1. Getting Ready for the Cold

Winter in Rovaniemi lasts from late November to early April. Temperatures average around -12°C (10°F) but can drop as low as -30°C (-22°F) on some days, especially in December and January, the coldest months of the year. Traveling to Lapland in winter therefore requires proper preparation for the cold, especially since the region’s beauty lies primarily in its wild, remote nature. You probably already know this — and you’ve been mentally preparing for it for weeks: you’ll need to spend hours outside in the cold and snow!

That’s why safety and comfort in extreme cold are essential considerations — especially when traveling with young children. Their fragility due to age, lack of experience with harsh climates (and the inability to recognize their own physical limits), as well as a different perception of cold compared to adults, all make children more vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Depending on your child’s age, you’ll need to limit their time outdoors. This might mean giving up certain activities that require being outside too long without easy access to a warm shelter.

While on an excursion, it’s important to check in regularly with your children about how they’re feeling. Ask them often if they’re warm enough, make sure their clothes are dry, and check the temperature of their hands and feet — those are the first areas to get cold. Also, put away the chemical hand warmers! The best way for kids to warm up is to get their blood flowing. Run, wave your arms, jump, dance the Macarena — whatever works, just move! Good circulation brings warmth back to the extremities. Expect some tingling or stinging in fingers and toes, which can lead to a few tears — but that’s a good sign: the warmth is coming back!

2. WHAT TO PACK FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN

In our practical guide to Rovaniemi (free to download here), we’ve dedicated an entire page to the question of clothing. You’ll find all our tips on what to pack in your suitcase, along with some additional recommendations.

Important! Being well prepared for the cold doesn’t mean overpacking! Wearing 18 layers, two hats, and five pairs of socks will only lead to two things: first, you’ll sweat excessively (which means you’ll get cold), and second, you’ll restrict your blood circulation (which also means you’ll get cold). Instead of piling on layers, make sure your clothes stay dry! Moisture — which freezes quickly in extreme cold — is your worst enemy, especially for kids.

If you don’t want to invest in expensive winter gear or worry about extra luggage fees at the airport, renting proper Arctic clothing can be a smart and budget-friendly solution.

3. RENT YOUR EQUIPMENT

Renting your gear on-site lets you travel lighter and with peace of mind. However, we recommend booking well in advance, especially during school holiday periods (Christmas and February), to ensure your equipment is reserved in the right sizes for your stay.

We rent Arctic-grade cold-weather suits (adult and children’s sizes), consisting of a thermal overall designed for temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F), along with winter boots. The suits are waterproof and worn over your own clothing (they serve as the outer layer). So, choose flexible and comfortable clothes underneath — but still warm, of course! The boots feature thick soles to insulate you from the cold ground and removable thermal liners that are easy to dry. For health and hygiene reasons, we do not rent socks, hats, or gloves. For children, we also rent specialized equipment such as strollers, car seats, and child-sized snowshoes.

To reserve your equipment, simply contact us by email (info@nordicodyssey.net), phone, or WhatsApp, specifying sizes and rental dates. You can find all the rental details and pricing here.

4. CHOOSING YOUR ACCOMMODATION

Rovaniemi offers a wide variety of accommodations to suit all budgets. Hotels generally provide family rooms, connecting rooms, or the option to add an extra bed.

However, if you’re traveling with two or more children, it may be more cost-effective to rent an entire independent lodging:

– Cabins are a great choice if you want to be more remote and closer to nature. Keep in mind that you’ll likely rely on taxis or public transportation, as cabins are often located more than 2 kilometers from the city center.

– Apartments in town: Many private owners offer reasonably priced accommodations downtown or within a short distance. Airbnb has plenty of options to suit all tastes! These rentals are often of good quality, with Nordic-style apartments frequently equipped with a sofa bed for your child. Some even feature a small sauna in the bathroom!

For hotel, cabin, or other accommodation recommendations, we invite you to check out this post.

Should you stay in Santa Claus Village? We don’t necessarily recommend it. Located 8 km from the city center, the village can feel frustratingly isolated, with a strong dependence on transport. In the evenings, shops close by 6 PM, leaving a quiet (though illuminated) village that even the quietest places envy. Instead, stay in town and set aside a half or full day to visit Santa Claus Village.

5. SHOULD YOU RENT A CAR? 

Unless you’re staying very far from Rovaniemi (more than 8 km), renting a car is generally not recommended. Besides the cost, it won’t add much convenience since Rovaniemi is a small city and all main services are within reasonable walking or stroller distance from the center.

On top of rental fees, you’ll have to budget for insurance, fuel (currently about €1.75/L), and paid parking spots in town (parking fines can be very expensive!). You will likely need a guide for excursions anyway, and in that case, transfers from your accommodation in Rovaniemi are usually included.

Finally, if you do rent a car, remember to prepare it well in advance (snow clearing, plugging in the engine block heater a couple of hours before driving) and to drive carefully in challenging conditions (icy roads, limited daylight, wildlife on the road). Cars are well-equipped (studded tires, heating), main roads are regularly cleared, and rental agencies provide effective assistance in case of trouble (e.g., going off-road).

Admit it — this is one of the main reasons you decided to come to Lapland. And it’s why you chose Rovaniemi: to perfect the magic of Santa Claus by giving your children the chance to meet him in person!

Visiting Santa Claus Village is, of course, a must-do during a family trip to Rovaniemi. When you arrive, you might find the village a bit small and the crowds a little large. It may feel a bit too touristy for you as an adult, but your children will love the snowy atmosphere, the pointed houses just like in storybooks, and the giant (fake) presents at the entrance to Santa’s office. They’ll sing Christmas carols loudly as the speakers play, and their hearts will tighten when they discover the famous Santa’s Post Office where their last letter arrived last year… There’s no doubt that meeting THE Santa will remain a magical memory etched in their young minds for a long time — enough to keep the myth alive until next Christmas!

A half-day is enough to explore Santa Claus Village, preferably in the afternoon to enjoy the last daylight and the first lights (the morning or midday can be spent on an outdoor activity). Entrance is free, regular city buses take you there from downtown (a 30-minute ride), and there are places to eat on site. In short, you don’t need a guide for this activity — beware of unscrupulous agencies offering expensive guided tours!

For those wanting to continue the Christmas magic, we recommend Santa Park, a theme park located 2 km from Santa Claus Village. Nestled inside a hill, Santa’s “grotto” (paid entry, around €35-45) is especially suited for children, with hands-on workshops and elf shows set in well-crafted settings. The only downside: you’ll have to explain why Santa appears in two places at once… Apparently, he has a secret tunnel!

Observing the northern lights is definitely at the very top of your list — in big, bold letters. Thanks to its far northern latitude, Rovaniemi is located within the famous auroral zone, where the northern lights occur more frequently and are therefore visible. In Rovaniemi, you can see the auroras from late August through mid-April.

However, chasing the northern lights in winter usually means traveling long distances and spending hours outside in the cold. In Lapland, temperatures can drop as low as -30°C (-22°F) at night, and the best viewing spots are often open areas (frozen lakes, hills, etc.) that are hard to reach and very exposed to icy winds. It’s also common to return late at night…

In short, this is neither practical nor comfortable for families with young children.

That’s why, based on our extensive experience, we have designed a northern lights chase specifically tailored for families, giving parents the chance to enjoy the magical dancing lights with a route adapted to their children!

During this excursion, you’ll head out with your guide from Rovaniemi in the most promising direction according to weather maps and space forecasts. You’ll stop as many times as needed, following your guide’s expert advice. The experience is designed with children’s comfort in mind: a fire with Finnish snacks to keep warm, blankets if necessary, optimized distances, and easy-to-understand explanations.

And the best part? Your guide will be equipped with a professional camera to capture these unforgettable moments!

Among the local activities you can enjoy with your children, ice fishing is probably one of the most suitable. Traditionally, it was one of the few ways to get food during the winter. Even today, many Finns still love spending hours on frozen lakes — either to catch a tasty dinner or simply to recharge while surrounded by vast, peaceful landscapes.

Ice fishing is a relaxing, family-friendly activity, perfect for balancing out an emotion-packed itinerary or filling a free afternoon without breaking the bank. With your guide, you’ll head to a good fishing spot surrounded by nature, easily accessible for kids. Your guide will teach you the basic ice fishing techniques — including how to drill your own hole (by hand!). And then? It’s your turn to try!

Just make sure to dress warmly for this excursion, as the lake can feel extra cold due to the wind. We usually provide reindeer hides to sit on and offer the option of a campfire snack to keep everyone warm!

Want to take it a step further? Why not combine ice fishing with four other fun activities? Our Family Full Arctic Adventure Tour also includes: an introduction to survival in Arctic conditions, a hands-on fire-making workshop using no matches or lighters, a basic orienteering session with map and compass, and all of it on snowshoes!

Once again, it’s important to choose your husky experience carefully. First, you’ll need to decide between tours where you drive your own sled, and those where a professional musher drives for you. Driving your own sled naturally offers a much more immersive and memorable experience — your sled can usually carry up to two adults (one driver, one passenger) and 2–3 children (always as passengers).

You’ll also need to choose the sledding route based on your child’s age.

Longer rides (6–10 km) are more suited for older children (8+), as they require staying out in the cold for up to an hour.

For children aged 4 to 8, we recommend a shorter route (2–5 km) — lasting around 8 to 20 minutes — which can be combined with a reindeer farm visit for a full “animal adventure” day!

Note that for both of these tours, you will be driving your own sled team.

For children under 3 years old, we recommend either a very short ride (<2 km) or simply a visit to the husky kennel — where your child can meet the dogs without going for a ride.

Let’s be honest: snowmobiling is mostly designed for adults. That doesn’t mean the experience can’t be family-friendly — but you’ll need to choose your provider carefully to ensure a safe and enjoyable tour for children!

First, the extreme cold combined with the speed can quickly make the ride uncomfortable for very young kids. Children are usually seated in a sled pulled by the guide’s snowmobile (Note: if your child is taller than 140 cm, they can ride as a passenger behind an adult on the same snowmobile, as their feet will reach the footrests). That’s why it’s crucial to ensure the quality of the gear and the attention given by the guiding team to keep little ones warm and comfortable.

If you want to enjoy a snowmobile tour as a family, don’t choose a long tour (keep it to two hours maximum) and opt only for a private tour with experienced, attentive guides who can adapt to your family’s pace and needs. Avoid large group tours offered by big agencies — even if cheaper, they’re usually less flexible, less personal, and not child-friendly.

Finally, remember that children can’t move around during the ride to warm up — which is why we strongly discourage snowmobile tours for children under 3 years old, even on private circuits!

This is an experience you’ll hardly find outside the Arctic: visiting a hotel entirely made of ice and snow!
Beyond the impressive technical achievement — yes, the hotel is fully functional (you can even book a night’s stay or get married in its ice chapel) — the interiors are a true artistic expression. Each room is decorated with unique ice sculptures created by independent artists, while the common areas (restaurant, chapel, ice bar…) follow a different creative theme each year.

Visiting the ice hotel offers a double advantage: you won’t be exposed to extreme cold, as the temperature is kept at -5°C (23°F) inside; and, the tour is relatively short and easy to manage with children (recommended for ages 4+)

We recommend planning your visit in the late afternoon to fully enjoy the magical lighting effects. You can also join a guided tour of the Snowhotel from Rovaniemi: your guide will explain the construction process of this unique building and share insights about Finnish culture related to the hotel’s yearly theme. The tour is also available as a combo with a traditional Finnish sauna experience, perfect for warming up after your icy adventure!