Snowshoeing and Ice Fishing Tour

The appeal here is the change of pace: first you crunch through quiet Lapland woods, then you sit beside a frozen lake and wait for a fish that may or may not show up. Snowshoeing and ice fishing make a satisfying pair because you get a little movement, a little stillness, and a taste of winter life beyond Rovaniemi.

I like that the guide handles the fiddly parts, from fitting the snowshoes and drilling a fishing hole to starting a fire. I also like the warm-up built into the outing: hot drinks and grilled Finnish snacks are part of the plan, not an afterthought.

One thing to know: this is a nature outing, not an action-packed trek, and ice fishing requires patience. The snowshoe walk can be fairly short, depending on the route, and catching a fish is never assured. Wind, snow, and cold can make the quiet fishing portion feel long.

• Snowshoeing opens the outing: Learn the basics before walking through snowy forest or across a frozen lake.
• Ice fishing is part of the experience, not a promise of lunch: Your guide shows you how to drill a hole and fish, but catches are uncertain.
• A fire and Finnish snacks warm the pause: Expect hot drinks and grilled sausages, with a decent-sized catch cooked over the fire if you get lucky.
• The group is capped at eight: A small group can make the outing feel more personal, though a very small turnout may feel quiet.
• Winter clothing and equipment are included: Snowshoes, fishing gear, professional winter clothing, and boots are provided.
• Transport is included for some stays: Hotel pickup and drop-off are listed for accommodations outside the city center.

From Rovaniemi to the Snow

The tour starts at Wild About Lapland, at Rovakatu 24 in central Rovaniemi, and ends back at the meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are provided for accommodations outside the city center. That takes one more chore off your plate: you do not need to arrange your own ride out to the woods and lake.

The drive leads away from town to a quieter spot in Lapland. The precise location and route may vary, so think of the outing as a guided winter experience rather than a fixed scenic trail with a named destination. The point is to get you out into the snow with the gear and instruction you need.

The tour lasts about four hours, including the snowshoe walk, fishing, and time by the fire. That is long enough to settle into the outdoors without taking up an entire day. The outing is offered in English, and the maximum group size is eight, which gives the guide room to help people one by one.

Learning to Walk on Snowshoes

Before setting off, your guide explains how to walk in snowshoes. They spread your weight across the snow, helping you move over deep snow that could otherwise swallow a boot. They do not make you float on top of every snowbank, though. Snow can still be soft enough for you to sink knee-deep in places, and a tumble is possible. Part of the fun is learning how to manage your footing.

The walk takes you through snowy woodland or toward the lake, depending on the route. Some outings have followed a forest trail, while others have used a shorter walk to reach the water. If you are booking mainly for a long hike, keep that variation in mind: this trip combines two activities, and the snowshoeing is the way into the fishing stop, not necessarily a lengthy trek.

I like the forest option for the sense of being among the trees before you reach the open lake. Yet even a brief walk has value. Snowshoeing is a practical way to get out into winter terrain without needing previous experience, and the guide can adapt the pace to the group’s ability. Jana, one guide associated with the tour, has been noted for patient instruction and adjusting the outing to suit participants.

A basic level of stamina helps. You do not need to be an expert, but walking in snow takes more effort than strolling on a clear path. Wear the supplied winter clothing and boots, and take the guide’s instructions seriously, especially when you are moving over uneven or deep snow.

Drilling a Hole in the Frozen Lake

At the lake, the focus shifts from walking to fishing. Your guide helps drill a hole through the ice, then explains the basic fishing technique, including how far to lower the line. It is a simple setup, but the work of making a hole in a frozen lake is part of what makes this feel different from an ordinary fishing stop.

Then comes the waiting. Ice fishing is not a fast-paced activity, and a fish may not bite during your visit. One useful expectation to set before you go: you are trying the method and enjoying the setting, not buying a guaranteed lunch. Even with a line in the water, patience and quiet matter. One outing found that the fishing instruction covered where to place the line but not much about the best way to coax a fish to bite, so do not expect a full fishing lesson.

Weather makes a real difference here. You may be standing still in the wind or falling snow, and warm overalls cannot make a cold, exposed lake feel cosy. One outing took place in heavy wind and snow, making it hard to sit still; another found that the group stood while fishing and had no chairs. Seating is not assured, so dress warmly in layers under the provided gear and be ready for a spell of stillness.

If you catch a fish of decent size, the guide can cook it over the fire and add it to the food. Smaller fish are returned to the water quickly, without unnecessary harm. That is a sensible approach, but it also means you should not count on fish as your meal. Lunch is not included, and the supplied snacks are the reliable food portion.

Warming Up by the Fire

While you fish, your guide prepares a fire on the shore. Hot drinks and Finnish snacks are served around it, and sausages can be grilled over the flames. This is often the most social part of an outing: the fishing may be quiet, but the fire gives the group a natural place to gather, warm up, and talk.

The warm-up setting can vary. Some outings have included a teepee-style place to sit, while a late-season outing took place in a public park without an indoor facility after the company’s usual private park was no longer available. Do not assume there will always be an enclosed shelter. Ask about the setup if having a protected place to warm up is important to you, particularly near the end of the winter season.

The food is a welcome snack rather than a full lunch. You get hot drinks and typical Finnish bites, including sausages cooked over the fire, but alcoholic drinks and lunch are not included. If you need a substantial meal, plan to eat before or after the four-hour activity.

What the Price Covers

At $137.80 per person, this is not a bargain-basement way to get outside. The value comes from combining several pieces into one outing: round-trip transport arrangements for eligible accommodations, a professional guide, winter clothing and boots, snowshoe and fishing equipment, hot drinks, and snacks. Organizing those separately in an unfamiliar winter setting would take time and could be less convenient.

The price also buys guidance and access to a structured activity, not a guaranteed catch or a long wilderness trek. If your main goal is to bring home fish, the uncertain bite makes this a poor bet. If you want to try snowshoeing and ice fishing without buying or arranging equipment, and you like the idea of warming up over a fire, the combination is more compelling.

The small-group limit of eight is a plus. It gives the guide a better chance to help with snowshoes and fishing gear than a large coach outing would. Still, a small group can cut both ways. If only one or two people take part, the outing may feel quiet or a bit lonely, especially during the long wait at the fishing hole.

The activity is popular enough that it is booked, on average, about 70 days in advance. That is a planning clue, not a guarantee that every date sells out. If your dates are fixed, booking ahead is sensible. Confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or a failure to meet the minimum number of participants can lead to a changed date or a refund.

Who Will Enjoy This Winter Outing

I would choose this tour if you want a low-key introduction to two northern winter activities and enjoy being outside more than you need constant entertainment. It suits curious beginners, nature lovers, and anyone who likes the idea of a small group, a frozen lake, and a simple meal by a fire. Snowshoeing is accessible to most people, though you should have enough stamina for walking in snow.

It is less suited to someone expecting a demanding snowshoe expedition, a lively fishing contest, or a guaranteed fish supper. The snowshoe section may be short, and ice fishing can be slow. In bad weather, the stillness and exposure are more noticeable, so your tolerance for cold matters.

Check the conditions and route expectations when arranging your day. The tour requires suitable weather; if poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum group size is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a refund. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is listed as suitable for most participants.

Should You Book the Snowshoeing and Ice Fishing Tour?

Book it if you want to sample Lapland winter life without organizing gear or transport yourself. The strongest reasons are the small group, helpful guide, and warm fire stop, along with the chance to try snowshoeing and ice fishing in one half-day outing.

Skip it if you want a long hike, a sheltered stop guaranteed for every date, or fish on your plate. Go with realistic expectations: the walk may be brief, the fishing may produce nothing, and the weather can be raw. If those are acceptable trade-offs, this is a practical, hands-on way to spend a winter morning outside Rovaniemi.

FAQ

How long is the Snowshoeing and Ice Fishing Tour?

The activity lasts about four hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Wild About Lapland, Rovakatu 24, 96100 Rovaniemi, Finland, and ends back at the meeting point.

Is transport included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations outside the city center. The meeting point is in central Rovaniemi.

What equipment and clothing are provided?

Snowshoeing and ice-fishing equipment are included, along with professional winter clothing and boots.

Are food and drinks included?

Finnish snacks and hot drinks are included. Lunch and alcoholic drinks are not.

Is catching a fish guaranteed?

No. If you catch a fish of decent size, the guide can cook it over the fire. Undersized fish are returned to the lake.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather or an unmet minimum number of participants cancels the activity, you are offered another date or experience, or a refund.