Snowshoeing tour with Wild Lunch

A forest walk, a frozen lake and a meal by a fire give this three-hour outing a welcome mix of activity and warmth. You leave Rovaniemi behind and head about 30 km into the woods, where snowshoes let you explore snowy ground that would be harder to cross on foot.

I like two things in particular: the small-group cap of 16, which gives the outing a more personal scale, and the chance to end the walk in a cozy teepee with a hot drink and a wild lunch. The meal has included buckwheat with reindeer meat, a distinctly local finish to a day outdoors.

The main consideration is clothing. Winter overalls are not included, so you will need to arrive dressed for cold weather. At $95.53 per person, the price makes most sense if you want transport, snowshoe gear and lunch combined, rather than a long or strenuous hike.

At a glance

• A forest 30 km from town: The tour trades Rovaniemi streets for a snowy forest and a frozen lake.
• Snowshoes and poles included: You do not need to bring your own equipment.
• A warm meal in a teepee: Expect a fire, a hot drink and a wild lunch, with buckwheat and reindeer meat described as part of the meal.
• Pickup from your apartment: Your guide arranges the pickup details the day before.
• Three hours, up to 16 people: A compact outing, with an 11:00 am start and a small maximum group size.

Leaving Rovaniemi for the forest

The day begins with pickup from your apartment in Rovaniemi. The tour provider contacts you the day before with instructions, so keep an eye out for that message and make sure you know where to meet. The drive to the forest takes you about 30 km beyond the city, a useful bit of distance if you want to get away from town without spending half the day in a vehicle.

Pickup is a practical advantage, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area or do not have a car. It also means the tour is more than a guided walk: transport out and back is built into the three-hour plan. The start time is 11:00 am, so you have a clear morning departure rather than a very early alarm.

The exact pickup timing and location instructions arrive the day before, rather than being fixed in the details here. Plan to be reachable and ready at the agreed place. Since the tour returns you to your apartment, you do not need to arrange a separate ride back into the city.

Getting used to snowshoes

Snowshoes and hiking poles are included, which makes this an approachable way to try walking on snow without buying or renting equipment yourself. Snowshoes spread your weight across a wider area, helping you travel over snowy ground. The poles offer extra balance, a welcome aid for anyone still finding their rhythm.

You do not need to arrive as an experienced snowshoer. One outing described the walk as a good first experience, and the guide provided explanations along the way. That points to a gentle introduction rather than a technical expedition, though the precise route and pace are not specified. If you have never used snowshoes, tell your guide at the start and ask for any pointers you need.

The walk takes place in a snowy forest, with a frozen lake also part of the scenery described. Those two settings give the outing variety: trees close around the route, while the lake opens up the view. The landscape can feel especially striking under its white winter cover, but conditions and visibility can change with the weather.

This is a nature outing, not a race to cover ground. The pleasure is in moving through a quiet winter setting and getting a closer look at the surroundings than you would from the road. You can expect to be outside for a meaningful portion of the tour, so dress for the conditions rather than relying on the activity’s three-hour length to keep you warm.

A frozen lake and quiet winter scenery

The forest and frozen lake are the tour’s main visual rewards. Snowshoeing gives you a way to explore the winter terrain at walking pace, instead of simply stopping for a quick photo beside the road. The lake adds a change of scene, with a broad, open surface contrasting with the wooded route.

A frozen lake is beautiful, but it is also a reminder that you are outdoors in winter. Follow your guide’s directions and stay with the group. No specific lake route or ice conditions are provided, so do not assume you will walk across the lake itself. The known appeal is seeing it as part of the snowy surroundings.

The tour is listed as suitable for most people, but that does not tell you exactly how difficult the walk is or what the trail conditions will be. If you have mobility concerns or are unsure about walking in snow, ask the provider before booking. The group is capped at 16, which keeps it from becoming a large excursion, though the actual group may be smaller.

Warming up in the teepee

After the walk, the group gathers around a fire in an authentic teepee for lunch. This is more than a quick snack stop: it gives you time to warm up and enjoy the forest setting before heading back to town. A hot drink is part of the experience, a simple comfort that counts for a lot after time outside in the cold.

The meal is described as a wild lunch. It has included buckwheat with reindeer meat, bringing a local ingredient into an otherwise straightforward outdoor meal. If you are curious about Lapland food, this is a useful chance to try something you might not order at a city restaurant. The information does not specify a full menu or offer dietary alternatives, so ask ToTheNorth in advance if you have allergies or food restrictions.

The teepee and fire also shape the pace of the trip. You are not simply snowshoeing out and turning straight around; there is a sheltered pause that makes the outing feel like a complete half-day plan. Still, the meal is part of an outdoor excursion, not a restaurant service. Keep expectations practical: the appeal is the setting, warmth and simple local food.

What the $95.53 price covers

At $95.53 per person, the price includes snowshoes and hiking poles, plus pickup and drop-off at your apartment. The outing also includes the forest walk and the teepee lunch experience described for the tour. That package can be good value if you would otherwise need to arrange transport and equipment separately.

The cost is less compelling if you already have snowshoes, do not need a transfer, or are mainly looking for a long hike. The full activity lasts about three hours, including the drive, walk and lunch stop, so expect a compact outing rather than a full day on the trail. The tour’s value rests on its convenience and its combination of scenery, equipment and food.

One cost to plan for is winter clothing. Overalls are not included, and the tour does not specify that other cold-weather gear is supplied. Bring clothing suitable for winter conditions and check with the operator if you are unsure what you need. A warm coat, gloves and footwear appropriate for snow are sensible things to confirm before you go, but the provider has not set out a full clothing list here.

The activity is offered in English. The guide leads the outing and provides explanations, but no guide names are available. If meeting a guide who speaks a particular language matters to you, English is the language stated for this tour.

Timing, group size and booking

The tour starts at 11:00 am and lasts about three hours. That leaves room in your day for another activity, but be realistic about the energy and time needed to get ready for a winter outing. Since pickup instructions come the day before, do not leave your phone or booking messages unchecked.

The maximum group size is 16. That is small enough to keep the walk from feeling like a crowd, while still allowing the provider to run a shared group outing. You will be with other people, so this is not a private tour unless separately arranged.

The average booking lead time is 102 days. That figure suggests it is wise to plan ahead, especially if you are travelling on fixed dates. It is an average, not a guarantee that the tour will sell out or that late booking is impossible. Check availability for your dates rather than treating the number as a deadline.

Weather matters: the experience can be canceled if conditions are poor. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of people; if that number is not reached, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. For a voluntary cancellation, you can get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and there is no refund.

Who will enjoy this outing

I would consider this tour if you want an easy-to-organize taste of Lapland’s winter outdoors, rather than a full-day trek. The included snowshoes and poles make trying the activity simpler, and the pickup removes the need to plan your own transport beyond Rovaniemi. The tea and meal in the teepee give the outing a pleasant finish.

It also suits a first-time snowshoer who is comfortable walking outdoors in cold weather. The walk has been described as a good first experience, with clear explanations and a friendly guide. That is encouraging, but the exact route, pace and physical demands are not specified. If you need a very gentle route or have specific access needs, ask before paying.

This may be a less natural fit if you want to spend most of the day on the trail, need winter clothing supplied, or have strict dietary requirements that have not been confirmed with the provider. It is also weather-dependent, so keep a little flexibility in your plans if possible.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a short, guided snowshoe outing with transport, a forest and lake setting, and a warm meal by a fire. The strongest reasons to go are the change of scenery outside Rovaniemi and the satisfying contrast between a snowy walk and lunch in a teepee.

Before confirming, check your winter clothing, ask about any dietary needs, and make sure the three-hour format matches what you want. If those details work for you, $95.53 buys a convenient introduction to snowshoeing and a memorable taste of the outdoors around Rovaniemi.

FAQ

How long is the snowshoeing tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 11:00 am.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered at your apartment in Rovaniemi. The provider sends pickup instructions the day before.

How far from Rovaniemi is the forest?

The forest is about 30 km outside Rovaniemi.

Are snowshoes and hiking poles provided?

Yes. Snowshoes and hiking poles are included.

Are winter overalls included?

No. Winter overalls are not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 16 people.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.