Explore the best of Lapland from Santa Claus village

For many, this is a dream come true. After a short journey of around half an hour, we arrive at the home of these enthusiastic four-legged companions. The dogs are eager to show what they can do and will take you on a 7/10-kilometers ride through their snowy surroundings.

Before you step onto your own sled, you’ll receive clear instructions on steering, braking and handling the dogs. You and your partner will then be assigned a team of five or six dogs who will take you all the way to the finish. You’ll be fully in control of your sled, and halfway through the route you’ll have the chance to swap places with your passenger.

After the ride, we’ll warm up in a traditional Finnish hut with a comforting cup of warm berry juice.

Practical Information

• 7-10 km ride
• Approximately 1 hour on the sled
• 3 hours including transfer
• Minimum age: 4 years old
• Medical certificate required for pregnant women

Since the Sami, the indigenous people of Lapland, discovered this motorized vehicle, they let their reindeer roam free and traded their pulling power for some serious horsepower. Today, many of them use snowmobiles for their daily travels and a bit of thrill-seeking, but mainly to herd their reindeer.

After receiving clear instructions on how to safely operate these machines, we set off in pairs for a 20-kilometer journey through the Lapland landscape. Halfway through, we take a break to switch drivers.

Practical Information

• Approximately 2 hours on the snowmobile
• 1 snowmobile per 2 people
• A valid driver's license B is required to drive!
• Minimum age: 4 years old
• Medical certificate required for pregnant women

If you do not have a driver's license B, you can experience the ride as a passenger. Children from 4 years old can sit in a sled attached to the instructor's snowmobile. Children taller than 140 cm may ride as a passenger with an adult, provided the instructor agrees.

To see the Northern Lights as best as possible, your guide will take you to a carefully chosen spot, far away from light pollution. While we certainly hope for a beautiful display, the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and we can't guarantee that they will appear that evening.

But even without the Northern Lights, it will be a special evening. As we keep an eye on the sky together, we'll make a cozy campfire in a teepee. Your guide will share fascinating stories about local myths and legends, as well as the scientific explanation behind this captivating phenomenon.

Meanwhile, we'll warm up with a cup of hot berry juice and enjoy a roasted sausage or marshmallows over the fire. Whatever the sky brings, it will definitely be an unforgettable evening in the Lapland wilderness.

Practical

• Guided by our English-speaking guide
• Location with no light pollution
• Duration: as long as the conditions allow

Read more about this activity in our blog article.

Our Lapland Travel guide will take you through snowy forests, along gently flowing rivers, and over frozen lakes. During this journey, you'll discover wintery Lapland in its purest form.

Along the way, the guide will show you various landscapes and share more about the fauna and flora of Lapland. We'll take breaks during the walk to rest, and if conditions allow, we might even start a small fire and enjoy the silence of nature.

Practical Information

• Guided by our English-speaking guide
• Includes snowshoes
• Distance: 4 to 8 km (depending on the group)
• Approximately 2 to 3 hours

Read more about this activity in our blog article.

Reindeer have been a part of life in Lapland for centuries. In the summer, they roam freely through the forests and across vast fields. When the snow covers their food with a thick layer, they return to the reindeer farm where they are cared for and fed.

During the winter, they take on their traditional role again: transporting people through the snowy landscape. At the reindeer farm, you'll learn more about these special animals. For example, you'll discover that a reindeer can carry up to three times its own weight, has special hooves to dig food out from under the ice, and sheds its antlers every year after the mating season.

After a peaceful sleigh ride of a few kilometers, we reward our reindeer with some food and get the chance to meet the rest of the herd. While we warm up with a cup of hot berry juice, the reindeer herder tells us more about the life and traditions surrounding these beautiful animals.

Practical

• Guided by an English-speaking local guide
• Transfer: about 30 minutes
• Sleigh ride with reindeer
• Approximately 2 hours

Fun for everyone! Enjoy the peace and nature at your own pace as we take you through the beautiful snowy trails of the Ounasvaara hill. The bike paths run through the forests that are completely covered in snow.

You’ll receive a special electric bike that makes it easy to ride on the snow without slipping thanks to its thick tires.

In extremely low temperatures (< -20 °C), this activity may be canceled. In that case, we will do our best to reschedule the activity for another time (if possible).

Practical Information

• Guided by our Lapland Travel guide
• Electric fatbike
• Small snack and drink included
• Approximately 3 hours including transfer
• Minimum height: 1.55 m

Ice Fishing by Snowmobile

Embark on an adventure in a small group through snowy forests and discover breathtaking landscapes. This snowmobile tour is more adventurous than the initiation included in the basic package. To make the most of your fishing experience, the fishing time on the frozen lake is extended to one hour.

Iceland Fishing by Minibus

Prefer not to ride a snowmobile? Choose a minibus trip to a frozen lake instead. This 3.5-hour activity includes transfers, a traditional ice fishing experience on the lake, and snacks and hot drinks to warm you up. There's also a nearby teepee available for extra comfort.
A unique opportunity to experience the local lifestyle, take your time, and engage in conversation with passionate guides who know everything about the region and nature.

Practical Information

• Guided by an English-speaking local guide
• 2 people per snowmobile
  • Class B driving license required to operate
• Activity on a frozen lake
• Approximately 3.5 to 4 hours
• Small snack and drink included

Lapland is a true paradise for cross-country skiers. On the hill of Ounasvaara, right near our lodges, there are a whopping 100 kilometers of perfectly groomed cross-country ski trails. After a short introduction where you'll learn the basic techniques, your guide will take you along peaceful and rolling routes. It's the perfect way to get to know this beloved national sport.

Practical

• Guided by our Lapland Travel guide
• Includes cross-country skis, poles, and special shoes
• Approximately 2 hours

Want to spend a whole day immersed in the pure nature of Lapland? During this snowshoe hike, you'll explore the stunning Pyhä-Luosto National Park, located 1.5 hours north of Rovaniemi, where the scenery truly transforms. The park is famous for its expansive "tykky" (cauliflower-shaped trees), snowy hills, and breathtaking views.

Guided by our English-speaking guide, you'll venture into the park for a 4 to 5 km hike, depending on the group. For those looking for a bit more challenge, we can go off track through deep snow, making the experience even more adventurous.

The journey starts at the parking lot and takes you up a slightly steeper climb to the Ukko-Luoston Maisematupa, a modern panoramic hut where we’ll take a break and enjoy the view. Then, we'll continue our walk towards a small restaurant and café located in a typical red cottage run by locals, where we’ll warm up with homemade salmon soup, coffee or tea, and a local treat like a munkki.

After an active day in nature, we’ll return to Rovaniemi feeling satisfied.

Practical:

• Guided by our English-speaking guide
• Day trip (6 hours)
• Includes round trip transfer
• Includes lunch with salmon soup and a drink
• Includes snowshoes
• Maximum 16 people per group
• Minimum age 12 years

Your English-speaking guide will take you on an adventure to a truly special hotel, entirely made of ice and snow! You'll have plenty of time to admire the ice sculptures and wall decorations carved in the snow. After a brief explanation from the guide, you'll have the chance to enter every room, as well as the restaurant and the bar. At the end of your visit, a frosty drink will be waiting for you.

Practical Information

• Guided by our English-speaking guide
• 40 min. transfer
• 3 hours including transfer
• Includes a drink at the ice bar

Have you always dreamed of spending the night in an ice hotel? Now you can! Come enjoy a unique experience at the Snow Hotel!

Included:

• Tour of the Snow Hotel
• 3-course dinner at the Ice Restaurant for two
• Transfer from your accommodation
• High-quality warm sleeping bags with fleece lining
• Access to the traditional Finnish sauna (don't forget your swimwear!)
• Access to Snowman World
• Breakfast at the Log Restaurant
• Certificate for overnighting in Arctic conditions

Practical:

• Bring warm clothing for the night. Even though the sleeping bags are very warm, it's better to wear long underwear.
• We only provide superior rooms for two people.
• This activity is not recommended for children under 5 years old.
• This night takes place on Thursday evening.

*This night is only available starting from January 7th.

Although this activity may seem a bit funny at first glance, ice floating is primarily known as a very relaxing experience. Equipped with a special neoprene suit, you'll dive into an opening in the frozen lake, surrounded by a thick layer of ice and forest.

After a bit of adjusting and laughing, you'll find yourself floating on your back, quickly feeling all your muscles relax. Laughter gives way to absolute silence and the start of a moment of meditation and connection with the nature around you. Since this activity takes place during the evening, with a bit of luck, you might even admire the Northern Lights above you while you float.

Practical information:

• Guided by an English-speaking local guide
• This activity lasts about 4 hours in total
• Evening activity

By the river, there's a beautiful red wooden sauna that accommodates up to 20 people. It's a traditional wood-fired sauna, just like the Finns have been using for generations.

A wooden dock leads from the sauna to the lake, where there's a hole in the ice. Here, you can take a refreshing dip in the icy water like the locals do, and then warm up again in the sauna.

This activity is not suitable for people with heart conditions.

Practical

• Guided by an English-speaking local guide
• 1,5 hours of sauna time
• Swimwear required
• Included: bath towel and sauna slippers
• Maximum of 20 people

Let yourself be enchanted by a unique horseback riding experience in the quiet, snowy forests of Lapland. Guided by local guides (passionate horse lovers), you'll set off on a typical Scottish horse.

During this ride, which lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes, you'll journey through serene nature and stunning winter landscapes. Thanks to the calm and strong Scottish horses, this experience is suitable for both beginners and advanced riders (you can choose which option).

Beginner
A calm and relaxed ride at a walking pace, ideal for beginners or those who just want to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. There's no galloping, making this experience accessible to everyone.

Advanced
For experienced riders with at least 1 year of riding and galloping experience. This ride includes a slightly higher pace, providing a more active and challenging experience.

Transfers to and from the horse farm are included, so you can enjoy this special experience without any worries.

Practical

• Guided by an English-speaking local guide
• Minimum age: 12 years
• Maximum weight: 90 kg
• Level: beginners or advanced

Want to ski and hit the slopes during your free time? That's absolutely possible! Although the Ounasvaara ski area isn't large (just a small dozen slopes), we still recommend you spend half a day skiing (or snowboarding).

Practical:

• Reserve independently on-site*
• The ski rental is located at the foot of the slopes, just a stone's throw from the Reindeer Lodge chalets
• The ski pass can also be purchased at the foot of the slopes, in the same place as the equipment.

*We recommend that you do not reserve your ski pass or skis in advance, but do it on-site depending on the weather.

Want to visit the Santa Claus Village and meet Santa Claus? You're in the right place. On-site, you'll find cozy bars and restaurants, the official home of Santa Claus (and Mrs. Claus), Snowman World, and various souvenir shops. It's the perfect spot to spend half a day soaking up the Christmas spirit all year round.

We've written a few blog articles about this. If you'd like some inspiration, feel free to check out our blog page.

Practical

• Visit at your own pace
• Free entry
• Accessible by shuttle bus from downtown Rovaniemi or by taxi