Ice Floating in Forest Lake with Aurora Borealis

Floating in an icy Finnish lake while watching the sky for the Northern Lights is about as unusual as a Rovaniemi evening gets. I like the strange, weightless feeling of the suit and the fact that you get a real forest setting, not just an aurora forecast from a parking lot. I also like the small maximum group of 16 and the warm gingerbread and blueberry tea afterward.

The main catch is simple: the aurora may not appear, and the floating itself is quiet rather than action-packed. A few serious equipment and scheduling problems have also been reported, so this experience rewards flexible expectations and a careful check of the pickup details.

Key points before you book

• Floating suits are included, but you must be at least 130 centimeters tall to fit one safely.
• The Northern Lights are not guaranteed, since clouds and solar activity control the show.
• Round-trip transport is included, but pickup times can change by season and availability.
• The lake setting is dark and peaceful when conditions cooperate, with stars and sometimes the Milky Way.
• Warm treats follow the float, usually gingerbread with blueberry tea or hot berry juice.
• The group can reach 16 people, though some reports describe busier sessions, so ask the provider about current group size.

Why floating in a frozen lake feels so unusual

The basic idea is wonderfully odd. You put on a waterproof floating suit, walk down into a section of icy lake water, and allow the suit to hold you on your back. The water reaches around your waist before you lean back, and the result is a slow, quiet drift beneath the Finnish night sky.

You are not swimming laps or moving from one point to another. This is more like lying still in a giant outdoor float, with the ice, trees, darkness, and stars supplying the scenery. If an aurora appears, you have a front-row view without city lights competing for attention.

The suit is the key piece of equipment. In very cold weather, some people stayed warm in it even around minus 25 degrees Celsius. That does not mean you should dress casually. Wear suitable warm layers underneath, and bring dry clothing in case a suit does not seal properly.

The body position takes a little practice. Several people found it harder than expected to stay comfortably on their backs, especially at first. Keep your hands protected, follow the guide’s instructions, and do not worry if you need a few minutes to get used to the balance.

Leaving Rovaniemi for the forest lake

The stated meeting point is Maakuntakatu 29 in central Rovaniemi, with a listed start time of 7:30 p.m. Hotel pickup is included, and you should wait in your hotel lobby at least 10 minutes before the assigned time.

That last point matters because the exact departure time can change with the season and the operator’s schedule. Confirm the final time in the email from the local provider rather than relying only on the time shown when you book.

The ride to the lake may be short in distance, but the total transfer can vary. Some outings reached the lake in about 20 to 30 minutes, while longer pickups took much more time because the vehicle collected people in different places. One particularly frustrating arrangement involved driving into central Rovaniemi after an earlier pickup before heading out again.

Good communication makes a big difference here. Guides including Gerry, Alaina, Matthias, and Tommaso received warm praise for being helpful, patient, or entertaining. Other outings had very little explanation during the drive. You should expect the quality of the briefing to depend heavily on the guide assigned that night.

Getting dressed in the floating suit

At the lake, you change into the provided suit and prepare for the water. This is often the funniest part of the evening. The suits are bulky, and walking in them can feel awkward, rather like trying to move around in an oversized padded costume.

The practical goal is to stay dry and warm. Some participants were advised to wear only a base layer under the suit, while others preferred gloves and additional clothing. The safest approach is to follow the guide’s instructions but keep a dry set of clothes available.

Suit condition is the biggest concern raised about this experience. Many people used suits that stayed dry, did not smell, and worked exactly as intended. But there were also reports of holes, leaking seams, musty odors, and even visible repairs. In the worst cases, cold water reached the clothing almost immediately.

That is not a minor inconvenience in Finnish winter. If you notice a damaged zipper, seam, or patch before entering the water, point it out at once and ask for another suit. If you have concerns about sizing, contact Nordic Unique Travels before booking. The minimum stated height is 130 centimeters, and children under 12 must be accompanied by adults paying the full price.

The six-minute feeling of weightlessness

Once suited up, you enter through a ladder similar to one at a swimming pool. The designated water area is limited, which helps keep the activity controlled. The water may reach your waist while you stand, then you lean back and let the suit support you.

The sensation is the main reason to book. You feel the cold water around you, but the suit creates a barrier between your body and the lake. With your face pointed toward the sky, you can watch the stars and listen to the quiet around you.

Some sessions lasted long enough for people to settle in and enjoy the stillness. Others felt rushed, with only about six minutes in the water before participants decided they had had enough. You can get out if you are cold, warm up, and return to the water if the guide permits it. That flexibility is useful because the experience feels different in clear, calm weather than it does in cloud, wind, or a noisy group.

Do not expect constant entertainment. There is no route to follow and no active sport to master. If the sky is cloudy and the group is loud, the float can feel oddly uneventful. If the night is clear, the same quiet pace becomes the point.

Looking for the Northern Lights

The aurora is the headline attraction, but it is a possibility, not part of a guarantee. The lights depend on solar wind and weather, and clouds can block even strong activity. A clear night may reveal millions of stars, the Milky Way, or a faint aurora that is easier to detect through a phone camera than with your eyes.

Timing also matters. The scheduled activity may take place before the strongest aurora appears later in the evening. One outing had a clear sky but no visible lights during the float, then the aurora appeared after the group had packed up. Another group saw the lights just before leaving, and the guide extended the experience so nobody had to rush away.

This is why I would not book it as your only Northern Lights plan. Think of the floating as the dependable part and the aurora as a bonus. You can have a worthwhile evening in the water even if the sky stays dark, but only if floating itself sounds appealing.

The best conditions combine a clear sky, low light pollution, and active solar weather. The forest lake gives you a better setting than central Rovaniemi, but no tour can control the clouds or the sun.

Warm tea, gingerbread, and the return to town

After the float, you change back into your clothes and gather in a warm area. Gingerbread and blueberry tea are included, with some outings offering hot berry juice as well. This small finish matters more than it may sound. After standing outside in winter gear and concentrating on your position in the water, a hot drink gives the evening a proper ending.

The snack also creates time to look up again. The aurora may appear after the water portion, and guides have sometimes explained what was happening in the sky or helped take photographs using participants’ own cameras.

Your guide may be excellent at this stage. Matthias was praised for storytelling, Alaina for taking photos, and Gerry for being especially helpful. Other sessions were less personal, with the guide spending much of the time speaking to other staff or checking a phone. The experience is therefore partly shaped by the person leading it.

The activity ends back at the meeting point, with the return transport included. Plan on roughly two and a half hours overall, though the exact length can shift with transport, group size, and the guide’s decision to allow extra time for an aurora.

How much value do you get for $82.87?

At $82.87 per person, this is not a cheap way to look at the night sky. Its value comes from combining several services: transportation, access to a remote forest lake, a floating suit, staff supervision, and warm refreshments.

I think the price is fair if you specifically want to try ice floating. Few ordinary sightseeing outings offer such an unusual activity, and the memory is far more distinctive than simply standing beside a road waiting for green light in the sky.

The value drops sharply if you are booking only for the aurora. You might see no lights at all, and you could find yourself paying for an activity you did not really want. Also check the price again before confirming. One person found the cost had fallen by about $50 when booking closer to the date, though prices can change and a late booking may leave you without a place.

A small group is another point in the price calculation. The stated maximum is 16 people, which should be more manageable than a large coach outing. Still, reports describe at least one session with around 25 people in the water. Ask about the expected group size if a calm, private-feeling experience matters to you.

Problems to watch for before you go

The strongest negative reports focus on organization and equipment rather than the idea of ice floating itself.

Pickup times changed repeatedly for some people, including a change from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and then back again. A wrong assumption about the departure time caused one group to scramble into town after being called by the guide. Check every message from the operator and keep screenshots of the confirmed time.

Suit hygiene and watertight condition also deserve attention. Many participants had no trouble, but some described powerful mildew odors, wet clothing, and suits put back into use despite visible leaks. You cannot inspect the whole suit perfectly, but you can ask to change it if it smells strongly or looks damaged.

The activity is not a strong choice for anyone with mobility limitations. Access to the water uses a ladder, and moving in the bulky suit can be awkward. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not promise accessibility support.

Finally, group behavior can change the mood. A quiet night beneath the stars can feel special. A loud group, bright flashlights, or a guide who offers little explanation can take away much of the calm.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this for couples, friends, and curious adults who want something unusual in Rovaniemi and are comfortable with a slow, cold-weather activity. It suits you if the floating itself sounds fun, even without an aurora.

It can also work well for families with older children who meet the 130-centimeter height requirement. Children under 12 need an adult paying the full price, and the adult should be ready to help with the clothing, ladder, and instructions.

I would skip it if you want a busy evening with animals, snowmobiles, or several activities packed together. I would also skip it if you dislike bulky gear, cannot comfortably use a ladder, or would be disappointed by a night with no aurora.

Bring warm base layers, hand protection, and spare clothing. Tell the operator about dietary needs when booking. Most importantly, arrive ready to ask questions. A quick suit check and a clear confirmation of pickup time can prevent the two biggest sources of trouble.

Should you book the ice floating tour?

Book it if you want a one-of-a-kind Finnish winter activity and can treat the Northern Lights as a lucky extra. The floating is genuinely unusual, the forest setting can be beautiful, and the hot berry drink with gingerbread is a welcome finish.

Do not book it solely as an aurora hunt. A clear sky may show stars but no lights, while a cloudy sky may erase everything. Also contact Nordic Unique Travels ahead of time about suit sizing, pickup, and current group numbers.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, there is no refund, though poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can lead to another date or a full refund. The minimum is two people on weekdays and Saturdays, and four people on Sundays and public holidays.

FAQ

Where does the ice floating experience take place?

The activity begins from Maakuntakatu 29 in Rovaniemi and travels to a forest lake. It ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

What time does the activity start?

The listed start time is 7:30 p.m., but departure times can vary by season and availability. Check the local provider’s email for the exact pickup time.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from your hotel is included. You should wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup.

Is the floating suit included?

Yes. A floating suit is provided as part of the experience.

How tall must I be to use the floating suit?

You must be at least 130 centimeters tall. Contact the provider before booking if you have concerns about the suit’s size.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The aurora depends on weather and solar wind activity, so it cannot be guaranteed.

Can children join the activity?

Children under 12 must be accompanied by adults paying the full price. All participants must also meet the 130-centimeter minimum height for the suit.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants cancels the activity, you can be offered another date or a full refund.