Riisitunturi National Park Snowy Trees Day Trip with BBQ Rovaniemi

The drive east through Lapland's wilderness

Riisitunturi National Park lies in the municipality of Posio, approximately 150 kilometres east of Rovaniemi. How do you get to Riisitunturi from Rovaniemi? There is no public transport to the park in winter, which is why a guided day trip with hotel pickup is the easiest way to go. Your guide collects you in the morning and drives about two hours each way through forests, frozen lakes and small villages.

The drive is part of the experience. As the sun rises late in winter, the sky often turns pink and gold over the snowy forest, and your guide shares stories about Lapland and the Arctic along the way. The whole excursion lasts around eight hours including transport, hiking and time around the fire, and you are back in Rovaniemi around 16:00, in time for an evening northern lights tour if you wish.

Riisitunturi National Park

Riisitunturi became a national park in 1982 and protects a hilly landscape of fells, old spruce forest and unusual hanging bogs on the slopes. From the higher ground the views open across a sea of forest and frozen lakes. In summer it is a quiet hiking area, but in winter it becomes one of the most photographed places in Finnish Lapland, attracting nature lovers and photographers from all around the world.

Is Riisitunturi worth visiting? If you want to see Lapland's winter at its most dramatic, the answer is yes. The best time to visit Riisitunturi is from about December to March, when snow and rime build up on the trees; January and February usually bring the heaviest loads, while March adds more daylight for photos. The tour runs in all weather conditions, so the scenery changes with every visit.

The snowy giants: crown snow-load trees

What makes Riisitunturi special is the crown snow-load, called tykky in Finnish. Moist air freezes onto branches as rime, fresh snow sticks to it, and layer after layer the spruce trees disappear under thick white coats. The snow load of a full-grown spruce can reach up to four tonnes, bending the trees into rounded shapes that look like giant marshmallows, ghosts or strange creatures.

Your walk of about four kilometres leads you among these snowy giants, with your guide choosing the best spots for the light and the views. If conditions suit, the group takes snowshoes to make the walk more adventurous. As you hike, your guide keeps an eye out for wildlife tracks and teaches you about Arctic nature, and also takes photos of you so you can enjoy the moment without worrying about your camera.

Campfire lunch break in the forest

Midway through the day the group gathers around an open fire. Your guide shows you how to light a fire as people here traditionally did, with flint and steel and natural materials found in the forest instead of matches or a lighter, something that works even at temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees. Campfire snacks, biscuits and hot drinks are served to keep you warm.

Lunchtime is also the moment for conversation: your guide shares their passion for nature and answers your questions about Lapland and life in the Arctic. With groups limited to eight people, everyone gets attention and time to talk. Bring your own water and dress in warm layers; professional winter clothing and boots are provided if needed, so you can stay comfortable throughout the day.