Winter Activities in Finland
Aurora hunting
The best times for viewing the Aurora Borealis are in the autumn and spring. The Northern Lights season in Finnish Lapland spans from mid-August until early April. Contrary to popular belief, the best times for spotting the auroras are at the beginning and end of the season.
Snow biking
Winter sports can take many forms. However, aside from riding fat bikes on snow, it is usually very different from mountain biking. Riding a regular mountain bike on snow surfaces (snow biking) is simply very difficult and exhausting on two wheels, and it is almost impossible to ride downhill. Unless you switch tires for skis, enter ski bikes!
Ice fishing
Ice fishing is winter fishing at its most traditional. On Finnish ice-fishing waters – in wide open mid-lake areas or bay heads – anglers can ideally experience such peace of nature and peace of mind that is difficult to find anywhere else in the world.
Snow shoeing
Snowshoeing is an easy winter activity and a fantastic way to enjoy the quietness and beauty of winter in Finland’s natural areas. A form of hiking, it allows you to discover a winter wonderland that would not be accessible on foot or skis. It is a great way to explore the snow-covered forests, swamps, and falls of the great outdoors of Finland. It even makes familiar hikes different. Swamps that are impassable in the summertime can be explored on snowshoes, and even a thick layer of snow is not a problem due to the shape of a snowshoe – it distributes your weight so that you won’t sink completely into the snow.
Skiing
Cross-country skiing is a popular and easy way to explore Finnish nature in the winter. Within a few minutes of skiing distances away from the hustle and bustle of towns and ski resorts, you may find yourself surrounded by breathtaking views and the vast silence of Finnish nature. There are thousands of kilometers of maintained skiing tracks within or near Finland’s National Parks, especially in Lapland - the land of round-top fells, lively ski resorts, and the cleanest air in the world. The length of a typical ski season varies by seasonal weather conditions and latitude – your chances to find a winter wonderland increase the further north you go.
Snowmobile
Snowmobiling is a popular hobby in Finland; it’s also perhaps the most traditional way of transportation in Lapland’s wilderness areas. The variety of snowmobile services ranges from short beginner rides to long-distance safaris lasting many hours. There is something for every skill level and taste. If you prefer less noise and more environmentally friendly options, Rovaniemi is one of the few places in the world where you can go on an electric snowmobile safari. That's a silent and emission-free way to discover nature.
Ice swimming
The combination of extremes such as hot and cold temperatures, saunas, and ice swimming is said to be extremely beneficial. But why, after the warmth of a sauna, should you go swimming in cold water? You will experience euphoria. It is not easy to explain in words; you just need to experience it. Ice swimming provides you with better resistance to cold weather, improves the immune system, helps you breathe and sleep better, and releases all the stress. Because of all these effects, many people even get addicted to ice swimming in Finland.
Husky safari
Everyone knows that dog mushing is one of the most popular modes of transportation in Lapland! Year round, you can meet husky dogs and try dog sledding in Rovaniemi; sled riding is also a lot of fun! The duration of a wintry dog sleigh ride varies from a few minutes to several hours, depending on your wishes and schedule. Take a husky tour, spend a relaxing husky therapy day, or learn about the life of a musher. In the summer, you can visit sled dog farms and get to know the life of a sled dog. You’ll find all services related to husky dogs below.
Rain dear safari
This reindeer sleigh ride takes you deep into the wilderness, where you'll learn about traditional reindeer husbandry from a real reindeer herder. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful scenery during a 4-kilometer reindeer sleigh ride! Coffee brewed over an open fire will be served, along with delicious homemade cookies.
Ice skating
Ice skating is a great way to enjoy nature and the wintry Lake Saimaa area. Ice skating can be done both outside and inside. When it gets cold, you can ice skate on the Lappeenranta town bay or the lake. Indoor ice skating is possible, for example, in the Lappeenranta ice hall.
Meet Santa clause
You can meet Santa Claus and cross the magical Arctic Circle 365 days a year at the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland. Santa spends his time year-round at Santa Claus Village taking care of his mission in life; to enhance the well-being of children and the kindness of grown-ups, as well as spread the message of love and goodwill and the Christmas Spirit across the globe.
Sauna
Sauna tradition is one of the most important parts of Finnish identity and cultural heritage. For us Finns, sitting in a 100-degree sauna is everyday business, but for a novice, it’s an exciting (and highly recommended!) experience. In this article, we explain what a Finnish sauna is like, what the dos and don’ts of a sauna are, and where you can find the best public saunas in Finland. Finnish sauna tradition The sauna has always been an important part of the Finnish way of life. Loved ones have been born, bathed, and even washed for their final journey in a sauna. As late as the 19th century, people in the remote areas of Finland were living in smokehouses, which resembled present-day smoke saunas, with the difference that a smokehouse was the whole home, not a separate building only for washing.
