Partner Activities

A must do on your trip to Lapland Finland!

Let the warmth of our traditional wood warm barrel sauna melt away all aches and cold in your body after the long day outside or straight  in the morning as the greatest kick start of the day!

A hole in the ice with wooden ladders waits for the brave to plunge in. It is believed that a dip in the icy water has many health benefits.

We can guarantee the euphoric feeling afterwards!

Barrel sauna is suitable for 1 – 6 people.

Incl. towels and guidance.
Please notice personal swim suit is required.

If you have any questions, please contact:
+ 358 400 315 099 / info@metsahirvas.fi

A MEMORABLE NIGHT IN THE WILDERNESS!

Explore the beautiful winter nature of Lapland with trekking skis! Your guide will take you to the cottage area located 45 minutes away from Rovaniemi. During this experience, you will explore the white snow-covered forests and a frozen lake, accompanied by your guide. The route is always adapted to the group’s level to ensure everyone enjoys the experience.

After the ski tour, you will settle into a traditional wooden cabin nestled in the wilderness. In Finnish, such a cabin is called a "mökki". It’s more than just a place to stay, it’s a cultural symbol of relaxation, connection to nature, and a retreat from the stresses of modern life. The cabin has no running water or electricity, but it offers warmth with a fireplace and comfortable beds. The nature around provides everything it needs.

The experience also includes a wilderness sauna near the lake, the perfect place to relax after your ski adventure. A wooden pontoon leads directly to the frozen water if you feel brave enough to take a dip! Alternating between the hot sauna and cold water (or air) is not only refreshing but also great for your health. Sauna towels, soaps, birch tar oil and other equipment needed will be provided by your guide (please bring your swimsuit if you need to ; or sauna can also be naked like Finns usually do…). The experience is private and the guide will give you all privacy needed.

As evening comes, your guide will prepare a hearty dinner served around the open fire – a delicious Finnish soup, accompanied by warm drinks and sweet pastries as a dessert. For the night, we provide warm winter sleeping bags and all the necessary equipment to keep you cozy and comfortable in the heart of the wilderness. After helping you settle in and making sure you are fully comfortable, your guide will leave you to enjoy a peaceful evening in privacy.

The next morning, after breakfast in the cabin, your guide will return to meet you, and together you will head back to Rovaniemi.

ABOUT YOUR SKI TREKKING EQUIPMENT 

A detailed list of provided and recommended equipment is sent to each participant prior to the trip.

For ski trekking you will use Altai Ski. Those skis are easy to handle and designed to glide smoothly over deep snow, whether off the beaten path or on groomed trails. These traditional Lappish backcountry skis (known in Finnish as “sliding snowshoes”) are equipped with partial skins, allowing you to both hike uphill and slide downhill. They are ideal for long Arctic expeditions in Lapland. 

Altai skis fit standard winter hiking boots (e.g., Sorel-type boots), so we recommend you bringing your own well-fitted winter hiking boots to ensure comfort throughout the trek.

Welcome to a memorable Arctic night! Take a seat around the fire with your family and friends, and listen to some old legends and tales of Finland!

Your guide will take you into a traditional teepee nestled on the shores of a river outside Rovaniemi where you will enjoy a relaxing and cultural evening. Lit by the cracking flames of an open fire, you will travel through old stories and ages to discover more about the Finnish culture, traditions and life in the Far North.

You will then discover very particular aspects of local cultures, lifestyles, history, art and literature, as well as memorable anecdotes. This enriching cultural excursion also offers you the opportunity to interact with your knowledgeable guide, to talk about local life and to find answers to your questions, to understand what surrounds you. It will definitely give you a different perspective on the country and region you are visiting, making your holiday all the more memorable and exciting.

This story-telling experience will also be an opportunity to taste some local snacks prepared by your guide directly on the fire, while listening to their stories. 

This tour is organised in small groups only in order to allow a proper connection with your guide and an enriching exchange. So, ready for an evening that you will never forget? 

SPECIAL FAMILY WITH KIDS : during the Christmas season and the school holidays, we organise special afternoon tours specifically designed for children (min. 5 years old is recommended). Your guide then takes an adapted approach with kid-friendly stories and will share cultural aspects that are more easily understandable for a young audience.

EVENING TOURS : during the best nights, Northern lights can even come to visit you and dance over your head, while you listen to some local stories. But this story-telling experience is also a great alternative for nights when auroras are not visible due to bad weather.

Enjoy a very local experience! Your guide will take you into deep forests to a wilderness cabin with a log sauna. The traditional cabin has no electricity or running water ; the small lake and nature around is providing everything it needs! The place is beautiful and extremely peaceful – perfect for a relaxing moment! It naturally inspires a feeling of disconnection from reality, being lost in the middle of nowhere.

Your guide will lit the wood-burner in the sauna and give you more instructions how to use it in the very Finnish way. There is also a pontoon that leads directly to the lake : if you are brave enough to go in the water and if the ice conditions allow it, we may open a hole in the ice (avanto)! It is very healthy to alternate hot sauna with cold water (or at least cold air).

Sauna towels, soaps, birch tar oil and other equipment needed will be provided by your guide (please bring your swimsuit if you need to ; or sauna can also be naked like Finns usually do…). The experience is always private and the guide will give you all privacy needed. He / she will prepare a local snack while you enjoy the traditional sauna.

Departure for this private experience is at 19:00, though timing may vary depending on the season. In autumn and late winter, later departures are possible to give you the best chance to witness the Northern Lights. 

Thanks to the lake’s northern orientation and lack of light pollution, the location offers ideal conditions for aurora spotting—weather permitting. Please note that sightings are not guaranteed, as they depend on natural conditions. 

The entire experience lasts approximately 3,5 hours, including transportation, with about one hour dedicated to the sauna session. 

ADD A DINNER FOR YOUR SAUNA EXPERIENCE:  Make your sauna moment even more special with a wilderness dinner served in the cozy wooden cottage. While you relax in the warm steam, your guide will prepare a hearty Finnish soup, accompanied with warm drinks and sweet pastries for dessert.

A NIGHT OF ADVENTURE IN THE WILD

Prepare for an unforgettable winter experience by spending a night outdoors in a tent under the open sky.

Accompanied by a professional guide, you will receive instruction on your surroundings and the essential elements of winter camping. Upon reaching the destination (approximately 20 minutes from Rovaniemi), a brief walk will take you to the frozen lake where your guide will assist in setting up camp and starting a fire to keep warm. This fire will serve as the focal point of the evening, providing a cooking area for a delectable Finnish barbecue dinner. If the weather permits, you will enjoy the evening under the northern lights or starlit sky.

We provide all the necessary equipment for the night, including a warm sleeping bag, a sturdy tent, and a headlamp.

In the morning, after a hearty breakfast, you will pack the camp and return to Rovaniemi with your guide. Prepare for an extraordinary winter adventure!

OUR OTHER FAVORITE SUGGESTIONS

If you’re looking for another unique adventure that combines outdoor exploration with a touch of indoor comfort, our Ski Adventure with an overnight in Wilderness Cottage is just what you need. Spend the day skiing through peaceful snowy landscapes, then relax in a traditional sauna and enjoy a cozy night in a wilderness cottage.

Perfect adventure for those who want a taste of a Lapland expedition packed into one unforgettable experience!

This all-day ski adventure is designed to offer you a first expedition experience on trekking skis! Your guide will take you in small groups far away from Rovaniemi to reach elusive nature areas, where you can explore Lapland wilderness forests, hills and snowy landscapes.

Ski trekking is an easy ski discipline designed to let you glide on deep snow off the beaten tracks or groomed trails. The backcountry skis or Altai skis (called in Finnish, "sliding snowshoes") are equipped with a short skin allowing to both hike uphill and slide downhill ; they are the perfect gear for long Arctic expeditions because you can get to any places that you cannot reach with cars or on foot. 

In addition to skis and poles, the group will be equipped with an expedition sleigh (in Finnish, "pulkka") that you will have the opportunity to pull yourself during the tour like a real explorer! Your guide will also teach you more how to prepare an expedition in Arctic conditions, what to bring with you in the sleigh, and other safety tips.

The objective of this day expedition is get deep into nature, far from civilization, and maybe reach some beautiful spot with a panoramic view. Your guide will then make a fire and you will all enjoy a wild barbecue lunch.

HOW DIFFICULT IS IT ? This all-day adventure requires a good physical conditions. Participants must be able to confidently trek a distance of 15km.
The adventure does not require previous experiences with trekking skis or other type of skis, even though it helps a lot for the self-confidence ; the skis are Altai skis that are like gliding snowshoes, so they are easy to practice and handle, and make it very easy to travel on deep snow. This is however a trekking experience, which means that participants must be good hikers and must present a good physical conditions. For beginners who would like to discover Lapland nature with an easy trekking ski experience, we recommend booking our adapted half-day adventure specifically made for beginners (link here)!  

Welcome to Winter wonderland! 

Because the tour is private, you are given the opportunity to choose where you would like to live this adventure : you may opt for a challenging hike (8-15km) in the Rovaniemi area or drive to another region of Lapland to discover a different scenery. In this case, the hike is usually around 4-8km with the goal to reach untouched remote lands, deep forests or the top of Lappish fells (our “local mountains”). The experience is designed to explore elusive nature area or reach some viewpoints over the immense subarctic forests. 

Our team will be in contact with you to discuss and advise about the best option and place to go, according to your wishes and what you would like to experience in terms of scenery and duration. 

Along the way, your outdoor guide will explain to you about your surroundings, the fauna and flora, footprints in the snow, etc. A break with an open fire will also allow you to grill a typical Finnish snack with hot beverages. This is a great opportunity for your guide to show you how to build a fire in arctic conditions and answer all your questions about Lapland.

When booking, you will be given the opportunity to choose between trekking skis or snowshoes. Snowshoes are easier to use on every terrain but cover shorter distances. Altai skis allow you to glide on deep snow, so you go a bit faster and farther, but it may be more technical for hilltops or downhill terrains. In all cases, both types of equipment are accessible to beginners, and the guide will offer trek options adapted to your level. 

This ski adventure will offer a memorable experience on Altai skis! Your guide will take you in small groups away from Rovaniemi to explore Lapland wilderness forests, hills and landscapes. You may even spot or hear some animals such as reindeer or arctic hares…

Ski touring is an easy ski discipline designed to let you glide on deep snow off the beaten tracks or groomed trails. The backcountry skis (called in Finnish, "sliding snowshoes") are equipped with a skin allowing to both hike uphill and slide downhill ; they are equally used for long Arctic expeditions or shorter day tours into wild nature. They are the perfect equipment to get to beautiful elusive places that you cannot reach with cars or on foot. 

This 3-hour tour is designed for beginners, less confident ski trekkers and travellers who have never used trekking skis before. It therefore does not require specific techniques or skills, however the experience still requires a certain physical condition, as you will hike for a couple of kilometers on deep snow. 

For adventurers who are looking for a more advanced or challenging ski hike into Lapland nature, we recommend our other ski trekking options : 

• full-day ski adventure from Rovaniemi (10-15km ; 6 hours)   
• two-day ski expedition in a national park
• ski expeditions of 3 days or more in a national park.

We offer afternoon departures for the beginner-level tour. On request, we may also organize private evening ski tours for an adventure that may offer a chance to observe the Northern lights. Please contact us at info@nordicodyssey.net  

A cozy lounge area and a spacious Uitto sauna on river banks of Kemijoki guarantee a pleasant experience for 8-20 people small groups.
Jacuzzi is located on the spacious outdoor terrace.
This is a place to spend time with family, friends or in business.

NOTICE: When booking the sauna, please indicate in the separate comment field how many people will be attending.

Sauna is open for bookings all-year-aroud and every booking is for private use of sauna and it´s premises.
You check in to Uitto sauna from hotel Metsähirvas reception.
Extra hours after 3 hours: 50€/hour.

Uitto sauna YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8vrtDCUiwd0

Hotel Metsähirvas private swimming beach is in free use in summer seasons.
If you´d like, you can order snacks and beverages from hotel Metsähirvas:  https://www.metsahirvas.fi/en

The trip departs from Rovaniemi where your outdoor guide will pick you up. They will then drive you in the direction of the canyon and the nature reserve of Korouoma (one-way journey takes around 1h30).

Once arrived, you will get equipped with ice-cleats (adaptable to your own personal shoes) to ensure your safety and comfort during the whole hike. Some portions of the trail may indeed be slippery, so the ice-cleats prevent you from falling down and confidently enjoy the landscape.

You will then start hiking down into the canyon and get to the best spots to admire the frozen waterfalls. The protected reserve also offers beautiful nature and picturesque snowy landscapes. Some of the most impressive waterfalls are famous for ice-climbing, and you may spot some brave adventurers climbing the ice walls as you hiked along the canyon. 

In total, the hike is around 5 km through pine forests, down into the canyon and along the river and the cliffs. Along the way, your outdoor guide will share with you their knowledge about the arctic nature and offer you all their passion for Lapland. At some point, you will enjoy a delicious Finnish barbecue lunch around the open fire to warm up and fill your stomach. In Spring, we also operate afternoon starts to avoid the crowd in the canyon, so the lunch is replaced with a little sweet snack break. 

You will finally drive back to Rovaniemi, for a memorable day trip into pure Lapland nature. 

IMPORTANT : the hike follows a 5km into the canyon with some portions being more tricky or slippery (this is why we provide ice-cleats!). Even though it does not require any specific technical skills, the hike still requires a certain physical condition and an ability to confidently walk long distances. For the comfort and security of the whole group, participants must guarantee to present a good physical condition, no mobility impairment and a minimum age of 10 years old. 

ESCAPE THE CROWD : the canyon is a protected nature reserve and a bird-nesting area! Some rules apply to protect it such as no drone, no picking and no pets. In order to be responsible and as sustainable as possible, we only organise one tour per day with a maximum of 8 travellers. Unfortunately, many other tour operators are organising various departures or large-group tours… We try to organise and adapt our excursion in order to escape the crowd, but we cannot guarantee to be alone in the canyon. 

This private tour will offer a memorable night adventure on skis! Your guide will take your group away from Rovaniemi to some elusive wild areas with no light pollution. During the excursion, you will explore Lapland wilderness by night, gliding on deep snow to reach some beautiful nature area. 

Ski touring is an easy ski discipline designed to let you glide on deep snow off the beaten tracks or groomed trails. The backcountry skis (called in Finnish, "sliding snowshoes") are equipped with a skin allowing to both hike uphill and slide downhill ; they are equally used for long Arctic expeditions or shorter day tours into wild nature. They are the perfect equipment to get to elusive places that you cannot reach with cars or on foot.

Because the tour happens during the night, you will also get a chance to observe the Northern lights if hey appear! We will always try to adapt the tour to increase the chance of finding auroras; the walk will for example aim at reaching some elusive areas without light pollution and a nice open view to the north. You may then walk through the forests to reach a little hidden lake, or walk up to a hilltop to have a nice view over the horizon. 

Your guide will teach you more about the Northern lights, the scientific explanation behind the phenomenon but also the tales and legends associated to it. As this is a private experience, the tour will be adapted to the level of the group with different terrains and difficulty options.

This skiing adventure by night is a great tour for those of you who want to experience the Northern lights with an extra nature activity. The ski trekking + auroras combo is also a nice alternative to our famous Northern Lights Photography Hunting Experience from Rovaniemi , especially when the weather conditions are less promising: in case of snowfalls, you still get a memorable adventure into arctic wilderness! 

Combine an Hiking Adventure with a Sauna Experience

Get off the beaten track and discover the snowy landscapes of Lapland with a snowshoe hike. Your guide will take you away from Rovaniemi for a hike of around 2-4km into deep nature. This snowshoes experience is the opportunity to learn more about the surrounding nature, local life, how to survive in the Arctic, local fauna & flora and enjoy the breathtaking white landscapes! Your guide will also take time to lit a fire and serve a typical Finnish snack.

After the snowshoeing adventure, your guide will take you into deep forests to a wilderness cabin with a log sauna. The traditional cabin has no electricity or running water ; the lake and nature around is providing everything it needs! The place if beautiful and extremely peaceful – perfect for a relaxing moment!

Your guide will lit the wood-burner in the sauna and give you more instructions how to use it in the very Finnish way. There is also a pontoon that leads directly to the lake if you are brave enough to go in the water! It is extremely healthy to alternate hot sauna with cold water (or at least cold air).

Sauna towels, soaps, birch tar oil and other equipment needed will be provided by your guide (please bring your swimsuit if you need to ; or sauna can also be naked like Finns usually do…). The experience is always private and the guide will give you all privacy needed. He / she will prepare hot drinks in the cabin while you enjoy the traditional sauna.

Will there be enough snow in Rovaniemi in November?! This is always a big question… It mostly depends on the year : in 2020 and 2023, we had a huge amount of snow in Rovaniemi, while in 2022, we had to wait until the very beginning of December to see Rovaniemi covered in white. But even if the first snowfalls are late in Rovaniemi, this tour will take you to another part of Lapland, higher in altitude or in latitude, in order to allow you to experience the first snowfalls and the white landscapes!  In these conditions, snowshoeing is the ideal way to test out the fresh snow.

Your guide will take you in small groups to remote unique lands to experience the first snow falls of the year in Lapland. You will be able to explore Lapland wilderness forests and impressive white landscapes, even if snow has not come yet to Rovaniemi. 

The location of the hike will be decided by the guide based on the forecast to find the area with the best snow condition, even if it means driving up to 2 hours. Whatever the place you will end up in, this tour will always offer you a great opportunity to enjoy and photograph some picturesque snowy landscapes and the white fairy-tale scenery of Lapland in the pre-Winter season.

Along the way, your guide will teach you more about the surrounding environment and local life, such as on how to survive in the Arctic. Then you will also have the opportunity to have a break for snacks around an open fire.

Snowshoeing is a great way to experience nature because it allows going off the beaten path and getting to places that you cannot reach with cars or on foot. 

The hike is usually around 3 km to 6km. Snowshoeing is accessible even to beginners, so don’t be afraid if you never tried before, you will get used to it in only a few steps.

EXPORE LAPLAND WITHOUT LIMITS!

The fat tires of your bikes allow you to ride on every kind of terrain : city roads, rocky paths, forests, sand and even snow! This is the perfect way to explore Lapland all year round, including Winter! 

They are perfect for the landscapes and reliefs around Rovaniemi and can be used all year long! The electric engine of the bike makes it very easy and pleasant to ride, even with snowy conditions! E-fatbikes are equipped with a Shimano engine and a sturdy battery that is adapted to cold Arctic conditions. 

E-fatbikes are very easy to ride even for beginners. The tour is adapted to the levels of the participants, with different difficulty options and sightseeing opportunities. We offer two options to enjoy the fatbike experience : 

Your guide will lead you from Rovaniemi city centre on a scenic itinerary. The tour is always private, allowing your guide to take the time and adapt the tour, based on your level and condition. The chosen route is designed to let you first get familiar with your fatbike on easy cycling paths before entering forests roads and/or reaching hilltops. A cultural tour of the different points of interests of the city and Santa Claus Village is also possible for those who are willing to go on an easy ride without too many challenges. In all cases, you may discuss the best itinerary options for your group.

During this 3-hour tour, your guide will also make a longer break to a nice viewpoints and offer refreshments for you! This is a good moment to learn more about the local culture and other aspects of Lapland 

YOUR PREFER TO RIDE WITHOUT A GUIDE? 

No problem! You may rent the electric fatbikes from us, reserve them in our online rental shop (link here) and collect them in our office in city centre. The bikes and equipment will be prepared and ready for you. Our team will also provide you with explanation how to safely use the bikes and the different itineraries you may take (you may also check our blogpost here). For families who would like to cycle around Rovaniemi, or to Santa Claus Village (8km from the city), we also rent a cart for young children (less than 22kg) that can easily adapt to the back wheel of the e-fatbike. 

The electric fatbikes are provided along with safety helmets and bike locks.