Lapland: Ice Fishing, Floating & BBQ Snow Adventure

Ice floating is the star here. You slip into a survival suit, lie back on a frozen lake, and let the suit keep you afloat while icy water presses around you. It is odd, calm, and far more memorable than simply looking at a frozen lake.

I like the mix of hands-on ice fishing and a hot salmon barbecue, and I like that winter clothing, boots, gloves, equipment, and transport back to your accommodation are included. The catch is that fishing is mainly a taste of the tradition, not a reliable way to bring home dinner. The bait may be artificial, and the odds of catching a fish are low.

Key points at a glance

• Ice floating is the main thrill: You wear a survival floating suit and enter the icy water under professional guidance.
• Fishing is about the experience: You learn to drill a hole and use the gear, but a fish catch is far from guaranteed.
• The salmon barbecue is a strong part of the day: Grilled salmon, Lappish bread, marshmallows, and hot drinks are served.
• Winter gear is supplied: Overalls, boots, gloves, fishing equipment, and floating suits are included.
• Recent guides include Luka, Leah, and Albane: Guide quality has been praised, including help with photos, snowshoes, fishing holes, and cooking.
• Check the suit sizing before booking: You must be at least 130 centimeters tall, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

A frozen lake, a fishing hole, and a very strange swim

This 6.5-hour outing takes you from accommodation into the Arctic forest and onward to a frozen lake. The setting is simple and powerful: white snow, dark trees, thick ice, and the quiet that comes when winter has covered everything.

The activity begins with ice fishing. Your guide explains the equipment, shows you how to make a hole in the ice, and helps you try the basic technique. This gives you a feel for an old northern pastime without requiring you to own specialized gear or know how to judge lake ice yourself.

The fishing is best understood as a cultural activity rather than a serious fishing trip. You may spend time waiting over the hole, and you may not catch anything. Artificial bait has been used on some departures, and recent experiences suggest that landing a fish is unlikely. If you need action every minute, this part may feel slow.

I still like the fishing because it gives the day a rhythm. You are not only looking at Lapland. You are handling the tools, working with the ice, and taking part in something tied to life in the far north. Just set your expectations properly: the hole in the ice is the attraction, not a guaranteed catch.

The salmon barbecue warms up the middle of the day

After the fishing, you get a Lappish barbecue with grilled salmon, Lappish bread, marshmallows, and hot drinks. This is not a minor snack between activities. In cold weather, a proper meal gives the outing a welcome pause and makes the time outdoors much easier.

The salmon has been one of the strongest parts of the experience for me. It is a fitting meal for Lapland, and the warm food contrasts nicely with the frozen setting. You may eat in a kota, a traditional Finnish shelter, with the meal prepared as part of the outing.

The bread, marshmallows, and hot drinks round out the meal. The marshmallows also add an easy bit of fun, especially for children and families. Vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available by request, so mention your needs before you go rather than waiting until the meal begins.

The barbecue also gives you a chance to warm up before the floating session. That matters. The water beneath the ice is cold, and even a well-designed suit does not make the setting feel warm. A hot drink and a cooked meal help you enjoy the next activity instead of simply enduring it.

Ice floating in a survival suit

The floating session is the unusual part of the day. You are given a survival floating suit and guided into the water at the frozen lake. The suit is designed to keep you afloat, so you can lie back and look at the surrounding forest and ice.

You should expect a strange mix of calm and cold. The suit keeps the water from soaking through, but you can still feel some coldness from the icy water. That sensation is part of the appeal, though it is worth remembering if you dislike cold-weather activities.

The floating itself is gentle. You are not swimming laps or taking part in a high-speed sport. Instead, you float on your back and let the suit do its work. Several recent departures have found this surprisingly relaxing, which makes sense once the initial shock of entering the water passes.

Your guide controls the safety side of the activity and explains how to use the suit. Follow those instructions closely, especially when entering and leaving the water. The staff may also take photos during the day. Guides such as Leah have been praised for photographing the group while also helping with the practical work.

The 130-centimeter minimum height is important. It is not a casual suggestion, since the floating suit needs to fit correctly. If you are close to the limit, or if you have concerns about sizing, contact the provider before booking.

What the guides add to the experience

A good guide matters on a day built around ice, equipment, and cold water. The guide needs to explain how to use the fishing tools, help with the ice hole, fit the floating suit, manage the schedule, and keep the group comfortable.

Guide names associated with recent departures include Luka, Leah, and Albane. Their roles have included taking photographs, helping people when snowshoes became difficult in deep snow, assisting with fishing holes, cooking the salmon, and keeping the activities moving.

That range of duties is useful because this is not a simple walk to a viewpoint. You need help at several points. The ice hole may take longer to prepare than expected, and snow can make even a short move between activities tiring. A guide who stays involved makes a real difference.

English is the standard tour language. German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese may be available on request, but you should arrange that before booking rather than assume it will be offered on the day.

The outdoor setting is part of the value

You spend the day in Arctic forest and around a frozen lake, rather than inside a purpose-built attraction. That gives the outing a more direct connection to Lapland’s winter environment.

The scenery is quiet rather than packed with sights. You will not move from one famous landmark to another. Instead, the interest comes from the snow, the ice, the trees, the cooking fire, and the unusual feeling of standing beside a lake that has become a solid white surface.

Some descriptions of the experience may create expectations of hiking. One departure did not include hiking, and hiking is not listed among the core inclusions. I would book this for ice fishing, the barbecue, and floating, not for a dedicated snowshoe or hiking excursion.

Snowshoes may be part of getting around in some conditions, but that is not the same as a planned hike. If walking through snow is your main goal, choose a tour built around snowshoeing.

What is included, and why it matters

The $281 price is high if you compare it with a short activity. It becomes easier to justify when you add up the length of the outing, transport back to your accommodation, winter clothing, equipment, food, guide service, and two unusual activities.

You receive winter overalls, boots, and gloves. This is valuable if you are visiting Lapland without a full Arctic wardrobe. You still need to dress sensibly underneath, but you do not have to purchase or pack every outer layer for a single day.

Fishing equipment is included, as is the survival floating suit. You do not need to rent separate gear or learn how to judge which equipment works on the lake.

The food is also included, not just a packaged snack. Grilled salmon, bread, marshmallows, and hot drinks make the price feel more reasonable, especially during a 6.5-hour winter outing.

The main question is how much you value the floating experience. If you only want to try ice fishing, the price will feel steep, particularly since a fish catch is unlikely. If floating in icy water is high on your Lapland wish list, combining it with fishing and a meal saves you from booking several separate activities.

Timing, group rules, and family details

The total duration is 6.5 hours, with starting times depending on availability. That is long enough for the day to feel substantial, but not so long that you are committed to an all-day expedition in the cold.

At least two people are needed for the tour to operate on weekdays and Saturdays. On Sundays and public holidays, the minimum is four people. Check this carefully if you are booking alone or as a small pair.

Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by adults paying the full price. The 130-centimeter minimum height also applies to the floating suit, so age alone does not determine suitability.

The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. The combination of snow, uneven outdoor ground, ice, and water access creates practical limits that should be considered before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which is useful when your northern Finland schedule depends on weather or other activities.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this day to you if you want a mixture of gentle adventure, local food, and unusual winter activities. It works especially well for couples, families with appropriately tall children, and small groups looking for a shared story to take home.

It is also a good choice if you want to experience the cold without having to supply all your own clothing and equipment. The supplied overalls, boots, gloves, fishing gear, and floating suit remove much of the planning.

You should think twice if your main goal is catching fish. The odds are low, and some departures use fake bait. You should also look elsewhere if you want a serious hike, a long snowshoe route, or an activity with constant movement.

The floating suit needs to fit, and the cold remains noticeable even when the suit works properly. Anyone uneasy around cold water should consider that carefully. The activity is controlled and guided, but it is still an unusual water experience in winter.

Is Lapland’s ice floating day worth booking?

Book it if you want the unusual part of Lapland, not just the postcard view. The ice fishing gives you a practical connection to the frozen lake, the salmon barbecue makes the long outdoor session comfortable, and the floating is the moment you are most likely to remember.

Do not book it expecting a full fishing trip or a proper hike. The strongest value comes from the complete package: clothing, guide, transport, meal, fishing introduction, and survival-suit floating over 6.5 hours.

At $281 per person, this is a special-activity price rather than a bargain outing. For someone eager to float in icy water and enjoy a well-organized Arctic day, it is a fair use of one day in Lapland. If that idea sounds more stressful than exciting, spend your money on a warmer, less equipment-heavy excursion.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts 6.5 hours.

What activities are included?

The day includes guided ice fishing on a frozen lake, a Lappish barbecue, and guided ice floating in a survival floating suit.

Will I catch a fish?

A catch is not guaranteed. The fishing is mainly an introduction to the activity, and artificial bait may be used.

What food is provided?

The barbecue includes grilled salmon, Lappish bread, marshmallows, and hot drinks. Vegetarian and vegan alternatives can be requested.

Is winter clothing included?

Yes. Overalls, boots, and gloves are provided, along with fishing equipment and a survival floating suit.

What is the minimum height for ice floating?

You must be at least 130 centimeters tall to fit the floating suit.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?

English is the standard language. German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese may be available on request.

Can children join the activity?

Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by adults paying the full price. Children also need to meet the 130-centimeter height requirement for the floating suit.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.