Ice fishing starts with a hole in the world. In Levi, you’ll head out on a frozen lake near town, drill through the ice, and try your luck at catching fish while enjoying the quiet Arctic air; I especially liked the help from Leevi (he’s great at both fishing coaching and photos), and I love that you get a password-protected set of edited photos after the tour. One thing to keep in mind: catching fish is not guaranteed, and the small holes mean you may not land anything big even if you get a bite.

This is built for a short winter reset. The trip runs about 3 hours, with a meeting at the Beyond Arctic office in Sirkka (right by the tourist information), and pickup is available outside the central Levi area. For me, the best part was how it feels like a low-key day out on the ice, not a rushed checkbox.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Max group size of 8 keeps things friendly and manageable on the ice
• Leevi-style guidance helps you get set up fast and fish with confidence
• Drill, fish, then warm up with hot drinks, snacks, and an on-ice fire
• Photo collection after the tour means you’re not stuck with blurry winter shots
• Equipment included, plus a chance to borrow warmer gear if you arrive underdressed
• Minimum age 4 makes it a realistic family winter activity in Lapland

Ice fishing near Levi: quiet Arctic time, not just a catch-thing

Ice fishing in Lapland has a different feel than most winter activities. You’re not running between stops. You’re standing still, listening to the ice, and watching the lake through the simplest “tool” possible: a hole you cut through the surface.

That calm is part of why this works so well. You’re out on a frozen lake near Levi, and the atmosphere is described as peaceful and quiet for a reason. The ice takes away a lot of city noise, and the whole experience becomes about patience—plus seeing how fishers actually work.

Now, let’s be honest about the goal. This isn’t a guarantee-you-will-catch-fish situation. You’re going to try, and you’ll likely get a chance to make more than one hole depending on how the group is doing. In one group I read about, nobody landed a fish, even after multiple attempts. That’s not a deal-breaker if you’re coming for the setting, the technique, and the winter ritual.

Meeting Beyond Arctic in Sirkka without stress

You’ll meet at Beyond Arctic’s office in Sirkka for the main departure. The start point listed is Beyond Arctic Levi, Myllyjoentie 2, 99130 Sirkka, just next to the tourist information. The tour starts at 11:00 am, and they ask you to be there about 15 minutes early so you’re not rushing in when it’s cold.

If you’re staying in central Levi, pickup is available for the central hotel area and nearby addresses in the same distance range. If you’re outside central Levi, pickup is still offered, but it’s limited to accommodations within 10 kilometers. Either way, you’re not expected to figure out transport to the lake yourself.

A practical tip: even though it’s only about 3 hours, treat it like a real outing. Wear layers you can adjust, and plan on spending real time standing outside. That’s how you keep the experience fun instead of annoying.

Drilling the ice and fishing: how the “hole strategy” really works

After departure, you’ll drive to a frozen lake near Levi. This is where the experience becomes physical and simple. You’ll drill a hole through the ice and try fishing from there. Your guide walks you through it so you’re not guessing with cold hands and limited time.

The biggest thing to understand is that hole fishing is about control and patience. The hole gives you the access point; your job is to get your line set properly and then stay alert without constantly yanking the setup. The group size helps here. With a maximum of 8 travelers, it’s easier to get personal help quickly if you’re stuck.

In the experience I looked at closely, the drill holes were small. That’s not surprising—ice fishing is limited by what you can safely and efficiently cut. It also means you’re usually not fishing for massive fish. So if your expectations are based on TV fishing shots, adjust them a little. You’re aiming for a bite and a moment, not a trophy guarantee.

One more detail that matters: you’ll likely get a chance to change spots. In at least one group, people made a second hole to try another location after waiting a bit. That flexibility helps, especially when the first hole doesn’t produce activity right away.

English is offered on this tour, which is useful when the guide is explaining technique. When you understand what you’re doing—line placement, waiting time, and how to react to a bite—you’ll enjoy the session more, even if the fish don’t cooperate.

The on-ice warmth: hot drinks, snacks, and that fire moment

The ice part can feel long if you’re cold. The good news here is the tour is designed around staying comfortable.

Included in the experience are hot drinks and snacks, and there’s also an on-ice fire after fishing. This is not a decorative detail. It’s the moment when the trip shifts from active fishing to relaxing and hanging out in the Arctic night air.

In one described outing, after about an hour and a bit of fishing, the guide built the fire on the ice and the group roasted pork or veggie sausages, finishing with hot blueberry juice and snacks. That matters for two reasons: it gives you a warm reset, and it turns the tour into a shared winter memory instead of just a solo waiting game at your hole.

If you’re visiting Lapland and you only have a limited window of time, this structure is smart. You get the cold fun first, then the warmth. You don’t have to leave early because you’re tired or freezing.

Also, don’t underestimate how much warm food helps your enjoyment. Your hands get tired on the ice, and warmth brings back your energy for photos, chatting, and watching the lake’s quiet stillness.

Photography help: edited photos and a real reason to bring your camera

This tour has a strong photography component, even if you think you’re not a photography person. The experience includes a wilderness/photography guide, and you should expect hands-on help with winter shots.

In the experience described, the guide named Leevi served as both guide and photographer. That combo is valuable because he knows how to keep you safe while also showing you how to capture the mood—ice, lake, and the small actions that make ice fishing fun to remember.

You also get something practical: after the tour, you receive a collection of edited photos. You’ll be given a password to access the photo set. That’s a nice tradeoff. Instead of spending energy trying to get a perfect shot while you’re fishing, you can fish and let the guide handle the photo workflow.

One caution: winter light and snow glare can make it harder to get nice shots on your own. If you want your photos to look good without fuss, lean into the guide’s photography support and trust the edited collection afterward.

Price and value: what you’re actually paying for at $113.79

At $113.79 per person, it’s not the cheapest thing on an Arctic itinerary. But value here comes from the bundle: time, gear, people, and warmth.

What your money covers is more than “we’ll take you to a lake.” You get:

• an expert guide who helps with the fishing process
• ice fishing equipment included
• hotel pickup and drop-off outside central Levi (and listed pickup for central area hotels)
• hot drinks and snacks
• a fire on the ice with food
• edited photos delivered through an online photo collection

When you add it up, you’re paying for friction removal. You don’t have to find equipment, figure out safety, or figure out where the activity happens. You also don’t have to manage the cold comfort side alone. That matters a lot in winter.

Could fish be difficult? Yes. And at least one group had no success landing fish. But success at catching isn’t the only value. The value is the guided winter experience: the lake time, the technique practice, the fire, and the photo follow-up.

If you’re the kind of traveler who loves Arctic nature but also wants a comfortable structure, the price starts to make sense.

Who this tour is best for (and who should rethink)

This ice fishing tour fits best if you want a real taste of Lapland without overbooking your days.

It works well for:

• Families: the minimum age is 4 years, and the experience is set up to include kids
• First-timers to ice fishing: equipment and coaching remove the learning curve
• People who like photography and memories: edited photos mean fewer regrets
• Travelers who want a calm outing: you’re on one frozen lake area for the main portion

It may be less ideal if:

• you’re expecting a guaranteed fish catch
• you dislike being outside for a decent stretch (even with breaks and warmth)

One nice detail from the experience descriptions: even when fish didn’t show up, the day still felt like a good family time. That’s the mindset shift that makes the tour click.

Tips to make your day on the ice easier

You’ll be provided equipment, but you still control your comfort level.

Here’s what I’d do before you go:

• Wear warm layers and bring spares for things like gloves or hats if you have them. If you don’t have warm enough gear, the guide and team can help—one group noted that warmer gear could be borrowed free of charge before leaving the office.
• Expect that drilling and fishing take patience. Even with coaching, you might wait a while between bites.
• Keep your focus on the experience, not the outcome. Ice fishing is as much about the ritual and the silence as it is about a fish at the end.

Also, keep expectations realistic. The holes are small, and big catches are not the norm. Treat bites as a bonus.

Should you book this ice fishing on a frozen lake near Levi?

If you want a guided Arctic experience with warmth, photos, and real time on a frozen lake, I think this is a strong booking. It’s short, structured, and friendly, with a small group size that keeps it from turning into chaos on the ice.

I’d book it if you’re coming to Lapland for the winter experience itself—ice, fire, quiet lake time, and the satisfaction of learning something hands-on. It’s also a solid family option because the activity is built to include children from age 4.

If you’re chasing a high chance of landing fish, adjust your expectations first. You may catch nothing, and that’s still not a reason to skip it. Just go in knowing you’re buying a winter memory, guided by people like Leevi, with hot food waiting on the ice.

FAQ

How long is the ice fishing trip in Levi?

The experience lasts about 3 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Beyond Arctic at Myllyjoentie 2, 99130 Sirkka (just next to the tourist information). The tour start is back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered outside the central Levi area (within 10 kilometers of Beyond Arctic). For guests staying in central Levi, pickup details are listed for hotels in that central area range.

What’s included once we arrive?

You’ll get ice fishing equipment, hot drinks and snacks, and a guided ice fishing session on a nearby frozen lake. The guide also prepares a fire and food after fishing.

Do I need my own ice fishing gear and warm clothing?

Equipment is included. If you arrive without warm enough gear, you may be able to borrow warmer gear before departing from the office (noted in an experience description).

What age can children join?

The minimum age is 4 years.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.