Are you ready to discover a hidden gem in Rovaniemi, where winter magic unfolds in the form of exhilarating activities and dazzling lights? In this enchanting destination, you can slide down an ice toboggan, hop on a banana boat, and sip hot chocolate while thousands of twinkling lights dance above you.
While it may not be the Rovaniemi of your dreams, this adventure was the perfect way to kick off our journey in Lapland.
After arriving on the Santa Claus Express train from Helsinki and collecting our winter gear, we set off to explore the SnowGlow Winterpark with our daughter, Oli. This park is a unique mix of activities designed for family fun, making it an ideal spot for a few hours of entertainment.
Exploring Rovaniemi and SnowGlow Winterpark
Planning Ahead for Your Adventure
To make the most of your visit, it’s essential to plan and book your activities in advance. Here are some tips:
- Online Reservations: Secure your tickets online to avoid disappointment, especially during peak seasons.
- Check Your Insurance: Make sure your travel insurance covers winter activities.
- Rent Winter Clothing: Consider renting equipment instead of purchasing it, as you may not need it often.
- eSIM Recommendations: If you're from Europe, consider getting an eSIM for easy connectivity.
When it comes to accommodations, we had a great experience at Scandic Pohjanhovi. We also looked into other central options like the Arctic City Hotel and Santa's Hotel Santa Claus, which are also excellent choices.
Getting to Rovaniemi from Helsinki
Traveling to Rovaniemi can be magical or straightforward, depending on your choice of transportation.
Magical Train Experience:
- The Santa Claus Express takes around 12 hours, allowing you to sleep on the train.
- It features comfortable sleeping compartments and some private bathrooms.
- There's a restaurant car for those midnight snacks!
- Check our experience in the article "Santa Claus Polar Express: Opinion on the Night Train to Rovaniemi".
Quickest Option - Flying:
- Airlines like Finnair and Norwegian offer direct flights.
- Flight time is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- Multiple flights run daily, often at reasonable prices.
- Our prior experience is detailed in "Lapland at Christmas: Santa Claus and Nature in White".
Budget-Friendly - Bus:
- Bus journeys take between 12 to 14 hours.
- While it’s the cheapest option, it's definitely a long ride.
- Buses depart from Helsinki's city center.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re traveling in winter, especially with kids, the train is a unique experience. You save a hotel night and wake up to breathtaking snowy landscapes. Oli’s face when she saw everything covered in white was priceless!
Our Stay at Scandic Rovaniemi City
After our adventures, we made our way to our home base, the Scandic Rovaniemi City. The location is fantastic—just a 5-minute drive from the station and right in the heart of the city!
Even though check-in was at 2 PM, the staff was incredibly accommodating, allowing us to drop off our bags in a designated room. This way, we could explore Rovaniemi right from the start. The hotel's central location means you can easily walk to shops, restaurants, and attractions without needing a car.
For us, traveling with Oli, this was a significant advantage.
During our last visit, we had stayed at the Lapland Hotel Sky Ounasvaara, which, while beautiful, was less convenient for exploring.
Additionally, if you’re looking for more options, here are other central hotels we considered:
- Scandic Pohjanhovi (around €1,100)
- Santa's Hotel Santa Claus (around €1,300)
- Hostel Café Koti (around €700 but not ideal with kids)
- Arctic City Hotel (around €1,450)
We booked our stay on Valentine’s Day, 9 months in advance, for €1,080, ensuring we had a spot for our magical getaway. Options like the Santa Claus Holiday Village and Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle were also considered but were pricier at around €2,000.
Renting Winter Gear in Rovaniemi
On our last trip, we opted for activities with Lapland Safaris, which allowed us to borrow winter suits for the entire duration. This time, we didn’t want to invest in snow gear for just a four-day trip. Instead, we found a perfect solution: Winterent.
The idea of not hauling snow gear from Spain was a major plus. We chose Winterent because of its excellent reviews and proximity—only a minute's walk from our hotel.
Just a heads up! Make sure to reserve in advance. Our gear was waiting for us when we arrived.
The staff was incredibly friendly and professional, offering great advice to ensure we stayed warm even in -20ºC temperatures. While our reserved clothing was ready, we could easily swap sizes if needed.
How to Reserve Winter Gear at Winterent
The reservation process is straightforward and allows cancellation up to 24 hours before your arrival. It’s wise to book early to ensure availability.
- Select the number of people (adults and children) who need gear (includes jacket, pants, gloves, snow boots, and a scarf).
- Choose the days you’ll need it and your estimated pick-up time (you can collect it later).
- Before payment, provide names, height (cm), weight (kg), shoe size (EU), and age for all participants.
- Done! You’ll receive a confirmation email.
We equipped ourselves with:
- A thermal suit for Oli and pants and jackets for the adults.
- Special snow boots for all three of us.
- Gloves designed for polar expeditions.
- Thick socks for everyone.
Everything was of extremely good quality! Just remember to try on the gear carefully. We had to swap out a pair of boots that were too big. Ready for the adventure? How about a hot coffee? (💵 €14.40)
If you’re visiting Lapland in winter and don’t have snow gear, renting is a convenient option. Alternatively, consider booking activities with a single provider, as we did on our last trip, to ensure they provide gear throughout your stay.
SnowGlow Winterpark: A Unique Winter Wonderland
With energy still in our tanks after the Polar Express, we were thrilled to see that on November 25th, Rovaniemi was launching the SnowGlow Winterpark. This park is designed specifically for families, providing an array of lights and activities perfect for those chilly afternoon hours.
So, we purchased our tickets online, valid for two days, knowing that children aged 0 to 3 enter for free. As we arrived, we were eager to see what awaited us!
To be honest, we had a blast! It’s essentially a collection of lights and scenes perfect for capturing photos—very Instagram-friendly. Alongside the stunning visuals, there were numerous outdoor activities:
- 🍩 The tubing slide: Oli didn’t want to stop! We were having too much fun spinning in the snow!
- ❄ Snow mini bike: A great way for kids to get their first taste of snow.
- ⛸ Ice skating: With lighting that seems straight out of a fairy tale.
- 🔥 Zorb and bumper balls: We laughed so hard here!
Can you guess which activity was our favorite? The banana ride pulled by a tractor was a thrilling experience!
Beyond the various setups, there’s a cozy wooden cabin that serves as a shop, café (offering meals), and hosts several games like shooting targets, ring toss, roulette, and slingshots. We had great success at the games and ended up filling our suitcase with plush toys—where were we going to fit all this?
The basic adult entry includes one game, with additional games costing €5 each (💵 €7 for an extra game and coffee).
In conclusion, get your cameras ready because SnowGlow Winterpark is a visual spectacle. It’s perfect for families, couples, or groups of friends who want to reconnect with their inner child. The park is open from 11 AM to 8 PM daily, from the third week of November to the first week of March.
Does it deserve a spot on your itinerary? Honestly, we wouldn’t say it’s a must-see. While it’s not essential amidst so many amazing excursions and activities, we had a great time, and it filled two hours of our first afternoon without any plans. In fact, Oli, as we left, asked, “Can we come back tomorrow?” Little did she know the next day would be spent among elves at Santa Park and the most magical experience in the Secret Forest.
That “tomorrow” wasn’t mentioned again!
Dinner at Restaurant Massimo in Rinteenkulma Shopping Center
After all that excitement, the cold and exhaustion began to settle in. All we craved was a hearty meal in a warm place. We had several restaurants in mind, but we opted for the nearby Restaurant Massimo in Rinteenkulma Shopping Center. What a great choice! (💵 €44.90)
The highlight here is the superb pizza. With a thin, crispy crust and fresh, quality ingredients, the menu offered a variety of choices. Oli devoured her margherita in no time, while we tried the Lapland pizza with smoked reindeer, which was simply spectacular! If you’re a pizza lover, this spot is a must-visit in Rovaniemi.
We ended our first day in Rovaniemi with our hearts full of magical experiences, fresh from the Santa Claus Express. Tomorrow, Oli turns 8! What surprises await her?
💵 DAILY EXPENSES: €185.10 [and GIFTS: €8]
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