Levi: Snowy Forest Ride and Polar Lights Tours

A horse ride through a silent, snow-covered forest is one of the gentler ways to experience Finnish Lapland. You sit high enough to see the white woodland around you, yet the pace stays calm and unhurried. The well-trained Finnhorses are used to beginners, and the guide explains how to handle your horse before you set off.

I especially like the small groups of up to six and the choice of separate start times for beginners and advanced riders. I also like the warm berry juice and local cookie by the fire after the ride, a simple finish that feels right after time in the cold. The main thing to consider is the riding time: around 80 minutes on horseback may feel short if you already ride regularly.

Key points to know before you book

• Calm Finnhorses suit first-time riders, with a safety briefing before the forest route.
• Separate groups help match your riding ability, with beginner departures at 8:40 and advanced departures at 10:40.
• The mixed group leaves at 12:40, useful for families or parties with different levels.
• The ride is limited to six people, so the guide can pay close attention to each rider.
• Transfers run from central Levi, with pickup at Hissitie 11.
• Hot berry juice and a local cookie follow the ride, giving you a warm pause before returning to town.

Why a Finnhorse ride feels different in Levi

Levi has no shortage of fast winter activities. You can race behind huskies, ride snowmobiles, or head out by reindeer sleigh. This excursion takes the opposite approach. A horse walks steadily through the trees, hooves pressing into snow, while the forest stays quiet around you.

That slower pace is the point. You have time to notice the heavy snow on the branches, the changing light, and the way the horses move through the cold. Several of the horses are described as having distinct personalities, but they are also disciplined and reliable. That matters when you are new to riding and would rather admire the scenery than manage a nervous animal.

The horses are Finnhorses, a Finnish breed known here as sturdy working animals. The activity provider presents them as friendly and dependable, and the guides explain their individual temperaments. You are not simply placed on a horse and sent into the woods. You receive help with handling and basic riding first.

I would choose this trip for a quiet morning or midday outing, especially if you want a break from louder, faster excursions. It is also a good first riding experience. Several guests with little or no riding background found the instructions clear and the horses easy to manage.

Meeting the Polar Lights Tours minibus in central Levi

Your meeting point is at Hissitie 11 in Levi Center, across from the parking lot and beside the pizza place. Look for a bus or taxi marked Polar Lights Tours. This is a practical location, but it is worth arriving early because the transfer leaves at the stated time.

The drive to Polar Lights Tours takes about 15 minutes. If you have hired a car, one useful detail is that you can drive directly to the tour property instead of going back to town just to catch the transfer. The tour location is listed as Polar Lights Tours on Google Maps.

The included transfer is valuable in winter. Roads and parking can be less convenient when snow is heavy, and you do not need to work out transport to an activity site outside the center. The company also handles the return trip, bringing you back to Hissitie 11 after the visit.

The transport has received a high score, with 89 percent of ratings giving it a perfect mark. One isolated complaint concerned a bus driver using a phone and reading paperwork while driving. That is not a reason by itself to reject the trip, but it is fair to expect careful driving on snowy roads.

A short briefing before you meet the forest

At the activity base, plan on about 10 minutes for the safety talk. The guide explains how to handle your horse, how to sit, and what to do during the ride. Helmets are provided, so you do not need to bring your own.

This briefing is especially important for beginners. The horses are calm, but calm does not mean automatic. You will still need to follow the guide’s instructions and pay attention to your horse. The early explanation helps you understand how to steer and keep the group moving safely.

Guides named in the feedback include Jenni, Jenne, Yeni, and Nette, with some names spelled slightly differently by different people. The common thread is close attention to the group. Guides have explained the horses’ personalities, helped riders learn the basics, and adjusted the outing around different abilities.

Dress warmly. This is not a place for ordinary city layers alone. One January outing took place at minus 40 degrees, and the rider accepted an extra insulated layer from the provider. Another group used an additional layer because the cold was biting. Take every warm layer offered, and protect your feet especially well. Cold feet were a particular concern during one ride.

Eighty minutes through the snowy forest

The horseback portion lasts about 80 minutes. The route is described as a slow forest ride, not a speed-focused equestrian session. You should expect steady walking through snowy woodland, with time to take in the scenery rather than long periods of fast riding.

That makes the trip friendly to new riders and to people who want a restful activity. The horses are reported as well behaved, clean, and well cared for. Several guides have also been praised for their relationship with the animals, which you can usually sense in the way they prepare and manage the horses.

You may see or hear other animals near the base. One ride passed areas where reindeer could be seen and huskies could be heard. The property also has huskies and reindeer activities, so the visit can give you a glimpse of the wider animal setting even though this particular trip centers on horses.

The forest itself is the star. Snow changes familiar trees into soft white shapes, and the quiet creates a strong contrast with Levi’s ski-area energy. In good weather, the scenery can be striking. In poor weather, you will still have the snow and trees, but visibility and photo quality may be less impressive.

The ride is designed for different skill levels. Beginners have their own departure at 8:40. Advanced riders leave at 10:40, while a mixed group goes at 12:40. If you ride regularly, book the advanced time rather than assuming a mixed group will offer a faster pace. The description also notes that advanced riders can explore at their own pace, though the overall route remains a guided group experience.

One rider found the trip a little short but still useful as an introduction to handling a horse. That is the right way to judge the duration. For a first ride, 80 minutes is enough to learn the basics without making you sore or overwhelmed. For an experienced equestrian hoping for a long canter, it may leave you wanting more.

The photo stop and a warmer finish

After the ride, there is a 10-minute photo stop. This gives you a chance to take pictures with the horses and the snowy woodland without trying to manage a camera while riding. Keep your phone in an inside pocket so the cold does not drain the battery quickly.

The final 20 minutes include hot juice and a local cookie. The drink is described in the feedback as hot berry juice, served with a sweet local bread or cookie. It is a modest extra, but it changes the rhythm of the outing. You finish beside warmth and food rather than walking straight back to a minibus in riding gear.

I like this part because it adds a small taste of Lapland rather than just another transport transfer. It also gives you time to talk with the guide about the horses and the ride. After cold-weather activity, even a hot cup of berry juice feels well earned.

The activity then returns you to Hissitie 11 by bus or coach. The advertised duration is two hours, with the schedule also allowing time for transfers, briefing, riding, photos, and refreshments. Keep your plans slightly flexible around the listed start time, especially if you are arranging another activity immediately afterward.

Price, group size, and what you receive

At $147 per person, this is not a cheap short outing. The price makes more sense when you count the included transfer from central Levi, helmet, guide, horse, safety instruction, forest ride, photo stop, and refreshments.

The small group is the strongest value point. With no more than six participants, the guide has a better chance to correct your position, answer questions, and notice if you are uncomfortable. A large riding line can make a beginner feel anonymous. This setup should feel more personal, particularly if the group is not full.

Some departures have been very small. One pair ended up with extra riding time, and another group of four had an intimate session with close attention from the guide. That cannot be guaranteed, but the six-person limit keeps the outing from feeling like a mass-market ride.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option keeps payment flexible. The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, though the supplied details do not explain the horse-mounting arrangements. If you use a wheelchair, contact the provider before booking to confirm the exact support available.

The tour is offered in English and Finnish. The important instructions are practical, so you do not need a long lecture to understand the basics, but you should be comfortable following directions in one of those languages.

Who should choose this ride

This trip suits first-time riders, couples, families with suitable ages, and anyone who wants a quieter Lapland activity. It is also a good choice if you have already scheduled high-energy excursions and want something more peaceful.

You should consider it if:

• You have little or no riding experience.
• You want a snowy forest setting rather than a fast motorized activity.
• You prefer a small group and direct help from the guide.
• You appreciate animal care and want to learn about the horses.
• You have warm clothing and can handle time outside in severe cold.

It is less suitable if your main goal is a long gallop, technical riding, or a full-day horse trek. The route is slow and guided, and the horseback segment lasts about 80 minutes. Advanced riders may get a chance to canter depending on the group and guide, but you should not book on the assumption that this is a high-speed ride.

Also note the name. Polar Lights Tours operates the experience, but the supplied details focus on horseback riding through the snowy forest. There is no stated northern lights viewing during this two-hour ride. If seeing the aurora is your main aim, check the exact product description before booking rather than relying on the company name.

Practical tips for a smoother ride

Arrive at Hissitie 11 early and find the marked Polar Lights Tours vehicle. Missing the transfer could mean missing the activity, since the group heads to the riding base outside central Levi.

Choose the departure that matches your ability. Beginners should select 8:40, advanced riders 10:40, and mixed groups 12:40. If your party includes both confident and new riders, the mixed departure is the obvious fit, but do not expect the same pace for everyone.

Wear your warmest practical clothing. Bring layers, thick gloves, and reliable winter footwear. Take the extra insulated suit or layer if it is offered. At extreme temperatures, you may prefer to shorten your time outside, and the guide can help you understand your options.

Keep your expectations realistic. The ride is slow, scenic, and beginner friendly. The payoff is the quiet snowy forest, the gentle horses, and the personal feel of a small group, not speed or advanced equestrian training.

Should you book the Levi snowy forest ride?

I would book this if you want a calm, well-organized introduction to riding in Lapland. The strongest reasons are the reliable Finnhorses, separate ability groups, and the small six-person maximum. The warm berry juice and local snack are welcome after a cold ride, and central transfers remove a practical winter headache.

I would pause if $147 feels high for a two-hour activity or if you already ride often and want a substantial equestrian outing. The 80-minute forest ride may feel brief for advanced riders. For beginners, couples, and families seeking a memorable snowy experience, though, the balance is much better. Bring serious winter clothing, choose the right start time, and you should get a peaceful ride with plenty of Finnish character.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Levi?

Meet 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 transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from central Levi are included, with an estimated 15-minute bus or coach ride each way.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is two hours. The schedule includes transport, a 10-minute safety briefing, about 80 minutes of riding, a 10-minute photo stop, and 20 minutes for local snacks.

What departure time should beginners choose?

The beginner group starts at 8:40. Advanced riders have a 10:40 departure, and the mixed group starts at 12:40.

Are helmets provided?

Yes. A riding helmet is included with the activity.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing. Extra layers are particularly important because Lapland temperatures can be extremely cold, and some riders have used an additional insulated layer supplied at the base.

Is the ride suitable for people who have never ridden before?

Yes. The Finnhorses are described as calm and reliable, and the guide gives a safety briefing and explains how to handle the horse. Beginners have their own group departure.

How many people are in each group?

The activity is limited to six participants, making it a small-group experience.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Hot juice and a local cookie are included after the ride. The drink is described as hot berry juice, served with a local sweet bread or cookie.