Finland · SNOW
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 snow experiences worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Travel by minivan from Levi into the snowy wilderness for a 3.5-hour guided snowshoe walk. Your English-speaking photography guide, possibly Nicola, leads photo stops, teaches nature photography, and serves warm drinks with light barbecue snacks by a campfire.
“Esperienza bellissima. Nicola è stato una guida perfetta, gentile, simpatico, preparatissimo. Consigliatissimo.”
Join Safartica in Levi for a two-hour guided snowshoe walk through snowy forest. You’ll wear winter clothing, learn about Lapland’s flora and fauna, and pause for hot drinks and sweet snacks. Guide Matthijs has offered especially detailed nature explanations, though snow conditions and group size can affect the outing.
“C'était assez cool, mais le rapport qualité - prix est franchement mauvais. L'activité était assez ennuyeuse, il n'y avait pas grand chose à observer ni à faire... Mais c'était tout de même une chouette expérience.”
Meet Marko, Essi, or another English-speaking instructor at Kemi’s SnowCastle. You’ll be fitted with skis, boots, and poles, then learn diagonal stride and skating on the Sauvosaari tracks before touring forest paths, Mansikkanokka, and Laitakari.
“This was my first time in cross country skiing and after 2 hours I was already enjoying it a lot, with few help. The indications by Marco were really useful, and the balance of freedom and advices was perfect. I highly recommend!”
Meet your guide outside the Visit Levi office for a two-hour introduction to Finnish cross-country skiing. You’ll learn basic techniques, ski a prepared track, and pause for hot juice and a small snack. Equipment is included, with instruction in English or Finnish.
Meet your English-speaking guide, collect snowshoes and winter gear, then walk through the snowy woods near Apukka Resort. You’ll hear about Arctic plants, animals, and old Northern traditions before pausing for a hot drink. Pickup is available from Rovaniemi city center or Santa Claus Village.
“A különböző programok résztvevőit közös busszal vitték a belvárosi találkozóhelyről Apukkaba. A csoportokat utána itt osztották szét. Egy rövid útmutatás után indultunk a kb. 2,5 km-es sétára a fagyott távon és erdőben. A túravezetők nagyon tájékozottak és kedvesek voltak. Sokat magyaráztak a természetről, növényekről, állatokról és az ökoszisztémáról, amit nagyon hasznosnak találtunk. A túra számunkra egyáltalán nem volt megterhelő, én személy szerint inkább fáztam, mintsem kimelegedtem. Ízelítőnek azonban kiváló volt. Egyetlen negatívumként említhető, hogy először csak egy kis buszt küldtek, amire nem fért fel mindenki, így aki lemaradt még várnia kellett. Mi szerencsére felfértünk az első...”
From Rovaniemi, Joanne and Anni guide you into Lapland’s snowy backcountry on skin skis. Expect quiet forest trails, warm gear, hot drinks, sausages by an open fire, photography advice, and edited photos after the tour.
“It was fun trip. I had a great experience even I was the beginner in skiing. My holiday was so much interesting. Recommended!”
Learn Finnish backcountry skiing with an English-speaking photography guide, then head by minivan into quiet Lapland nature. You’ll use skin-based skis, stop for photos, cook a light snack over a fire, and receive a few edited pictures. The small group is limited to eight people.
“Mooie tocht gemaakt naar Pallas. Het skiën op zich is vrij makkelijk, vergelijkbaar met sneeuwschoen wandelen. Korte pauze met een worstje braden is leuk. Onze gids nam de moeite om naar Pallas te rijden, daar was het open weer en hadden we de prachtigste plaatjes in de natuur. Erg mooi”
Spend about three hours skiing through snowy Rovaniemi with a local guide. Beginners get an introductory lesson, then practice classic skiing, gentle slopes, and optional skate skiing. Guides such as Reetta, Rita, Tuija, Erik, and Lauri have led patient instruction, with photos, snacks, and hot drinks along the way.
“Our guide Tuija gave us beginners a great introduction to Nordic skiing. Highly recommend! The three hour tour is sufficient to get a good idea of the sport.”
Join Safartica for a 2.5-hour evening snowshoe outing from Saariselkä. Your English-speaking guide teaches snowshoe basics, leads you into the snowy forest, provides warm clothing and hot chocolate, and watches the sky for auroras. Guide Teemo has been praised for adapting the walk and pointing out animal tracks.
“It was an exciting experience. Unfortunately because of clouds we couldn't see the northern lights, nevertheless the tour was absolutely great.”
Join Arctic Timetravels for a two-hour beginner lesson on Saariselkä’s groomed trails. Your English-speaking guide teaches classic skiing, supplies boots, skis, and poles, and collects you from hotels or cottages within 15 kilometers. Guides such as Elena, Centi, and Mikke are praised for patient instruction.
“We loved the experience. Our guide, Centi was knowledgeable, friendly and very patient with my 6 year old. I can fully recommend this experience to families.”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Camp Kitchen & Bar in Pyhätunturi for a 2.5-hour outing on short, wide Altai skis. Tiina may lead with her dog, sharing Arctic nature, Lappish beliefs, cold-weather tips, and an easy route tailored to your group.
“Our guides were the best. They made the great experience even better by being fun, encouraging, and knowledgeable. I could tell they are passionate about nature and about the Lapland specifically. We learned a lot from their storytelling. We also learned some useful tips on how to deal with the cold weather.”
From central Rovaniemi, your guide takes you into the Arctic forest for a beginner-friendly snowshoe walk. Learn animal tracking and fire-making, then warm up with sausages, snacks, coffee, or tea beside a campfire. Winter clothing and snowshoes are supplied, with guides including Lola, Tyler, Ana, Belencita, and Maxime.
“Thanks to our tour guide Lola who was very friendly and professional, I had a wonderful and excellent experience in Lapland winter wonderland ! First snow-shoe hiking ! A very nice and fun group, too ! Everything was just perfect and I would definitely recommend this tour ! That was amazing.”
Join Terhi and Arto of AT Nature for a small-group snowshoe walk through ancient woods, lakes, and mires near Inari. Look for animal tracks, Siberian birds, and perhaps elk or mountain hare before warming up in a kota with hot drinks and local snacks.
“What a perfect start of our trip to Lapland! Terhi is a friendly, knowledgable guide. We really enjoyed the well organized activity with a lot of new information and knowledge about nature (plants, trees, vegetation and wildlife). We did the snowshoe walk at the first day of our trip. This helped us to see and understand a lot more about the nature/environment which we visited the days after the snowshoe walk. It once again created more awareness about the consequences of climate change as well.”
Join guide Kyle from Arctic Fox Expeditions for a 2.5-hour nighttime ski outing near Lake Norvajärvi. Learn to use simple skis and headlamps, cross a frozen lake, and warm up by a fire. Pickup from Rovaniemi can be arranged for an extra €10 per person.
“Kyle was a consummate professional from start to finish. He checked the forecast and offered to change me to a daytime tour since Northern Lights were unlikely (though I kept the nighttime tour). He picked me up and dropped me off at my accommodations and ensured I was aware ahead of time of any gear I needed to have (and what gear he would have). He was personable, accommodating and very patient (my first time trying cross-country skiing!). The scenery was incredible, and Kyle went out of his way to include certain touches to make the tour unique and ensure that I enjoyed myself. Definitely recommend!!”
Travel from Rovaniemi into snowy wilderness for a few quiet kilometres on deep-snow snowshoes. Your photographer guide provides gear, nature and camera tips, hot drinks, snacks, a campfire stop, and edited photos. Groups are limited to eight, with pickup available within 10 km.
“A very unique experience that allows you to see some of the stunning wintry landscape in Lapland. Our host was friendly, helpful and determined to get some beautiful pictures of everyone to take home.”
Pick a town, a machine, or a fire to sit beside.
