Lapland offers a wide range of activities for visitors in every season. Some are more adventurous, like riding a snowmobile or ice climbing, while others are serene and relaxing, such as taking a reindeer sleigh ride or hiking through snow-laden forests. Whatever your style, Lapland truly has something for everyone. Below are 7 amazing winter activities that we personally tried—we hope they inspire your own snowy adventure!
What You'll Find In This Post:
1. Husky Sleigh Ride
How to Get There:
If you’re in Rovaniemi, most husky farms offer pickup from your accommodation. Raitola is just a 15-minute drive from Santa Claus Village.
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This was an absolute highlight and had to go at the top of the list — we absolutely loved it!
Huskies are magnificent animals: intelligent, friendly, surprisingly playful and remarkably strong animals, capable of running up to 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) per day. They undergo extensive training in autumn with their handlers and truly love to run.
During the safari, you actually get to ride and command your own sleigh and team of huskies. To be fair, though, they know the route by heart — the most you’ll really need to do is slow them down a bit if they get too eager.
Learning the basics is simple, and you’ll receive a full safety briefing before the ride.
For most safaris, you will share the sleigh with your partner and there is, usually midway through the ride, an opportunity to swap drivers.
If you are on your own, no worries, you still get to do it, but will have to pay a bit extra on top.
There are plenty of husky farms across Lapland. If you’re staying near Rovaniemi, you’ll find one right in Santa’s Village. Rides typically range from short 500 m–2 km testers to more immersive 10–20 km safaris.
We highly recommend opting for a 10 or 20 km tour — that’s about one to two hours on the sleigh, and we promise you’ll enjoy every second of it.
Some farms, like Raitola (close to Rovaniemi), offer combination tickets that include both husky and reindeer sleigh rides, often with lunch included. These combo deals offer great value. Their half-day experience includes lunch and was one of our trip highlights.
Husky rides tend to be on the more expensive end of the spectrum, starting at around €150 per person for a one-hour ride. Prices can vary depending on how far you are from major tourist hubs or whether you’re in a small group tour.
Even if you’re traveling on a budget, I really recommend splurging on this — it’s absolutely worth it.
2. Feed the Reindeer on a Reindeer Farm
How to Get There:
Most farms near the tourist hotspots are accessible by car or shuttle. If you’re staying in Rovaniemi, Raitola, again, is a great choice within a short drive of the city.
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With more reindeer than people, it’s no surprise that reindeer farms are easy to find in Lapland. The reindeer are semi-wild, meaning they roam freely through the forest in the summer and return to farms in winter, where farmers ensure they’re well-fed.
A visit to a reindeer farm usually includes a guided tour where you’ll learn fascinating facts — like how each farmer recognizes their own reindeer — and get the chance to feed them (a photo op favorite) and, of course, a sleigh ride.
Sleigh rides can vary in length—500 m to 5 km. We did a 500 m ride as part of our Raitola combo, and that felt sufficient.
It’s not as exciting as the husky ride, but the experience still comes with a fun surprise — a reindeer driving license valid worldwide!
Prices start around €120–130 per person and go up with longer rides or private tours.
3. Snowmobiling on a Frozen Lake
How to Get There:
Tours typically include pickup, or you can drive to the snowmobile safari base, often just outside cities. If staying in a resort, it will probably offer its own snowmobile safaris, so check with them!
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This was always high on my bucket list, and Lapland — with its official snowmobile road network connecting towns and landmarks — is the perfect place to try it.
⚠️ Note: You’ll need a valid driver’s license, and alcohol is a strict no-go—this is legally treated as DUI and police do random breath checks.
Driving a snowmobile is trickier than it looks, but you’ll get the hang of it quickly, especially if you’ve used an ATV before—the dashboard and controls will feel familiar. After a comprehensive safety briefing, you’ll set off through the Lappish wilderness.
Tours vary in length and cover diverse terrain: snowy forests, frozen lakes, and even old railway lines. Some tours include stops for activities like ice fishing or reindeer/ husky farm visits.
You can choose rides that last 1, 2, or 3 hours. We did the 2-hour version, which was wonderful, although I found it physically tiring by the end, so plan accordingly.
Prices start at around €140 for a 2-hour ride.
4. Go Hiking or Snowshoe Hiking
How to Get There:
Local hiking areas are accessible by car or taxi from Rovaniemi. Guided tours usually offer transportation.
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If your fitness allows it, hiking through the snowy forests of Lapland is an absolute must. There’s something magical about the silence — just the crunch of your boots in the snow as you walk among snow-covered trees.
Lapland is full of beautiful trails. Close to Rovaniemi, the Arctic Circle Hiking Area offers several marked routes of varying lengths and difficulties. For a more dramatic experience, consider a day trip to the Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls — slightly farther away but well worth the effort.
Unique Activity – Snowshoe Hiking
It requires some gear (snowshoes and poles), so it’s best done with a guide who can provide it.
Look for small-group tours like this one!
Guides usually bring snacks and warm berry juice to enjoy around an open fire somewhere along the route. Snowshoeing is easy to learn, and most tours are suitable for beginners. Just make sure there’s enough snow — if you’re visiting early in the season, check with the guide beforehand.
5. Cross-Country Skiing
How to Get There:
Taxi from Rovaniemi city center is the most reliable way (~€20). Ounasvaara is a short drive away.
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Another thing I always wanted to try — and there’s no better place than Lapland. The region boasts hundreds of kilometers of well-maintained trails.
In Rovaniemi, Ounasvaara is a great spot for cross-country skiing, though getting there without a car can be tricky. Public transport is limited, so a taxi (approx. €20 each way) is your best bet.
Though, there is a bus, which we took going there. But after skiing for over an hour, as complete beginners, we just didn’t feel like waiting forever.
Once there, you can rent equipment and hit the tracks if you already know how to ski.
If you’re a beginner, book a private lesson with gear rental available on-site.
Cross-country skiing is quite different from downhill — the skis are narrower and longer, and I found it surprisingly challenging to keep my balance, despite being an ok alpine skier.
If cross-country isn’t your thing, Ounasvaara also has downhill slopes and a snow adventure park, so there’s something for everyone.
6. Ice Skating in the Forest
How to Get There:
Best reached by taxi or car from Rovaniemi (~€20–25), unless you’re booking a tour with included transfer.
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This hidden gem was recommended by one of our hiking guides, and I’m so glad we discovered it. A 500 m forest ice-skating trail winds through the woods — the only one of its kind in Scandinavia!
At just €59 for a full day pass, it’s a bargain compared to most activities, and includes access to a traditional rink, sled hill, snow bowling, and more.
A snack and hot berry juice are included.
You can also upgrade to a private sauna + hot tub experience, which includes everything in the day ticket plus two hours of private wood fired sauna use. There’s only one sauna booking per day, so plan ahead.
They also offer a magical Aurora Skating experience: you’ll get a headlamp and skate through the forest at night. Northern Lights aren’t guaranteed, but the experience is still unforgettable.
7. Meet the Big Man Himself
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And finally — meet Santa Claus. Rovaniemi is his official hometown, after all.
Yes, it’s a bit of a tourist trap, but if you’re already here, why not?
Santa can be found in two places at once: at his official office in Santa Claus Village and at his city center office.
Meeting him is free, but be prepared for the elves to greet you with photo package offers after. Photos (digital or print) start at €35.
If you don’t have kids, it’s not essential — but still, it was fun exchanging a few words with the man in red.
Should You Book an Aurora Hunting Experience?
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are natural light displays caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with the Earth’s atmosphere.
They create glowing waves of green, pink, or purple that dance across the night sky — and while they’re breathtaking, they’re also unpredictable.
Seeing them depends on a mix of solar activity, clear skies, and minimal light pollution.
Aurora hunting by snowmobile is a popular experience, but it’s not without its risks.
First, there’s no guarantee you’ll see the Northern Lights, no matter what someone might tell you. Second, because it’s dark, you won’t enjoy the snowmobiling part as much.
If you’re staying in Rovaniemi, Arktikum Park is a great spot to see the aurora for free — no bookings needed.
Our advice: don’t book your tour in advance. Aurora predictions are only reliable a few days out. Booking weeks in advance is like shooting in the dark.
Thankfully, most operators accept same-day bookings, so you can stay flexible.
FAQ Lapland Experiences
What is the best time to visit Lapland for winter activities?
The ideal time is from mid-November to mid-March, when there’s plenty of snow and most winter safaris are running. December is popular for the Christmas season, but February and March offer longer daylight hours and more comfortable temperatures.
Can I see the Northern Lights in Lapland?
Yes! Lapland is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Your chances are highest between late September and early April, with the darkest months (December to February) being the best for visibility.
Do I need to book tours in advance?
For most activities like husky rides and snowmobiling, booking a few days ahead is enough. For Aurora tours, it’s best to book last-minute — check the weather and aurora forecasts 1–2 days ahead before committing.
What should I wear for winter activities in Lapland?
Dress in layers: thermal underwear, a fleece or wool mid-layer, and a waterproof/windproof outer layer. Most tour operators provide thermal overalls and boots, especially for husky rides, snowmobiling, and ice skating.
Are the tours suitable for children?
Yes, many tours (especially reindeer and husky safaris) are family-friendly. Check the age and height requirements — snowmobiling, for instance, usually requires a driver’s license and may not allow very young children to ride.
Is Lapland expensive?
Yes, it can be — activities like snowmobiling and husky rides start around €130–150. That said, there are free or budget-friendly options too, like hiking, Arktikum Park for aurora viewing, or visiting Santa Claus Village.
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