Yes, beginners can absolutely join horse riding tours in Finnish Lapland. Our tours welcome all skill levels, with gentle, patient Finnish horses and experienced guides who provide clear instruction before setting out. The beautiful winter landscape of Lapland, with its snow-covered forests and open fields, creates a perfect setting for novice riders to learn safely. At Polar Lights Tours, we offer special beginner packages that combine comfortable accommodation with tailored horse riding experiences, allowing you to enjoy the magical Arctic wilderness and potentially witness the northern lights on horseback.
Is horse riding in Finnish Lapland suitable for complete beginners?
Finnish Lapland offers some of the beginner-friendly horse riding experiences in the Nordic region. The combination of gentle terrain, well-trained horses, and expert guides creates an ideal learning environment for those who have never ridden before. Our Finnish horses are specifically selected for their calm temperament and steady nature, making them perfect companions for novice riders exploring the winter wonderland.
What makes Lapland particularly suitable for beginners is the natural environment itself. In winter, the snow-covered landscape creates a soft, forgiving surface that’s less intimidating for new riders. The wide-open spaces and tranquil forests allow you to focus on developing your riding skills without distractions or challenging obstacles.
The winter scenery of Finnish Lapland adds a magical dimension to the learning experience. As you ride through snow-laden forests, the pristine Arctic environment creates a peaceful atmosphere that helps nervous beginners relax and enjoy the journey. You can explore our horse experiences to discover the range of beginner-friendly options available.
Our guides provide thorough instructions tailored to complete novices, ensuring you understand the basics of horse handling, mounting, and riding techniques before venturing into the wilderness. This patient, step-by-step approach ensures that even if you’ve never been near a horse before, you can confidently enjoy the adventure.
What equipment and clothing do beginners need for winter horse riding tours?
Proper equipment is important for enjoying horse riding in the Arctic climate, and our comprehensive accommodation packages include the specialized gear you’ll need. For beginners unfamiliar with winter riding, having the right equipment makes a big difference to both your comfort and safety.
We provide all riders with riding helmets, which are mandatory regardless of experience level. We also supply thermal riding suits that provide excellent insulation while allowing freedom of movement in the saddle. These suits are designed specifically for the Arctic conditions, protecting against the cold while preventing overheating during active riding.
For your base and mid-layers, we recommend:
- Thermal underwear (preferably wool or synthetic materials that wick moisture)
- Warm mid-layer fleece or wool jumper
- Thick socks (wool is ideal)
- Thin liner gloves under thicker mittens or riding gloves
- Neck gaiter or scarf to protect your face and neck
Footwear is particularly important for winter riding. We provide winter riding boots with sturdy heels and good insulation. These boots often have wider toe boxes to accommodate thermal socks while allowing proper placement in the stirrups. If you’re curious about the special characteristics of the horses you’ll be riding, you can learn more about Finnhorses and their adaptation to the Arctic climate.
As a complete beginner, you don’t need to worry about bringing specialized riding gear from home. We include the essential items in your package, and our guides will ensure you’re properly outfitted before setting out. This lets you focus on enjoying the experience rather than worrying about staying warm.
How are beginner horse riding tours in Lapland structured?
Our beginner horse riding tours in Finnish Lapland are carefully structured for progressive confidence-building, with formats designed specifically for those new to horseback riding. Your experience typically begins with a thorough orientation session where our guides explain basic horse handling, safety procedures, and simple riding techniques.
Most of our beginner tours follow this general structure:
- Welcome and introduction to your horse (20-30 minutes)
- Basic ground handling and safety briefing
- Mounting and riding instruction in an enclosed area
- Short, guided trek through gentle terrain (1-2 hours for first-timers)
- Return with time for questions and reflection
We keep group sizes small, typically 2-6 riders per guide, ensuring you get personalized attention. This allows our guides to closely monitor everyone’s comfort level and provide immediate assistance when needed. The winter trails we select for beginners feature flat terrain with minimal obstacles, allowing you to focus on basic balance and communication with your horse.
For complete novices, our shorter duration options of 1-2 hours are ideal, preventing fatigue and information overload. As your confidence grows, you can progress to half-day tours that may include stops for hot beverages and traditional snacks in the wilderness. If you’re ready to experience this adventure, you can book experiences that match your confidence level.
The pace is always dictated by the least experienced rider in the group, ensuring nobody feels rushed or left behind. This structured yet flexible approach makes horse riding in Lapland accessible to all ages and abilities, creating a supportive environment for learning this new skill while experiencing the winter wilderness.
Can families with children join horse riding excursions under the northern lights?
Families with children can indeed join our specially designed horse riding excursions that offer the magical opportunity to view the northern lights on horseback. These family-friendly tours accommodate children typically from age 7 and up, depending on the child’s size, maturity, and comfort around horses. For younger children, we offer safe and enjoyable lead rein rides, perfect for experiencing the joy of horseback riding.
Our family packages combine comfortable accommodation with activities tailored to different age groups. These all-inclusive arrangements simplify planning and ensure the experience is enjoyable for everyone. After a day of riding, we offer several family-friendly accommodation options, including the Aurora Wilderness Cabin where you can continue your northern lights viewing through large windows and a special roof window designed for aurora spotting. The cabins provide a peaceful retreat in the serene wilderness of Levi, allowing families to enjoy both adventure and comfort.
Safety considerations for children include:
- Specially fitted safety equipment including helmets and body protectors
- Assignment of the gentlest, most experienced horses for young riders
- Lower guide-to-rider ratios for family groups
- Shorter riding durations with more frequent breaks
- Simplified instruction techniques designed for young learners
Evening excursions under the northern lights are particularly magical for families. These rides typically start earlier than adult-only tours and follow very gentle routes. The combination of horseback riding through a snowy landscape beneath the dancing aurora creates unforgettable family memories. Children often develop a special bond with these gentle animals, adding another dimension to their Arctic adventure.
If you have specific questions about bringing your family on a horse riding adventure, you can contact our team for personalised advice about the most suitable options for your children’s ages and experience levels.
Accommodation options for your Lapland horse riding adventure
When planning your horse riding adventure in Finnish Lapland, we offer several exceptional accommodation options that enhance your connection with the Arctic wilderness and increase your chances of witnessing the magical northern lights.
The Aurora Wilderness Cabin provides a luxurious retreat nestled in the serene forests of Levi. These cabins feature large panoramic windows, including a special roof window, designed specifically for northern lights viewing from the comfort of your bed. Our guide will escort you through the beautiful winter woods to ensure a comfortable arrival at your cabin. The overnight experience includes a delicious light evening meal and breakfast featuring authentic Finnish specialties, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in local culture after your day of horse riding.
For those seeking a more unique wilderness experience, our Cozy Kammi Experience offers an intimate connection with nature. Located on our horse and husky farm, this round, traditional building provides a cozy atmosphere where you’ll sleep warmly in quality sleeping bags while being surrounded by the sounds of the forest. The experience includes a dinner prepared with local Finnish ingredients served inside the kammi, and the opportunity to relax in hammocks outside while gazing at the star-filled Arctic sky or the dancing northern lights. You’ll also have the chance to meet and learn about our horses and huskies in the evening, creating a perfect complement to your riding adventures.
For independent travelers, our Wilderness Caravan Adventure offers flexibility with motorhome, caravan, private tent, or hammock options. Located along Muonio Road just a 10-minute drive from Levi, this accommodation includes amenities such as electric caravan pitches, unlimited tent and hammock spots, cooking facilities, toilets, water points, and electrical outlets. You can enjoy the surrounding nature, take refreshing dips in the river, or rent a traditional barrel sauna. Guided tours to meet our horses and dogs are included in the price, providing additional animal encounters beyond your riding experience.
Whether you’re seeking a single introductory ride or a multi-day riding adventure, we welcome beginners with experiences tailored to build your confidence while showcasing the unique beauty of the Arctic winter. The combination of gentle horses, expert guidance, and the magical winter landscape creates ideal conditions for your first horseback adventure in this northern wonderland.
