Best Time for Korouoma · When the Waterfalls Freeze

Metsähallitus gives the ice season at Korouoma as December to March, and Yle names February and March as the main weeks. Tours from Rovaniemi run from about November to April. At the edges of that window the ice depends on the year: how many icefalls form and how large they grow changes with rainfall and frost.

Dec–MarIce season according to Metsähallitus

Nov–AprMonths with tours from Rovaniemi (Visit Rovaniemi)

11:08–13:22Sunrise to sunset in Rovaniemi on 21 December

Before noonThe quieter part of a busy day at the icefalls

Winter tours with the most reviews

Each card opens with pickup and hike length. Expand it to see what the operator includes and who the tour is not meant for.

Arctic GM

Korouoma Hike & BBQ

Pickup at your accommodation, 4–6 km on the trail, overalls and campfire sausages, at most 8 guests.

Duration: 7 hours in total, with a 4–6 km guided hike
Language: English
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from €70 ★ 4.9 (1,665 reviews)

Book on GetYourGuide

Full tour details

Highlights

Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Rovaniemi; hike of 4–6 km
Groups of at most 8 guests, travelling in 4×4 vans
Thermal overalls are included
Hot drinks and grilled sausages by a campfire in the canyon

About this tour

A day trip by 4×4 van from Rovaniemi to the Korouoma canyon, followed by a guided winter hike of 4–6 km down to the frozen waterfalls and back up. Halfway, the guide lights a fire for hot drinks and sausages. The operator asks for moderate fitness because winter conditions make the trail harder, and does not recommend the tour for children under 8.

What's included

Pickup and drop-off at your Rovaniemi accommodation
Transfers in 4×4 vans
Certified guide with first-aid training
Thermal overalls
4–6 km guided hike
Hot drinks and barbecue (grilled sausages)

Meeting point

Arctic GM City Centre Office, Valtakatu 26, Rovaniemi (pickup from your accommodation is included).

What to bring

Passport or ID card
Warm clothing

Know before you go

At least 2 participants are needed; otherwise the tour is moved or refunded.
Moderate fitness is required.

Not suitable for

Children under 8
People with mobility impairments
People with heart or respiratory problems
Pregnant women
People with a low level of fitness

Pickup, hike length and inclusions as the operator lists them on the booking page.

Wild about Lapland

Small-Group Frozen Waterfalls Tour

Winter clothing and boots included, at most 8 people. Guests in the city centre walk to the meeting point.

Duration: 7 hours in total; the hike is about 5 km
Language: English
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from €145 ★ 4.8 (1,534 reviews)

Book on GetYourGuide

Full tour details

Highlights

Pickup only for accommodation outside the city centre; from the centre you walk to a meeting point. Hike of about 5 km
Limited to 8 participants
Winter clothing, boots and equipment included; snowshoes optional
Campfire snack and hot drinks

About this tour

A full-day small-group trip to the Korouoma canyon, which the listing describes as about 30 km long and 130 metres deep. The guide leads a hike of about 5 km down to the frozen waterfalls and builds a fire for a snack. Snowshoes are available for anyone who wants more grip on the way down into the canyon. You are back in Rovaniemi in the late afternoon.

What's included

Pickup and drop-off at accommodation outside the city centre
Equipment, professional winter clothing and boots
Campfire snack and hot drinks
Guide

Meeting point

Guests staying in the city centre walk to a meeting point in central Rovaniemi; the address is given after booking.

Know before you go

Not recommended for people with limited mobility or serious medical problems.
Hotel pickup only applies to accommodation outside the city centre.

Not suitable for

People with mobility impairments
People with pre-existing medical conditions

Pickup, hike length and inclusions as the operator lists them on the booking page.

Beyond Arctic

Frozen Waterfalls & Pro Photos

A photographer guide, edited photos after the tour, clothing and boots included.

Duration: 6.5 hours in total, about 90 minutes of driving each way
Language: English
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from €123 ★ 4.8 (288 reviews)

Book on GetYourGuide

Full tour details

Highlights

Hotel pickup in Rovaniemi; hike of about 5 km with slippery downhill and uphill parts
The guide is a photographer; edited photos are shared digitally after the tour
Warm clothing and winter boots included
Light lunch cooked on a fire at a lean-to, hot drinks and snacks

About this tour

A small-group day with a wilderness and photography guide. The hike of about 5 km runs down to the frozen waterfalls on the canyon walls and back, with a stop at a lean-to where the guide cooks a light lunch. Afterwards you receive digital access to the edited photos. The operator calls the trail demanding and does not take children under 8.

What's included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transport by people carrier
Wilderness and photography guide
Backpack and barbecue gear
Light lunch, hot drinks and snacks
Warm clothing and winter boots
Digital access to edited photos after the tour

Know before you go

The hike is around 5 km and includes slippery downhill and uphill parts.
Not suitable for children under 8.

Not suitable for

Children under 8
People with mobility impairments
People with pre-existing medical conditions

Pickup, hike length and inclusions as the operator lists them on the booking page.

BookLapland

Hike & Hot BBQ Lunch, or Coach Only

Either a guided small group with a BBQ lunch, or a heated coach and the trail on your own.

Duration: About 7 hours: around 1.5 hours of driving each way and about 4 hours at Korouoma
Language: English, Spanish, Finnish
✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

from €69 ★ 4.9 (136 reviews)

Book on GetYourGuide

Full tour details

Highlights

Two options: a guided 4–6 km hike with pickup from selected Rovaniemi locations, or a heated coach from the Book Lapland office with no guide on the trail
Winter overalls and boots with both options
Guided option: hot BBQ lunch and a hot drink by an open fire
Coach option: the driver-host briefs you on route, conditions and return time

About this tour

This listing sells two different days. The small-group option is a guided hike of 4–6 km with a hot barbecue lunch and pickup from selected places in Rovaniemi. The coach option is transport only: a heated coach from Koskikatu 22, a briefing on arrival, and then you walk the canyon on your own before returning to the coach at the agreed time. The coach option includes no guide, no food and no drinks, and no hotel pickup.

What's included

Return transport from Rovaniemi (heated coach or 4×4, depending on the option)
Winter overalls (rated to about −40 °C) and boots
English-speaking driver-host and briefing at Korouoma
Small-group option: guide, 4–6 km guided hike, BBQ lunch, hot drink, pickup from selected locations

Not included

Coach option: guide on the hike, food and drinks, hotel pickup
Base layers, hat and gloves
Travel insurance and tips

Meeting point

Coach option: Book Lapland office, Koskikatu 22, 96200 Rovaniemi (fixed meeting and return point).

What to bring

Comfortable shoes
Warm clothing
Camera
Snacks
Water

Not suitable for

Children under 5

Pickup, hike length and inclusions as the operator lists them on the booking page.

Month by month

Month	The ice	Daylight in Rovaniemi
November	Tours start; ice not yet reliable. One operator states the waterfalls are frozen only from December.	Sunrise 8:15, sunset 15:45 on 1 November
December	Start of the ice season	10:13 to 13:58 on 1 December, 11:08 to 13:22 on 21 December
January	Ice season	10:59 to 13:43 on 1 January
February	Main season according to Yle	9:19 to 15:43 on 1 February
March	Main season, end of the official ice season	7:33 to 17:28 on 1 March
April	Some tours still run; ice depends on the year	6:32 to 20:13 on 1 April

Times from the US Naval Observatory for central Rovaniemi. Korouoma lies south-east of Rovaniemi; the times there differ only slightly.

Short days in December

In December the sun is up for barely two hours around the solstice, with twilight from roughly 9:15 to 15:15. Tours still run, but the drive is mostly in the dark and the hike fills the light hours. One November reviewer notes that it was already dark when the group finished. Bring a head torch and expect blue light rather than sun on the ice.

Longer days and more people in February and March

From February the days lengthen quickly, and this is also when Korouoma is busiest. Metsähallitus counted up to 150–200 people below the icefalls at once, and Yle reported the parking area filling from around midday on a February weekday. Reviewers who arrived early describe a quieter canyon. If you have the choice, book a tour that leaves Rovaniemi in the morning rather than one that gets there at lunchtime.

Early and late in the season

November and April are on the edge. Ice may be thin or partly melted, and with little snow the trail can be harder rather than easier: one November reviewer notes the hike can be strenuous "where there isnt enough snow". The tours still run and are often quieter, but if seeing large icefalls is the reason for the trip, aim for December to March.

Korouoma in autumn

Before the snow, the canyon is a different place: running water instead of ice, and autumn colours on the birches. Arctic GM runs an autumn version of its 4–6 km hike with a campfire, with first reviews from September 2026.

Photo	Tour	Pickup in Rovaniemi	Total duration	Hike	Food	Price	Reviews	Book
	Korouoma Autumn Hike & BBQ Arctic GM	Yes, your accommodation	7 h	4–6 km	Sausages by the fire, hot drinks	€139per person	★ 5.0 (2)	Check dates

The Korouoma prices in this table are per adult and come from GetYourGuide when the page loads, with taxes and fees included. Some listings sell more than one option, so check which option a price belongs to.

Season and timing in the reviews

Reviewers who arrived early mention the quiet; late-autumn reviewers mention thin snow and early darkness.

★★★★★

“Had a great time! A very beautiful hike. Our guide was knowledgeable and patient with my slower pace! Leaving early morning is best because it is not crowded and you can enjoy your time there!”

Leann · United States · March 2026 Korouoma Hike & BBQ · Arctic GM

★★★★★

“We had Dunkin as guide. he was really great. Also we arrived early so there where not a lot of people at the moment in Korouoma Canyon. That makes the experience even more better.”

Steven · Belgium · March 2024 Small-Group Frozen Waterfalls Tour · Wild about Lapland

★★★★★

“The trip is after snow the day before. Lucky that we can see Frozen waterfalls. Some part of the trails is difficult to walk by slippery and snow. Hoever we really enjoy trekking to waterfalls. … It was quite early dark when we finished.”

Pinky · Netherlands · November 2025 Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls · Lapland Outdoor Adventures

★★★★★

“Evie was a great guide, supporting each and every person on the tour through the sometimes tough conditions. its worthwhile noting that this hike can be strenuous, particularly where there isnt enough snow. Be prepared to slide on your bottom to get past some of the treks. don't book anything afterwards either as the tour went longer than expected, got back at 6.30pm.”

Josephine · Australia · November 2024 Small-Group Frozen Waterfalls Tour · Wild about Lapland

Reviews of Korouoma day trips, quoted from GetYourGuide.

Questions and answers

When are the Korouoma waterfalls frozen?

Metsähallitus gives December to March as the ice season, with February and March as the main weeks according to Yle. How large the icefalls grow differs from year to year.

Are the waterfalls frozen in November?

Not reliably. Tours start in November, but one operator states that the waterfalls are frozen only from December. In a cold year there may be ice earlier.

What is the best time of day to visit?

Early. The parking area at Saukkovaara starts filling around midday on busy days, and in December the light hours are few. Tours leaving Rovaniemi in the morning reach the icefalls before the midday crowd.

Can I visit Korouoma in autumn?

Yes. There is no ice then, but the canyon and its waterfalls are open, and an autumn version of a guided 4–6 km hike with a campfire is bookable.

When the Korouoma waterfalls are frozen

Winter tours with the most reviews

Korouoma Hike & BBQ

Highlights

About this tour

What's included

Meeting point

What to bring

Know before you go

Not suitable for

Small-Group Frozen Waterfalls Tour

Highlights

About this tour

What's included

Meeting point

Know before you go

Not suitable for

Frozen Waterfalls & Pro Photos

Highlights

About this tour

What's included

Know before you go

Not suitable for

Hike & Hot BBQ Lunch, or Coach Only

Highlights

About this tour

What's included

Not included

Meeting point

What to bring

Not suitable for

Month by month

Short days in December

Longer days and more people in February and March

Early and late in the season

Korouoma in autumn

Season and timing in the reviews

Questions and answers

Related on this site

What to wear

The hike

Self-drive or tour

Find a tour for your dates