Levi: Snowy Forest Ride and Polar Lights Tours

A ride through a silent snowy forest is the real draw here. You leave central Levi by minibus, meet the calm Finnhorses at Polar Lights Tours, and spend about 80 minutes moving through white woodland. It is a gentle way to see Lapland without the noise of snowmobiles.

I like the separate groups for beginners and advanced riders, and I like the small maximum of six people. The horses are described as friendly, well trained, and full of personality. The main drawback is time: the full outing lasts two hours, but the riding itself is about 80 minutes, and the pace is mostly slow.

Key points

• Calm Finnhorses suit first-time riders: You receive a safety briefing and basic instruction before setting off.
• Three ability-based start times: Beginners meet at 8:40, advanced riders at 10:40, and the mixed group at 12:40.
• Quiet forest setting: The ride focuses on peaceful snowy woodland rather than speed or stunts.
• Small groups of up to six: The guide can pay closer attention to each rider and horse.
• Warm finish by the fire: Hot berry juice and a local cookie are included after the ride.
• Cold-weather clothing matters: Several riders needed extra layers, including at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius.

What This Two-Hour Levi Horse Ride Is Really Like

This is a short winter riding trip built around atmosphere, not adrenaline. The horses carry you through Lapland’s snowy forest at a calm pace while you take in the trees, silence, and changing light.

You do not need to be an experienced equestrian. The Finnhorses are used to working with different people, and the guide explains how to handle the reins and communicate with your horse. First-time riders have their own group, which is a major help if you feel nervous about holding a horse in unfamiliar conditions.

At the same time, this is not limited to complete beginners. Advanced riders have a separate departure and can explore at a pace suited to their ability. One guide even gave a more experienced rider the option to canter after the less experienced members had returned, although you should not book this expecting a fast-riding excursion.

The name Polar Lights Tours may suggest an aurora-focused outing, but the scheduled experience described here is a daytime or timed forest ride. The stated program includes horseback riding, a photo stop, and snacks. It does not promise that you will see the Northern Lights.

Meeting at Hissitie 11 in Central Levi

The pickup point is at Hissitie 11 in Levi Center, 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 site takes about 15 minutes. That short drive is useful if you are staying in central Levi and do not have a car. It also keeps the outing simple: meet in town, ride to the stables, then return to the same place.

Be on time. The transfer is part of the schedule, and one rider specifically warned that arriving late could mean missing the bus. If you are driving, the riding site is listed as Polar Lights Tours on Google Maps. One practical note from the experience: you may find it more convenient to drive directly to the activity location instead of going into town only to take the included transfer.

The transport received a high score from 89 percent of users, though one report raised a safety concern about the driver using a phone and reading paperwork while driving. That appears to be an isolated complaint, but it is fair to mention because safe transport matters.

A Ten-Minute Briefing Before You Meet the Trail

At Polar Lights Tours, allow about ten minutes for the safety briefing. The guide explains how to handle the horse, what to do while riding, and how the group will move through the forest.

This is especially important in winter. Snow, cold, bulky clothing, and unfamiliar equipment can make a simple activity feel less simple. A good briefing gives you time to learn the basics before you are outside on the trail.

The guides receive some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. Jenni, also written as Yeni or possibly Nette in different accounts, is described as friendly, funny, attentive, and careful with safety. Other guides remembered as Saaga and Jenne also received warm personal praise. Names vary in the reports, so you may meet a different guide, but the consistent point is that the guides take time to explain the horses and help riders settle in.

You are fitted with a riding helmet. The horses are described as disciplined and reliable, which matters more than fancy riding technique on a short winter outing. If you have never been on a horse, tell the guide at the start. The activity is set up to include beginners, and the group structure helps keep the pace comfortable.

Eighty Minutes Among Snow-Covered Trees

The riding section lasts about 80 minutes. That is long enough to satisfy the wish to ride through Lapland, but short enough for a first attempt or a very cold day.

The setting is the star. The route passes through snowy woodland where the quiet can feel striking, especially compared with louder winter activities such as snowmobiles. You might see reindeer nearby, and some people have heard huskies from the surrounding operation. Those encounters are not guaranteed, but they add to the sense that you are moving through a working Arctic animal center rather than a staged photo set.

The horses are Finnhorses, a Finnish breed valued here for their steady nature and strength. The available information does not provide individual horse names, but guides explain the different personalities. That small detail helps turn the ride into more than simply sitting on an animal for photographs. You learn a little about the horse carrying you.

The ride is generally slow and peaceful. One useful description called it a relaxing ride for people with no prior experience, while another felt it could have been longer. Both points are worth holding together. If you want a first taste of winter riding, the pace is reassuring. If you already ride regularly and want long stretches of cantering, this probably will not be enough.

The ability-based departures are important:

• Beginners start at 8:40.
• Advanced riders start at 10:40.
• A mixed group starts at 12:40.

Choose carefully. A beginner who joins an advanced group may feel pressured, while an experienced rider in a beginner group may find the pace too restrained. The mixed departure offers flexibility for families or pairs with different abilities, but the separate sessions are the better choice when everyone in your party rides at a similar level.

Why the Finnhorses Matter

The horses are one of the clearest strengths of this outing. They are repeatedly described as sweet, well behaved, clean, and well cared for. You can expect animals that are accustomed to different riders, rather than horses that require a confident hand from the moment you meet them.

That does not mean you can switch off completely. Riding is still an active experience. You need to listen to the guide, sit properly, follow instructions, and be aware of your horse. The value of calm animals is that they give you room to learn without feeling overwhelmed.

The care shown toward the horses also shapes the mood. Guides explain their personalities and appear closely involved with them. You get a better sense of the relationship between guide and horse, which adds warmth to a cold-weather activity.

For families, couples, or friends trying riding for the first time, this is a strong fit. You receive a real introduction rather than a simple horse-led walk. For experienced riders, the advanced start may offer more freedom, but the experience still centers on a measured forest ride.

The Photo Stop and Fire-Side Snack

After the main ride, the schedule allows about ten minutes for photographs. This is a useful pause because winter riding gives you few spare hands for taking pictures. You can capture the horses, the snow-covered trees, and your group without trying to manage a phone while riding.

The exact photo setup is not specified, so do not expect a long professional photo session. Think of it as a short chance to record the setting and your time with the horses.

Then comes about 20 minutes for hot berry juice and a local cookie. Several people also describe the food as hot berry juice with sweet local bread. It is a modest inclusion, but a good one. After sitting in a saddle and standing in Arctic cold, a warm drink changes the entire ending of the trip.

This is also when you can chat with the guide, ask about the horses, and warm up before the return transfer. The snack gives the activity a proper finish rather than sending you straight from the stable to the bus.

Dressing for Temperatures That Can Reach Minus 40

Bring warm clothing. That advice is not a formality here.

One January outing took place at minus 40 degrees Celsius, and the riders accepted an extra insulated layer or jumpsuit from the provider. Another person noted that feet became cold. You should plan your clothing around the time spent outside, not just the time on horseback.

Wear warm layers, insulated boots, thick socks, gloves, and a hat that fits under a helmet if possible. Keep exposed skin to a minimum. The provider supplies helmets, and some accounts describe extra outer layers being available, but you should not rely on those alone.

Cold affects enjoyment quickly. A beautiful forest becomes much less appealing when your fingers and toes hurt. I would give this activity a higher priority on a day when you have proper winter gear, and I would be cautious about booking it if your clothing is only suitable for ordinary city sightseeing.

How Much Value Do You Get for $147?

At $147 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Levi. Its value comes from the combination of horse riding, a small group, central transfers, instruction, equipment, and the warm snack at the end.

The riding portion is about 80 minutes, not two full hours. If you calculate purely by saddle time, the price may feel high. You are also paying for the short transfer each way, the guide’s attention, the safety briefing, the helmet, the stable setting, and the care involved in matching riders with suitable horses.

The maximum group size of six helps the price make more sense. You are not being placed in a large line of riders with little contact from the guide. If your group has only two to four people, the outing can feel particularly personal, though the number of participants depends on the date.

I see this as good value for a first-time rider who wants a memorable Arctic activity and does not want to arrange transport. It is less compelling for a skilled rider seeking a long or technically demanding trail session. In that case, check the advanced departure and confirm how much faster the riding will actually be before booking.

Who Should Book This Experience?

I would recommend it to:

• First-time riders who want clear instruction and calm horses.
• Couples looking for a quiet activity away from engine noise.
• Families with different riding abilities, using the mixed group or separate departures.
• Small groups that value direct attention from a guide.
• Anyone who wants snowy forest scenery without committing to a full-day excursion.
• Visitors who like animal-based activities and want to see how the horses are handled.

I would think twice if you dislike cold, have limited time for a longer riding format, or want speed. The slow pace is part of the charm, but it is also the main limitation.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, though the supplied details do not explain how mounting, riding, or transfer assistance is arranged. If that affects your booking, contact Polar Lights Tours before reserving so you can confirm the practical setup.

English and Finnish guiding are available. Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when Arctic weather and changing holiday plans are part of the equation.

My Practical Verdict on the Forest Ride

I like this experience because it gives you a quieter side of Lapland. The forest, the horses, and the warm drink create a gentle two-hour outing that feels different from the area’s more familiar husky, reindeer, and snowmobile activities.

The highest praise goes to the guides and horses. Clear explanations, patient handling, and animals that appear well cared for make a major difference, particularly when you are a beginner. The small groups are another real advantage.

Book it if you want a calm introduction to horseback riding in snow and understand that the route is slow. Skip it if your main aim is a long, fast ride or an actual Northern Lights hunt. For most beginners, couples, and families with suitable winter clothing, the combination of peaceful forest time and dependable horses makes the $147 price reasonable.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding experience last?

The full activity lasts two hours. The schedule includes a 15-minute transfer each way, a 10-minute safety briefing, about 80 minutes of horseback riding, a 10-minute photo stop, and 20 minutes for local snacks.

Where do I meet the tour?

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

Are transfers from central Levi included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from central Levi are included, and each transfer takes about 15 minutes.

Do I need previous horse-riding experience?

No. Beginners have a dedicated group, and the guide explains how to handle the horse before the ride. Advanced riders can choose a separate departure.

What time do the different riding groups start?

The beginner group starts at 8:40, the advanced group at 10:40, and the mixed group at 12:40.

What is provided during the activity?

A riding helmet is provided. Hot juice and a local cookie are included after the ride. Some riders also received an extra warm layer or jumpsuit in very cold conditions.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Finnish.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.