8 Safety Instructions for Winter Travellers

Lapland Rescue Department has created safety instructions for everyone visiting Lapland during winter. You can find tips and practical information from the links below and from this video.

We wish you a safe holiday in Lapland!

The weather is cold and crisp in Rovaniemi! Keep yourself warm during these frosty days by wearing layers of winter clothing:

• Middle Layer: This can be fleece, another woollen layer, or any other warm set of clothes.

• Extra clothing: If it is very cold, bring or wear an additional thick jacket, extra mittens, or a scarf. You can use this layer during tours or activities, especially when you stay still for longer periods.

• For shoes wear warm winter boots with woollen socks. Always have some room to wiggle your toes inside your footwear. Choose shoes with good traction or use separate ice cleats.

Ice on the rivers and waterways in Rovaniemi is currently thin and unsafe. It cannot support safe movement. The city of Rovaniemi follows general ice safety guidelines, which say that snowmobiling on river ice requires at least 20–25 cm of ice, preferably strong black ice.

The Ounasjoki and Kemijoki Rivers freeze differently because the water levels change, which affects how strong the ice is. The measurement of the ice is checked regularly, and it will be informed by the city of Rovaniemi, when the ice is safe for snowmobiling and activity services.

Residents and service providers are asked to follow official updates and avoid going onto weak ice.

This has been updated on 3rd of December.

Stay safe on your holiday and read our Q&A about ice.

Find ice activities in Lapland:

• Ice-cool adventures
• Icebreaker cruise and swimming in icy Arctic waters
• Rovaniemi snow and ice

In case of emergency or sickness, contact local heath care services.

For less severe symptoms—health problems that do not require emergency treatment, such as common colds and their complications, prolonged back pain, or diarrhea—all travellers are advised to turn to private healthcare centres in Rovaniemi:

• Terveystalo located at the Revontuli Shopping Center, walk-in emergency clinic for injuries, phone: +358 900 30 000
• Mehiläinen at Lampelankatu 6, walk-in emergency clinic for injuries, phone: +358 10 414 00
• Pihlajalinna located at the Revontuli Shopping Center, phone: +358 10 312 010

The Emergency Room (ER) at Lapland Central Hospital handles medical emergencies—illnesses and accidents requiring IMMEDIATE assistance—24/7.

In healthcare emergencies, call 116 117 (without country code) before going to the ER.

Only in cases of a life-threatening emergency, call 112!

A printable version of health care information for travellers is available below.

• If your car breaks down or you drive off the road, call a towing service. The emergency number 112 is only for real emergencies.

On 23rd and 30th of December

What to expect:

• Learn the essentials of safe winter driving: braking, cornering, and handling slippery roads.
• Tips for staying calm and confident behind the wheel in snow and ice.
• A lighthearted approach – because even on holiday, safety matters!

Rovaniemi city centre has quite a lot of traffic, cars, buses and other vehicles. Everyone should follow the common traffic rules.

• Only walk on pedestrian streets.
• Walking on ski tracks is prohibited and dangerous for both you and the skiers.
• Do not cross the street dangerously, as cars cannot brake quickly on icy roads. Following the traffic rules is important for your own safety.
• Do not cross the street with a sled, as cars will be unable to see you!
• Use reflective clothing or separate reflectors that you can attach to your clothing for visibility in the dark. This is a popular Finnish way to stay safe!
• Walk safely on icy surfaces: wear footwear that has good traction or use ice cleats. Take shorter steps at a slower pace. Don’t rush!

Everyone loves sledding, from travellers to locals! However, it is very important to find the right places for sledding, as sliding onto thin ice or into traffic can be life threatening. Here are a few TIPS for a safer and more fun holiday!

• Don’t pull the sled on the road. Cars won’t be able to see you!
• Find dedicated places for sledding (for example Rovaniemi Old Market Square “Vanha Tori”)
• Don’t go sledding in places with traffic. Cars won’t be able to see you!
• Don’t go sledding on ski tracks. Skiers are fast and may not be able to see you.
• Have fun while staying safe!

In big crowds or busy events, be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables safe. Your phone stays warmer (and safer!) in the inside pocket of your jacket. Typical lost and found items delivered to the police include mobile phones, keys, purses, valuables, and official documents such as passports and ID cards. If you have lost any of these items, you can contact the Rovaniemi Police Department. You can learn more about lost and found items on the Police’s Lost Property website. If you lose something else, contact:

• Lapland’s Lost and Found: +358 600 301430
• Finland’s Lost and Found: +358 600 41006

• Other Police matters: see the contact details of Lapland Police Departments and Stations here.