Every reindeer ride from Rovaniemi includes a visit to a farm and time with the herd. What differs is how long you sit on the sled, where the ride starts, whether it runs by day or after dark, and what the tour includes. Our verdict rests on those facts, which every listing states or leaves open.
Time on the sled
The short farm rides cover 400–500 m, which reviewers describe as about five minutes on the sled. The safaris cover 1.5–3 km: the forest ride with Santa Claus Holiday Village Safaris lists about 40 minutes, the safari from the farm inside Santa Claus Village about 30. After dark, the Safartica evening safari lists about 45 minutes over 3 km and the evening ride from Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park about 20. Many listings give a distance but no time. Every ride by sled distance.
Starting point and transfer
The safari from the farm inside Santa Claus Village starts at Joulumaantie 13 and has no transfer. The 2–2.5 km forest ride picks up from hotels in the village area. Other tours drive out from the centre: about 20 minutes to the Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park farm and about 35 minutes to the Beyond Arctic farm, and Apukka Resort offers a transfer from the centre or the village if you need one. Reindeer in Santa Claus Village.
Daylight or darkness
For photos of the reindeer and the forest, ride by day; around midwinter a departure around the middle of the day gets the most light. After dark the ride is about the atmosphere and a chance of northern lights on a clear night. No operator can promise them, and one evening listing says so plainly. Evening rides compared.
What comes with the ride
Winter clothing is not included everywhere: the 1.5 km Wonderlapland ride charges extra for overalls and boots, and the safari in Santa Claus Village includes no thermal clothing. The Beyond Arctic tour adds feeding and professional photos to a 2 km ride, Arctic GM keeps its groups to eight guests, and on the Safartica daytime ride two people share each sled. The reindeer driving licence some tours hand out is a souvenir certificate. What to wear on the sled.
Small children
A few minutes on the sled in the cold is often plenty for small children, which is why the short farm rides of about two and a half hours in total suit families best. The Safartica listing asks parents to consider whether a small child can sit in a sleigh for an hour, and the Apukka night ride is not suitable for children under three. A daytime ride is usually easier than an evening ride. Reindeer rides with kids.
Season
Sleigh rides need snow and run from around mid-November to early or mid-April. December to February is the most reliable stretch; in November a ride can be cancelled or turned into a feeding visit. In summer the farms offer feeding visits without a sled. Best time for a reindeer ride.
