Levi: Snowy Forest Ride and Polar Lights Tours

Lapland looks especially quiet from horseback. On this two-hour outing, you ride a calm Finnhorse through a snowy forest, following a guide rather than a motor engine or a busy sled team. The horses are used to beginners, and the setting gives you time to notice the snow, trees, and cold northern air.

I like the small groups of up to six, which leave room for personal help. I also like the separate start times for beginners and advanced riders, plus the warm berry juice and local cookie by the end. The main thing to consider is the pace: this is a slow, steady forest ride, not a long galloping trek. The tour is also called a polar lights experience, but no northern lights sighting is promised.

Key points to know before you book

• Finnhorses suit first-time riders: The horses are described as friendly, reliable, and well trained for different kinds of riders.
• Three ability-based start times: Beginners start at 8:40, advanced riders at 10:40, and the mixed group at 12:40.
• An 80-minute ride: The horseback portion is long enough to feel worthwhile, but short enough for a first winter ride.
• Tiny groups make a difference: A maximum of six people allows the guide to help with reins, posture, and horse handling.
• Winter clothing matters: Guests have used extra layers and provided cold-weather gear in very low temperatures.
• A gentle finish: Hot berry juice and a local cookie are served after the ride, adding a pleasant Finnish touch.

A quiet way to see Lapland on horseback

Levi offers plenty of fast winter activities, but this ride takes the opposite approach. You travel through the forest at horse speed, with pauses built into the outing and enough quiet to appreciate the setting. The appeal is not a long route or a packed schedule. It is the simple pleasure of being outdoors with a calm animal in fresh snow.

The horses are Finnhorses, a Finnish breed valued for strength and a steady nature. Here, they are used to working with people of different experience levels. That matters if you have never ridden before, since you are not expected to arrive already knowing how to hold the reins or ask a horse to move.

Your guide gives a safety briefing and explains how to handle your horse before the ride begins. Guides including Jenni, Yeni, and Jenne have been praised for giving clear instructions, helping nervous riders, and explaining each horse’s personality. That personal introduction is one of the best parts of the experience. A horse feels less intimidating once you know its name and temperament.

The ride is also a good choice if you want an animal activity that feels slower and more personal than a large husky excursion. You can hear the horses, notice their movement, and take in the forest without rushing from one attraction to the next.

From Hissitie 11 to the horse farm

The tour begins at Hissitie 11 in Levi Center, across from the parking lot and next to the pizza place. Look for the bus or taxi marked Polar Lights Tours. The transfer to the activity site takes about 15 minutes, followed by the same length of journey back.

This pickup arrangement is useful if you are staying in central Levi and do not have a car. You do not need to work out a separate route to the horse farm. Arrive on time, though. One rider specifically noted that missing the bus would mean missing the transfer.

If you are driving, the activity location is listed as Polar Lights Tours Oy and can be found on Google Maps. One practical tip is to check the direct location before booking transport, since driving straight there may be simpler than going into Levi Center only to take the shuttle.

The tour is offered in English and Finnish. The group limit is six people, so the ride should feel more like a guided outing than a large stable operation. The activity is also listed as wheelchair accessible, though the supplied details do not explain which parts of the horse-riding setup are adapted, so ask the operator about your particular needs before you go.

Picking the right start time for your riding level

The start time matters more than it might seem. You have three choices:

• Beginners at 8:40
• Advanced riders at 10:40
• Mixed group at 12:40

Choose the beginner time if you have never ridden, have only ridden a few times, or want a relaxed introduction. The guide can spend more attention on basic handling, and you will be with people at a similar level.

The advanced group is intended for riders who already feel comfortable controlling a horse. The information says advanced riders can explore at their own pace, but the experience remains a guided forest ride. Do not book this slot expecting a full day of fast riding.

The 12:40 departure is for a mixed group. This may work well for couples or families with different riding backgrounds, but be aware that the pace will need to suit the least experienced people in the group.

The separate sessions are a real advantage. A first-time rider should not feel pressured to keep up with an experienced equestrian, and a practiced rider has a better chance of enjoying a little more freedom in the saddle. One guide even offered a more experienced family member the option to canter after the less experienced riders had returned, though that kind of flexibility should not be treated as guaranteed.

The 10-minute briefing makes beginners feel ready

After the transfer, allow about 10 minutes for the safety briefing. This is where you learn how to approach the horse, hold the reins, and give simple instructions. You also receive a riding helmet.

For a beginner, these minutes are important. Riding in snow is different from sitting on a horse in a paddock, and the cold can make hands stiff. Listen closely, ask questions, and make sure your gloves allow enough movement to handle the reins.

The guides also introduce the horses and explain their different personalities. That small detail came up repeatedly in the feedback and adds warmth to the activity. You are not treated as a passenger being placed on a random animal. You get a basic sense of the horse you are riding and how to work with it.

The horses are described as sweet, disciplined, and well cared for. Several riders noticed the close relationship between the guide and the animals. That is reassuring, especially if you are bringing a child or trying horseback riding for the first time.

Eighty minutes through the snowy forest

The main ride lasts about 80 minutes. Expect a calm route through the forest, with the horses moving at a measured pace. This is a scenic ride rather than a technical equestrian lesson or an all-out adventure.

The snow changes the mood. It softens sound, brightens the trees, and makes the forest feel removed from Levi even though the transfer is short. Riders have described the setting as peaceful, magical, and especially beautiful when the weather is clear. You might also hear the nearby huskies or see reindeer around the wider activity area, though those sightings are not guaranteed parts of the horse ride.

The slow pace works in your favor if you want photographs or have little riding experience. You have time to settle into the saddle and look around instead of concentrating on speed. It is also kinder to beginners, who can learn how to guide a horse without feeling hurried.

There is a limit, and it is worth being honest about it. One rider felt the horse ride could have been longer, while another described it as roughly an hour of riding. The official timing gives 80 minutes, but the exact riding time can vary with group needs, weather, and the arrival process. If you are an experienced rider seeking several hours in the saddle, this will probably feel brief.

For most first-time riders, though, the length is sensible. You get a proper outing without committing to a demanding winter ride. The guides can also shorten the route if the cold becomes too much. That flexibility is valuable in Lapland, where temperatures have reached minus 40 degrees Celsius during some visits.

Cold-weather planning is part of the experience

Bring warm clothing. That sounds obvious, but it is the most important advice here. Riders have used extra layers and accepted an additional warm jumpsuit at the farm. Take those options seriously, even if the weather seems manageable in Levi Center.

Your feet and hands are likely to feel the cold first. Wear the warmest practical boots you have and dress in several layers rather than one bulky layer. A helmet is provided, but you still need to keep your head and neck warm around it.

The horse farm may provide extra outdoor clothing, as it did for riders in very cold conditions. Do not assume that means you can arrive in ordinary city clothes. Your own base layers, gloves, socks, and footwear still matter.

The cold can also affect enjoyment. If you spend the whole ride worrying about frozen toes, you will miss the forest. Dress for standing around before and after the ride as well as sitting in the saddle.

Photos, berry juice, and a local cookie

After the ride, you have about 10 minutes for a photo stop. This is a useful chance to take pictures with the horses and snowy surroundings without trying to handle a phone while riding. Keep your camera protected from the cold, since battery life can drop quickly in winter conditions.

The final 20 minutes are set aside for local snacks. You receive hot berry juice and a local cookie, or what some riders described as sweet local bread. The drink is more than a small freebie on a cold day. It gives you a chance to warm your hands and talk with the guide after the ride.

This is also when the experience feels most personal. The guides have been described as friendly, funny, and attentive, and the relaxed finish lets you ask about the horses or talk through what you have just done. The combination of animals, fire, and a warm drink gives the outing a distinctly northern character.

The transfer back to Hissitie 11 takes about 15 minutes. From start to finish, the schedule totals two hours, so you can fit it beside other Levi activities without giving up a full day.

Is $147 good value?

At $147 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity in Levi. The price makes more sense when you look at what is included: central Levi pickup and drop-off, the helmet, the guide, the forest ride, the photo stop, hot berry juice, and a local cookie.

The small group is the strongest value point. With only six participants, the guide has a better chance of helping you personally, especially during the first briefing. That matters more for horseback riding than it would on a sightseeing bus, since your comfort and safety depend on understanding the horse.

You are also paying for a specialized winter setting and well-managed animals, not simply a short pony ride. The Finnhorses are suitable for beginners but still interesting for experienced riders. If animal care and a quiet outdoor experience matter to you, the price is easier to justify.

I would be less enthusiastic about the value if you want speed, a long trail, or a guaranteed view of the northern lights. The tour lasts two hours, and the riding section is around 80 minutes. Compare it with your other plans before booking several similar animal excursions.

The activity has a 4.9 rating from 182 reviews, and transport received a perfect score from 89 percent of participants. One negative practical note concerned a bus driver using a phone and reading paperwork while driving. That is not presented as a general feature of the service, but it is fair to keep in mind when judging the transport portion.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to first-time riders, couples, families with older children who can follow instructions, and anyone who wants a gentler alternative to snowmobiles or husky rides. It also suits people who value the animals and the setting as much as the activity itself.

The beginner group is particularly useful for anyone who feels nervous. The horses are calm, the briefing is clear, and the ride is slow. You do not need prior riding knowledge to take part.

Experienced riders can book the advanced session, but should keep expectations realistic. This is still a short, guided forest outing. It may satisfy the wish to ride in Lapland, but it is not a replacement for a full equestrian trek.

I would skip it if you dislike cold weather, have no interest in horses, or want a fast-paced thrill. I would also avoid booking the mixed session if your party has very different abilities and you want to ride at a single brisk pace.

Should you book the Levi snowy forest ride?

Book it if you want a quiet, animal-focused winter experience with a small group and real support for beginners. The best parts are the calm Finnhorses, the forest setting, and the guides’ close attention to both people and animals.

Choose your start time carefully, dress more warmly than you think necessary, and expect a slow ride rather than a gallop. At $147, it is a considered purchase, but the small group, transport, warm snack, and well-cared-for horses make it a fair choice for the right visitor.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Hissitie 11 in Levi Center, across from the parking lot and next to the pizza place. Look for the bus or taxi marked Polar Lights Tours.

Is transport from Levi Center included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from central Levi are included. The trip to the activity site takes about 15 minutes each way.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts two hours, including transfers, the briefing, horseback riding, photos, and local snacks.

How long is the horseback ride?

The planned horseback-riding portion lasts about 80 minutes.

What time does the beginner group start?

The beginner group starts at 8:40.

When does the advanced group start?

The advanced group starts at 10:40.

Is there a mixed riding group?

Yes. The mixed group starts at 12:40.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. A riding helmet is included.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing. Winter temperatures can be extremely low, so dress carefully and use any extra layers offered at the activity site.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Hot berry juice and a local cookie are included after the ride.

Is the activity suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Finnhorses are described as calm and reliable, and the guide gives an introduction to handling a horse. Beginners also have their own group.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.