Cold on a winter ride in Lapland: what the measurements say and what to ask
In December and January the daily maximum in Rovaniemi is minus seven to minus nine degrees.
Rovaniemi in December and January, what the Finnish Meteorological Institute says about winter and which kit to settle before you pack.
What the measurements say
The normals of the Finnish weather service (via the WMO, 1971 to 2000) for Rovaniemi show in December a mean daily maximum of -6.9 degrees and a night minimum of -13.3 degrees, in January -8.5 and -15.1 degrees, in February -8.1 and -14.1 degrees. Winter is cold, but the means say nothing about the coldest nights. Visit Finland names temperatures between minus 25 and plus 25 degrees through the year for Rovaniemi; in winter the mean lies between minus 10 and minus 20 degrees.
What the FMI says about winter
According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, winter in Lapland usually begins in mid-October and lasts about 200 days. Permanent snow follows about two weeks after the start of winter, and around mid-March the snow cover in the east and north is on average 60 to 90 centimetres deep. Anyone riding in January rides in a firmly snow-covered landscape.
What to settle
Visit Finland advises thermal underwear, a windproof outer layer and insulated boots. What matters is what the provider supplies: winter clothing, boots, gloves? And at what temperature a ride is cancelled. Cold feels different on horseback than on foot because you sit still; plan the layers accordingly. We give no assurance that you will not be cold, and no measurement does either.
Questions for the provider
- Which winter clothing and boots are provided?
- At what temperature or wind is the ride cancelled?
- Where do you warm up before and after?
- Is there riding in the dark, and is there light?
- What level is required, and is there a weight limit in kilograms?
- How many guests and how many guides are there?
- Until when is cancellation free, also in cold or storm?
What we could not confirm
No measurements for the coldest nights, only monthly means. What a provider supplies is stated in the respective offer.
Sources (read on 11 and 12 October 2026)
- WMO, World Weather Information Service, Rovaniemi (172), worldweather.wmo.int, retrieved on 12 October 2026.
- Finnish Meteorological Institute, Seasons in Finland, en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/seasons-in-finland.
- Visit Finland, Weather and climate in Finland, visitfinland.com/en/practical-tips/climate-and-weather-in-finland. Tourism marketing, named only as a statement of the page.
- Offers: Viator pool and GetYourGuide hand cards, as of 11 October 2026.