Arctic Fishing & Open Fire Cooking

The best part of this outing is that you do not simply watch a winter activity. You take part in the whole process, from drilling through the lake ice to checking nets and cooking fish over a fire. I like the mix of old Lappish methods and good, plain food. Salmon soup, fish stew, bread, and marshmallows have all featured around the fire.

I also like the quiet setting at Rahajärvi and the patient teaching, especially for families. The main drawback is the cold and the physical work: turning an ice auger is not effortless, and the company does not provide winter clothing. You need to arrive ready for shifting Arctic weather.

Key points at a glance

• Rahajärvi by winter road: Leave Xwander’s shop in Ivalo at 10:00 for a lake-based outing in the forest.
• Three traditional methods: Try kairaaminen, the drilling of ice holes, pilkkiminen, ice fishing with a line, and juomustus, net fishing under the ice.
• Catch-to-fire cooking: Fish caught during the activity may become part of a hot meal cooked outdoors over an open fire.
• Warm shelter and simple treats: The fire, tent, salmon soup or fish stew, bread, and marshmallows give the cold-weather day a welcome center.
• Family-friendly instruction: Guides demonstrate the techniques and help children and older family members take part.
• Practical five-hour format: The trip runs roughly from 10:00 to 15:15, with free pickup available in Ivalo.

Why this fishing trip feels different

Many Lapland winter activities put you in front of a snowy view and let the scenery do the work. This one asks you to use your hands. You turn the auger, lower a line into dark water, and learn how fish are taken beneath a thick sheet of ice.

That makes the day feel connected to local life rather than arranged only for photographs. The methods have Finnish names because they are more than tourist tricks. Kairaaminen means making the hole, pilkkiminen is the patient act of ice fishing, and juomustus involves setting and checking a net beneath the ice.

The catch is not guaranteed. That is part of the deal. You may spend time waiting, and the success of the meal can depend on the fish. But the activity still has a clear purpose, and the cooking session gives the day a satisfying finish even when the fishing is slow.

From Ivalo to Rahajärvi at 10:00

Your morning begins at Eräsoppi, the Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12. Be there by 9:45, not at the stated departure time, so the guides can handle preparations before the vehicle leaves at 10:00.

The drive to Rahajärvi is included in the outing once you meet at the shop. For people staying in Ivalo, complimentary pickup is available. If you are based in Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, or Kiilopää, you need to contact Xwander in advance about a transfer. Transport to the meeting place itself is not included, so check your hotel location before booking.

The lake setting matters. You are not fishing beside a city road or from a busy resort platform. Rahajärvi gives the activity a quieter feel, with winter forest and open ice providing the backdrop. The precise scenery and road conditions can change with the season, so bring your camera, but do not treat the outing as a sightseeing drive. The hands-on work is the point.

Making the first hole in the ice

The first real task is kairaaminen, drilling down through the ice. This is a useful part of the activity because it shows you the effort involved before the fishing even begins.

An ice auger takes some muscle and steady movement. One family group found the drilling difficult, which is useful information if you are booking with young children or older relatives. Guides can demonstrate the technique and help, but you should expect to participate rather than stand back and watch the entire time.

The physical work also helps you warm up. That matters in Lapland, where waiting beside a hole can become chilly even when you are wearing proper clothing. Warm, windproof layers are essential, and the company specifically asks you to bring them. Winter clothing is not supplied.

After the holes are ready, you can try pilkkiminen. This style of ice fishing is quiet and simple: lower the line, watch, wait, and respond when a fish takes interest. You may catch fish, but no responsible fishing trip can promise a full basket. The pleasure comes from learning the method and sharing the suspense.

Checking nets beneath Rahajärvi

The second fishing approach adds variety. Instead of relying only on a hand-held line, you learn about juomustus, net fishing under the ice.

This gives you a better sense of how winter fishing works beyond the familiar image of one person sitting over one small hole. The guides explain the process and help with the practical steps. You should expect demonstrations and assistance, not a technical fishing course requiring previous experience.

The net check can also bring the biggest moment of the day. One family caught fish with a line and then checked the nets, giving them food they had helped gather themselves. That catch was taken to the fire for cooking, but your result may vary with conditions.

This part suits curious adults as much as children. Younger participants may enjoy the anticipation and teamwork, while adults can appreciate the traditional method. If you want a fast-paced activity with constant action, this is probably not the right choice. Ice fishing has pauses, and the quiet is part of its character.

Cooking the catch over an open fire

Once the fishing is done, the group turns to food. Xwander provides the cooking equipment and tableware, so you do not need to pack a camp kitchen. The fish is cooked over an open fire, with the guides showing different ways to prepare it.

The exact menu can vary. One outing included salmon soup and marshmallows. Another produced a creamy fish stew with bread. The food is not a restaurant lunch with a long menu. It is a hot, shared meal made in the same place where you have been fishing, and that link gives it extra appeal.

I like this part because it turns the catch into a complete story. You are not merely handed a prepared portion and told it came from northern waters. You have seen the hole, handled the fishing equipment, and watched the cooking take shape. The result is basic camp food, but it can taste especially good after time outside.

The fire also offers a needed change of pace. After the work on the ice, you can sit near the warmth, eat, and talk. A tent around the fire has provided shelter and warmth on past outings. Marshmallows give children an easy final activity, while adults can enjoy the simple comfort of hot food and a flame in the winter forest.

Dietary requirements and allergies should be provided when you book. This is important because the meal is planned as part of the outdoor activity, not selected from a restaurant menu on the spot.

What the guides add to the day

Good instruction matters here. Ice fishing looks simple until you try to handle the auger, line, and net in cold conditions. The guides demonstrate the methods, explain what to do, and help participants who need a hand.

This is particularly useful for a mixed-age family. A group of six that included young children and grandparents found that everyone could take part because the Xwander team explained the steps carefully and assisted the children. That does not mean every family will find every task easy, but it does suggest that the outing is built for shared participation rather than only strong adults.

Guide Julian is specifically named for his kind and careful help during one trip. The available guide languages are Finnish, English, and French. If your group needs a particular language, confirm that it will be available for your date rather than assuming every guide speaks all three.

The minimum group size is two participants. The information provided does not give a maximum group size, so ask Xwander if you want to know how many people may be on your departure. Group size can affect how much individual time you receive with the fishing equipment.

Is $167 a fair price?

At $167 per person, this is not a bargain-bin winter outing. I think the price is reasonable if you value the full five-hour experience rather than just a short chance to sit beside an ice hole.

The cost covers the guided trip to Rahajärvi, open-fire food, cooking equipment, tableware, and safety equipment. It also includes instruction in three traditional fishing methods, which is more involved than a basic ice-fishing demonstration. Free pickup in Ivalo improves the value if you are staying there.

You still need to budget for suitable winter clothing if you do not already have it. Transport to the Ivalontie meeting point is not included, and transfers from Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, or Kiilopää must be arranged ahead of time. Those details can make the final cost higher for people staying outside Ivalo.

The five-hour length is another part of the value. You are not rushed through one short photo stop. The schedule allows time for the drive, drilling, fishing, net checking, cooking, and eating. If you want a quick activity between other tours, the timing may feel long. If you want one main winter experience for the day, it fits well.

Cold weather is the real condition

Lapland weather can change quickly. A calm morning may turn windy, and the temperature on an exposed lake can feel much lower than it does in town. Bring warm, windproof clothing, and do not rely on ordinary city winter wear unless it is genuinely suitable for several hours outdoors.

You should also bring water, snacks, and a camera. The supplied food is part of the outing, but the company still recommends snacks. That is sensible, especially for children or anyone who finds physical work makes them hungry.

The safety equipment is included. The activity takes place on winter ice, so follow the guides closely and do not wander away from the working area. The available information does not specify a clothing rental service, boot sizes, or a detailed list of supplied thermal gear. Ask before booking if you are unsure what you need.

Who will enjoy the five-hour format?

This outing is a strong choice for families who want one activity that adults, children, and grandparents can share. The guides provide demonstrations, and the fishing methods give different people different ways to join in. Children may prefer marshmallows and the excitement of checking the nets, while adults may focus on the fishing and cooking.

It also suits visitors who want a quieter connection with Finnish Lapland. The lake, forest, ice, and fire provide a slower day than a motorized excursion or a tightly packed sightseeing schedule.

You should think twice if you dislike cold, waiting, or hands-on work. The auger can be tiring, fish may not bite, and much of the outing happens outside. This is not an indoor cooking class with a guaranteed main course.

The outing is offered in Finnish, English, and French, making it practical for many international groups. If you need special food, mention it at booking time. If you are staying outside Ivalo, arrange the transfer before the day of the activity.

Booking details that matter

The trip starts at 10:00 from Eräsoppi, and you should arrive by 9:45. It returns to the shop at about 15:15, though winter road and activity conditions can affect the exact timing.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps payment flexible. Check availability for the exact starting time because departures may vary.

The activity requires at least two participants. If you are traveling alone, confirm that another booking has made the departure possible before relying on it as the fixed centerpiece of your day.

Should you book Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking?

Book it if you want to do more than look at the snow. The strongest reasons are the chance to learn three traditional fishing methods, eat food cooked over a fire, and spend a full half-day at Rahajärvi with helpful instruction.

I would especially recommend it to families and to visitors who like practical cultural experiences. The activity has enough variety to keep a group interested, and the fire, soup or fish stew, bread, and marshmallows give the day a warm finish.

Skip it if you need guaranteed fishing success, supplied winter clothing, or a short and effortless excursion. For everyone else, $167 buys a substantial northern outing, not just a staged photo stop. Bring serious layers, arrive early, and accept that the lake decides how much fish comes home.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Eräsoppi, the Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12 in Ivalo.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive by 9:45. The trip leaves at 10:00.

How long does the activity last?

The total duration is about five hours. The return to the shop is scheduled for around 15:15.

Where does the fishing take place?

The outing travels to Rahajärvi, near Ivalo.

What fishing methods will I learn?

You will learn kairaaminen, drilling holes through the ice, pilkkiminen, ice fishing, and juomustus, net fishing under the ice.

Is food included?

Yes. Open-fire food, cooking equipment, and tableware are included.

Is winter clothing provided?

No. Winter clothing is not included. You need to bring warm, windproof clothing.

Is pickup available?

Complimentary pickup is available in Ivalo. For Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, and Kiilopää, contact Xwander ahead of time to arrange a transfer.

What languages are available?

The live guide languages are Finnish, English, and French.

Can I cancel the booking?

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