Snowshoeing and Ice Fishing Tour

The best part of this Rovaniemi outing is the change of pace. You leave town, walk through quiet snow, and spend time beside a frozen lake with a fishing line in the water. It is less about catching lunch than about trying two classic Lapland pastimes in one morning.

I like the small group limit of eight, which makes snowshoe instruction and ice drilling easier. I also like the simple camp meal: hot drinks, Finnish snacks, and sausages grilled over an open fire. The main drawback is patience. Snowshoeing may be fairly short, and ice fishing can feel slow, especially if the fish are not biting or the weather is rough.

Key points to know

• A two-part Lapland outing: Combine snowshoeing and ice fishing in about four hours.
• A frozen-lake setting: Learn to drill through the ice and try basic fishing techniques.
• Fire-side food: Warm up with hot drinks, Finnish snacks, and sausages grilled over an open fire.
• Winter gear included: Snowshoes, fishing equipment, boots, and professional winter clothing are provided.
• A quiet wilderness break: The tour leaves Rovaniemi for a peaceful forest and lake setting.
• Fish are not guaranteed: A decent-sized catch may be cooked, while undersized fish are returned quickly.

A quiet morning beyond Rovaniemi

This tour works because it keeps the plan simple. You meet at Wild About Lapland on Rovakatu 24, or arrange hotel pickup and drop-off if your accommodation is outside the city center. From there, you head away from Rovaniemi to a suitable snowy area.

The outing lasts about four hours. That gives you enough time to learn the basic skills, walk into the forest, fish for a while, and stop for food by the fire without turning the day into a full endurance test. The group can include no more than eight people, a useful size for a hands-on winter activity.

You receive professional winter clothing and boots, along with the snowshoes and ice-fishing equipment. That matters in Rovaniemi, where the cold can make a pleasant activity miserable if your clothing is not up to the job. You still need to dress sensibly underneath, especially with warm base layers, gloves, and something to cover your face.

The tour is conducted in English. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, although you should have enough stamina for walking in snow and standing outside for a period of time.

Learning to walk on snowshoes

Before entering the forest, your guide explains how to use the snowshoes. This short lesson is important. Snowshoes spread your weight over a larger area, but they do not stop you from sinking into soft snow. One review described sinking knee-deep at times even with snowshoes, while without them the snow would have been much harder to cross.

The trick is not to expect normal walking. You need a wider stance and a little patience while your feet adjust to the extra width. Falling can happen, particularly on uneven snow, and the experience is more playful than elegant. That is part of the appeal, but it is also why you should not expect a fast hike.

The exact route depends on the conditions and the place selected for the day. Some outings use a forest path, which can feel more active and interesting than simply walking over a frozen lake. Other departures may involve a shorter walk from the vehicle to the fishing area and back.

This is one point to clarify before booking if snowshoeing is your main reason for coming. The tour includes snowshoeing, but it is designed to reach the lake and support the ice-fishing stop. It is not presented as a long backcountry trek.

Still, the walk gives you a useful taste of Lapland outdoors. The quiet is the main attraction. Snow softens sound, and the forest provides a calm setting before the more stationary fishing portion begins.

Drilling through a frozen lake

Once you reach the lake, your guide helps you choose a fishing spot and shows you how to drill through the ice. This is a memorable part of the activity because you are not simply handed a rod beside an open hole. You take part in preparing the fishing place yourself.

The basic fishing method is explained, including how far to lower the line. After that, ice fishing becomes a test of patience. You wait, watch, and hope for movement below the ice. The experience has a slow rhythm, which can be relaxing in calm weather and frustrating in wind or falling snow.

You should set your expectations carefully. A fish is possible, but no catch is promised. The time available may not be long enough for the quiet, still conditions that can help. You may also spend much of the fishing period standing rather than sitting, so good winter clothing makes a real difference.

A useful tip is to stay as still and quiet as you can once your line is in the water. The instruction may focus on where to place the line, but patience and silence are also part of the method. If nothing bites, you have still tried a traditional winter activity in its proper setting.

If you catch a fish of a decent size, the guide can prepare it and cook it over the fire. Smaller fish are returned quickly and carefully to the lake. Do not book this as a guaranteed fishing lunch. Book it as a chance to fish, with fresh-cooked fish as a possible bonus.

Sausages, snacks, and a fire by the lake

While you fish, the guide prepares a fire on the shore. This is what gives the outing a social center. You are not left standing at the hole for four hours. At the fire, you can warm up with hot drinks, eat Finnish snacks, and grill sausages.

Some departures use a tipi-style shelter. A fire inside or near this kind of shelter can be especially welcome when the weather turns cold. One account described the sausages as a highlight, and that makes sense: food cooked outdoors tastes better after walking through snow and standing beside a frozen lake.

The fire also connects the outing to the survival-skills element. You learn about making a fire in the wilderness rather than simply stopping at a café. The emphasis is practical and hands-on, with the guide showing you how the fire is prepared.

Conditions can change the feel of this part of the tour. In pleasant weather, the fire stop can feel relaxed and sociable. In heavy wind or snow, you may spend more energy trying to stay warm. A face covering is useful in those conditions, and you should keep your gloves close even while handling food or fishing equipment.

Alcoholic drinks are not included. Lunch is also not listed as an inclusion, although the provided snacks, hot drinks, sausages, and any fish you catch give you something to eat during the outing.

What the four-hour schedule feels like

The day has three main phases: the transfer from Rovaniemi, the snowshoe walk, and the lake stop with fishing and food. The return walk takes you back to the vehicle or meeting area after the fishing session.

The snowshoe section may feel short to someone expecting a serious winter hike. Its purpose is to get you into the forest and across the snow to the lake, not to cover a large distance. If you prefer a forest route, ask what path is planned when you meet. A wooded trail can provide more challenge than walking directly across the lake.

The ice-fishing section takes more time but less physical effort. You drill the hole, lower the line, and wait. The contrast is useful: snowshoeing gets you moving, while fishing gives you a quiet pause.

Small groups help here. With up to eight people, the guide can assist with equipment and answer questions without the process becoming crowded. A very small departure can feel peaceful, although a group of two or four may feel more social than going alone.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. Pickup and drop-off are provided for accommodations outside the city center, while the listed start is Wild About Lapland on Rovakatu 24.

How much value do you get for $137.80?

At $137.80 per person, this is not a budget walk in the snow. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: equipment, winter clothing and boots, a professional guide, transportation for eligible hotel pickups, hot drinks, snacks, sausages, and both activities in one outing.

Booking two separate experiences could take more time and require you to arrange transport and winter gear. Here, the practical details are handled together. That is the main value.

The price is easier to justify if you want a guided introduction rather than a demanding outdoor challenge. You are paying for access to the setting, the equipment, the instruction, the fire stop, and the convenience of combining snowshoeing with ice fishing.

It is harder to justify if your only goal is to catch fish or walk for several hours. The fishing may produce nothing, and the snowshoe route may be short. If you want a long, athletic snowshoe excursion, look for a tour built around hiking rather than a combined activity.

The experience is booked about 70 days ahead on average, so winter dates can fill well before your visit. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. The operator may also cancel because of poor weather or because too few people have booked. In either case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to sample traditional Finnish winter activities without committing to a full-day expedition. It suits first-time visitors who want a guided introduction and families or mixed-ability groups looking for something active but not extreme.

It also works well for people who care more about the setting and the experience than the result. The lake, snow, fire, and warm food are the dependable parts. The fish is not.

You should have enough stamina for snowshoeing and outdoor waiting. The activity is accessible to most people, but you may sometimes sink into deep snow, fall, or find the cold uncomfortable. If you dislike standing still or need constant activity, the fishing portion may feel boring.

The outing can also be surprisingly personal in a small group. If Jana is your guide, expect patient instruction and a flexible approach to different abilities. The guide’s attitude matters here because the best moments often come between the formal activities: learning how to move, sharing the fire, and making the fishing wait feel less empty.

Practical details before you book

The meeting point is Wild About Lapland, Rovakatu 24, 96100 Rovaniemi. The activity ends back at the meeting point, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations outside the city center.

Bring warm layers even though professional clothing and boots are supplied. Gloves, a face covering, and clothing that can handle snow are sensible choices, especially if the forecast calls for wind or heavy snow.

The tour is offered in English and accepts mobile tickets. Confirmation is provided when you book. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

Keep your schedule flexible around the weather. This outing depends on suitable conditions, and the operator can offer a different date or a full refund if poor weather prevents the activity.

Should you book the snowshoeing and ice-fishing tour?

Book it if you want a calm, well-organized taste of Lapland life: a short snowshoe walk, a frozen lake, an ice-fishing hole, and sausages beside a fire. The combination saves time and removes the need to arrange clothing, equipment, and transport yourself.

Skip it if you want a long snowshoe trek, guaranteed fish, or a fast-moving adventure. Ice fishing is deliberately slow, and the catch is luck.

For most first-time visitors to Rovaniemi, the appeal is the whole morning rather than any single activity. You get outdoors, learn a few practical winter skills, and share simple food in a setting that feels far removed from town. At $137.80, it is a fair choice when convenience and atmosphere matter as much as action.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Wild About Lapland, Rovakatu 24, 96100 Rovaniemi, Finland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Is transportation included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations outside the city center.

Is winter equipment provided?

Yes. Snowshoeing and ice-fishing equipment, professional winter clothing, and boots are included.

Is food included?

Finnish snacks, hot drinks, and sausages for grilling over an open fire are included. Alcoholic drinks and lunch are not included.

Is a fish catch guaranteed?

No. The tour gives you the chance to ice fish, but a catch is not guaranteed.

What happens if I catch a fish?

If you catch a decent-sized fish, the guide can prepare and cook it over the fire. Undersized fish are returned to the lake.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of eight participants.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Less than 24 hours before the start time, the payment is not refunded.