not too far from Rovaniemi. And further north, there’s Urho Kaleva Kekkonen National Park
DISCOVER THE URHO KEKKONEN PARK
- Probably on snowshoes, from Saariselkä
- 4.9/5 on Getyourguide
- From €75
Sleeping under the northern lights in a glass igloo
Maybe the best activity, but ok it’s a bit expensive 😀
Would you like to fall asleep watching the Northern Lights? Finnish Lapland is the perfect place for that! The climate is very dry (and therefore very cold), and the skies are clear for most of the winter. I love Norway, as you know, but the skies in Lapland are much nicer!
There are quite a few igloo villages (more or less large) where your bed is literally under the aurora. With glass to protect you from the cold, of course, but in the middle of nature, far from any light. It’s an absolute blast!
SANTA’S IGLOO ARCTIC CIRCLE
- At Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi
- 8.9/10 on Booking
- From €320
Visit an ice hotel!
No no this is no joke, there really are hotels made entirely of ice! Giant igloos! The walls, the tables, the beds, everything is made of ice, and the walls are superbly sculpted in ice, often according to a theme that changes every year.
Yes, the hotel only lasts a few months, usually appearing in November until April. Then it disappears and has to be rebuilt the following year.
As well as visiting the site, you can also sleep there. On a bed of ice and under a reindeer skin, at -5 degrees. Quite an experience 😀
Given the amount of work involved, only 3 are available:
- Arctic SnowHotel near Rovaniemi, where you can either sleep or visit.
- the Lapland Hotels SnowVillage near Ylläs, which you can visit from Levi
- Kemi SnowCastle, further south
See Santa’s village
Santa’s Village in Rovaniemi is a dose of magic you can indulge in without a second thought. Yes, it’s touristy. But you’ll come out smiling, especially the children, even in the middle of March.
You cross the line of the Polar Circle, hop I’m there, hop I’m not! You meet the “real” Santa Claus in his office (and all those who say he lives elsewhere are wrong), you take the souvenir photo, and you fall back into childhood. The official post office is right next door: “Arctic Circle” stamps, cards ready to leave for next Christmas… a little moment out of time.
In between, we stop for a hot chocolate, stroll through the stores, hesitate in front of the Nordic sweaters. In the evening, the lights come up and the atmosphere becomes downright magical.
Perfect for families: stars in the eyes guaranteed. If you’re a couple, it’s a gentle, self-assured interlude. If you’re on your own, you’ll enjoy the pure pleasure of Christmas.
Practicalities: access to the village is free. There is a charge for official photos and small activities. Allow two to three hours for a leisurely visit. Go at the opening or at the end of the day if you want to avoid the crowds; December is the busiest, January to March breathes better.
It’s not a “must” for wilderness purists, but for a magical interlude, it does the job. And rather well. You know me, I’m much more into nature than tourist traps, but when I was there I didn’t mind, because I was really into it!
But also, at Santa Claus Village, you can sleep in glass cabins or igloos, a truly magnificent setting. And there’s plenty to do, because we’ve got it all right here! Reindeer, dogs, snowmobiles, Santa Claus – it’s all here!
To sleep on site, you can choose between:
- Santa Claus’ glass Igloos
- charming chalets in the heart of the village
- and finally, the Glass Resort, with its crazy glass igloos.
In conclusion
Now you know everything! So yes, if you’re staying for a week, you’ll have to make some choices when it comes to activities, especially as the bill can quickly climb 😀 But one thing’s for sure: you won’t be bored!
There are agencies to take you from your accommodation or a meeting point in town to the activity site. Sometimes you’ll need a car to take you directly to the site (especially some kennels and reindeer farms), so be careful about that too if you need to book in advance.
Map of Finnish Lapland
I’ve created a map of Finnish Lapland that includes everything you’ll need to plan your trip:
- accommodation, including ice igloos under the northern lights
- all the best activities, in every town, such as dog sledding and snowmobiling
- all reindeer farms
- aurora borealis agencies
- and lots more info for each resort!
Useful links Finnish Lapland
- Prepare your trip to Finnish Lapland – in this article, discover all the information you need for your next stay.
- Which Finnish Lapland town to visit – Rovaniemi or Levi? A family resort or a nature resort? find out which one is right for you!
- Sleep in a glass igloo – to fall asleep under the northern lights, here are 10 dream accommodations
- What is the most convenient place to stay in Rovaniemi – cottages or resort, flat or youth hostel
- Find your accommodation in Finnish Lapland with Booking
- Book your car for adventure with Booking (formerly RentalCars)
