Rovaniemi Ice Floating Northern Lights: A Chillingly Awesome Review
Okay, so you’re thinking of hopping into a freezing river in Finland, at night, in the hopes of seeing the Northern Lights? Sounds a little bonkers, right? Very much so! Still, that’s exactly what the Rovaniemi ice floating experience is all about. I got back from doing it a little while ago, so I’m very eager to share the whole experience, the unbelievable bits, and, of course, whether it is actually worth the money. Get ready for some shivers, stars, and hopefully, very green skies!
What the Heck Is Ice Floating, Anyway?
Very simply, ice floating basically means you put on a super buoyant, oh so insulated suit and then you just float in a lake or river that might be, possibly, almost frozen. So, instead of shivering your teeth out, the suit keeps you warm and afloat. More or less you end up looking, basically, like a big starfish bobbing on the water. The appeal? You get to relax, stare up at the sky, and maybe just maybe witness the mesmerizing Aurora Borealis dance above. Seriously something very cool, that! I believe it when I see it!
The Gear and Getting Ready: From Freezing to Floating
First up, it’s time to wrangle yourself into a survival suit, also they’re almost always provided by the tour operator. They will generally give you layers, like very thick socks, and thermal underwear, too it’s almost like being an astronaut, honestly. Anyway, getting into the suit, is that is, a whole operation itself! Think trying to stuff yourself into a slightly-too-small snowsuit whilst maintaining some level of dignity, basically. Zippers get stuck, limbs flail, and you kind of feel like you’re preparing for a moon mission, I would imagine.
Very snug, yes? Yet once you’re all zipped in, something magical actually happens. It gets surprisingly toasty. The suit seals you off from the outside, so you almost have your own little bubble of warm air. So then you march towards the water’s edge, kind of resembling a penguin waddling home after a very long day at sea.
Into the Ice: The Chilling Truth (and the Warm Suit)
Okay, so here comes the part you have been, pretty much, thinking about, right? Slipping (or sometimes clumsily flopping) into the icy water. Your guide helps you in, so that is always very good! Despite that, your heart does give a very small thump of apprehension as you take the plunge, and I mean who can blame you?
But then… nothing! Or rather, hardly anything, yes? The suit does its job, you float effortlessly, and you will be amazed at just how comfortable the water is. So instead of a bone-chilling shock, there’s like just a slight coolness around your face. You’re afloat, suspended, in a totally surreal and wonderful situation. That really does set in after a little while! The water just sort of cradles you.
Stargazing and Aurora Hunting: Eyes to the Skies
The main deal with ice floating, is that it gives you an unimpeded view of the sky. Laying there, basically on your back, the entire celestial dome will stretch out before you. And you are free from any light, generally. The stars appear brighter and way more numerous than you have possibly ever noticed back in the urban jungle. So then the silence, is that is, so profound and very different to back home, that it is a thing in itself. The only sounds are the occasional quiet splash and your own breathing. Serene?
Now, we wait for the aurora. Now you’re at its mercy. Some nights, there is the magical green, swirling lights will just leap across the sky putting on an unbelievable show, and you get the joy of being right there, right underneath it, bobbing happily in the water. Still, sometimes, the lights are a little camera shy. The Aurora doesn’t show and the sky will stay stubbornly dark.
My night was more or less in-between, admittedly. I did glimpse some faint, greenish shimmers way up high, almost, so high above me. Nothing like those incredible pictures you see online, just wisps that hinted at something bigger, more breathtaking. I was, a bit, disappointed I am honest, but then, lying there beneath the stars was wonderful anyway.
Is Ice Floating in Rovaniemi Worth It?
So here is the very important question. Would I fork out the cash to do this again? Basically, I think I would. Why? Let me tell you…
First off, the experience, is that is, one of a kind. How often can you, you know, say you floated in freezing water under a star-filled sky? Very unique!
- The Relaxation: In today’s busy, frantic paced, highly caffeinated society, the tranquility is unreal. Just being away from phones and very work and all the worries and thoughts will quiet. It does get quiet inside your head for the first time in years.
- The Aurora Gamble: Obviously, there’s no Aurora guarantee. However if the Aurora Borealis does turn up, then you could be left with memories that last for ever and ever. A good reason, I suspect, to try your luck!
- The Sheer Novelty: It’s unusual, maybe, so it’s a story you will retell at dinner parties for decades to come. How good is that, as a justification?!
However, so let’s keep this balanced, it’s possibly a touch pricey, so do your homework on the tour operators, yet. You can locate more affordable ones with enough checking. Look at what you are getting and where the sites are, too.