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 seasons; 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 nights start 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 warmer and sunnier snowy months, with a hint of spring. They are great for sunny winter activities and often March and the beginning of April are also a terrific time for Northern Lights viewing.
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 enthusiasts are as excited about the first snow as the visitors!
Usually, the first snow falls in November, sometimes as early as in October, sometimes only around December. Snowy winter months create a wonderful winter wonderland and enable a platform for fun winter activities and for an 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 disappear as the nature wakes up and gets ready for the 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 the 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
Day tour to Ranua Wildlife Park – Visit the Arctic Animals!
Enjoy a day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park to see Polar Bears, arctic foxes, lynx and 50 other arctic species as well as 200 animal varieties!
Winter Daytime ice floating
Do what you never thought you would be doing in your lifetime! Swim in an icy lake in the north of Finland in the middle of winter!
Santa´s Ice Karting 12.00
Ice driving fun with Go-karts!
Private 6 hour Snowmobile Adventure in Arctic Wilderness – Rovaniemi
Enjoy a private full-day snowmobile adventure through Lapland’s pristine wilderness with PolarMax.
2-Hour Snowmobile Safari
Join us on this unique 2-Hour Snowmobile Safari and feel the excitement of driving through the snowy forests in the Lappish wilderness.
Sauna and Ice Swimming – Comfort Level
Experience traditional Sauna and ice swimming in Ounas River close to Rovaniemi centre!
Visit the Reindeer Sleigh School
If you love animals, this is the must have tour to you. Visit our Reindeer Sleigh school, meet our lovely students, and learn about animal friendly training methods usable also with other animal species.
Private Wooden Heated Sauna and Ice Swimming
Experience a local winter tradition with a sauna session followed by a refreshing ice swim. Cleanse and strengthen your body, mind, and spirit on this exhilarating private tour in Rovaniemi.
Snowshoeing & Ice Fishing on a Forest Lake
Snowshoeing & Ice Fishing experience on a Forest Lake
Northern Lights Tour At The Campfire
Enjoy the peace and quiet of our private forest location to watch the northern lights. Includes an enclosed Teepee for roasting snacks over the campfire + our winter clothing.
Private Aurora Hunting Trip in Rovaniemi
Discover the best Northern Lights spots in Rovaniemi on a private adventure with an expert guide.
Vaattukikongas Hike : the forest trail
This is an all year round hike! A way to discover the lappish wilderness through it’s rivers and forests. Landscapes colours can change depending on the time of the year what make it magical
Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls Hike
Korouoma is a Finnish national park known in winter for its frozen waterfalls, and where ice climbers can be found.
Visiting package: Food by the Fire at Kota Restaurant
Great chance of seeing the northern lights in the evening! Visit also Arctic SnowHotel where everything is made of snow and ice
Traditional Lappish Evening in the Wilderness with Dinner
Experience the traditional Lappish firewood sauna next to a cozy cottage and take a dip in the private Arctic lake! Blow off some steam and enjoy a peaceful night in the authentic Finnish sauna. End the night with a tasty dinner cooked over an open fire.
Crossing the Arctic Circle by Electric Snowmobile, Rovaniemi
Enjoy the arctic nature with new silent and emission free electric snowmobile
Snowshoeing and Ice Fishing Tour
This must-do trip combines two great local activities – snowshoeing through the Taiga forest and ice fishing on a frozen lake. Those 4 hours of adventure will give you a great insight of Lapland nature and life in the Arctic!
SnowExperience365
Entrance to the SnowExperience365
Snowmobile Safari in the Heart of Nature 7.1.-12.4., Rovaniemi
Enter arctic nature on a snowmobile – try ice fishing and snowshoeing
Husky Farm visit and 1 hour self ride safari 12:00-14:30
Husky farm visit and 1 hour self ride safari!
Snowmobiling Quick Spin – 2 h snowmobile experience
Master the art of driving a snowmobile on 2 hour snowmobile safari
Snowshoe Fun
Experience the pure, silent nature by snowshoes!
Kota Dinner at Ounasvaara Chalets, with transfers, Rovaniemi
Traditional dinner in a traditional setting – enjoy an evening of Lappish food and culture
Riisitunturi National Park
Discover with us the beauty of Lapland with its snowy landscapes and take photos of this winter wonderland.
Photoshoot in Nature Location
The cleanest air in the world, thousands of lakes, and an endless amount of forest – these are the things Lappish nature is made from.
Ice karting ticket – speedy, fun and a winterlicious activity!
Join the exciting Ice Karting experience in Lapland Winter Park!
Husky Experience (3km), Rovaniemi
An introduction to dog sledding with your new furry friends
Mystery of Aurora Borealis, Rovaniemi
Hunt for the northern light takes you outside the Rovaniemi city lights
Ice Fishing Experience Tour & Barbeque – Small Group
Imagine yourself standing on a frozen lake accessed from our private lakefront property, far from tourists, with breathtaking scenery, crisp air tingling your skin, and the thrill of catching your own fish—followed by a cozy barbecue!
Private Korouoma Canyon Tour with picnic
Enjoy the nature sceneries of Korouoma canyon! Tour for Your group or family only, flexible timing.
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.