Rovaniemi: Ice Floating in Forest Lake with Aurora Borealis

The strange pleasure here is letting a cold Lapland lake hold you while you float beneath the night sky, sealed inside an insulated suit. If the Northern Lights appear, you may see them from the water; if not, the quiet, weightless float is still an unusual way to spend a winter evening.

I like two things in particular: the suit makes a cold-weather activity possible without requiring you to swim in ordinary winter clothes, and hotel pickup keeps the outing simple when you may not know your way around Rovaniemi. Guides such as Theo, Maria, Lia, Nikki and Victor have helped with safety, local stories and photos, though your guide will vary.

The main drawback is that auroras are never guaranteed. Suits can also let in some water, and hands and feet may get cold if you stay in the lake for a while, so warm layers matter even when the suit looks reassuringly substantial.

The details worth knowing

• A lake float, not an aurora guarantee: The Northern Lights depend on weather and solar activity. The floating itself remains the core activity.
• A full-body survival suit: You wear your own clothes underneath. The suit is designed to keep you warm and dry, but a little leakage is possible.
• A 2.5-hour outing: That total includes pickup and the lake activity, not 2.5 hours in the water.
• A guide who stays involved: Your English-speaking guide oversees the experience and may help take photos.
• Hot drinks and gingerbread afterward: A small, welcome finish after time outside in the cold.
• A minimum height applies: You must be at least 130 cm tall to fit the suit.

From Rovaniemi to the lake

The outing begins with pickup at your hotel or accommodation in central Rovaniemi, within 10 km by road. Be in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup. That detail matters in winter: you avoid arranging your own ride out of town and can start the evening without hunting for a meeting point.

The drive takes you away from the city to a lake in the Lapland woods. The exact lake and road time are not specified, so don’t plan around a particular view or assume a long journey. The point is to reach a quieter place for the float, rather than spend the evening in central Rovaniemi.

Your guide speaks English and stays with the group throughout the activity. Guides who have led these trips include Theo, Maria, Giselle, Nikki, Lia and Victor, among others. Names change, of course, but the guide’s role is practical as well as social: explain what to do, help you feel safe and, if the sky cooperates, assist with photographs.

The tour needs at least two people to run. On Sundays, the minimum is four. If the group is too small, the activity may be cancelled or rescheduled, so keep that in mind if you are building a tight evening schedule around it.

Getting into the floating suit

At the lake, you put on the supplied survival suit over your clothes. You are fully dressed underneath, not wearing a swimsuit, and the suit is the key to the experience. It lets you float in cold water without being exposed to it in the usual way. The suits are intended to keep you warm and dry, but don’t treat them as a promise that not a drop can get in.

A few people have found their suit slightly wet inside, and hands and feet can feel cold during a longer spell in the water. Wear warm thermal layers, thick socks and gloves beneath it. A dry top to change into afterward is a sensible extra if you have room in your bag. If you have long hair, tie it back before dressing; it is easier than trying to manage it once you are zipped into the suit.

Sizing is more important than it may sound. The minimum height is 130 cm, and the suit may not fit everyone comfortably. If you have concerns about sizing, contact the operator before booking rather than waiting until you arrive at the lake. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

The float: calm, odd and surprisingly relaxing

Once suited up, you enter the lake and float. The suit supports you on the water, so this is not a conventional swim or a test of cold-water endurance. You can let yourself drift and take in the dark sky. Some people find the first moments unfamiliar or a little unnerving; once settled, the experience can feel peaceful and almost weightless.

The full activity lasts 2.5 hours, but that does not mean you spend all that time in the water. The exact length of the float is not stated. You should expect the cold to register most in your hands and feet, especially if you stay afloat for a long time, so use the warmest practical layers you can fit beneath the suit.

Conditions on the lake can vary. One outing has taken place before the lake had frozen over, so don’t assume the surface will look like a solid, snow-covered sheet of ice. The activity is about floating in icy winter water, not walking across a frozen lake. That distinction is worth knowing if you are imagining a particular postcard scene.

The lake’s quiet is part of the appeal. You are not chasing the aurora by vehicle or standing in a crowd with a camera pointed skyward. Instead, you are floating in a very different setting, with your guide nearby. Group size and how busy the water feels can affect how solitary the moment seems, so this is not the best choice if complete privacy is essential.

Hoping for the Northern Lights

The aurora is the alluring extra, but it is not something the operator can promise. The lights depend on solar activity and weather, including whether clouds cover the sky. You might get a clear night and a strong display, a brief glimpse between clouds, or no aurora at all.

That uncertainty should shape how you judge the price. Book this for the unusual lake float first, and treat the Northern Lights as a possible bonus. If seeing the aurora is your only reason for going, you may come away disappointed through no fault of the guide or operator. A cloudy evening can still deliver the central activity, but it cannot deliver a view of lights hidden behind clouds.

When the sky is clear, floating beneath it gives the aurora a memorable setting. Guides can help take photos, which is useful when you are wearing a bulky suit and would rather not spend the whole outing handling a phone. Don’t count on a particular photo, duration or intensity of aurora; the sky decides those things.

The practical choice is to keep your expectations loose. If you have several nights in Rovaniemi, this can be one distinctive evening among other chances to watch the sky. If this is your only night, know that you are taking a gamble on the lights, even though the float itself does not depend on them.

Warming up after the water

After the float, you warm up with hot drinks and gingerbread. It is a modest finish, not a meal, but it makes sense after time in cold air and water. Bring your own dry layer if you are concerned about getting damp inside the suit, as some leakage is possible.

The small comforts matter here. A hot drink gives the outing a gentle landing, and the guide remains part of the experience rather than simply dropping you at the lake and leaving you to work things out. Several guides have also helped with pictures, and some have shared information about Finnish and Lapland culture along the way. The exact conversation depends on your guide and group.

Hotel drop-off is included for accommodation within 10 km by road. That makes the outing easier to fit into a winter evening, particularly if you are staying in central Rovaniemi and don’t have a rental car.

Is $142 a fair price?

At $142 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price includes transport from and back to eligible accommodation, an English-speaking guide, the floating suit, hot drinks and gingerbread. You are paying for a guided outing and the specialist equipment, as well as access to a less ordinary way of spending time on a Lapland lake.

The value depends on what you want from the evening. If you are curious about the float itself and like the idea of being outdoors in a survival suit, the activity offers something you cannot reproduce with a standard aurora viewpoint. If your main goal is the Northern Lights, the price is harder to justify because the sky may stay cloudy and the lights may not appear.

I would also weigh the height rule and the possibility of suit leakage before paying. You need to be at least 130 cm tall, and anyone who dislikes cold, wet conditions may not find the novelty worth the discomfort. On the other hand, you do not need swimming skills mentioned as a requirement, and the guide accompanies the group during the activity.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the outing and the option to reserve without paying immediately offer useful flexibility. Still, check the date and group minimum, especially for Sunday departures, when at least four people are required.

Who should book this outing?

This suits you if you want a distinctly Lapland activity, enjoy trying something unusual, and can appreciate the float even if the aurora does not appear. It also works well for couples or friends who want a shared evening that is more active than simply waiting outdoors for the sky to change.

It is less suitable if you are booking solely for a guaranteed Northern Lights sighting, need wheelchair access, are under 130 cm, or are uncomfortable with the possibility of getting a little wet or cold. Families should note that children aged 11 and under must be accompanied by adults paying the full price.

My advice: book it for the floating, the guide and the chance to see the sky from the lake. Let the aurora be the bonus. If that sounds like a good evening even under a cloudy sky, the price is easier to accept.

FAQ

How long is the activity?

The outing lasts 2.5 hours. That is the total activity time, not a stated duration for the float itself.

What is the price?

The listed price is $142 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels or accommodation within 10 km by road. Be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live guide speaks English.

Will I definitely see the Northern Lights?

No. The Northern Lights depend on weather and solar activity, so a sighting cannot be guaranteed.

What should I wear under the floating suit?

You wear your own clothes under the suit. Warm thermal layers, thick socks and gloves are sensible because hands and feet can get cold, and a suit may let in some water.

Is there a minimum height?

Yes. You must be at least 130 cm tall to fit the floating suit. Contact the operator before booking if you have concerns about sizing.

How many people are needed for the tour to run?

At least two people are required. On Sundays, at least four people are required. The activity may be cancelled or rescheduled if the minimum group size is not met.

Can children join, and is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Children aged 11 and under must be accompanied by adults paying the full price. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.