Ice holes, then hot fish by fire.

This Lapland half day is built around traditional ice fishing and the calm ritual of doing it the old way, from drilling holes to trying different winter methods. I especially love the hands-on feel of learning kairaaminen and pilkkiminen with real guidance, not just watching. I also love the payoff, warm food cooked over an open fire after you catch the fish, with examples like salmon soup, fish cream stew with bread, and even roasting marshmallows. The one real consideration is cold reality, you will be outside in winter conditions, so bring proper warm and windproof clothing since winter gear is not included.

With Xwander Nordic, the guides keep things clear and supportive, which matters when the group ranges from kids to grandparents. In fact, this trip runs with a minimum of 2 participants and typically feels like an easy, friendly outdoor lesson rather than a rough survival test. If you’re expecting a quick photo stop, adjust your mindset, this is an active 5 hours on the ice.

Key moments that make this trip work

• Rahajärvi, Ivalo ice fishing: You fish on a local lake setting, then immediately cook what you catch.
• Kairaaminen and pilkkiminen: Drill the holes, try line fishing, and learn why small steps matter in winter.
• Juomustus under-ice net fishing: A different technique that helps you understand how ice fishing really works.
• Open fire meal with your catch: Food is part of the experience, with dishes like salmon soup and creamy fish stew.
• Warmth and roasting by the fire: Expect time around the campfire, plus treats like marshmallows.
• Guides who teach and help with kids: One guide named Julien is noted for being kind and attentive throughout.

Rahajärvi, Ivalo: why this kind of ice fishing feels real

Lapland ice fishing has a special honesty to it. You can’t fake it. The weather sets the pace, the ice sets the rules, and the lake gives you what it gives you. This trip takes place at Rahajärvi near Ivalo, which is exactly the kind of clear, cold Northern water that makes the fish taste like it came straight from the source.

What you’re really buying here is more than fish. You’re buying the rhythm. First comes the work, drilling holes and learning how winter fishing behaves. Then comes the payoff, cooking and eating what you caught while you warm up around an open fire.

That matters for value. If you’ve tried tours where you get a short demo and then rush to a souvenir stop, this won’t feel like that. You’ll spend your time on the ice and then at the fire, with your catch driving the meal. The end result feels earned.

Meeting at Eräsoppi in Ivalo and the trip rhythm

You meet at Eräsoppi / Xwander shop, address Ivalontie 12. The start time is 10:00, but you should arrive by 9:45 so you have time for preparations. The trip is about 5 hours total, returning around 15:15.

From the shop, you take a car ride to the lake. That short transfer is helpful, because it gets you out to the right fishing area without wasting your limited daylight on bus rides.

Pickup is straightforward if you’re staying in Ivalo. There’s complimentary pickup for Ivalo. If you’re based in Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, or Kiilopää, you need to contact the operator ahead to book a transfer.

Two practical notes for planning:

1) You should plan to be comfortable outside before and during the ice time, since the trip is timed around fishing, not indoor warmth.

2) The tour runs with a minimum of 2 participants, so double-check timing if your schedule is tight.

Kairaaminen and pilkkiminen: drilling holes and line fishing

The core of the experience is traditional Lappish winter fishing, taught in a way that works even if you’ve never held a rod through snow before. You’ll learn kairaaminen, which means drilling holes in the ice, and pilkkiminen, which is ice fishing with a line.

Kairaaminen is one of those skills that sounds simple until you try it in real winter cold. Your guides show you how to manage the drill and how to approach the hole without making things harder than they need to be. Even if you struggle at first, the trip structure helps you learn by doing, not by guessing.

Once the holes are ready, you shift to pilkkiminen. This part is where you start noticing the small differences winter creates. Your guide can show you technique and timing, which is a lot more useful than generic fishing advice. It’s also a great moment for photos, because the landscape is quiet and the focus is narrow, you and the hole.

If you’re traveling with kids or a mixed-age group, this section often becomes the heart of the day. Families described the guides performing demonstrations for everyone and stepping in to help, which makes sense here. Drilling and fishing can feel intimidating at first, but once you’re shown the basics, it turns into a shared activity.

Juomustus: net fishing under the ice

Then comes the technique that really makes this feel like more than a basic fishing lesson. You try juomustus, net fishing under the ice.

Net fishing under ice changes the vibe. With a line, you’re watching and responding. With netting, you’re learning a method that works on a different timeline and requires a different mindset. You get to see how nets are checked and how the process fits into the day’s overall flow.

One of the practical benefits of doing multiple methods is that it keeps the experience balanced. Some people get more excited by the fishing itself, others enjoy the technique and learning. When you do both line fishing and net fishing, you get a wider range of “I did that” moments.

Also, net fishing under ice is a great cultural piece. You’re not just catching fish, you’re seeing how winter fishing traditions use the environment. That context is part of why the day feels authentic.

The open-fire cooking part: eating like the catch mattered

Here’s the best reason to book: your meal connects directly to what you do outside. After fishing, you cook and eat your catch over an open fire. The tour includes open fire food plus cooking equipment and table wear.

And yes, the food gets described in detail in real feedback from the trip. You might get salmon soup, and you can also see dishes like fish cream stew served with bread. The common theme is simple: warm, filling, and built around the fact that the fish is fresh.

What I like most is that the cooking isn’t treated like a random bonus. It’s part of the lesson. Guides show different cooking styles, and you get to watch, learn, and then eat while you warm up. One review even notes how they ended up sitting around the fire in a tent, which is exactly what you want when the air is cold and you’re waiting for the next course to be ready.

And then there’s the fun detail that keeps the mood light: marshmallows by the fire. That small touch helps make the day feel like a real Lapland moment, not just a utilitarian outdoor activity.

Dietary needs matter too. When you book, mention dietary requirements and allergies so they can plan accordingly.

Staying warm: what to bring, what the guide handles

Winter in Lapland can change quickly. Wind and temperature shift fast. So treat this as an outdoor sport, not a stroll.

What you should bring:

• Warm clothing
• Camera
• Snacks
• Water

Also, winter clothing is not included. That’s the biggest practical “think ahead” item. If you show up with only basic layers, you’ll feel it once you’re outside drilling and fishing.

What’s included helps you focus:

• Safety equipment
• Cooking equipment and table wear
• Open fire food

The safest way to enjoy a day like this is to layer for real cold and wind. You don’t need to overpack, but you do need windproof outer layers and enough warmth to keep going through the fishing time and then the longer warmth-and-eat phase by the fire.

If you’re the type who easily gets cold, you might also want to bring extra snacks. The trip is about 5 hours, and while you get the meal, having a little backup energy can keep the cold from feeling draining.

Price and value: does $167 for 5 hours make sense

At $167 per person for a 5-hour experience, this isn’t the cheapest thing you can do in Lapland. It also isn’t overpriced for what’s included.

Here’s where the value comes from:

• You’re not just trying fishing gear, you’re learning multiple winter fishing techniques (drilling holes, line fishing, and net fishing under ice).
• The guide is live and multi-language (Finnish, English, French), and that matters when you’re learning hands-on steps like kairaaminen.
• Your meal is included, with hot food cooked over a fire after your catch. That’s a real cost you would otherwise pay for separately.
• Safety equipment is provided, plus all cooking equipment and table wear.

The only obvious cost you may still face is your winter clothing and your logistics to the meeting place. Transfer depends on where you’re staying. Ivalo has complimentary pickup, while other nearby areas require arranging a transfer by contacting ahead.

For many people, that $167 feels worth it because it bundles three things into one day: real fishing time, cultural technique, and a warm, satisfying meal with your catch.

Who this trip fits best (and who should think twice)

This experience fits best if you want hands-on learning and don’t mind cold air.

It’s a great match for:

• Families looking for an active day outdoors. Feedback specifically highlights families traveling with young kids and grandparents, with guides doing demonstrations and helping with children.
• People who like authenticity. You’ll learn techniques tied to Northern winter life, not just a generic fishing photo moment.
• Food lovers who enjoy seeing the catch become the meal. Salmon soup, fish cream stew with bread, and marshmallows by the fire are the kind of details that make the day memorable.

You might think twice if:

• You hate being outside in winter conditions. You will be outside drilling holes and fishing, so windproof warmth is non-negotiable.
• You expect a lot of luxury. This is practical outdoors time, with warmth centered around the campfire cooking.

Should you book Arctic Fishing and Open Fire Cooking with Xwander Nordic?

If you’re deciding between a cold-weather activity that feels touristy versus one that feels like you’re joining a real local routine, I’d lean toward booking this. The combination of ice fishing techniques plus open-fire cooking is rare, and the warmth and food are built into the schedule instead of tacked on at the end.

Book it if you want:

• A guided, step-by-step introduction to winter fishing in the Ivalo area
• A meal you can connect to your own catch
• A calm campfire break where the day ends warm and social

Hold off if you’re not ready for real winter exposure or you don’t plan to dress properly. Since winter clothing is not included, your comfort depends heavily on what you bring.

FAQ

FAQ

Where does the trip start?

You start at 10:00 from the Eräsoppi / Xwander shop at Ivalontie 12. Please arrive by 9:45.

How long is the Arctic fishing trip?

The duration is around 5 hours, with a return to the shop around 15:15.

Do I get picked up from my accommodation?

There is complimentary pick up service for Ivalo. For Inari, Nellim, Saariselkä, and Kiilopää areas, you need to contact ahead to book a transfer.

What is included in the price?

Included are open fire food, cooking equipment and table wear, and safety equipment.

Is winter clothing provided?

No. Winter clothing is not included, so you should bring warm and windproof clothing.

What fishing methods will we try?

You’ll experience traditional Lappish winter fishing methods, including drilling holes to the ice (kairaaminen), ice fishing with a line (pilkkiminen), and net fishing under the ice (juomustus).

What languages are the guides available in?

The live guide is available in Finnish, English, and French.

What should I bring with me?

Bring warm clothing, a camera, snacks, and water.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.