Are you looking for the best things to do in Rovaniemi in winter? Then read on for epic activities including husky dog sledding, chasing the northern lights, and more amazing things to do in winter in Rovaniemi.

If you’re looking for the PERFECT winter destination; look no further than Rovaniemi, Finland. And if chasing northern lights is on your bucket list, you need to add Rovaniemi to your travel plans asap! Winter in Rovaniemi is the best time to see the aurora, and it is an absolutely magical time for anyone who loves winter activities, Christmas-vibes, and snow as well. There are tons of amazing winter activities in Rovaniemi, including husky dog sledding, skiing, visiting a reindeer farm, and more. It is truly a winter wonderland and so worth traveling all the way to Lapland to experience it!

I spent a magical week in Finnish Lapland chasing the aurora, and it was one of my all-time favorite trips – I can’t recommend it enough! In this guide, I’m sharing the 12 best things to do in Rovaniemi in winter, and I’ll also tell you everything you need to know before visiting Rovaniemi, as well as tips for traveling in winter in Rovaniemi – so you can have the BEST bucket list trip here! Ready for winter fun?! Let’s go!

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No trip to Finland is complete without chasing the northern lights! You can try to find them on your own, but I’d recommend taking a northern lights chasing tour like this one, because the local guides track where the best places to see the aurora CURRENTLY are, watch the weather all the way down to the cloud coverage, and are able to pivot and take you to multiple places if you still can’t find them on the first try. They are THE aurora experts, and while the northern lights are a natural phenomenon that aren’t guaranteed, these tour guides are going to do their very best to make sure you do see them!

Going husky dog sledding in Rovaniemi should be at the top of your bucket list! There are many tours to choose from, but I would personally recommend a longer one where you get to self-drive (with your partner or a friend riding in the sled – don’t worry, you can switch halfway!) and go for a longer distance, so you actually get a chance to enjoy the scenery. This dog sled tour is about 6-10km long, and you’ll also get a chance to take photos, pet the dogs, and learn more about them. Tip: Finland has strict animal welfare laws, but best practice is to pick a kennel that is rated as ethical and sustainable.

If Christmas is your favorite holiday, then one of the absolute best things to do in Rovaniemi in winter is visiting the Santa Claus Village! It’s open year-round, so you don’t have to worry about coming at Christmas time to still be able to enjoy it. There are reindeer sleigh rides, of course a place to visit with Santa, shops, and more including Santa’s mailroom, where you can write a letter to Santa and see the letters from around the world. And if you come back at night, you can see it with all of the lights lit up!

Sauna is a HUGE part of Finnish culture, and purportedly, spending some time in the sauna followed by a cold plunge has incredible health benefits. If nothing else, it is quite a unique experience! I’d recommend a lakeside sauna & arctic bath experience like this one, so you get the best combination of cozy-hot sauna and a bracing arctic plunge right into Finnish waters.

For those who run cold – you can take an ice shot at the ice bar  instead of staying the night. Touring the Arctic Snow Hotel and taking ice shots of local spirits was hands-down one of my favorite experiences. There is even an ice restaurant too! It is absolutely worth a visit whether or not you stay at the hotel itself just to see the incredible sculptures and experience a bit of the ice hotel magic.

I did not realize how obsessed I would become with reindeer after visiting Rovaniemi – they are truly such wonderful animals! Visiting a local reindeer farm is a MUST, especially taking a tour that combines a reindeer farm visit with a reindeer-drawn sleigh ride. Many of the tours offer just short rides, so I’d recommend this exact tour I did  where you get to do a 2.5 km sleigh ride, see the whole herd of reindeer, and learn more about the Finnish culture and history of herding reindeer. Tip: most reindeer are semi-domesticated and thus semi-wild, so it’s likely you’ll only get a chance to pet and/or feed one of the older male reindeers that has been on the farm a longer time (versus the younger and female reindeer, especially as female reindeer are pregnant during winter).

For the snow bunnies out there, don’t miss out on your chance to snowboard or ski at the Ounasvaara Ski Resort! Not only is it a fun place to ski, but the views from the resort are just absolutely breathtaking. If you’ve never skied before, you can try out a 90-minute beginner session, and of course, they offer gear rentals so no need to take a ton of gear on a plane either. Here is the pricing page for lift tickets, lessons, and rentals.

Riisitunturi National Park is a magical place to visit in wintertime, and one of the most underrated things to do in Rovaniemi in winter! You can ski, hike, snowshoe, or just enjoy the wintery views. This amazing full-day tour will take you to the best nature, vantage points, frozen lakes, and more in Riisitunturi, perfect for hikers of any skill level. For any photographers out there as well – do not miss this stunning park!

Winter may be cold, but don’t be afraid to venture out in the wilderness outside of Rovaniemi to truly enjoy the beauty of this time of year! Going snowshoeing or cross country skiing in the wilderness is an incredible nature. The Finnish love getting out into the outdoors, and you’ll see why when you get a chance to explore it yourself. Plus, it’s a great way to escape the crowds if you’re visiting Rovaniemi during its peak winter season!

If you’ve never driven a snowmobile before, trying one out in Rovaniemi is a great first-time experience! And if you have driven one in the past, this is the perfect place to get out into the wilderness and have an incredible snowmobiling experience. I was definitely nervous to drive one at first, but ended up having SUCH a fun time – give it a try! You can often share one with a friend or partner, and switch halfway, and honestly I enjoyed both driving and riding. Get away from the crowds on this snowmobile adventure, complete with a cozy meal break by the fire!

Finland is a premiere destination for ice fishing, and it’s deeply steeped in Finnish cultural heritage. On this tour, you’ll get to enjoy breathtaking scenery while expert guides help you set up at the best locations and fish. Of course all the necessary equipment is provided and it’s well-suited to any skill level, so if this is your first time ice fishing, you’re all set!

An extremely underrated and unexpected adventure you have to try is ice floating in a semi-frozen lake – yep, you heard that right! You’ll be dressed up in special rescue floating suits made of light, waterproof material that will actually keep you super warm. Afterward, you’ll get a chance to enjoy some snacks, drinks, and warm up in a cozy cottage. It is a wild time and a ton of fun, don’t miss out on this experience!

• Book in advance: Finnish Lapland is both very remote and VERY popular; so make sure you book your Rovaniemi accommodations, tours, and car rental as EARLY AS POSSIBLE – everything WILL sell out as there are a limited number of places to stay and things to do!
• Winter road conditions: despite snowy winter conditions, many of the roads in and around Rovaniemi are regularly ploughed and are fairly manageable. Most of the rental cars are also equipped with snow tires, which made a HUGE difference. Just be sure to watch out for black ice – either while driving or walking. Roads further out from Rovaniemi are much snowier though – such as heading to a husky kennel, reindeer farm, or out to Riisitunturi National Park, so if you don’t have much winter driving experience, opt to have your tour guide pick you up, even if you have a car.
• Packing for winter in Rovaniemi: winter is decidedly cold, so make sure to pack layers and opt for wool clothing instead of cotton. Many of the tour experiences offered warm jumpsuits and some even had extra gear rental – so if you forget something, you can either buy it or rent it when you are there.
• Daylight hours in winter: depending on what time in winter you visit, you can get as little as 3-4 hours of daylight (December and January), or as many as 11 hours (in March), so just make sure to check the sunrise and sunset times and schedule your activities during daylight hours (unless it’s an aurora tour).
• Seeing the Northern Lights: seeing the aurora is never a guarantee; as it is a natural phenomenon. But to increase your odds, you need to look for: clear skies, a high KP index (which you can track with an app), dark skies (nighttime & near a new moon), and a strong geomagnetic storm (check SpaceWeatherLive).  
• Winter photography tips: check out my full winter photography guide here . For aurora specific shooting, you’ll want a tripod and either a newer model smartphone or a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a fast, wide angle lens (check out my full photo gear list here). Make sure to pack extra batteries, as the cold saps them quickly, and it’s smart to have a headlamp as well.  
• Currency & cards in Finland: Finland uses the Euro, like most of Europe, which usually hovers around a similar exchange rate in US dollars; but check the exchange rate before you go. Most places accept all major credit cards, and I actually didn’t use any cash during my entire trip! 
• Expenses in Finland: There’s also no hedging about it, a winter trip to Rovaniemi is quite expensive. You CAN do a budget trip if you plan well in advance and are savvy with budgeting your trip – I’d recommend cooking instead of eating out, renting a budget hotel or airbnb, and using free or cheaper transportation options.
• Language: Finnish is the official language, but most people speak English, as it is a heavily touristed area in Rovaniemi.

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi, Finland: The Best Aurora Hotels, Glass Igloos, & More

Winter Travel Tips: The MUST-KNOW Essentials for Fun & Safe Cold Weather Trips

How to Photograph the Northern Lights: Tips & Camera Settings for the Aurora Borealis