Levi: Arctic Ice Floating Adventure

The oddest part of a Levi winter trip may be the most peaceful: you put on a waterproof Arctic suit and float in open water surrounded by snow and silence. You do not need swimming skills, and the suit keeps you on the surface while you look up at the cold Finnish sky.

I like the surprising calm of this activity and the simple finish by an open fire, with hot coffee or tea. I also like the careful help from the guides. Mattais and the on-site guide have helped nervous participants, taken photos, and made the water entry feel manageable. The main drawback is the transfer: the floating site is about 45 minutes from Levi each way, so only part of the three-hour booking is spent at the water.

Key points to know before you book

• A waterproof thermal suit keeps you afloat and dry: You receive instructions before entering the water, and no swimming ability is required.
• The journey takes about 45 minutes each way: Plan on a full three hours, including transport and preparation.
• The setting is quiet and forested: The appeal is stillness, clean air, and a strange feeling of floating in winter rather than a fast-paced activity.
• Hot drinks are served beside an open fire: Coffee and tea are included, while food is not.
• Guides help with nerves and photos: Mattais has been praised for his friendly support, and guides may organize photos during the activity.
• There are firm participation rules: At least two adults are needed for the outing to operate, and the minimum height is 120 centimeters.

Floating in the Finnish winter without getting cold

Arctic ice floating sounds like a stunt until you learn how the equipment works. The special suit is designed to keep you warm, dry, and on the surface. You can lie back in the water instead of swimming, letting the suit do the work while you breathe the cold air and watch the winter forest.

That makes this less like a water sport and more like a quiet nature pause. You are not racing, paddling, or trying to master a technique. The point is to slow down and notice the unusual contrast between freezing surroundings and the warm, buoyant suit.

You should still expect a real outdoor activity. The air will be cold, the setting is natural, and your hands may feel the chill while you change or wait. The experience works best if you welcome a little strangeness and do not expect a heated pool with resort-style facilities.

Leaving Levi for the floating site

You meet at the Safartica office in central Levi 10 minutes before the activity begins. If you are staying in the town center, selecting Safartica Levi as the meeting point is the simplest choice.

The ride to the floating location takes about 45 minutes each way. That detail matters more than it may seem. The advertised three hours includes the journey, changing, instructions, time in the water, and the hot-drink break, so you should not expect three uninterrupted hours of floating.

A pickup can be arranged within a 10-kilometer radius of the office, but you need to contact the operator at least 48 hours ahead. If you are already near central Levi, meeting at the office avoids adding another pickup arrangement to your morning or afternoon.

The transfer also helps explain the price. At $147 per person, this is not a cheap short activity. You are paying for transport, winter clothing, specialist flotation suits, guides, instruction, and a small hot-drink service. If you value an unusual Arctic experience with the practical details handled for you, the cost is easier to justify. If you only want a quick photo in the snow, it may feel high.

Getting ready in the Arctic suit

At the site, you receive winter clothing and the special suit used for floating. The guides explain what to do before you approach the water, which is important because the equipment can feel unfamiliar at first.

One useful tip is to bring thin gloves rather than bulky ski gloves. A thick pair may not fit inside the dry suit properly, and getting dressed can be the most awkward part of the outing. Hand warmers are also worth considering because your hands can cool faster than the rest of you.

Do not treat the suit as a reason to ignore the cold. It protects your body once you are floating, but you still need to follow the instructions and dress sensibly underneath the provided clothing. The supplied information confirms that the suit is waterproof, so you should not finish soaked after entering the water.

The minimum height is 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 9 inches. Children below that height cannot take part. At least two adults are also required for the activity to run, so a solo booking may not be enough to guarantee departure.

Entering the water with a guide nearby

The water entry is likely to be the moment when nerves appear. You are wearing an unfamiliar suit, the setting is cold, and the whole idea feels a bit backward. The guides give instructions before you step in and help you understand that the suit will keep you at the surface.

No swimming skills are required. That does not mean the water entry is completely effortless, but it does mean you are not expected to swim laps or rescue yourself through cold water. The activity is built around floating.

The guidance has been especially helpful for children and first-timers. An eight-year-old participant was nervous at first, then entered the water with support and enjoyed the experience. That suggests families with a child at least 120 centimeters tall may find the activity workable, provided the child is comfortable following instructions and wearing the equipment.

Guides can also affect the mood of the whole outing. Mattais has been singled out for making the experience more enjoyable, while the guide at the floating site has provided extra help in the water. Photos may be taken during the activity, and some outings include a little informal photo session. Ask the guide about photographs rather than assuming a particular number or format is included.

The quiet part: floating among the trees

Once you are in the water, the activity becomes simple. You float, breathe, and look around. The appeal is not a packed schedule of sights. It is the odd peace of lying in water while winter surrounds you.

The forest setting gives the experience its character. You are away from the busy center of Levi, with Arctic trees and cold open air replacing ski-lift noise and après-ski chatter. This is a useful change of pace if your holiday already includes downhill skiing, snowmobile trips, or other energetic outings.

I would book this for the sense of stillness rather than for action. The best moments may be the quiet ones when nobody needs to say much. If you are hoping for a long guided nature talk, wildlife sightings, or a dramatic series of stops, the description does not promise those things.

The experience also has a mental reset built into it. Floating removes the need to balance, paddle, or move. The suit carries your weight, and the water gives you a few minutes to let your body relax. That simple design is why the activity can appeal to people who are not sporty.

Warming up beside the open fire

After the water, hot coffee or tea is prepared over an open fire. This is more than a minor extra. In a cold setting, a warm drink gives the activity a clear ending and lets you talk with the guides while you get comfortable again.

The refreshment is basic, not a meal. Food is not included, so do not arrive expecting lunch or a full snack service. Some outings have also included marshmallows and cookies, but those are not listed as guaranteed inclusions, so treat them as a possible bonus rather than part of the booking promise.

The fire and hot drink also suit the mood. Instead of rushing straight back to the vehicle, you get a moment to take in the surroundings and compare impressions with your group. If the water portion feels brief because of the transfer and changing time, this pause helps the outing feel more rounded.

How the three hours are really used

The three-hour duration should be read as the total time for the experience, not three hours at the water. The known schedule includes roughly 90 minutes of round-trip transport, plus preparation, safety instructions, floating, and the fire-side drink.

The exact amount of time in the water is not specified, so I would avoid booking this with the expectation of a fixed floating period. Weather, group pace, clothing changes, and the needs of children can affect the flow.

That structure is normal for an activity in a remote winter setting, but it is worth knowing before you pay. The long ride can feel like part of the Arctic outing if you enjoy the change from town to forest. It can feel less worthwhile if your schedule is tight or you have only one day in Levi.

Allow extra energy for getting dressed. The dry suit needs to fit correctly, and bulky gloves can make the process harder. Thin gloves and hand warmers are the two most practical packing tips available for this activity.

Is $147 good value from Levi?

At $147, this sits in the higher-priced range for a three-hour activity. The value depends on what you are comparing it with. You are not simply paying for access to water. The price includes winter clothing, the flotation suit, an English-speaking guide, transport to a remote site, instruction, and hot drinks.

You also get an experience that is difficult to reproduce on your own. The suit, safety briefing, suitable location, and transport all matter. Trying to arrange an equivalent outing without local support would be impractical for most people.

I would call it fair value for someone seeking one unusual, well-supported Arctic memory. It is less compelling for a family focused on keeping costs low or for anyone who prefers active adventures with lots of time in motion.

The high rating of 4.9 from 19 ratings fits the strongest features: the activity feels unusual, the guides provide close help, and the setting is calming. Still, a high score does not remove the practical tradeoffs. The transfer is long, food is not included, and you need to be comfortable with the cost before booking.

Families, nervous beginners, and the right kind of adventurer

You do not need to be fit or a capable swimmer. The suit keeps you at the surface, and the guides give instructions before entry. That makes this one of the more accessible ways to try an Arctic water activity.

Families should check the height rule carefully. Anyone under 120 centimeters cannot float, and at least two adults are required for the activity to take place. An eight-year-old has taken part successfully, but the child still needs to handle the cold setting, unfamiliar clothing, and instructions.

I think this suits couples, families with older children, and friends who want a quiet break between more active Levi outings. It also suits a person who normally skips water activities because swimming is not a strength.

You may want to choose something else if you dislike changing into bulky clothing, have very little spare time, or want a meal included. The activity is also not designed as a private, luxury spa treatment. Its charm comes from basic equipment, outdoor silence, and a warm drink by a fire.

Booking details that affect your day

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which can help when your Lapland plans depend on weather or other bookings.

The tour is guided in English. Pickup is available within 10 kilometers of the Safartica office if arranged at least 48 hours ahead, but the central office is the main meeting point.

Plan to arrive 10 minutes before departure. Wear or bring thin gloves, and consider hand warmers for your hands. Since no food is included, eat beforehand or make your own food plans around the activity.

My verdict: book it for peace, not speed

I would book the Levi Arctic Ice Floating Adventure if you want an unusual, calming experience and have enough time for the 45-minute ride each way. The warm dry suit, supportive guides, forest setting, and open-fire drinks make the outing feel thoughtfully put together.

I would skip it if $147 feels steep for an activity with a substantial transfer, or if you want nonstop action. For the right person, though, floating silently in Arctic water is precisely the point. It gives you a memorable pause from the usual Lapland rush, with no swimming skills required and no need to prove anything once you are in the suit.

FAQ

Where does the activity meet?

The main meeting point is the Safartica office in central Levi. You should arrive 10 minutes before the activity starts.

How long is the experience?

The total duration is three hours. The transfer from Levi to the floating venue takes about 45 minutes each way.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is available within a 10-kilometer radius of the Safartica office. You must contact the operator at least 48 hours in advance if you need pickup to the office.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No. You receive instructions before entering the water, and the special suit keeps you on the surface.

Can children take part?

Participants must be at least 120 centimeters tall. At least two adults are also required for the activity to take place.

What is included in the price?

Winter clothing, ice floating with an English-speaking guide, and hot drinks are included. Food is not included.