Rovaniemi: Horse Sleigh Ride under the Night Sky

A horse-drawn sleigh carries you along Apukka Resort’s snowy forest trails as the Arctic night settles in. The ride is short in distance, about 3 km, but it gives you time to slow down, listen to the horses and look up at a sky that may bring stars or, if conditions allow, the Northern Lights.

I like two parts of this outing especially: the chance to learn about Finn Horses from your guide, and the simple warmth of a bonfire, hot drink and grilled sausage after the ride. Those details make this more than a quick aurora hunt.

One thing to keep in mind: the Northern Lights are not guaranteed. You may see a strong display, a faint glow, or no aurora at all. The cold is part of the setting, too, so bring warm layers even though thermal clothing is provided.

Key points before you book

• The sleigh route covers about 3 km on snowy trails at Apukka Resort.
• The full outing lasts three hours, including transfers if needed, the ride and time around the bonfire.
• Each sleigh holds about six to eight people, with guides assigning seats to balance weight.
• A bonfire stop brings hot drinks and sausages, plus stories about the aurora and Finnish horses.
• Winter clothing is included, but you should still dress for the weather.
• Aurora sightings depend on conditions, so book for the sleigh ride and Arctic night, not a guaranteed light show.

A quiet ride through Apukka’s winter woods

This is a slower, more sheltered way to spend an Arctic evening than standing outdoors in one spot waiting for the sky to change. You sit in a horse-drawn sleigh, wrapped in blankets, while a professional guide takes you along trails made for winter rides at Apukka Resort.

The route covers 3 km. That is not a long-distance trek, and the appeal is not speed or strenuous activity. It is the calm pace, the snow around you and the contrast between the dark forest and the open sky. You can watch the horses move along the trail and take in the early winter scenery as it passes.

The outing is listed as three hours in total. The horse-drawn portion is also described as a 2.5-hour activity in the schedule, so the precise timing of the ride may depend on how the provider structures the evening. Check your confirmed schedule before you go, and plan for the whole three-hour block rather than assuming the sleigh ride itself lasts only a few minutes.

There is a short walk to reach the horses. That is worth knowing if you have mobility concerns or are bringing young children who tire easily. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

What the bonfire adds to the evening

After the sleigh ride, you stop at the forest’s edge for a bonfire. Hot drinks and sausages are included, and the stop gives you a chance to warm your hands and take a break from the cold. It is a modest meal, not a full dinner, so eat beforehand if you expect to need more than a snack.

The bonfire is also where the guide shares stories and legends about the Northern Lights and talks about Finn Horses. I like that the evening includes something to listen to and learn from even if the sky stays dark. A faint aurora can be part of the night, but so can a good story and the glow of the fire on the snow.

The included food is straightforward: a hot drink and sausages. Special diet options, including vegetarian and gluten-free choices, are available on request. Contact the provider in advance rather than counting on changing your meal choice once you arrive.

Northern Lights: a possibility, not a promise

The activity is promoted as an aurora hunt, but no tour can guarantee that the lights will appear. The Northern Lights depend on conditions beyond the guide’s control. One reported outing saw only a faint display, while another had a striking show. That range captures the honest reality of aurora viewing in Lapland.

This tour still makes sense if you treat the sky as a bonus rather than the only reason to book. You get a horse-sleigh ride, a snowy forest setting, stories about the aurora and time by a fire. If a bright display is your main priority, remember that a three-hour outing may not deliver one.

The sleigh’s blankets and the included winter gear help, but they do not remove the need to dress warmly. Cold can feel sharper when you are sitting still than when you are walking. Wear warm layers beneath the provided clothing, and make sure your hands, feet and face are covered.

The horses and the group setup

The sleighs are operated by professional guides. Each one holds approximately six to eight people, and the guide assigns seats to keep the weight properly distributed. Families and parties are seated together whenever possible, but the provider cannot promise every group will be arranged exactly as requested.

That shared seating affects the feel of the outing. You may be riding with people outside your own party, rather than having a private sleigh. If you are booking as a family or group, tell the provider your party size and ask about seating when you confirm the details.

The stories about Finn Horses give the ride a local focus. Instead of treating the horse as just transport, the guide adds context about the breed and its place in Finnish life. The information provided does not name individual guides, but the tour is conducted in English.

Getting to Apukka from Rovaniemi

Transfers are included if needed, from Rovaniemi city center or Santa Claus Village to Apukka Resort and back. You can choose between two pickup points:

• Rovaniemi city center: Korkalonkatu 32, with pickup 50 minutes before the activity start time.
• Santa Claus Village: the Napapiiri I bus stop by the E75 main road, with pickup 35 minutes before the activity start time.

Apukka Resort confirms your pickup time by email within 48 hours of booking. Read that message carefully. Missing the pickup means no refund, so arrive early and check that you are waiting at the correct stop. If you are already staying at Apukka, check with the provider about whether you need a transfer.

The two pickup choices make the outing easier to fit into a Rovaniemi stay, but they also require a little planning. Your pickup time is earlier than the activity start time, and the city-center pickup is earlier still. Do not use the tour start time as your arrival time at the meeting point.

Is $185 a fair price?

At $185 per person, this is a premium winter activity. The price covers the horse-sleigh ride, an English-speaking guide, stories about the aurora and Finn Horses, hot drinks and sausages, winter clothing, and return transfers from the listed Rovaniemi pickup points if needed.

The value depends on what you want from an Arctic evening. If you are looking for the cheapest way to see the Northern Lights, this is not it. The aurora is uncertain, and the ride is relatively short by distance. But if you want a guided winter activity with a distinctive mode of transport, warm gear, local stories and a bonfire stop, the package includes more than just a ride.

I would compare the price with other activities by asking what matters most to you. A simple aurora outing may focus on waiting for the sky. Here, the sleigh and horses are the central experience, while the aurora is an added possibility. That distinction helps set fair expectations before you pay.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility while planning. Check availability for the starting times that suit your schedule.

What to wear and what to bring

The provider supplies a thermal overall, thermal boots, woolen socks, mittens and a balaclava. These are useful, practical layers for a cold evening, but the advice is still to bring warm, weather-appropriate clothing. Wear base layers suited to the forecast, and avoid arriving dressed only for the transfer from town.

You will be outside for the ride and bonfire stop, and there is a short walk to the horses. Keep your clothing comfortable enough for walking, sitting and standing. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed on the activity.

Who will enjoy this sleigh ride most?

This outing suits you if you want a gentle winter activity with a local guide and are happy to enjoy the ride even if the aurora does not appear. It works well for people who like horses, snowy scenery and fireside stories, and for families or small parties looking for a shared evening activity.

It is less suitable if you need step-free access or a wheelchair-accessible experience. It may also disappoint if your only goal is a guaranteed, bright Northern Lights display. The route is about 3 km, so this is not a long expedition through the wilderness. Its appeal is the combination of the horses, the snow, the guide’s stories and the pause by the fire.

Should you book it?

Book this if the horse-sleigh ride itself sounds appealing and you would welcome an aurora sighting as a bonus. The included clothing, transfers, hot drink and sausage make the evening easy to organize, while the guide’s stories give the outing a local touch.

Skip it if you are paying mainly for a certain Northern Lights view or need an accessible route. For everyone else, it offers a memorable way to experience a Lapland night at a measured pace, with a warm stop built into the plan.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts three hours. Check availability for the starting times.

How long is the horse-sleigh ride?

The ride covers about 3 km. The schedule also describes the horse-drawn portion as 2.5 hours, so confirm the timing with Apukka Resort.

Is the Northern Lights display guaranteed?

No. The aurora may appear, but sightings depend on conditions and are not guaranteed.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available at Korkalonkatu 32 in Rovaniemi city center or at the Napapiiri I bus stop by the E75 road at Santa Claus Village.

When is pickup from Rovaniemi city center?

The city-center pickup is 50 minutes before the activity start time.

When is pickup from Santa Claus Village?

Pickup at Napapiiri I is 35 minutes before the activity start time.

What clothing is included?

The provider supplies a thermal overall, thermal boots, woolen socks, mittens and a balaclava.

What food and drink are included?

A hot drink and sausages are included. Special diet options, such as vegetarian or gluten-free choices, are available on request.

How many people fit in a sleigh?

Each sleigh holds about six to eight people. Guides assign seats to balance weight and aim to keep families and parties together where possible.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.