Lapland Arctic Circle: Husky ride, snowmobile & ice fishing

Summary

Lapland’s Arctic Circle day trip with huskies, snowmobiles and ice fishing

You’ll race through snowy forests on a husky sleigh ride, try snowmobiling across Lapland’s Arctic Circle, and warm up with ice fishing by a campfire lunch. With local guides helping every step (and plenty of laughter along the way), this day trip from Rovaniemi gives you moments you’ll remember long after your boots dry out.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sound — not silence, but this soft panting from the huskies waiting at the edge of the forest near Rovaniemi. Their breath came out in little clouds, and honestly, I was more nervous than I thought I’d be. Our guide, Sanni, handed me these huge gloves and grinned like she knew exactly what was coming. The dogs took off so fast my heart jumped; snow flew up behind us as we slid between trees that looked almost blue in the morning light. My son kept shouting “faster!” while I just tried to keep my hat on. There’s something about that cold air stinging your cheeks that makes you feel awake in a way coffee never does.

After the husky ride (which felt both longer and shorter than 5km — time gets weird out there), Sanni led us deeper into the woods for snowmobiling. She explained how to drive them safely — her English was good but she kept switching to Finnish when she got excited about something technical. I let my partner drive because honestly, steering those things is harder than it looks. The engine’s rumble mixed with the crunch of snow under us as we crossed these open white fields. At one point we stopped just so everyone could listen — absolute quiet except for a raven somewhere far off. It’s funny how loud your own breathing sounds when everything else goes still.

I didn’t expect to enjoy ice fishing as much as I did (I’m not really a fishing person). But sitting around a hole in the ice with hot blueberry juice warming my hands… it felt peaceful in a way I can’t quite explain. The kids roasted marshmallows over a campfire while Sanni showed us how to use the tiny rods — she laughed when my line got tangled immediately (“happens to everyone,” she said). Lunch was Lappish bread and salmon cooked right there; smoky and salty and somehow perfect after all that cold.

There were other families too — some from Spain, one couple from Germany who’d never seen snow before (they kept taking photos of their boots). Everyone bundled up in those big overalls they give you at pickup; nobody looked stylish but nobody cared either. By the end of the day my daughter had made friends with another kid just by trading marshmallows for stories about reindeer. We rode back tired and smelling faintly of smoke and dog fur, which sounds odd but actually felt right somehow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arctic Circle Adventure

• Husky sleigh ride
• Snowmobiling in forest
• Ice fishing

Top questions

How long is the husky sleigh ride on this Arctic Circle tour?

The husky sleigh ride covers approximately 5 kilometers through forest trails.

Is hotel pickup included for this Lapland day trip?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from Santa Claus Holiday Village Hotel or the tour office.

What food is provided during the tour?

The tour includes Lappish bread, salmon, marshmallows, and hot blueberry juice; vegetarian/vegan options are available if requested.

Can children participate in snowmobiling?

Children under 12 ride in a sledge pulled by a guide’s snowmobile; children above 4 can do children’s snowmobile laps.

Are winter clothes provided for participants?

Yes, overalls, boots, gloves, and helmets are provided for all guests.

Do I need any experience to join the ice fishing activity?

No experience is needed; guides provide equipment and instructions for ice fishing.

How many people are required for this tour to run?

A minimum of 2 people is required on weekdays/Saturdays; 4 on Sundays/public holidays.

What languages do guides speak on this tour?

The main guide speaks English; Dutch, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese are available on request.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or meeting point in Rovaniemi, all winter clothing like overalls and boots to keep you warm outside, a guided 5km husky sleigh ride through Lapland’s forests, about an hour of snowmobiling (with children riding safely in sledges), all equipment for ice fishing with help from local guides if you need it, plus a campfire lunch featuring Lappish bread, salmon or vegetarian options, marshmallows to roast and hot blueberry juice before heading back at the end of your Arctic adventure.