Créé par Romane, le 1 juil. 2026
Votre guide Ryo
Experiencing a unique winter adventure in Finland
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When we think of Finland, we immediately imagine enchanting landscapes, made of fir trees heavy with snow, frozen lakes and psychedelic skies creating the most beautiful northern lights. Children dream of Santa's village, nature lovers of finding themselves in the heart of the forest, and hyperactive people of being able to test all the incredible activities of the country, while cocooning enthusiasts look forward to only one thing: the famous Scandinavian well-being, made of hot chocolate, thick socks, and books to devour by the fire. Perhaps you check all the boxes?! Whatever your expectations, Finland in winter promises you an extraordinary journey that you won't soon forget! A small anthology of must-do experiences in Finland.
Ice fishing
Finns will tell you, at some point or another, everyone has gone fishing on a frozen lake. Also called white fishing or hole fishing, this typical, almost meditative activity offers you the immensity of white as a spectacle while teaching you patience. And if you're skilled, you'll have, as a bonus, the possibility to dine on decidedly fresh fish! You'll need to be equipped with small fishing rods and a manual auger to drill your hole and reach the depths of the lake (there can be 1 meter of ice!) If you don't have the soul of a fisherman and don't feel like knocking out your catches then scaling and preparing them, don't hesitate to release them. Just for the pleasure of having discovered this Finnish practice.
Practical information:
Good news: No permit needed for this type of fishing! But still check if you're in a protected area, like a national park or nature reserve, which may have special restrictions.
Where to fish? Everywhere! Remember that Finland is nicknamed "The Land of a Thousand Lakes"! Officially, it has many more! There are 187,888 lakes with an area greater than 500 m². This makes it one of the countries with the highest density of lakes in the world. You'll have plenty of choice for fishing! That said, here are some spots renowned for hole fishing:
- Lake Inari, in Laponia: one of Finland's largest lakes, perfect for a fishing experience in an arctic setting. You can find trout, whitefish and perch.
- Lake Saimaa, in the Thousand Lakes region: Finland's largest lake. You can catch pike and perch under the ice.
- Lake Päijänne: the country's deepest lake, it supplies water to the capital region. It's a very popular site with local fishermen, and you'll find many guided excursions.
- Lake Kitka and its crystal-clear waters allow for successful winter fishing.
- If you're only going to Helsinki, you can head to Lake Tuusula, located less than an hour from the capital, which offers a practical option for discovering ice fishing without going too far.
Safety and Equipment
Even if the ice appears thick and solid, always ask locals if certain areas are not recommended. There must be at least 10cm of ice for an adult on foot, 15cm for a bike, 30cm for a car (40cm for a pickup or van). Use appropriate clothing, using the three-layer system, with breathable thermal clothing that stays dry, fleece or similar for insulation and a waterproof windbreaker jacket. For fishing equipment, particularly the manual auger, be careful and don't hit the ice, the blade is very fragile (and it will cost you dearly if you have to replace it!)
Traditional Sauna
You knew it before going to Finland, one of the country's most deeply rooted traditions is the Sauna. You've probably already experienced it, but something different awaits you in Finland: an ancestral moment of relaxation to cleanse body and mind. The Sauna in Finland has existed for over 2000 years! It was once the cleanest place in the house and even served as a birthing room! With about 3 million saunas for 5.4 million inhabitants, you immediately understand the importance of this tradition. Public or private, they are always very popular and are a must-do during your stay. We even tend to say that it's in the Saunas (more than in meetings), that big decisions are made!
Where to go?
The private electric sauna in your accommodation
There's a good chance you'll have a sauna available if you rent a house or apartment in Finland. Accommodations are generally equipped with electric saunas. You'll then only have a simple button to press to experience it. It's a good first step to get into the swing of things.
Traditional public saunas
If you want to mingle with the crowd and meet Finns, opt instead for a public sauna. There are all kinds. For example, in Helsinki, you can go to the beautiful Löyly sauna, magnificent with its design aspect by the sea, or the more traditional Kotiharjun Sauna, wood-heated, for total immersion in the authenticity of local culture.
Nature saunas
What could be better than experiencing this almost spiritual experience than in communion with deep nature! Rent a chalet with a private sauna and plunge directly into an icy lake after your session. With the quantity of forests and lakes in Finland, you won't have trouble finding what you're looking for!
Unusual saunas
If you want to experience an even more unique experience, why not go to a floating sauna, or an ice-sauna that offers the possibility to throw yourself into a hole dug in the ice after sweating well! A practice that can be scary, but which is as invigorating as it is authentic!
Good to know
Different types of saunas: There are several ways to heat the sauna. Electric, infrared, gas or wood-fired sauna, which offer a more authentic side, and the famous smoke sauna. The latter takes longer to heat and you must then evacuate all the smoke before being able to enter.
Etiquette: Be careful if you're modest, the sauna is practiced in the simplest attire. Men and women are generally separated but it's common for families to go all together. If you're in a mixed group it's perfectly normal to discuss who will go with whom, and if you're not comfortable with the idea of being completely naked, Finns won't hold it against you, don't panic.
Typical ritual: To best experience it, it's recommended to go to the sauna properly. You must respect a traditional cycle: sauna, cold shower (or plunge in a lake), and rest. You can then repeat this process several times.
The Löyly: No matter what style of sauna you choose, you'll find hot stones, on which you must pour ladles of water, which releases water vapor (the löyly), bringing new waves of heat. If there are several of you in the sauna, make sure everyone agrees before pouring water.
Accessories: You'll also find braided birch branches, which are used to "whip" the body to circulate blood. They're called "vasta" or "vihta" (depending on the region). Don't be afraid, it doesn't hurt, and you'll have silky skin!
Post-Sauna: It's common to extend the experience, by staying in the "tupa", an adjacent room designed for having a drink or snacking after the session to make the pleasure last. Finns generally drink blueberry juices, beer or cider, and eat grilled sausages (makkara) over the wood fire.
Night skiing
So yes, you might be thinking: "that's all very well, but going on vacation in winter, in a country where it's dark 22h/24h no thanks!" But the polar night (the kaamos) is a mysterious phenomenon that allows you to live new and completely unique experiences, like night skiing! Imagine yourself racing down snowy slopes, under a sparkling sky in the moonlight, multiplied by its reflections on the snow. Plus, with stations being much smaller than in France, the price is much lower than you might have thought! Count between €30 and €50 for an adult day pass.
Where to night ski in Finland?
Levi: skiing in Laponia! It's not something that happens every day! Levi is undoubtedly the most famous resort for night skiing and offers its illuminated slopes until late at night. Levi is also renowned for its fairy-tale landscapes and its après-ski activities, like snowmobile or dog sled safaris.
Ruka: close to the polar circle, Ruka offers a unique atmosphere for night skiing. The resort has many illuminated slopes suitable for all levels around Mount Rukatunturi (the highest summit in the region – 492 m ^^) near the arctic circle, skiing under the northern lights takes on a new dimension, when human light meets divine light.
Ylläs: welcome to Pallas-Yllästunturi national park, renowned for offering the purest air in the world! With more than 60 slopes, Ylläs is one of Finland's largest resorts. Part of the domain remains lit at night for night skiers. It's also possible to go explore trails on cross-country skis or snowshoes in the evening, for an equally magical experience!
Pyhä: ideal if you don't like crowds! Pyhä is a tiny resort, equipped with 9 ski lifts that offers illuminated slopes in the evening and a calm atmosphere, ideal for an outing in a small group or with family, far from the hustle and bustle of mega ski resorts.
Saariselkä: if you're looking for activities in the middle of nature, you may have come across the name Saariselkä. This small resort in the Finnish Far North, in addition to its traditional sleigh rides and nights in igloos, also offers the possibility to ski under artificial lights and stars.
Northern lights observation
But if you've decided to brave the cold and polar night, it's primarily for the promise of an unforgettable spectacle, that of the famous northern lights. This dazzling phenomenon regularly tops the list of experiences to live at least once in your life!
What is a northern light?
You might wonder how it's possible that so many colors can appear and swirl in the starry sky! This phenomenon is explained by the presence of charged particles in solar wind, colliding with gases in Earth's atmosphere, particularly oxygen which gives green and red colors and nitrogen which emits blue, red and violet.
Where to go to see northern lights in Finland?
To see the sky dance, adorned with its most beautiful colors, you need a bit of organization and luck. You mainly need the combination of a clear sky, cold and dry temperatures, and a solar storm. But don't panic, there are very practical apps and websites to guide you, like Aurora Forecast or Aurora Maniac, Aurora Forecast which use satellite data to predict observation probabilities in your region.
The ideal region is Finnish Laponia, where nearly 200 aurora nights per year are recorded (compared to 10 to 20 in the south of the country)! For an optimal experience, get away from light sources and approach lakes, that's where they're most beautiful. Here are some places renowned for observing northern lights:
- Rovaniemi: The capital of Laponia, very popular for family vacations with its famous Santa's village and all the winter activities available. But you need to get away from downtown for a better experience. You can for example choose accommodation near Ounasvaara Hill, on the outskirts of the city.
- Luosto: just 1h30 from Rovaniemi, is Luosto, famous for its Pyhä-Luosto park. The Santa Aurora hotel is a must in the region, known for its heated glass igloos equipped with Aurora Alert that wakes you up so you don't miss a bit!
- Urho Kekkonen National Park: This very isolated region, lost in the north of the country, is perfect for snowshoe hikes away from light pollution. You can go to Saariselkä, Ivalo or Inari.
- Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park: in western Laponia, this park, recognized as a starry sky reserve, has many ski resorts that can serve as a base for your aurora hunt! Notably those of Levi or Ylläs that we've already told you about.
- Kilpisjärvi: And if you're not afraid to move a little further from the Laponian capital, then head north, to reach one of Finland's most northern places! Close to the Norway-Finland-Sweden triple border, Kilpisjärvi is of captivating wild beauty and offers a high probability of seeing auroras thanks to its clear sky and very low temperatures.
What's the best time to be sure to observe them?
Weather isn't an exact science, but you'll have more chance of observing northern lights in Finland between November and February. In Laponia, the season is longer, and extends from September to April! Even though we tend to associate them with winter, it's actually in autumn and spring that solar eruptions are more likely to interact with our planet's magnetic field. Plus, you avoid the Christmas season and everything it implies (high prices, more people, full hotels, etc.)
Ice skating
A bit of history
The immensity of frozen lakes isn't only conducive to white fishing! It's also the ideal place to go skating in the wild! And you should know that this activity isn't from yesterday! Archaeological excavations have revealed the use of primitive skates, created using animal bones, dating from about 4000 years ago! They didn't glide but allowed easier walking on ice. In the Middle Ages, bones were replaced by iron, which allowed shaping metal blades to glide and move faster. It was only from the 19th century that skating began to take a sporting and recreational turn. From the beginning of the 20th century, speed skating and touring competitions on frozen lakes began to appear, and today, ice skating is an essential activity in Finland.
Where and how to practice it?
On frozen lakes, everywhere in Finland, and even sometimes (if conditions permit), on the frozen Baltic Sea. Well-cleared tracks are generally set up to guarantee safe conditions. Cities are also very often equipped with outdoor or indoor skating rinks, where you can rent your skates. And if you want to go further, then don't miss participating in a guided long-distance skating excursion! These hikes in the wild allow exploring vast expanses in complete safety!
What equipment to use?
There are two styles of skates: long blades for long distances (better stability and smoother glide), or classic, used in skating rinks and for fun. If you're going alone, it's also recommended to have ice picks (rescue picks to extract yourself from water in case of ice breaking) and a waterproof bag with spare clothes.
Cross-country skiing
But the real star of the country is cross-country skiing! Used for millennia by populations to get around, it's today a true institution and the national sport!
Breathtaking landscapes
Cross-country skiing allows you to cross varied landscapes, like Laponia valleys, snowy forests, and frozen lakes. The different national parks are all promises of exceptional panoramas of the surroundings!
An exceptional trail network
Obviously, with all this, you won't be surprised to learn that Finland has the best cross-country skiing network in the world, with impressive mileage! Some resorts like Levi or Ruka offer hundreds of kilometers of groomed trails. You'll find two kinds: for classic style (alternating step) and for skating style (skater step). They're also often lit to allow you to ski in the evening.
A sport suitable for all levels
If you've never put on cross-country skis, don't panic, you can take lessons, or just rent equipment and get started! But if on the contrary you're an expert in the matter, then why not try a marathon, like the very popular Finlandia Hiihto?!
Meeting Santa Claus
For families (and also for all those who have kept a child's soul), visiting Santa's village, in Rovaniemi, is a great must-do of a stay in Finland! The capital of Laponia is indeed Santa Claus's official address and you'll be able to visit him, and meet his reindeer, elves and gnomes in the most enchanting atmosphere! The village being located on the polar circle, you'll have as a bonus a certificate proving that you crossed it!