Levi: Snowy Forest Ride and Polar Lights Tours

Snowy silence comes with four legs. This two-hour Levi outing pairs a gentle Finnhorse ride with quiet Arctic woods, making it a fine change from snowmobiles and huskies. I especially like the separate beginner and advanced groups, plus the small maximum of six people. The horses are described as calm, reliable, and well cared for, while guides such as Jenni and Yeni receive warm praise for patient instruction and good humor.

The main thing to consider is the cold. One rider reported temperatures of -40°C, and another said the horse ride felt a little short. At $147 per person, this is not a bargain-basement activity, but the price includes transport, safety guidance, equipment, and a hot drink by the fire.

Key points to know before you book

• Quiet forest setting: Ride through snowy Finnish woods rather than along a busy tourist route.
• Level-based departures: Beginners start at 8:40, advanced riders at 10:40, and mixed groups at 12:40.
• Small groups: The maximum is six participants, which allows the guide to watch each rider closely.
• Finnhorses for all abilities: The horses are calm and dependable, with enough personality to make the ride interesting.
• Warm finish: Hot berry juice and a local cookie are served after the ride.
• Simple central pickup: Meet at Hissitie 11 in Levi, across from the parking lot and beside the pizza place.

A peaceful alternative to the usual Lapland rides

Levi is packed with fast winter activities. Snowmobiles roar across the snow, huskies pull sleds, and reindeer tours bring their own slow rhythm. This horseback ride offers something quieter.

The appeal is not speed. You move at the pace of the horse, listening to the forest and taking in the white scenery around you. That makes the outing especially attractive if you want a calm morning or midday activity rather than another high-energy excursion.

The horses are Finnhorses, a sturdy Finnish breed known here for being friendly and dependable. The tour provider uses them with beginners and experienced riders alike. You receive a helmet and a short lesson before setting out, so you do not need advanced riding knowledge to take part.

I like the way the activity keeps the group small. With a maximum of six people, the guide can help with reins, posture, and pace without trying to manage a large line of riders. A small group also suits the forest setting. Six people moving quietly through the snow feels far more special than a crowded procession.

Meeting at Hissitie 11 in central Levi

The outing begins at Hissitie 11, across from the parking lot and next to the pizza place. Look for a bus or taxi marked Polar Lights Tours.

The transfer to the riding center takes about 15 minutes. This is useful if you are staying in central Levi and do not have a car. You avoid arranging a taxi to the stable, and pickup and drop-off are included in the price.

If you do have a car, one rider noted that driving directly to the Polar Lights Tours location may be more practical than going into town solely to catch the transfer. The information provided identifies the riding center as Polar Lights Tours Oy, and the location can be found on Google Maps under Polar Lights Tours.

Arrive on time. The transfer is short, but missing it could mean missing the start of the activity. The central meeting point is easy enough to find, though the bus marking matters because the location is beside everyday Levi businesses rather than at a grand transport terminal.

Choosing the right departure time

The schedule is one of the most useful features of this tour. Departures are arranged by riding ability:

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

If you have never ridden before, choose the beginner departure. The guide can explain how to handle the horse, and the pace is designed for people still learning the basics.

Experienced riders should choose the 10:40 departure. This group is intended for advanced riders who want to explore at their own pace. One rider said her mother, who had more experience than the rest of the party, was offered the chance to gallop after less experienced riders returned. That suggests some flexibility, though you should not assume a faster pace is guaranteed on every departure.

The 12:40 option works for families or friends with different levels. Keep in mind that a mixed group must accommodate everyone, so the ride may move at a gentler speed. That is a benefit for beginners, but strong riders looking for extended faster riding may prefer the advanced departure.

The safety briefing and meeting your Finnhorse

At the riding center, allow about 10 minutes for the safety briefing. The guide explains how to handle the horse and gives you time to understand the basic commands before entering the forest.

This short introduction matters. Several riders had little or no previous riding experience and found the explanation clear enough to feel comfortable. The horses are described as disciplined and well behaved, so the focus is on learning the basics rather than dealing with unpredictable animals.

You also receive a riding helmet. In very cold weather, the center may provide extra clothing, including a warm jumpsuit or another outer layer. Take it. A rider who went out at -40°C said accepting the extra layer made a real difference.

The horses are not presented as lifeless trail machines. Guides explain their different personalities, and several riders noticed how well cared for and loved the animals appeared. That adds warmth to the outing, especially if you are interested in the horses as much as the riding itself.

Eighty minutes through the snowy forest

The main ride lasts about 80 minutes. That is enough time to feel settled in the saddle and get beyond the first lesson, though one rider wished the riding section had been longer.

The route is built around the quiet of the woods. Snow covers the ground and branches, and the forest can feel calm and almost empty. In one account, riders saw reindeer nearby and heard huskies in the area. Those encounters are not listed as a guaranteed part of the route, so think of them as possible bonuses rather than promised sightings.

The pace is generally slow. That suits first-time riders and lets you pay attention to the surroundings instead of worrying about control. The horses are described as gentle, clean, and eager enough to canter in suitable circumstances, but this is not marketed as a high-speed riding lesson.

That distinction is important when deciding if the tour is right for you. If you want to gallop through snow, the beginner and mixed options may feel restrained. If you want to sit on a horse, learn basic handling, and enjoy a peaceful Finnish forest, the slow pace is part of the charm.

The ride also works well for a couple, parent and child, or a small group of friends. One booking had only two participants, which allowed the ride to run longer. That kind of extra flexibility depends on the group size and schedule, but a small booking can make the outing feel almost private.

A ten-minute photo stop without rushing the horses

The itinerary includes a 10-minute photo stop. This gives you a clear chance to take pictures of the horses, the snow, and the forest without trying to manage a camera while riding.

Photo time is especially useful in winter because thick gloves, reins, and cold fingers make casual photography awkward. Keep your phone protected from the cold, and do not expect a long personal photo session. Ten minutes is enough for a few good images, not a full portrait shoot.

The setting is the real subject. White trees, dark forest, and the horses’ warm coats create the classic Lapland contrast. If the weather is clear, the views can be striking. If the day is cloudy or snowing, the mood becomes softer and quieter.

Berry juice, a local cookie, and a warm pause

After the ride, you spend about 20 minutes with hot juice and a local cookie. The drink is described as hot berry juice, and one rider also referred to sweet local bread. This is a modest refreshment, not a full meal, but it is exactly the right finish after sitting outside in Arctic weather.

The warm stop gives you time to talk with the guide and ask about the horses. Several riders particularly liked this part of the visit, including the chance to warm up by a fire. It turns a simple trail ride into a fuller cultural outing, even if the snack itself is small.

Do not arrive expecting lunch. Bring warm clothing and eat beforehand if you need a substantial meal. The included snack is best viewed as a comforting Finnish touch rather than a major part of the value.

What $147 buys you

At $147 per person, this is a mid-to-high priced two-hour activity. The ride itself takes about 80 minutes, with the rest divided among transfers, the safety briefing, photographs, and refreshments.

The value improves if you need transport from central Levi. Pickup and return are included, along with the helmet, safety instruction, and hot drink. You are also paying for a small group and a ride arranged by ability, rather than simply buying access to a horse for a short circuit.

The price is harder to justify if you already have a car, are comparing it with a very short riding session, or want an advanced equestrian workout. One rider felt the actual ride could have been longer, and that is the clearest limitation in the package.

For a first ride in Lapland, though, the combination of setting, instruction, calm horses, and small-group attention makes the cost easier to understand. You are buying a controlled introduction to winter riding, not just a photo opportunity.

The cold is the real test

Take cold-weather preparation seriously. The advice to wear warm clothing is not a polite footnote. Temperatures can become severe, especially during the darker winter months, and your feet can get cold while sitting still on horseback.

Wear several warm layers, protect your hands, and use the extra outer clothing offered by the stable. A helmet is included, but you still need to dress for the rest of your body. The riding center may provide an additional jumpsuit or layer, and riders strongly benefited from taking it.

The cold can also affect how long you want to ride. One rider said a shorter route was possible because of the weather. The guide appears to take comfort and ability into account, which is reassuring, but you should still arrive ready for serious winter conditions.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible. Since the activity involves mounting and riding a horse, contact the provider in advance if you need specific assistance or have mobility requirements. The supplied information confirms accessibility, but it does not explain the mounting arrangements.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for a first-time rider who wants a gentle introduction in an unusual setting. The lesson, dependable horses, small groups, and separate beginner time all reduce the usual anxiety that comes with trying horseback riding for the first time.

It also suits experienced riders who want a slower forest ride and the possibility of a more active pace in the advanced group. Just keep your expectations realistic. This is a short winter trail outing, not a full day in the saddle.

Families can benefit from the mixed departure, especially if adults or children have different levels of confidence. The guide’s attention to individual ability is one of the activity’s strongest features.

You may want to skip it if your main goal is an aurora hunt. Despite the Polar Lights Tours name, the scheduled ride described here is a daytime forest activity with set morning and midday departures. The information does not promise a northern lights sighting.

It may also be less suitable if you are already booking several similar animal and snow activities. One rider suggested reconsidering if your itinerary was full of comparable outings. The horse ride is peaceful and distinctive, but it still occupies one of your limited activity slots in Levi.

Booking details worth knowing

The tour lasts two hours from pickup to return. The route includes about 15 minutes each way by bus or coach, a 10-minute safety briefing, 80 minutes on horseback, a 10-minute photo stop, and 20 minutes for juice and a cookie.

English and Finnish guides are available. The group limit is six, and transport receives a high score, with 89 percent of ratings giving it a perfect mark. The overall rating is 4.9 from 182 ratings, which fits the consistent praise for the guides, horses, and forest setting.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available, which helps if your Levi schedule depends on weather or other winter activities.

Should you book the snowy forest ride?

Book it if you want quiet Arctic scenery, kind horses, and careful instruction rather than speed. The best reasons to go are the level-based groups, small size, reliable Finnhorses, and the warm berry drink at the end.

Think twice if $147 feels high for an 80-minute ride or if you want serious cantering. For most beginners, couples, families, and riders seeking a peaceful break from motorized tours, the setting and personal attention make this a worthwhile Levi activity. Dress for the cold, choose the correct departure time, and accept the extra layer. Your comfort will shape the whole ride.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding tour last?

The full activity lasts two hours, including transfers from Levi Center. The horseback riding portion lasts about 80 minutes.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at Hissitie 11 in central Levi, across from the parking lot and next to the pizza place. Look for a bus or taxi marked Polar Lights Tours.

What time should beginners book?

The beginner group starts at 8:40. Advanced riders start at 10:40, and the mixed-ability group starts at 12:40.

Are horses available for first-time riders?

Yes. The Finnhorses are described as calm and reliable, and the guide gives you a safety briefing and instructions on handling the horse before the ride.

What is included in the price?

The price includes pickup and drop-off from central Levi, a riding helmet, hot juice, and a local cookie.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered with live guides speaking English or Finnish.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.