Planning a trip to Rovaniemi? 8 Reasons to Visit Rovaniemi after December

January 14, 2020 - Anna Ruohonen

Ok. We all know you love Santa Claus and that you would like to meet him sometimes during Christmas. But hear us: by postponing your trip to later winter months, you’ll still have time to meet him and do much more during the daylight.

1. More snow

One thing is sure: There’s snow in Rovaniemi during the winter. Winter in Rovaniemi lasts seven months, from October to April, and some months are snowier than others. According to statistics, the snowiest month is March – Thus, if you are seeking snowy experiences, like long snowmobile and husky safaris, choose late-winter months. From snow-perspective, the problem is that no one never knows beforehand when the permanent snow cover arrives. In 2018 the permanent snow came in December, in 2019 already late October. For snow-seekers the first winter months are the most uncertain, but when the year ends and a new one starts, snow is there and the amount of it starts to increase when winter proceeds.

2. More light, more time to do all kinds of fun

Light conditions dominate lives of Rovaniemi locals. There’s hardly daylight during the polar nights in November-December, but the days start to get longer in January. Think about this: On 24th December, the length of day is 2 hours 16 minutes, but on 24th of January it’s already 5 hours and ten minutes. A month later, on 24th of February, day lasts almost the double being 9 hours 16 minutes. The day gets longer until Midsummer celebration 22nd of June, when the length of day is 24 hours meaning that the sun will shine around the clock. Thus, the later you come, the more daylight you have to experience the arctic lifestyle and activities of ours.

3. Save time

Due to the increased amount of snow, also the longer safaris (that rarely run in December) are available from the beginning of the year. Also, queues to the most popular activities are shorter and that will save your valuable holiday time. Sometimes the popular activities are sold out in December and you should book activities beforehand. During January, February and March you’ll even have a chance to book a tour in a whim and get a place in it.

4. Act sustainably

Rovaniemi is not a mass tourism destination, but locals would prefer less seasonal differences. Our interest is to make Rovaniemi a year-round destination, as that decreases the meaning of seasonal workforce and increases the need for permanent jobs in travel business. Also, Rovaniemi has plenty of husky farms that would benefit of having visitors coming through the year. As you may know that sportsmen exercise no matter what season it is, and that would be the best lifestyle also for all the sled dogs that we have here.

5. Save money

Starting from January, accommodation is less expensive than in December. In addition, in December, many hotels are highly booked and prices are at their peak. You might save money also by comparing flight prices before and after December.

6. Better chances to see the Northern Lights

If we knew when it is the best time to see the Northern Lights, we would be rich beyond the dreams of men! However, we do know something. Some claim that spring and autumn Equinoxes bring a greater solar activity that means great auroras in practice. In 2020, Spring Equinox is on 20th of March and Autumnal Equinox is on 22nd of September. To see Auroras, you’ll need dark sky that is free from clouds, and of course solar activity that brings the northern lights. Weather is cloudy often in the last months of the year. All safari companies provide Aurora safaris through the whole season from September to mid-April.

7. Santa is still here

Christmas spirit and Santa Claus are in Rovaniemi 365 days a year. Santa Claus can be met at his office every day of year, and it’s not going to change. He loves to welcome visitors from all over the world. Santa Claus can be met in Santa Claus Village that is also open through the year. There’s plenty to do there for the whole family in every month, every day.

8. Be like a local

The days start to get longer after December making February, March and early April especially good winter months in terms of daylight (and snow) – They’re also the months us locals love a lot, as the amount of light is remarkably more after long period of polar nights. For the rest of the world Rovaniemi’s February and March are pure winter and Rovaniemi is normally photogenic winter wonderland at that time, but locals sometimes call February, March and early April spring because of extremely increased amount of daylight. Local people spend hours cross-country skiing, walking or snowmobiling on ice of river Kemijoki and river Ounasjoki.