Ice fishing sounds wild until you do it. Then the day turns warm fast, with cooking in a Lappish tipi tent. What makes this trip fun is the hands-on ice drilling, plus the chance to check submerged nets and learn what lives under the ice with guides like Sonja, Juhanni, and Ossi. I also love the rhythm of the morning, you get cold and active, then you sit down to real food and slow down near the fire.

One consideration: this is weather dependent. If conditions are rough, you may get a different date or a refund, so keep your schedule flexible, especially if you are only in Lapland for a short visit.

Key highlights you will care about

• Small group, up to 8 people, so you get real attention on the ice
• Overalls and boots so you can focus on fishing instead of hunting gear
• Ice fishing on Lake Inari with drilling and learning traditional techniques
• Fish soup and open-fire cooking in a Lappish tipi tent
• Optional tent sauna and ice swimming if you want to push the adventure further
• Fish species to expect like White Fish, Pike, Perch, and Burbot

Arctic ice fishing on Lake Inari, the point of the day

This is a half-day Lapland experience that trades big sightseeing for a smaller, more memorable goal: learn how ice fishing works and then eat what you catch in a cozy setting. You are not just standing around. You gear up, drill through thick ice, and follow the process step by step.

The most valuable part is how practical it feels. You see the tools, you learn the technique, and you get explanations while you are doing the work. And because the day includes cooking right after, it makes the whole thing feel like one complete loop, cold work first, warm payoff second.

Morning logistics: Ivalo, Lake Inari, and your timing window

The day is set up around a morning start. You arrive at Xwander Nordic by 9:45 AM. The activity start time is 10:00 AM, and the tour runs about 5 hours, with your return between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.

You will go through two main areas: Ivalo first, then Lake Inari. That matters because it keeps the experience focused. You are not driving all day through multiple stops. Instead, you get a clean transition from getting organized to being fully out on the ice where the action happens.

Your location also affects how smooth transfers feel. Transfers from Ivalo and back are included, and transfer options are available when you plan your day. If you are staying outside Ivalo, you might need supplementary transfers from other nearby areas, which are not included.

Gear that actually helps: overalls, boots, and being warm on purpose

Ice fishing in Lapland is not a fashion show. What you wear matters, and this tour makes that easy. You get geared up with overalls and boots, so you can handle the icy ground and the wet work without guessing what you need.

Here’s why this is a big deal: most cold-weather discomfort comes from small gaps, like boots that leave your ankles exposed or clothes that do not seal at the wrists. Overalls help a lot because they create one barrier between you and the snow and slush. Boots help because you are standing in one place, then moving around with gear, and you want your feet to stay warm and stable.

Even if you are an experienced winter traveler, I like that they handle this part for you. It reduces stress and helps you spend your energy on the fishing instead of layering like you are preparing for an expedition.

Drilling through thick ice and checking nets: what you learn on the lake

The heart of the experience is the actual ice fishing process. You start with ice fishing and learn traditional techniques, including drilling through thick ice. That learning moment is not abstract. You watch, you try, and you get guidance that matches what you are doing in that moment.

Then you check submerged nets to discover local fish species such as White Fish, Pike, Perch, or Burbot. That part turns the trip from action into understanding. You start to realize the lake is not empty just because it is frozen. Fish are there, nets work, and the timing and method matter.

Guides in this program are also known for being patient teachers. Names that come up often include Sonja and Juhanni for ice fishing guidance, and Ossi for keeping the day informative. You can expect a calm, practical approach, the kind that helps you feel capable even if this is your first time on an iced-over lake.

One small drawback of ice fishing lessons: it is not always a guaranteed catch in the way people imagine. Conditions and practical issues can happen on the ice. The upside is that you are learning the process itself, and the guide support is built around problem-solving in real time.

The fish soup moment: Lappish tipi cooking over open fire

After the cold work, you settle into a warm break, and this is where the day becomes genuinely memorable. You prepare the catch while learning about Arctic marine life, and then you cook and enjoy a warm fish soup in a Lappish Tipi Tent.

This is more than dinner. Cooking inside a tipi gives the day a strong sense of place. It feels like Lapland living at a human scale, not just an activity with a food stop attached.

A highlight people bring up is the taste and comfort of the soup, plus dessert cooked over open fire. That open-fire element is key because it creates a different flavor and a different atmosphere than a normal indoor meal. It also gives you something to look forward to while you are still cold and drilling holes.

If you are picky about food, you’ll want to trust that this is built around fish soup and a cooking flow that uses the catch. The tour includes food and drinks, so you do not need to plan a restaurant mid-activity.

Optional tent sauna and ice swimming: when to choose the extra challenge

At the end, you have optional add-ons: a tent sauna or ice swimming. These are not included in the base price, but they can turn a great experience into a full Lapland story.

Should you do them? If you like controlled intensity, the sauna plus ice contrast can be a satisfying finish. If you are new to cold-water experiences, go slowly and listen to the guide instructions. The good news is that these options are clearly marked as extras, so you can keep the main structure of the trip without committing to anything too intense.

I also like that these add-ons are separate. That means you can match the tour to your energy level. Some people want to cool down with a hot drink and skip the extremes. Others want the full checklist.

Price and value: where the money goes and what you get

The price is $188.09 per person for about 5 hours. For Lapland, that is not a cheap gimmick price, and it makes sense because the tour bundles real elements that cost time and gear.

Here’s what you are getting in the included package:

• guide services
• fishing equipment
• food and drinks
• transfers from Ivalo and back

On top of that, the experience includes overalls and boots, which are not always included on other outdoor tours. Those basic pieces matter. It reduces the chance you show up under-prepared and it helps you enjoy the activity instead of fighting the cold.

In practical terms, you are paying for three things: expert instruction on the ice, the equipment and safety setup that makes it possible, and the meal that turns the catch and the work into something you can actually enjoy.

If you are staying outside the Ivalo transfer area, remember supplementary transfers from other locations are not included. That can change the real total cost for your day, depending on where you are coming from.

Who this trip fits best (and who should skip it)

This experience fits best if you want a hands-on Arctic activity with a clear payoff. You like learning by doing. You enjoy winter nature, and you want a day that ends with warm comfort food, not a quick snack and a drive back.

It also helps that the group size is capped at 8 people. Smaller groups mean more attention when you are drilling, handling equipment, or learning the steps for nets and fish identification.

You might consider a different option if:

• you hate being cold and wet for periods of time, even with gear provided
• you are only looking for a passive tour with minimal physical tasks
• you cannot be flexible because this requires good weather

Good weather is not a minor detail here. This is an ice-based experience, so conditions matter.

Should you book Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking?

If you are in Lapland and you want one activity that feels both authentic and practical, I think this is an easy yes. The combination is strong: ice fishing you can actually learn, then a warm meal in a Lappish tipi tent with open-fire cooking. Guides like Sonja, Juhanni, Jennifer, and Ossi are repeatedly associated with patient teaching and strong food results, and the small group size helps you feel supported on the ice.

Book it if you can handle cold temperatures and you are willing to be outside during the main activity window. Skip it if your schedule is too tight to deal with weather adjustments, or if you want an indoor, low-effort experience.

If you do book, aim to arrive on time for the 9:45 AM arrival window. That first stretch of getting geared up is where the day goes from cold chaos to smooth ice fishing.

FAQ

What time does the Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking tour start?

You should arrive at Xwander Nordic by 9:45 AM, and the tour starts at 10:00 AM.

How long is the experience?

It lasts about 5 hours, and it ends back at the meeting point between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.

Where is the meeting point?

Xwander Nordic, Ivalontie 12, 99800 Inari, Finland.

What is included in the price?

The price includes guide services, fishing equipment, food and drinks, and transfers from Ivalo and back.

Are tent sauna and ice swimming included?

No. Tent sauna and ice swimming are optional add-ons and are not included in the base experience.

What fish species might you see during the net checks?

You may discover White Fish, Pike, Perch, or Burbot.

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 8 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English, and what if weather is bad?

The tour is offered in English. It requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.