Take a reindeer sleigh ride around our reindeer area in Santa Claus Village, on the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi. Your breath and the reindeer’s rise together in the cold air, with a Reindeer Guide close by throughout to answer whatever you’re curious about.
Choose the Reindeer Path or Forest Path, or the longer Winter Adventure, ending with time by the fire. Reindeer Path and Forest Path tickets are bought on-site; the Winter Adventure is booked in advance.
All three rides start at our enclosure in Santa Claus Village, right behind the Santa Claus Office. The Winter Adventure covers more ground and ends with time by the fire.
Our Reindeer Guides are there throughout, ready to answer questions about the reindeer and life in Lapland. For Reindeer Path and Forest Path, just walk up, buy your ticket, and take the ride, no need to plan ahead. You can hear the sleigh runners settle into the snow the moment you set off.
Three ways to ride, from a first taste of the forest to a longer adventure by the fire.
Prefer to stay on foot? Meet Santa Claus Reindeer at the fence in Santa Claus Village instead, any time of year.
From: 30 €
Experience the magic of Christmas on a charming reindeer sleigh ride through Santa Claus Village, where festive memories come to life. Perfect for all ages, this short and enchanting adventure is available with tickets purchased on-site only.
From: 50 €
An 800-metre ride through the forest, right in Santa Claus Village. Tickets bought on-site.
Discover the magic of Christmas on a traditional reindeer sleigh ride in Santa Claus Village. A charming Arctic experience for all ages, with tickets available on-site only.
From: 139 €
A longer sleigh ride starting from Santa Claus Village, ending with warm drinks by the fire.
Pre-booked.
Discover Lapland on a peaceful 30-minute reindeer sleigh ride through snowy Arctic landscapes in Santa Claus Village. Complete your adventure with warm drinks, light snacks, and local reindeer stories by a cozy campfire.
From: 100 €
Skip the queues and enjoy a magical 800-metre reindeer sleigh ride through Santa Claus Village, followed by a warm drink by the fire and a souvenir Reindeer Driving License.
For a longer experience with a break by the fire and time to talk with your Reindeer Guide, the Reindeer Safari takes you further into the forest. Pre-booked in advance.
Santa Claus Reindeer is in Santa Claus Village, right behind the Santa Claus Office, on the Arctic Circle. It’s about 15 minutes by car from Rovaniemi city centre, or closer to 30 minutes by local bus 8 with its stops along the way, a good, responsible way to make the trip, check current timetables here.
For current opening hours, see our Info page.
Layered clothing, warm boots, gloves and a hat make the biggest difference in winter, especially for children. We provide reindeer hides in the sleigh for extra warmth, but not clothing itself; our Reindeer Guides check that every young rider is warmly dressed before the sleigh sets off.
Reindeer Path and Forest Path tickets are bought on-site, at the enclosure entrance, ready whenever you are. The Winter Adventure is pre-booked. Just come when it suits you, and our Reindeer Guides will take it from there.
Early in the season, before there’s enough snow for a sleigh, rides run on a wheeled cart instead. It’s good training time too: each cart carries just one guest, keeping the weight light while the reindeer build up to full winter work.
And it shows in how we work
Every reindeer is an individual. Our herd includes working reindeer, females with calves, young reindeer and older animals, all with different needs, temperaments and rhythms. Our Reindeer Guides learn to know these differences and care for each animal accordingly.
For the reindeer that work with guests, working days include regular breaks and rest days. Their condition, appetite and recovery are followed closely, and a reindeer that is unwell or recovering does not work. Training happens at each reindeer’s own pace, giving them the time they need to learn and become familiar with working alongside people.
Caring for the whole herd also means understanding how their needs change with age and through the seasons. Feeding, health and condition are followed closely, veterinary checks are carried out regularly, and the reindeer are managed according to their age, sex, temperament and individual needs.
For us, We Love Reindeer means knowing the animals, respecting their individual needs and making decisions based on what is good for them.
Meet Mrs Santa Claus in her Christmas Cottage in Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi. A warm, personal moment with time to talk and share a little Christmas magic. Encounters can be booked in advance.
At our Lapland Restaurant Kotahovi next door, an open fire burns at the centre of the room. Guests can order reindeer stew, salmon soup and homemade blueberry pie by an open fire. No reservations, just take a seat.
Reindeer Path and Forest Path tickets are bought on-site. The Winter Adventure and Priority Reindeer Ride are booked in advance.
Both are gentle rides well suited to young children. Reindeer Path is 400m; Forest Path is 800m and goes further around our reindeer area.
A 2–3km sleigh ride followed by about 30 minutes by the fire with snacks and hot drinks, for guests who want more time with the reindeer than the Reindeer Path or Forest Path offer, and time to ask your Reindeer Guide anything you’re curious about.
Yes, all our reindeer sleigh rides welcome young children. Reindeer Path and Forest Path are both gentle, easy first rides, well suited to the youngest visitors, and the Winter Adventure suits children too, with time to warm up by the fire along the way.
Early in the season, the ride runs on a wheeled cart instead of a sleigh, on the same route. If the weather turns too warm, the wheeled cart ride is paused instead, to protect the reindeer.
Reindeer Path and Forest Path stay within Santa Claus Village, where the village lights make it harder to see the Northern Lights, even after dark. For a dedicated evening safari away from the lights, see the Northern Lights Reindeer Safari, which departs from Taava Reindeer Farm.
Warm, layered winter clothing, with boots, a hat and gloves. Reindeer hides are provided in the sleigh for extra warmth. When in doubt, it’s better to dress too warmly than too lightly, and our Reindeer Guides always check that children are warmly dressed before the sleigh sets off.
