Saariselkä: Northern Lights Hunting Snowshoe Trip

Saariselkä’s northern lights snowshoe trip takes you away from town and into a quiet, snow-covered forest after dark. You learn the basics, follow your guide into deep snow, and pause for hot chocolate beneath a sky that may fill with stars or the aurora.

I like the simple wilderness setting and the chance to see animal tracks in the snow. I also like the flexible pace: guide Teemo adapted the walk to different fitness levels and hiking wishes. The main drawback is clear: clouds can hide the northern lights, and the aurora is never guaranteed.

Key points to know

• Two and a half hours in the dark forest: This is a short evening outing, not an all-day snowshoe trek.
• Aurora watching is weather dependent: You may see the northern lights, but no guide can promise them.
• Hot chocolate comes in the wilderness: The mid-trip warm-up adds a pleasant human touch to the cold setting.
• Winter gear is supplied: Thermal overalls, boots, wool socks, scarf, beanie, gloves, and snowshoes are included.
• The walk suits adults and older children: Children under 12 cannot join, and at least two paying adults are required.
• Pickup and drop-off are included: Check the confirmation email closely for your actual meeting time.

Leaving Saariselkä for the quiet snow

The appeal begins when the lights of Saariselkä fade and the forest takes over. In Lapland, darkness does not mean complete blackness. Snow reflects what little light reaches it, and the sky can reveal stars with unusual clarity when clouds stay away.

Your guide first shows you how to use the snowshoes. This matters more than it may sound. Snowshoes are not difficult, but they change the way you walk. You lift your feet higher, spread your stance, and learn to place each step in soft snow rather than fighting it.

The route leads into dark, snow-covered nature. The exact path and pace can respond to the group, which is useful if some people are comfortable hiking and others are still learning. Guide Teemo has been praised for adjusting the outing to physical ability and personal hiking preferences, a detail worth noting if your group has mixed fitness levels.

You should expect a genuine outdoor activity, not a quick photo stop beside a road. The point is to feel the stillness, breathe cold air, and get used to moving through deep snow at night. That quiet is the attraction, but it also means you need to be comfortable with cold, darkness, and steady walking.

Learning snowshoes before the forest walk

Snowshoe instruction is part of the experience, so you do not need previous snowshoeing skills. Your guide explains how the equipment works before leading you onward.

The first few minutes may feel awkward. That is normal. Snowshoes are wider than ordinary boots, and you need to avoid stepping on the other shoe. Once your feet find a rhythm, the equipment lets you walk across snow that would otherwise swallow a normal boot.

This activity is best approached as a gentle outdoor lesson rather than a race. You are not trying to cover a huge distance. You are learning a practical winter skill while moving through a setting that feels very different from daytime sightseeing.

The provided clothing helps here. The package includes a thermal overall, winter boots, woollen socks, a woollen scarf, a beanie, and gloves, along with the snowshoes. You should still dress with care, but the supplied gear removes the need to bring a complete technical winter wardrobe of your own.

The minimum age is 12. That rule reflects the cold, nighttime conditions and the effort required to use snowshoes in deep snow. Younger children cannot join this activity.

Watching the sky without false promises

The northern lights are the headline attraction, but they are a possibility, not part of a guarantee. Clear skies are needed, and the aurora itself cannot be predicted with certainty for a particular evening.

That uncertainty should shape your expectations. If the sky is cloudy, you may see no lights at all. One January outing had clouds that blocked the aurora, yet the experience still worked because the snowshoe walk, guide, animal tracks, and forest setting provided the evening’s substance.

I would book this for the chance to see the aurora, but not as your only plan for seeing it. The strongest reason to choose this trip is that the walk remains worthwhile even when nature does not provide the main event.

When conditions cooperate, the setting can be special. You may look up from a snowy trail and see the northern lights above the trees, with a cup of hot chocolate warming your hands. You may also simply get a clear, star-filled sky. Both are memorable, but neither can be scheduled by the provider.

Bring a camera if you have one. It is specifically recommended for the outing, though you should remember that night photography can be tricky. The important thing is to keep your hands warm and pay attention to the walk rather than spending the whole evening trying to capture a perfect image.

A hot chocolate break in the middle of nowhere

Halfway through the outing, the group pauses for hot drinks. This is a small feature, but it changes the feel of the experience.

A warm drink gives you time to rest your legs, adjust your clothing, and look around without concentrating on each step. If the sky is clear, this may be your best chance to sit quietly under the stars or watch for the aurora while warming up.

The review details point to a guide who does more than lead the route. Teemo prepared hot chocolate in the middle of the forest and pointed out wild animal footprints. Those details make the stop feel connected to the place rather than like a standard refreshment break.

Do not expect a café or a long indoor rest. The break remains outdoors, in the cold, and the activity is built around the forest. Still, hot chocolate at night has a way of making a simple walk feel like a proper Lapland evening.

Looking for animal tracks along the way

The snow gives you something to watch besides the sky. Fresh footprints can reveal that the forest is active even when you see no animals.

Your guide may point out tracks and explain what has passed through the area. The available information does not promise a wildlife sighting, so you should not book this as an animal tour. The value is in noticing signs that you might otherwise walk past.

This is also where a live guide makes a difference. Without help, a dark snowy forest can look like a series of white shapes and black trees. With guidance, you may start seeing patterns in the snow and paying attention to the small details around the trail.

The tour is conducted in English. If you enjoy asking questions, the guide can add context to the walk and help you get more from the quiet pauses.

What the $111 price includes

At $111 per person, the trip costs more than a self-guided walk, but you are paying for several practical pieces at once. Pickup and drop-off, snowshoes, winter clothing, an English-speaking guide, and hot drinks are included.

That package can offer decent value in Saariselkä’s winter conditions. Renting or buying suitable clothing alone can be a nuisance, especially if you are visiting for only a few days. Transport also saves you from figuring out how to reach the starting point after dark.

The value depends on what you want from the evening. If your main goal is a guaranteed aurora sighting, the price may feel risky because the weather can cancel the view without canceling the activity. If you want a guided introduction to snowshoeing and a calm night outdoors, the cost covers more than aurora chasing.

The 2.5-hour duration is another point in its favor. You get enough time to settle into the snowshoes and reach a quiet area, but the outing does not take up a full day. It fits well into a winter schedule that includes other activities.

Clothing, comfort, and physical effort

The supplied winter clothing includes a thermal overall, boots, woollen socks, scarf, beanie, and gloves. This is useful for anyone arriving without a full set of Lapland gear.

You should still pay attention to comfort. Snowshoeing in deep snow takes more effort than walking on a cleared path, and cold temperatures can make a moderate walk feel harder. Tell your guide if you need a slower pace or a short pause. The experience has already shown room for adjustment based on physical condition and hiking preferences.

Wear the gear properly and keep your hands, feet, and head covered. The activity takes place at night, so you will not have the natural warmth of daytime sun. The provided clothing reduces the packing burden, but it does not remove the need to respect the weather.

Because children under 12 are not allowed, this is aimed at adults and older children who can manage the equipment and cold conditions. At least two full-paying adults are required for the safari to operate.

Timing and pickup details that matter

Pickup and drop-off are included, but the actual meeting time is sent in your confirmation email by the service provider. Check it carefully rather than relying only on the general activity duration or the time you had in mind.

Missing the meeting time means missing the activity, and that missed outing is not refunded. This is an easy detail to overlook when an evening tour has transport attached. Set an alarm and allow time to be ready before pickup.

The trip lasts 2.5 hours, though the precise starting time depends on availability. It is worth checking the date and time before booking so the outing fits your dinner plans and any other evening activity.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Lapland schedule may change. Those terms are useful, but they do not cover a missed meeting time, so punctuality still matters.

Who will enjoy this Saariselkä outing

I would choose this trip if you want a first taste of snowshoeing without committing to a full-day expedition. It also suits you if you care about the feel of the forest and the chance to learn something practical, not just the photograph of an aurora.

It works well for couples, friends, and families with children aged 12 or older. The flexible pace is helpful for groups with different comfort levels, though everyone should be ready for cold weather and walking in deep snow.

You may prefer another activity if you want a warm indoor evening, guaranteed entertainment, or a certain northern lights sighting. No aurora tour can control the clouds, and this one makes that limitation especially clear because the walk takes place in open winter nature.

I like that the outing does not become pointless when the lights fail to appear. You still get snowshoe instruction, a quiet forest walk, a hot drink, and the chance to notice animal tracks. That makes it a safer choice than a bare promise of an aurora photograph.

Should you book this snowshoe trip?

Book it if the idea of walking quietly through Saariselkä’s snowy forest appeals to you even without the northern lights. The best parts are the simple ones: learning the snowshoes, breathing cold air, stopping for hot chocolate, and looking up at a clear sky.

At $111, the included clothing, transport, equipment, guide, and drink make the price reasonable for a short guided outing. Just keep your expectations honest. The aurora is possible, not promised, and clouds may block it entirely.

If you can accept that risk, this is a well-rounded winter experience with more to offer than sky watching. Check the pickup time, dress warmly, and leave room for the forest itself to be the evening’s main event.

FAQ

How long does the Saariselkä snowshoe trip last?

The activity lasts 2.5 hours.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, but the actual meeting time is sent in your confirmation email.

What clothing is provided?

The winter clothing includes a thermal overall, winter boots, woollen socks, a woollen scarf, a beanie, and gloves.

Are snowshoes included?

Yes. Snowshoes are included, and the guide shows you how to use them.

Are northern lights guaranteed?

No. Auroras depend on weather conditions and cannot be fully predicted or guaranteed.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can children join the activity?

Children under 12 cannot join. At least two full-paying adults are required for each safari.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve the activity and pay later.