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
Snowmobile Safari to Husky Kennel 1.12.-6.1., Rovaniemi
The thrills of snowmobiling and mushing in one adventure
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.
Visit of authentic reindeer farm in winter (with a reindeer ride if conditions permit)
Visit an authentic reindeer farm in Sierijärvi Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland. Enjoy also a reindeer ride.
Rovaniemi Private Yogaclass
Yoga Experience Balanced Mind and Body
Family Reindeer farm visit private
Private reindeer farm experience for children and adults
Family Snowmobile Safari
This snowmobile safari is specialised for families and is tailor made for parents with little children. Snowmobiling experience for adults and children alike.
Snowmobile Safari into the Arctic Circle Forest
Explore the Arctic Circle forest trails with your very own snowmobile and a knowledgeable guide, who will take you to the most beautiful spots for memorable photos.
Thrilling day with Siberian Husky and snowmobile safari (Small group)
Action-packed, small group adventure day with real Siberian Huskies, authentic Laplandic lunch and a thrilling snowmobile ride through the pristine, snowy Lapland forests in Rovaniemi!
Combo: Husky 1h, Reindeer short safaris, lunch
Combo: Husky 1h safari, Reindeer farm and short safari, lunch
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…
Snowmobile Driving
You will traverse snowy wild forests and feel the fun of driving modern snowmobiles. This is an experience of lifetime!
Northern Exposure
3 hour program with 1,5 hour self driven husky tour (travel distance approx 12 – 18 km). This is an adults-only tour with a maximum of only 10 participants.
Korouoma Canyon – Snowshoe Trip
Korouoma Canyon is a famous hiking destination year around. In the summer time you can admire natural rapids and in the winter time famous ice falls.
Private Ice Fishing Experience by the lake
Ice Fishing Experience – Feel the athmosphere of Lapland and enjoy the day with us while ice fishing in a private lakeside location.
Easy Snowmobile Safari 1h
Experience the authentic arctic of Rovaniemi like a local
Arctic Animals Combo Safari
It’s a Arctic Animals Adventure! Meet the magnificent Arctic Animals on our sweet combo adventure. Ride a reindeer sleigh and take a husky sleigh ride through winter landscapes.
Night Safari: Chasing Northern Lights with Reindeer (sleigh ride about 40-60 min)
Night safari with reindeer: let’s go through the mystical forests of Lapland and look for the Northern Lights
Animal Fun Day with Zoo, Husky & Reindeer Sleigh Ride
Observe more than 200 different species of Arctic animals, on your exciting day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park. Enjoy a traditional buffet for a lunch and experience husky and reindeer sleigh ride.
Snowmobile Safari to a Reindeer Farm
This snowmobile safari will give you a chance to ride your own snowmobile on the forest trails around Santa Claus Village area to a reindeer farm. After you enjoyed an exciting reindeer sleigh ride you will get back to snowmobiling!
Rovaniemi: Aurora Hunting and Photography Tour
Northern Lights Hunting Tour
Polarman’s camp ®, Rovaniemi
Catching the Northern lights
All Day Ski Expedition in the Arctic
Get ready for your first Arctic expedition on backcountry skis! With your guide, you will explore Lapland wild areas with skis, you will learn how to prepare your expedition sleigh and some other basic tips. Lunch around the fire is included.
Snowshoeing & Ice Fishing on a Forest Lake
Snowshoeing & Ice Fishing experience on a Forest Lake
6 km afternoon run, January-April
Husky tours at Korvala: 6 km sledding, including driving lesson, kennel tour, dog cuddles, photo ops, winter clothing, warm drinks & cookies. Max 9 participants. Starts at 14:00 on Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat. Price: €125/adult & €65/child.
Highlights of Rovaniemi Day Tour a
Adventure through the Arctic! Check out the view from the peak of the local fell. Ride on a sleigh in the local reindeer and husky farms. Meet Santa Claus in his village and get your Arctic adventurer certificate for crossing the Arctic Circle.
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.
Snowmobile Safari 2h (Adult), Rovaniemi
Discover Lapland’s unique snowy nature and the fun of snowmobiling
4 h electric snowmobile safari in Rovaniemi
Go and admire the snowy forests of Porovaara on an electric snowmobile! On a silent and peaceful electric snowmobile safari you will get closer to nature and forest animals.
Reindeer Farm Visit a real authentic experience
Experience the magic of Lapland’s local culture with our Authentic Reindeer Farm Visit Tour, including feeding, sledding, and cozy cabin time with hot drinks and cookies
Northern Lights Hunt Including Snacks on Campfire from Rovaniemi
Discover the magic of the Finnish wilderness on this 3-hour Northern Lights hunt from Rovaniemi. Travel deep into the Finnish…
Ranua Wildlife Park – photography tour
This photography tour takes us to Ranua wildlife park where we can meet more than 50 species of Arctic animals.
Authentic Reindeer Farm Visit – Rovaniemi – including Snowmobile ride and transport
AUTHENTIC REINDEER FARM VISIT NEAR ROVANIEMI
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.