10 BEST things to do in Rovaniemi in winter (2026)

Seeing the Northern Lights is one of the most memorable experiences you can have in Finnish Lapland. In Rovaniemi, the nights are generally dark enough for aurora observation from late August until early April. However, the Northern Lights remain a natural phenomenon. Their visibility depends on solar activity, cloud cover, darkness and local weather conditions, so no sighting can ever be guaranteed.

Local guides monitor weather forecasts and cloud movements to select suitable observation locations away from the principal city lights. Travelling with an experienced guide can also help you understand the phenomenon and photograph it more successfully.

Choose the experience that best suits your group:

• Aurora Pass: book three or more consecutive nights of aurora hunting for a discounted price.
  Planning several evenings gives you more flexibility if the first night is cloudy or aurora activity is weak.
• • Private Family Aurora Tour: A 3-hour, kid-friendly outing tailored for families with young children. The guide adapts the pace, provides extra warm gear, and makes the evening fun and educational for all ages.
• • Private Aurora Tour (3h30): Explore the Arctic night in the comfort of a private vehicle with a guide fully dedicated to your group.
• Premium Aurora Tour (6h): Our most immersive option — a small-group experience with extended aurora chasing, extra time to wait for clearer skies, and the option to enjoy a warm local dinner by the fire in the middle of nature.

All excursions include transportation to carefully selected observation locations. Multiple evenings can improve your opportunities, but the appearance of the Northern Lights can never be guaranteed.

👉 Want to know when to travel? Read our guide: When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Lapland?

Santa Claus Village is open throughout the year but becomes especially atmospheric during winter. Located approximately eight kilometres from central Rovaniemi, it can be reached by local bus, taxi, car or guided excursion.

Entrance to the village is free, although individual experiences, photographs and activities may involve additional charges.

For a more active visit, consider joining an electric fatbike tour through the snowy forests surrounding Rovaniemi. This combines the famous village with nature, exercise and stories about life in the Arctic.

Reindeer are an iconic part of Lapland’s winter landscape, and meeting them up close is a magical experience for visitors of all ages. At our carefully selected local reindeer farms, you’ll have the chance to learn about reindeer herding traditions, feed the animals, and enjoy a peaceful sleigh ride through snowy forests — just like the locals have done for centuries.

We offer several options to suit your preferences:
• A short and gentle sleigh ride, perfect for families or those with limited time.
• A longer, more immersive sleigh tour, where you can truly appreciate the rhythm of the reindeer and the silence of the arctic wilderness.

All our tours are guided and respectful of the animals’ well-being. You’ll also have time to warm up in a traditional wooden cabin, enjoy a hot drink, and ask your guide any questions about life in Lapland.

Dog sledding is one of the most iconic and unforgettable experiences you can have in Lapland. There’s something truly magical about gliding silently across snow-covered landscapes, pulled by a team of eager and energetic huskies, with only the sound of their paws on the trail through the snow. Take control of your own husky team and dash through the frozen forest on a once-in-a-lifetime dog sledding adventure. Our partner husky farms focus on ethical animal care and small-group tours, ensuring a high-quality and personal experience.

You’ll receive full driving instructions before heading off, and at the end, you’ll be able to cuddle the dogs and take photos.

Want to experience even more? Book the combo tour to visit both a husky farm and a traditional reindeer farm on the same day — the ultimate Lapland wildlife day!

Winter hiking in Lapland is one of the best ways to truly connect with the Arctic wilderness. Far from the crowds, these guided hikes take you deep into snowy forests, across frozen rivers or lakes, and up to scenic viewpoints where time seems to stand still. Each step is an invitation to discover the raw, silent beauty of the North — where snow-laden pine trees, open fells, and pastel skies set the scene. We offer several unforgettable hikes:

🥾 Korouoma Canyon Tour: Discover this stunning natural reserve with its famous frozen waterfalls. We provide high-quality crampons to make the descent and hike safe and comfortable. Your guide will lead you through snowy forests, along cliffs, and past towering ice formations.

❄️ Daytime Snowshoeing (+ Sauna Option): An easy-to-moderate walk in remote nature, (followed by a relaxing session in a traditional sauna with optional cold plunge — one of our most loved combo tours).

🌌 Night Snowshoe Hike: Walk under the stars in total silence while searching for the auroras above. An atmospheric, slow-paced journey through the winter forest.

💎 Amethyst Mine Snowshoeing Tour: Explore a remote Arctic fell on snowshoes and reach the only amethyst mine in Europe that stays open in winter — with the chance to dig your own gemstone!

Ice fishing is a must-do winter experience in Lapland — a peaceful, meditative activity that also offers a glimpse into the traditional Arctic lifestyle. Far from the noise and crowds, you'll find yourself standing or sitting on a thick layer of ice, surrounded by the stunning stillness of a frozen lake, with snow-covered trees and maybe even animal tracks nearby.

Drill a hole in the ice, drop your line, and try your luck catching perch or other freshwater fish! Our 3-hour tour includes all necessary equipment, including warm overalls, boots, and gloves if needed. And of course, your guide will prepare a hot drink and traditional Finnish snacks to enjoy around a fire on the ice — a true Lappish tradition.

Want more action? Book the Full Arctic Adventure:

- Learn fire-making skills
- Go snowshoeing across the frozen landscape
- Try your hand at fishing on a remote lake

Perfect for families, groups, or anyone who wants to try several Arctic activities in one half-day outing.

Altai skis are a hybrid between snowshoes and skis, designed for snowy backcountry terrain. Altai skis are short, wide, and equipped with integrated climbing skins, making them stable, easy to handle, and ideal for off-trail exploration. You don’t need to be an experienced skier —Altai skis are easy to learn and incredibly fun! This activity is perfect for beginners who want a more dynamic experience than snowshoeing, as well as for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a deeper immersion into nature.

🎿Glide silently through untouched forests and hills with these different tours:

• Half-day Beginner Tour: Learn the basics with a guide and explore peaceful snow-covered forests and frozen lakes. The pace is adapted to the group and includes plenty of breaks to rest and take photos.

• Full-Day Ski Adventure: Venture deeper into Lapland’s backcountry and discover untouched Arctic landscapes, with time for a break around the fire in the snow.

• Night Skiing Tour: Experience the magic of skiing through the wilderness in the dark — with only your headlamp and the snow beneath your skis. If the sky is clear, you might even spot the Northern Lights!

• Private Ski Adventure & Overnight Stay in a Lakeside Cabin with Sauna: Embark on a guided backcountry ski tour through the snowy forests and pristine wilderness of Lapland. After the excursion, enjoy a magical evening in a traditional wooden cabin by a frozen lake, complete with a wood-heated sauna and a starry sky – with the chance to spot the Northern Lights!

• Multi-day Expeditions: For those looking for a true Arctic challenge, we organize expeditions in Yllästunturi National Park, with overnight stays in wilderness cabins or tents

Altai skiing is our best-kept secret and a favorite among our guides and local nature lovers.