The 5 best reindeer sleigh rides in Rovaniemi for families

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If you’re visiting Rovaniemi with kids, reindeer sleigh rides are often right at the top of the Lapland wish list but which one offers the best experience for your family? Gliding quietly through snowy forests while wrapped up under warm blankets, pulled by a gentle reindeer, is about as ‘Lapland’ as it gets. For children especially, it feels like stepping straight into a Christmas story. The good news is that there are several places around Rovaniemi where families can try a reindeer sleigh ride. Some are short and simple rides that are perfect for younger children, while others take you deeper into the Arctic wilderness for a longer experience.

Prices, ride lengths and settings can vary quite a bit, so choosing the right one can make a big difference to your day and your budget! To help you decide, here are five of the best reindeer sleigh rides in Rovaniemi for families, including options that are easy to visit from Santa Claus Village and others that offer a more traditional Lapland experience.

1. Reindeer rides at Santa Claus Village

Best for: Short reindeer rides or families looking for a convenient location.

For families looking for a taster experience perfect for little ones, or sticking to smaller budget whilst in Rovaniemi, you can enjoy short reindeer sleigh rides at Santa Claus Village. These aren’t pre-bookable rides so you can just turn up and enjoy the experience. The location is also super convenient – if you’re heading to Santa Claus Village anyway it can be good fun to enjoy some of the activities on offer whilst you’re there. This experience includes:

A short reindeer sleigh ride of 5-7 minutes (400 m)
Possibility to sit around a campfire

For those looking for a longer sleigh ride from Santa Claus Village, provider Santa Claus Reindeer offers a Winter Adventure Reindeer Safari. You’ll begin your experience with a reindeer sleigh ride inside Santa Claus Village, where the route leads through the village’s own forest area at the Arctic Circle. Wrapped in warm reindeer hides, you travel at a calm and steady pace along a 2-3 km forest route, allowing time to enjoy the snowy surroundings just beyond the village itself. The traditional sleigh ride lasts approximately 30 minutes and, after the ride, guests can enjoy a talk from the reindeer guide, a warm drink and a light snack. This lengthier experience is pre-bookable and includes:

2-3km Reindeer sleigh ride through the winter forest in Santa Claus Village
Campfire moment with a warm drink and light snack
Reindeer hides during the ride to keep you warm
Guided experience with information about reindeer and local life

Click here to check out the Winter Adventure Reindeer Safari at Santa Claus Village on Get Your Guide.

2. Snowmobile tours with husky & reindeer rides

Best for: Families who want to experience snowmobiling as well as husky and reindeer rides, or those with limited time.

Many families stay in Rovaniemi for a very short time so, if you’re trying to pack in as much as possible, you might want to look for tours which combine snowmobile safaris, husky rides and reindeer sleigh rides. For those with a long Lapland bucket list, a tour which allows you to enjoy all three magical experiences might be just the thing – and combining them all into one booking is likely to save you both time and money too. Certainly, for families visiting only for a day or two, the Snowmobile Safari, Reindeer & Husky Sleigh Ride from NordicUnique Travels is a fantastic way to fit it all in! This experience is suitable for children aged 3 and up – here’s what the combined 4.5 hour adventure includes:

Uncover the wild beauty of the Arctic forests on snowmobile and sleigh rides
Hot drinks and snacks
Pickup and drop-off at the Santa Claus Holiday Village or Nordic Unique Travels office
English-speaking guide
Winter clothes: overalls, boots, gloves and balaclava
1 hour snowmobile ride
Short reindeer sleigh ride
Short husky sleigh ride
If the child is 150 cm or taller, they can be seated on the snowmobile paying the adult’s price
If the child is shorter than 150 cm, they must be seated in the sled

Click here to check out the Snowmobile Safari, Reindeer & Husky Sleigh Ride from NordicUnique Travels on Get Your Guide.

3. Northern Lights reindeer rides

Best for: Families with older children who are keen to see the Northern Lights.

If an aurora hunt is an important part of your Rovaniemi bucket list then you might want to look at night-time reindeer sleigh rides which offer a magical 2 in 1 experience. Step into a fairytale as you glide silently through a snow-covered forest and above you, if you’re lucky, the sky will come alive with the magical dance of the Northern Lights. Next, visit the reindeer enclosure where you can meet the reindeer up close, take part in feeding and learn about their daily routines. The aurora reindeer sleigh rides from provider Santa Claus Reindeer are likely best suited to older kids due to the timing of the activity but children of all ages are welcome. Afterwards, families can warm up by the fire with a hot drink and a small snack. If you fancy an evening aurora adventure, this one includes:

Evening reindeer sleigh ride with close contact to the reindeer
Visit to the reindeer enclosure with feeding
Time in a warm wooden kota with a hot drink and light snack
Guided experience hosted by the team working with the reindeer daily
Transfers are included from three given pickup placements

Click here to check out the Aurora Reindeer Rides from Santa Claus Reindeer on Get Your Guide.

4. Santa, reindeer and husky experience

Best for: Families with younger children looking for the ultimate festive experience.

Northern Future OY offer a combined Santa, reindeer and husky experience which may appeal to families exploring Rovaniemi with younger children – rather than full safaris you can enjoy short reindeer sleigh rides and husky rides alongside a Santa visit. It also includes a guided tour of Santa Claus Village – for this excursion you’d need to allow half a day. If you’re looking for the ultimate festive experience with little ones then this family-friendly combination tour could be a good option, here’s a bit more detail on what’s included:

Fazer chocolate welcome
Hotel pickup and drop-off
English-speaking guide
Santa Claus Village guided tour
Arctic Circle certificate
Meet Santa Claus
400 meter reindeer ride
500 meter husky sleigh ride
Baby seats (if needed)

Click here to check out the Northern Future OY combined Santa, reindeer and husky experience on Get Your Guide.

5. Reindeer sleigh rides at Lapland Winter Park

Best for: Families looking for a short reindeer sleigh ride experience in a convenient location.

We had the most fabulous day at Lapland Winter Park – a wintery activity attraction that includes things like ice-skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and reindeer feeds. Plus, it’s home to the largest sledging hill in Rovaniemi which was just such good fun! If you’re heading to Lapland Winter Park anyway, and looking for a short reindeer ride, this could be a good option. The traditional reindeer sleigh ride covers 500 metres at a steady pace while you snuggle up under the warmth of reindeer hides. Afterwards you’ll have the chance to spend time with the reindeer, take memorable photos and learn more about these majestic animals from knowledgeable reindeer herders. This Lapland Winter Park experience includes:

A 500m reindeer sleigh ride
Information about the reindeer
Convenient location for a full day of fun

Click here to check out my Lapland Winter Park review for all the details about our day or head to Get Your Guide to take a look at tickets.

What else is there to do in Rovaniemi with kids?

Rovaniemi is an excellent base for your Lapland adventure as there’s loads to do and it’s all within easy reach on foot or via public transport. You could take the kids to Santa Claus Village to see Santa, play in the snow, toast marshmallows and for other experiences like husky rides. It’s also home to Snowman World with snow slides, ice-skating, a snow maze and snow art – great fun for a visit with younger kids. Alternatively, you could visit SantaPark – an indoor attraction inside a cavern where you can cross the Arctic Circle, take part in festive activities, watch shows and enjoy a magical train ride. And, your visit won’t be complete without a day spent at Lapland Winter Park – we had such an amazing time there and it offers a really authentic experience. For the ultimate thrill-seekers snowmobiling is brilliant fun, and ice-karting is popular with teens too! For lots of ideas, make sure you check out my article: The 15 best things to do in Rovaniemi with kids.

Is a Rovaniemi reindeer sleigh ride worth it?

There are some great family-friendly reindeer sleigh rides in Rovaniemi – so hopefully this article has helped you to pick the best experience for your Lapland trip. Travelling with teens, we prioritised a husky adventure and some snowmobiling (the kids are a couple of thrill-seekers!) but for those with younger children, or families looking for a calmer experience, a reindeer sleigh ride can certainly be worthwhile. There are plenty of options combing the activity with other Lapland bucket list experiences too – so if you’d like to do a couple of things a combination package can be a good way to save time and money.

It’s helpful to make a proper itinerary before you travel as the excursions do get booked up quickly (particularly in December) and they can be pretty pricey so you’ll want to take a look at your budget in advance. You can’t visit Lapland without experiencing some of the once-in-a-lifetime activities on offer but, to keep costs under control, look at blending a few of the costly adventures with free or cheap activities like sledging, ice-skating and DIY aurora hunts. Have a magical time! I’ve got lots of guides for things to do in Rovaniemi, where to stay, general tips for a budget-friendly experience and what to wear etc so make sure you check out my other articles to make your getaway run smoothly: