Rovaniemi: Amethyst mine visit with snowcat & campfire lunch

Summary

Digging for amethyst in Lapland’s winter silence, with hot blueberry juice by the fire

You’ll ride a snowcat up snowy Lampivaara hill from Rovaniemi with a small group and local guide, dig for your own amethyst using real tools at the mine, then warm up by an open fire with reindeer sandwiches and hot blueberry juice. It’s a day of simple moments—crisp air, laughter, maybe even Northern Lights—that you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

We clambered into the snowcat just outside Rovaniemi, boots squeaking on packed snow, and I remember my breath fogging up my scarf as we started up the hill toward Lampivaara. The engine was louder than I expected — kind of comforting, actually — and our guide, Sanni, kept pointing out animal tracks in the drifts. She told us that sometimes you can spot reindeer from here, but today it was just us and this weirdly peaceful blue light you get in Lapland midwinter. It’s not really day or night — more like a soft pause.

The amethyst mine sits right on top of the hill. Sanni handed out these chunky pickaxes (heavier than they look) and explained how the stones have been waiting under here for two billion years. I tried to picture that while chipping away at the frozen earth — honestly, I was mostly worried about smacking my fingers. Someone in our group found a purple shard almost right away; Sanni grinned and said it was “lucky.” My own piece took longer, but when I finally pried it out — cold, rough edges pressing into my palm — it felt weirdly personal. Like it had been waiting for me? Maybe that’s silly.

Afterwards we huddled around an open fire for lunch. The smell of woodsmoke stuck to my jacket for days (not complaining). They served reindeer sandwiches and hot blueberry juice — which is way better than it sounds, especially when your hands are half-frozen. There was a moment when nobody talked; just the crackle of fire and snow settling off tree branches somewhere behind us. I still think about that quiet sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Amethyst Mine Visit and Digging

• Introduction and mine story
• Snow-cat lift to hilltop
• Dig for your own amethyst
• Enjoy lunch by open fire

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for the amethyst mine visit from Rovaniemi?

Yes, hotel pickup is included—just be ready in your lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled time.

Can I keep any amethyst I find during the tour?

You can keep one amethyst you find that fits inside your closed fist.

What food is provided at the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine tour?

A campfire BBQ lunch is included: reindeer sandwich and hot blueberry juice (vegetarian/vegan options available if requested).

Is this wintertime amethyst mine tour suitable for children?

Yes, but children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult paying full price.

How do we get to the mine on top of the hill?

You’ll ride a snowcat up to the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine—if snow conditions allow.

Will there be a local guide during the visit?

Yes, a professional local guide leads the tour and shares stories about mining and Lapland culture.

Are special tools provided for digging amethysts?

Yes, all excavation tools are provided at the mine.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated on this tour?

If you advise specific dietary needs at booking, vegetarian or vegan alternatives are available.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Rovaniemi, transportation by snowcat up to Lampivaara hill (weather permitting), all excavation tools needed to dig for your own amethyst—which you can keep if it fits in your fist—a guided visit with stories from locals at the ancient mine site, plus a campfire BBQ lunch with reindeer sandwiches and hot blueberry juice before heading back down through snowy Lapland.