Levi: Arctic Ice Floating Adventure

Floating in a frozen lake sounds like a stunt until you learn the trick: a waterproof thermal suit keeps you on the surface and protected from the cold. At Levi’s Arctic Ice Floating Adventure, you drift quietly among snowy forests, then warm up with coffee or tea prepared over an open fire.

I like the calm, unusual nature of this outing, and I like that the guides give clear instructions before you enter the water. Guide Mattais has been praised for helping people make the most of their time in Levi, while guides at the floating site assist closely in the water. The main consideration is the transfer: the floating location is about 45 minutes from Levi each way, so roughly half of this three-hour activity is spent getting there and back.

Key details before you book

• You float without swimming skills: The suit keeps you on the surface, and every participant receives instructions before entering the water.
• The trip begins in central Levi: Meet at the Safartica office 10 minutes before departure.
• The setting is quiet and natural: Expect snowy Arctic forest, cold air, and a peaceful stretch of water rather than a busy attraction.
• The drive takes about 45 minutes each way: The transfer is an important part of the three-hour schedule.
• Hot drinks follow the water time: Coffee or tea is prepared over an open fire.
• Children must be at least 120 centimeters tall: At least two adults are needed for the activity to operate.

Why floating in frozen water works

The appeal is simple: you lie back in the water and let the suit do the work. Instead of swimming, paddling, or fighting the cold, you can focus on the sky, the trees, and the strange feeling of resting in open water while winter surrounds you.

This is not a high-speed snowmobile ride or a physically demanding outdoor test. It is closer to a quiet nature break with an unusual twist. The water gives you a weightless feeling, while the suit provides enough insulation to make the activity possible in Arctic conditions.

You still need to be comfortable stepping into cold water, even though your body is protected. The guides explain how to enter and float, and no swimming ability is required. That makes the outing suitable for people who want a gentle adventure rather than a technical winter sport.

The best part is the contrast. Levi is known for skiing, snow activities, and lively holiday energy, but this trip gives you time to stop. Once you are floating, there is little to do except breathe, listen, and look around. For many people, that quiet pause is the point.

Leaving Levi for the floating site

The meeting point is the Safartica office in central Levi. Arrive 10 minutes before the activity starts so the group can get organized without a rushed departure.

If you are staying in central Levi, selecting the Safartica office as your meeting point is the straightforward choice. Pickup can be arranged within a 10-kilometer radius, but you need to contact the operator at least 48 hours ahead if you require a transfer to the office.

Once the group leaves Levi, allow about 45 minutes for the journey to the floating venue. That travel time affects how you judge the $147 price. You are not paying for three full hours in the water. You are paying for transport, winter clothing, an English-speaking guide, the floating session, and hot drinks, with about 90 minutes of the total duration used for the round-trip transfer.

The drive is not a drawback for everyone. The venue needs to be away from the town to provide the quiet forest setting that makes the activity special. Still, if you want a short activity close to your hotel, this is not the best match.

Getting into the Arctic suit

At the venue, you receive winter clothing and a specially designed floating suit. The suit is waterproof, and one of its main jobs is to keep you on the surface. You do not need to know how to swim.

Getting dressed is the one part where a little preparation helps. Wear thin gloves underneath or bring hand warmers. Thick ski gloves may not fit easily inside the dry suit, and hands can cool faster than the rest of your body.

That tip matters because the suit protects your body well, but it does not remove every effect of the cold. Your hands remain the area that needs the most attention. Thin gloves are more practical during dressing, and hand warmers can make the waiting and changing period more comfortable.

The guides provide instructions before you enter the water. Pay attention to how they explain the entry, floating position, and movement. The process is designed for beginners, but listening carefully makes the first few minutes less awkward.

The minimum height is 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 11 inches. Children below that height cannot take part. At least two adults are also required for the activity to run, so solo bookings may depend on another adult joining the scheduled outing.

The first minutes on the water

The first step into the water may feel strange. You are wearing a bulky suit, and the setting is likely to look more like a winter forest than a place for swimming. The guides help you get settled, then the suit takes over.

You float on your back or in another comfortable position explained by the guide. The key is not to overwork the moment. Once you trust the suit, the activity becomes much easier.

This is where the experience differs from most Arctic excursions. There is no engine noise on the water, no route to follow, and no skill to master after the safety instructions. You simply allow yourself to remain on the surface.

Guide support is an important part of the outing. Mattais has been singled out for making the trip more enjoyable, and the guide at the floating site helps participants with instructions and practical support in the water. That is especially useful if you feel nervous at first or if you are bringing a child.

An eight-year-old participant was reported to have been unsure at the beginning, then relaxed and enjoyed the water with help from the guides. That does not mean every child will react the same way, but it shows why the minimum height rule is more useful than age alone. A child needs to be tall enough for the suit and able to follow instructions.

Snowy forest, cold air, and quiet time

The scenery is a major reason to book this rather than find a pool-based floating activity. The setting is made up of snowy Arctic forest and clean winter air. You may spend much of the water time looking at the trees from a low, peaceful position.

The quiet is not just a pleasant extra. It changes the pace of the day. After skiing, shopping, transfers, or a busy northern lights schedule, floating gives you a rare stretch of time with no need to keep moving.

I would not book this expecting dramatic scenery at every second. The attraction is the simple winter setting and the feeling of being surrounded by nature. Weather, light, and snow conditions will shape what you see, and the supplied information does not promise a particular view or wildlife sighting.

Guides may also take photos during the activity. That is useful because you cannot easily photograph yourself while wearing the suit and floating in the water. Ask the guide about photos on the day, since the included package lists the guide, clothing, floating, and hot drinks, but does not list a dedicated photo service.

Warming up beside the open fire

After the water session, the group can warm up with hot coffee or tea prepared over an open fire. This is a small detail, but it fits the setting far better than a quick drink from a machine.

A fire-heated drink gives the outing a clear finish. You move from cold water and silent floating to warmth, conversation, and the smell of smoke. It also gives you time to settle down before the return drive to Levi.

Food is not included. The activity information specifically includes hot drinks but not a meal, so eat beforehand if you need more than a warm cup afterward. Some outings have included extra treats such as marshmallows or cookies, but you should regard those as a possible bonus rather than part of the advertised package.

The hot drink stop also helps explain the relaxed three-hour pace. This is not a quick dip followed by an immediate departure. The program includes changing, instructions, floating, and time by the fire.

Is $147 a fair price?

At $147 per person, this is one of those Arctic activities where the value depends on what you want from your day. The price is easier to justify if you appreciate unusual nature experiences, need winter clothing supplied, and want guides to manage the practical side of a cold-water activity.

The package includes winter clothing, an English-speaking guide, transport arrangements connected with the outing, ice floating, and hot drinks. You also get a remote setting rather than a town-center attraction, which requires the long transfer.

The price is less attractive if you are mainly looking for a cheap way to see snowy scenery. The activity lasts three hours, but about 90 minutes may be spent in transit. You are also not getting a full meal, a long list of included activities, or a guaranteed major spectacle such as the northern lights.

For the right person, the cost pays for comfort and confidence. The suit, instruction, and guide support remove much of the uncertainty that would come with attempting a frozen-water activity alone. I would see it as a special once-per-trip outing, not an everyday budget activity.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend it to adults and families who want something quiet, unusual, and easy to try. You do not need swimming skills, and you do not need prior outdoor experience. The guides handle the instruction, while the suit handles the floating.

It is a good choice if you have already done more active excursions and want a slower afternoon. It also suits people who like taking photos in unusual settings, especially since guides may help with pictures.

Families should check the 120-centimeter minimum height carefully. The activity can work for children who meet the height rule and can follow instructions, but a child who strongly dislikes cold, unfamiliar clothing, or water may not enjoy the first stage.

You should think twice if you dislike long transfers, want constant action, or prefer to control your own pace. The peaceful quality is the main attraction, so anyone seeking speed or a packed schedule may find the experience too slow.

Practical ways to prepare

Wear thin layers beneath the supplied winter clothing rather than bulky items that make changing difficult. Bring thin gloves, and consider hand warmers for your fingers.

Arrive early at the Safartica office. The stated meeting time is 10 minutes before the activity, and the group still needs to leave Levi on schedule for the 45-minute journey.

Do not plan another tightly timed activity immediately afterward. The total duration is three hours, and the return drive can take about 45 minutes. A little breathing room makes the day more comfortable.

Bring an appetite plan. Hot coffee or tea is included, but food is not. If you need a substantial meal, arrange it before departure or after returning to Levi.

Ask about photographs during the briefing. Guides have taken photos for participants, but photo service is not listed as a separate inclusion. Confirming the arrangement avoids confusion.

Finally, check the cancellation terms before booking. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to hold a place without paying immediately.

Should you book Levi Arctic Ice Floating?

Book it if you want a peaceful Arctic outing that feels genuinely different from standard winter tours. The waterproof suit, careful instruction, supportive guides, open-fire drinks, and quiet forest setting make this a friendly introduction to ice floating.

I would skip it if the 45-minute transfer each way feels too long for a three-hour activity, or if you want food and several activities bundled into the price. For everyone else, this is a thoughtful choice for a slower day in Lapland, especially when you have already had enough snowmobile noise and ski-area bustle.

FAQ

Where does the activity meet?

Meet at the Safartica office in Levi, located in the city center, 10 minutes before the activity starts.

Is pickup available from my accommodation?

Pickup is available within a 10-kilometer radius, but you must contact Safartica at least 48 hours in advance if you need pickup to the office.

How long is the activity?

The full activity lasts three hours. The transfer from Levi to the floating venue takes about 45 minutes each way.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No. You receive instructions before entering the water, and the special suit keeps you on the surface.

What is the minimum height?

Participants must be at least 120 centimeters tall. Anyone below that height cannot take part.

What is included in the price?

Winter clothing, ice floating with an English-speaking guide, and hot drinks are included.

Is food included?

No. The activity includes hot coffee or tea, but food is not included.

How far in advance can I cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.