Safety in Lapland
Practical safety tips for winter in Rovaniemi and Lapland — from emergency numbers to dressing for −30 °C.
Lapland is a safe place to travel — and a little preparation makes it even better. The Arctic winter is beautiful but serious: temperatures can fall below −30 °C, days are short and ice is never to be trusted. These are the safety tips we give our own guests and family.
Emergency numbers
- 112 – the general emergency number in Finland, for life-threatening situations only (ambulance, police, fire and rescue).
- 116 117 – the medical helpline: call before going to the emergency room with a health problem.
- The 24/7 emergency department for Rovaniemi is at Lapland Central Hospital. For smaller problems, private clinics such as Terveystalo, Mehiläinen and Pihlajalinna have walk-in services in the city.
- Car broken down or off the road? Call a towing service, not 112 — unless someone is hurt.
Dress for the cold
- Dress in layers: a moisture-wicking base layer, a warm middle layer of wool or fleece, and a windproof, water-resistant outer layer.
- Protect your extremities — a warm hat, mittens rather than gloves, a scarf or neck warmer, and roomy winter boots with wool socks. Tight boots make cold feet.
- Bring an extra layer for long periods of standing still, such as watching the Northern Lights.
- Watch your skin in the wind: pale, numb patches on the cheeks, nose or fingers can be the first sign of frostbite — warm them gently and go indoors.
- No winter gear? You can rent premium winter clothing in Rovaniemi.
Ice and frozen waters
Never walk on river or lake ice on your own. In Rovaniemi the river ice can be dangerously thin, and safe places can change within a day because of currents and weather. Don’t let children play on the ice. If you want to experience the frozen lakes, join a guided tour — our guides know the current ice conditions, for example on our ice fishing tours.
Walking and driving in winter
- Wear shoes with good grip or ice cleats, take short steps and move slowly on icy streets.
- Wear a reflector after dark — it is dark for most of the day in mid-winter, and drivers need to see you.
- Walk only on pavements and pedestrian streets, never on ski tracks or roads, and don’t pull a sledge on the road.
- Cars need much longer to stop on ice: cross roads carefully and keep a long distance when driving.
- Reindeer roam freely in Lapland and often stand on the roads — slow down when you see them, and expect more than one.
- Keep the windows clear, dress warmly even in the car, and remember that help can take longer to arrive outside the cities.
- Stop to photograph the sky or wildlife only in a safe place — never in the middle of the road.
Watching the Northern Lights safely
The auroras appear on dark, clear nights — exactly when it is coldest. Dress more warmly than you think, tell someone where you are going, keep your phone in an inside pocket so the battery lasts, and stay off frozen lakes and rivers. Or let us do the planning: our guided Northern Lights tours take you to safe spots with warm drinks and a guide.
Keep your valuables safe
Rovaniemi is a calm city, but in busy places it is wise to keep an eye on your belongings. Lost something? Contact the Lapland police lost property service or Lapland’s Lost and Found (+358 600 301 430).
On our activities
All our safaris are led by experienced local guides. Listen to the safety briefing, follow your guide’s instructions and tell us in advance about any health conditions, allergies or mobility needs so we can plan your day well. If you have questions about safety before your trip, contact us — we are happy to help.