Reindeer Experience in Finnish Lapland

In Finnish Lapland, there are more reindeer than people. The 200,000 reindeer are domesticated and cared for by local reindeer herders. As a tourist, you can visit these majestic animals at a reindeer farm and even have a chance to be pulled in a sleigh. While Laplanders prefer speedy snowmobiles to reindeer travel these days, it’s easy to visit Raitola Reindeer & Husky Farm near Rovaniemi City to try this traditional form of arctic transportation.

I booked my tour with Nordic Unique Travels through the Visit Rovaniemi website. You can combine a reindeer sleigh ride with a husky farm visit, northern lights chasing, ice fishing and many more activities depending on the season. Reindeer farms can be visited year round. Going in winter was fun because there was a lot of snow on the tracks.

After your sleigh ride, you’ll be able to warm up in a wooden shelter called a kota. At Raitola Reindeer Farm, they served hot juice and cookies. The reindeer farm owner came to answer questions and tell guests some facts about reindeer. This is a very family-friendly activity, with sleds and piles of snow around for kids to use while waiting their turn for the sleigh. Most of the tour companies will pick you up and bring you to their office first in order to be outfitted in warm winter gear, including snow boots and arctic overalls.

Raitola also has an on-site restaurant, which I didn’t eat at but smelled and looked amazing with mains such as creamy salmon soup and sautéed reindeer with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam. Many tour groups go to the farm, so it’s best to book your sleigh ride and tour ahead of time.

For more on what to do in Rovaniemi city, including where to shop and eat, check out this post.