Levi: Snowy Forest Ride and Polar Lights Tours

The best part of this Levi outing is the quiet: you move through a white Lapland forest on a steady Finnhorse, with snow softening every sound. I like the separate beginner and advanced groups, and I like the warm drink and local cookie waiting after the ride. The horses are calm, friendly, and used to riders with very different levels of experience.

The main thing to consider is the riding time. The full activity lasts two hours, but the horse ride itself takes about 80 minutes, and the pace is generally calm. That suits a first ride or a scenic family outing, but experienced riders hoping for a long, fast trek may find it short.

Key points to know before booking

• Finnhorses built for mixed experience: Calm, reliable horses make this a sensible first riding experience.
• Three departure times by ability: Beginners go at 8:40, advanced riders at 10:40, and a mixed group at 12:40.
• Small groups of up to six: You get more attention than on a large stable outing.
• An 80-minute forest ride: The pace is scenic and controlled, with some flexibility for confident riders.
• Hot berry juice after riding: Local snacks by the fire give you a useful warm-up in cold weather.
• Central Levi transfers included: Meet at Hissitie 11 and look for the Polar Lights Tours vehicle.

A quiet horse ride beyond Levi

Many Lapland activities are noisy, fast, or packed with equipment. This one takes a gentler route. You sit on a Finnhorse and follow forest paths covered in snow, with the trees and cold air doing most of the talking.

Finnhorses are Finland’s native horse breed, and the horses used here are described as friendly and dependable. That matters if you have never ridden before. You are not expected to arrive with polished riding skills, and the guide gives you a briefing on handling the horse before setting off.

The guides also pay attention to different comfort levels. Names recorded by the operator’s customers include Jenni, Yeni, Saaga, and Nette, though the spelling of some names varies. The consistent point is that the guide explains each horse’s personality, helps you learn the basics, and watches the group closely.

I would choose this activity for the feeling of being outdoors rather than for technical riding. The forest is peaceful, and the snowy setting gives the trip its character. You are not simply sitting on a horse for a quick photograph beside a stable. You spend a meaningful stretch of time moving through the woods.

Meeting at Hissitie 11 in central Levi

Your pickup 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 worth taking seriously because the vehicle leaves for the stable, and one rider noted that arriving late could mean missing the transfer.

The drive takes about 15 minutes. That short ride keeps the outing easy to fit into a morning or afternoon in Levi. It also means you do not need to arrange a separate taxi to reach Polar Lights Tours.

If you have your own car, the riding location is listed as Polar Lights Tours on Google Maps. One useful practical detail is that you can drive directly there instead of parking in central Levi and taking the transfer. Confirm the arrival instructions when booking if you plan to do this, since the included pickup system is designed around the central meeting point.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Horseback riding can involve getting onto the horse, so if you need specific mounting assistance, ask Polar Lights Tours about the arrangement before you pay. That is a sensible check for any riding activity.

Picking the right departure time

The schedule is one of the strongest features of this experience:

• 8:40: Beginner group
• 10:40: Advanced riders
• 12:40: Mixed group

Choose carefully. If you have never ridden, or have only sat on a horse once or twice, the beginner time should give you a more relaxed start. The guide can focus on basic handling without asking you to keep pace with experienced riders.

The advanced departure is intended for riders who already feel comfortable in the saddle. It gives confident participants more room to enjoy the ride at their own pace. The experience still appears to be a forest outing rather than a high-speed session, so do not book it expecting a long gallop.

The mixed departure is useful for couples or families with different levels. The guide can adjust the outing to the group, but a mixed ride may naturally move at a more moderate speed. If your group includes both a first-time rider and an experienced equestrian, this is likely the most convenient choice.

The operator has also shown some flexibility when conditions and ability allow. One account described a less experienced group returning first while a confident rider had the option of a short gallop. I would treat that as a possible courtesy, not a promised part of the tour.

The 10-minute safety briefing

At Polar Lights Tours, you receive a safety briefing lasting about 10 minutes. The guide explains how to handle the horse, how to give basic instructions, and what to expect on the trail. You also receive a riding helmet.

This short lesson is important. A first-time rider can learn how to sit, guide, and stop without having to work everything out in the snow. The horses are accustomed to different people, and the guide helps match riders with suitable animals.

You may hear about the individual horses before setting off. That small detail adds value because horses have different temperaments, just like people. Knowing that your horse is calm, eager, or particularly steady helps you relax and pay attention to the forest.

Do not rush through the briefing. If you are nervous, ask questions before mounting. The guides are there to make sure you understand the basics, not to push you into something beyond your ability.

Eighty minutes through the snowy forest

The main ride lasts around 80 minutes. The setting is the reason to book it: white paths, snow-covered trees, and a quiet that is hard to find in a busy ski resort.

This is a slow and scenic ride. One rider described it as peaceful and suitable for someone who had never been on a horse, while another noted that the pace may feel too gentle if you have already booked many similar activities. That is a fair distinction. The ride gives you time to look around and settle into the saddle, but it is not designed as an advanced equestrian workout.

The horses are described as well behaved, clean, and carefully looked after. Several accounts also point to the strong relationship between the staff and the animals. That is not just a feel-good detail. A calm horse and a guide who understands the animals make a real difference when the trail is snowy and the air is bitterly cold.

Weather can change the feel of the ride. At around minus 40 degrees Celsius, one rider accepted an extra layer supplied on arrival and still enjoyed the outing. You should arrive in warm clothing and accept any extra clothing offered. Cold feet were a problem for one rider, so warm boots and thick socks deserve as much attention as your coat.

The trail may also include glimpses of the wider animal area. You could hear huskies or see reindeer near the property, though these are not promised parts of the horse ride. The calm setting, rather than a checklist of animal sightings, should be your reason for booking.

A photo stop and a warm finish

After the ride, the schedule includes about 10 minutes for photographs. In snowy Finland, that is plenty of time for pictures with the horse and the forest behind you. Bring a phone or camera that works in cold conditions, but keep the stop short so you do not lose too much warmth.

The final 20 minutes are set aside for hot juice and a local cookie. The drink is described in accounts as hot berry juice, served with a sweet local bread or cookie near the fire. This is a simple touch, but it improves the outing because you have a warm place to recover after sitting outdoors.

I especially like that the snack is part of the activity rather than an optional purchase. It gives the ride a clear ending and lets you talk with the guide about the horses. For a morning departure, it can also serve as a small breakfast addition, though it should not replace a proper meal.

The return transfer to Hissitie 11 takes about 15 minutes. From start to finish, the timing adds up to roughly two hours, with transport, instruction, riding, photographs, and refreshments all included.

What $147 buys you

At $147 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity in Levi. The value depends on what you want from a winter outing.

The price includes pickup and drop-off from central Levi, a helmet, the guide, the horse ride, photographs, hot juice, and a local cookie. You also get a small group limited to six people. That last point matters. A guide working with six riders can give more help with mounting, steering, and comfort than someone managing a large line of horses.

For a first-time rider, the cost is easier to justify because the instruction and gentle horses remove much of the uncertainty. The transfer also saves you from arranging transport to a rural stable.

For an experienced rider, value is less certain. The 80-minute ride is scenic but not especially long, and the pace may be restrained. If you want speed, technical riding, or a full-day equestrian trip, you may prefer a longer specialist ride.

The activity earns a very high overall score of 4.9 from 182 ratings, while transport received a perfect score from 89 percent of participants. That supports the idea that the service is generally well organized, but one account raised a serious safety concern about a bus driver using a phone and reading paperwork while driving. I would not ignore that point. If anything feels unsafe during the transfer, speak up immediately and contact the provider afterward.

Who will enjoy this most

This outing fits you best if you want a quiet way to see Lapland and have limited or no riding experience. It works well for couples, families, and small groups who prefer personal attention to a large commercial tour.

It is also a good choice for someone who has already booked huskies, reindeer, or snowmobile activities and wants a slower contrast. The horse moves at a measured pace, so you can notice the trees, snow, and silence instead of concentrating on speed.

Parents should consider the cold as carefully as the riding ability. The horses are calm, but winter conditions can be demanding, especially for children or anyone unused to Arctic temperatures. Warm clothing is essential, and the extra layer offered by the operator can make a major difference.

Experienced riders should select the 10:40 departure and be clear about their ability. The advanced group may offer a livelier ride, but the published program still centers on a forest trail, not extended fast riding.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is useful if your Levi plans depend on weather or changing schedules.

The guide speaks English and Finnish. The group size is limited to six people, which is one reason early booking makes sense during the busiest winter weeks.

The title includes Polar Lights Tours, but the published program is a horseback ride through the snowy forest. No separate aurora viewing is listed in the schedule, and the daytime departures do not make this a dedicated Northern Lights outing. Book it for the horses and the forest, not as a guaranteed chance to see the sky glow.

Should you book this horse ride?

Book it if you want a gentle, personal introduction to horseback riding in Lapland. The calm Finnhorses, clear briefing, small groups, and careful guides make it a strong pick for beginners. The warm berry juice and local snack are modest but welcome after an hour in the cold.

Think twice if you are an advanced rider seeking a long or fast trek. The scenery is the star, and the 80-minute ride is deliberately relaxed. Choose the departure that matches your ability, arrive early at Hissitie 11, wear your warmest clothing, and treat this as a quiet forest experience rather than a demanding riding lesson.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Levi Center at Hissitie 11, across from the parking lot and beside the pizza place.

How do I identify the pickup vehicle?

Look for the bus or taxi with Polar Lights Tours written on it.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from central Levi are included, with about 15 minutes of travel each way.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts two hours.

How long do I spend riding?

The horseback ride takes about 80 minutes.

What time is the beginner departure?

The beginner group starts at 8:40.

What time is the advanced departure?

The advanced group starts at 10:40.

Is there a mixed-ability departure?

Yes. The mixed group starts at 12:40.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and Finnish.

What is included after the ride?

You receive hot juice and a local cookie, and the schedule includes a photo stop.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing. Extra layers may be available, and cold-weather clothing is especially important in very low temperatures.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I pay later?

Yes. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.