Winter in Rovaniemi
Experience the snowy, crispy winter wonderland at the Arctic Circle, Lapland, Finland. Early winter brings the first breeze of cold air, shortening days and expectation of true winter days. By December, the darkness of the Polar Night has descended upon Rovaniemi, but the snow and Christmas lights brighten the surroundings with their merry glow. Beauty of the winter is unreal and worth experiencing it yourself.
Winter wonderland
Winter wonderland
Winter in Rovaniemi can be divided into 3 different kind of winter season; Early winter, Mid-winter and snowy spring.
Early winter is crispy and cold, days are getting shorter with daylight, Northern Lights appear and early-winter activities start.
Midwinter and Polar night starts in December. With only a few hours of daylight, a rather mysterious air of silence and peacefulness shrouds the natural surroundings. In the Official Hometown of Santa Claus December and Christmas is a special magical time.
The sun comes out in February and marks the start of the snowy, light-filled spring.
March and April are still snowy months, with a hint of spring vide. March and early April is often terrific time for Northern Lights viewing and sunny winter activities.
Snowish town half of the year
Snowish town half of the year
When do you get snow in Rovaniemi? This is one of the most common questions we get. We wish we could say for sure, but every year it is a surprise. The local winter enthusiastists are as excited about the first snow as the visitors!
Usually, the first snow falls in November, sometimes as early as in October, sometimes around December. Snowy winter months create a wonderful winter wonderland and enable a platform for fun winter activities and for unforgettable Rovaniemi holiday.
In some snowy years, there can be snow around 6 months of the year from late October until early May. Snow usually lasts until April, and in May the last traces of winter disapear as the nature wakes up and gets ready for arctic summer.
Magical Christmas time
Magical Christmas time
If you are a Christmas lover, you can combine the Christmas magic and snowy winter wonderland in Rovaniemi. The town is buzzing with visitors from around the world who have come to meet Rovaniemi’s most famous citizen, Santa Claus.
Polar night – shortest day of the year
Did you know? The shortest day of the year is December 21st or 22nd (varies annually). As Rovaniemi is located right on the Arctic Circle, on this day, the sun doesn’t rise at all in Rovaniemi. This is called Polar Night and it is an opposite phenomena to the Midnight Sun.
Information about the winter months
Northern Lights: Possible to appear
Snow: Possible to appear
Phenomenon: Northern lights
Average temperature: Between -10 to 5 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: In the beginning of the month around 7 hours, at the end of the month around 5 hours.
Northern Lights: Possible to appear
Snow: Most likely snowy
Phenomenon: Polar Night
Average temperature: Between -20 to -10 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 2,5 hours
Northern Lights: Possible to appear
Snow: Snowy
Phenomenon: Polar Night
Average temperature: Between -30 to -15 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 4 hours
Northern Lights: Possible to appear
Snow: Snowy
Phenomenon: Sun appears as the days get longer / snowy spring
Average temperature: Between -20 to -15 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 8 hours
Northern Lights: Possible to appear
Snow: Snowy
Phenomenon: Snowy Spring
Average temperature: Between -15 to -5 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 12 hours
Northern Lights: Possible to appear until around mid April. It becomes more difficult as the evenings and nights get lighter and brighter.
Snow: Most likely snowy
Phenomenon: Increasing light
Average temperature: Between 5 to 10 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 15 hours
Explore winter
Polar Night
Experience the Polar Night, celebration of mysterious lights on glittering snowdrifts.
Snow And Ice
For many, Lapland is synonymous with snow. In Rovaniemi, there’s white stuff on the ground for approximately six months of the year. Find out more here!
6 ways to experience frozen waters in Rovaniemi
Northern Lights in Rovaniemi Lapland
Northern Lights Tours
6 Wintery surfaces in Lapland
10 Romantic Winter Tips
5 Snow and ice buildings in Rovaniemi
Winter activities
Magic of the Forest and Log Sauna Winter, 4 hours (Private Tour)
Feel the healing effects of the forest, herbs and log sauna of Fox Cottage with herbal bath for feet or treatment for hands. After the sauna we’ll serve you traditional Finnish dinner.
Private Unlimited Northern Lights Guarantee Tour with Photographer & Unlimited Mileage/Time – Private Tour
Unlike conventional tours that limit their guests to a single location, we take you on an exhilarating chase to follow the northern lights wherever they may appear
Snowshoe Walk to the Arctic Nature
Do you want to feel, see and breath the unspoiled nature and its fresh air? This snowshoeing trip is for you! – Tue, Thu, Sat at 12:00
Visiting package: Sauna, jacuzzi and dinner at Kota Restaurant (autumn)
Great chance of seeing the northern lights in the evening! Try also Finnish sauna with outdoor jacuzzi
Northern Lights Hunting (Photography) Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
Northern Lights Hunting is your best chance to find the aurora borealis ! (Photography)
Authentic Reindeer Farm Visit – Rovaniemi – including Snowmobile ride and transport
AUTHENTIC REINDEER FARM VISIT NEAR ROVANIEMI
Aurora ice floating
Dip yourself into frozen lake under the Auroras and let your mind and body float wearing rescue suit that covers your whole body and keeps you dry.
Trip to Ranua Wildlife Park
This guided trip to the famous Ranua Wildlife Park will give you great insight and the opportunity to see and learn about all the Arctic animals, from Polar bears and Arctic foxes to wild boars and otters.
Arctic Snowshoeing Day
Join the tour to try an authentic way to go through powdery fresh snow. The snowshoes are the best for hiking on rolling to steep hills.
Lappish Lunch Break – Snowmobiling, ice fishing and tasty food
Today we do what the locals do on their day offs: snowmobile to a frozen lake for ice-fishing!
Private 6h Snowmobile Adventure in Arctic Wilderness – North Rovaniemi
Enjoy a private full-day snowmobile adventure through Lapland’s pristine wilderness with PolarMax.
Lakeside Aurora’s Paparazzi Photography
No one’s going to believe that you saw the elusive Ms. Aurora Borealis, so why not going on this trip…
Private | 10 km Husky Tour For Families
This is a lovely experience for families with small children. You will get to see local lifestyle, meet our lovely huskies, drive your own husky sled and enjoy relaxing with your family and friends.
Backcountry skiing adventure
Would you like to try the most popular sport in Finland? Do you love combining fun and fitness with nature photography and adventure?
Northern Lights Tour Sleigh Ride
Explore Lapland’s beauty on a heated snowmobile sleigh ride to a remote forest. Enjoy a cozy teepee campfire with snacks, hot blueberry juice, and, if lucky, the Northern Lights.
Reindeer Safari Tour & 2.5 km Sled Ride (Reindeer Driving License)
Feel the rush of icy winds as you glide effortlessly across the pristine Lapland landscape on a traditional reindeer sled
Northern Lights Snowmobile Driving Safari
Experience the wilderness by driving a snowmobile and hunting the Northern Lights.
Ice Fishing with Snowmobiles
Going to the ice fishing with snowmobiles is a refreshing way to spend the winter day like a local. Enjoy local snacks and warm drinks by the campfire.
Private Aurora Borealis Hunting for 1-6 group
Private tour to hunt for Northern Lights by minivan for group 1-6 persons. Price is for all group in hour (125€/h), not person.
Luxury Log Sauna and Finnish Dinner, 3 hours (Private Tour)
Experience the gentle heat of a log sauna and its invigorating health effects only with your own family or friends. After the sauna we’ll serve traditional Finnish home made dinner.
Combo: reindeer safari & ice fishing experience
Join us and experience our daily life! Combine a reindeer safari with in Lapland’s beautiful nature with an unforgettable ice fishing experience in Sierijärvi Lake.
Aurora Pass : Unlimited Northern Lights Hunting Pass
We know nature is unpredictable so we offer you 3 or 5-day pass to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Our guides will show you where can you see the northern lights from and help you with capturing them on camera.
Shaman Village Aurora Ticket
Shaman Village Aurora Ticket – Experience the Spirit of Lapland
Private Sleigh Ride with Finnhorse
Sleigh Ride with Finnhorses
Husky Park Visit with Jenga (500 m) Husky ride
An experience in a husky sled! After the tour you will visit the kennel with charming, purebred Siberian Huskies.
Half-day Snowmobile Safari with Lunch
Enjoy the thrill of the snowmobiling across the frozen forests and swamplands to the Arctic Circle Wilderness Lodge – nestled by the river of Raudanjoki, where you will enjoy a lunch by the wilderness restaurant.
Ice Climbing Day in Korouoma Canyon – from Rovaniemi
Unforgettable day trip to the Korouoma Canyon & Nature Reserve in Posio, where the mightiest ice falls in Finland are located.
3-hour wilderness experience in Rovaniemi
A beautiful reindeer sleigh ride experience in the forest.
The Happy Trail Tour
2,5 hour family friendly program with 45 minute self driven husky tour (travel distance approx 6-10 km)
5km Husky Sleigh Ride not self driven
Embark on an exhilarating 5km husky sled ride as a passenger, surrounded by the stunning Lapland scenery
Deep Snow Powder Driving
Like it out of trails? Our new deep snow driving safari brings you far to the wilderness where drive partly on untouched powder snow and explore new tracks and spots every day.
Dinner at Snow restaurant in Snowman World
Dine in a restaurant surrounded by snow and ice sculptures!
Fall in love with the Rovaniemi phenomena
Autumn Colours
When bright arctic summer ends and nature is preparing for winter at the Arctic Circle, we are enchanted by the changing colors of the season. In Rovaniemi this amazing nature’s display is at its best in September when trees and ground is covered with spectacular colours. Get your cameras out and head to nature!
Midnight Sun
The Midnight Sun, the nightless night or polar day – can be seen only here in Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle or above. From early June until early July, and nights are white throughout the summer. See more here.
Northern Lights
Experience the magic of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in Rovaniemi. Find out viewing spots, times and more here.
Polar Night
Experience the Polar Night, celebration of mysterious lights on glittering snowdrifts.
Snow And Ice
For many, Lapland is synonymous with snow. In Rovaniemi, there’s white stuff on the ground for approximately six months of the year. Find out more here!
Explore the Arctic Seasons
Early winter
Christmas time in Rovaniemi
Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi
Spring
Rovaniemi is the city of the Midnight Sun, surrounded by Arctic nature, where Lappish culture and a wide range of activities meet!
Summer
Rovaniemi is the city of the Midnight Sun, surrounded by Arctic nature, where Lappish culture and a wide range of activities meet!
Northern Lights Season
Seasons when Northern Lights appear Read more about Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi
Autumn
There is something so magical in nights spent under the Auroras in Glass Cabins and Igloos or waking up from a unique accommodation to a first snowfall.