Is Kotatieva Winter Park in Rovaniemi Worth the Hype?

Last year, I had one thing on my Lapland bucket list for the winter… Kotatieva Resort in Rovaniemi. Keep in mind that I live here, so it should have been a pretty easy experience to tick off, but between getting sick a record THREE times over last winter and the rain (not SNOW) in February, it proved to be a little bit of a challenge.

But I made it there at the very end of February on my own. Whew! And ten days later, my partner took his friends visiting from Scotland there while I was recovering from the flu.

And one thing that we all agreed on was that this is the best way to spend a day in Rovaniemi. The value-for-money at Kotatieva is unparalleled by any other day excursion in the city. I was blown away at this place, so much so that I am waiting for them to open again this winter (fingers crossed for better snowfall this year).

In this guide, I highlight everything to know before you visit Kotatieva Winter Park in Rovaniemi. The resort has evolved a bit since last year, so a few things in this guide are new offerings for the 2025-2026 season! I will get back there to test things out as soon as winter arrives. Until then, here is an overview of how to visit Kotatieva, FAQ answered, and some tips for your day.

If you have any questions about visiting Kotatieva in Rovaniemi, let me know in the comments. Thanks!

About Kotatieva Resort in Rovaniemi

The brainchild of Rovaniemi locals Inga-Maria and Tuomas Kylmäluoma, Kotatieva Winter Leisure Park was an idea that started in the winter of 2020. It began as an ice skating trail through the snowy forest and has since evolved into one of the most popular things to do in Rovaniemi in winter.

Today, you will find a 500-meter-long (0.3-mile) ice skating track through the forest, aurora skating, snowshoeing (they also have a disc golf course you can play in snowshoes), kicksleds, sledding hills, ice bowling, cross-country ski trails, a small hockey area, reindeer, a cafe and restaurant, and more.

One of the best things about Kotatieva is that it is like an amusement park, but bundled up in a winter parka. Everything is included in your ticket (minus their tours, but I’ll talk more about that below). You can try out kicksleds, ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing… all in one ticket. It is a fantastic value!

There are also six cabins on-site, so you can stay right in the middle of the wilderness… the perfect escape from the city! Each cabin has a double bed, a kitchenette, and a fireplace.

Kotatieva Resort is located only 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Rovaniemi and is easy to get to (I discuss more about their shuttle options).

How to Book a Ticket to Kotatieva Winter Leisure Park

You can easily book your ticket to Kotatieva at the same time as you book your other tours on GetYourGuide. But… it is more expensive to book it there (by €20). So, while I recommend GYG for other tours, I would book your ticket on Kotatieva’s website directly, where it is only €59.

If you book on Kotatieva’s website, it is €59 for a full-day adult ticket (including the shuttle) and you can cancel it for a full refund up to 7 days before your activity date. If you cancel 1-6 days prior, there is a 50% cancellation fee, and same-day cancellations (or no-shows) are 100% cancellation fee. A child’s ticket is €49 (ages 3-11).

If you want a little more flexibility with your booking, you can book the ticket for €79 on GetYourGuide, where you’ll get free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Another plus of booking on GetYourGuide is that you can reserve it and pay later.

I do this quite often with tours if I am unsure about my dates or think that things could change in the future. It is also good for those who are waiting on a paycheck to come in but want to get things booked asap!

But I still think I would book directly on their website if your dates are set and money is not an issue.

Kotatieva 2025-2026 Dates & Opening Hours

For the 2025-2026 season, Kotatieva is open from December 6 until March 22. Hopefully, we have no issues with snow this season, so there will be no last-minute closures. Last year, poor Kotatieva had to close for a few days as we had rain in February. It was wild and such an anomaly!

They are open daily from 10am until 5pm.

Highlights & Things to Do at Kotatieva

I detailed some of the things to do above, but here is a list of what Kotatieva offers:

• Ice-skating on a 500-meter-long forest track
• Sledding
• Feeding and meeting the reindeer, Loimu and Lumi
• Snowshoeing
• Disc golf (on snowshoes)
• Carousel sled (called a hoijakka)
• Ice bowling
• Kicksledding
• An ice rink to play hockey
• Sauna and hot tub (extra charge of €39 for adults and €19 for children)
• Reindeer sleighing (extra charge of €30 per person)

All equipment is included in the price, and you can stay all day long to test out everything they have!

Kotatieva also has a cafe and restaurant on-site. For lunch there, it is €14 adult / €7 child. They also have a restaurant in the evenings that you can learn more about on their website. I am hoping to eat there this season!

Starting this season, Kotatieva is offering experiences that can be booked separately from their daytime activities. They have aurora tours, aurora ice skating, ice fishing, and a full Kotatieva experience that includes the day-ticket alongside a private wood-heated sauna and hot tub evening.

How to Get to Kotatieva from Rovaniemi

To visit Kotatieva, you will need to book a ticket and plan your trip. This is especially important for those who will require the shuttle service that Kotatieva offers free with a ticket to the winter park.

Free Shuttle

Kotatieva offers a free shuttle for valid ticket holders that runs from Rovaniemi city center and Santa Claus Village to Kotatieva three times a day. Here are the times:

To Kotatieva from Rovaniemi city center and SCV:

• City center (10am), SCV (10:15am)
• City center (11am), SCV (11:15am)
• City center (12pm), SCV (12:15pm)

From Kotatieva to Rovaniemi city center and SCV:

• Leaves Kotatieva at 2:30pm, 3:30pm, and 4:30pm

By Car

I have a car here, so that is how I get there. They have a spacious parking lot and it is free to park with a valid ticket to the winter park. Kotatieva is located at Ounasjoen itäpuolentie 828 in Rovaniemi (GPS coordinates 66°35’49.7″N, 25°40’16.1″E).

There are signs along the route, so you should have no issue finding it.

Useful Tips & FAQ about Kotatieva

❄️ You can combine your day trip to Kotatieva with a nighttime northern lights tour easily. I think it is the best way to make the most of a day here. Here is my favorite northern lights tour in Rovaniemi right now.

❄️ Dress warmly! You will be outside most of the day (except when in the cafe) and it may be really cold! Mittens, wool socks, and a warm parka will be your best friend.

❄️ Bring a credit card for the cafe. The cafe is warm and sells a variety of fun snacks, including lunch. But the coolest thing they sell is sausages that you can purchase and go to the campfire outside and grill yourself. This is something super common in Lapland and a good way to feel like a Finn for a little bit!

❄️ If you don’t know how to ice skate… no worries! I suck at it too. But they have kick sleds that you can use to go around the track with. You can do this with or without skates on. It is really fun and a lot better for those who do not want to take their chances with ice skates.

Is Kotatieva Winter Park in Rovaniemi worth it?

Honestly, this is the best day experience in Rovaniemi. I genuinely mean this. I will be taking every single person who comes to visit me here! It is also a fabulous way to test some activities (snowshoeing, ice skating, etc) before committing to a full tour doing them.

If you have any questions about taking a day trip to Kotatieva from Rovaniemi, let me know in the comments or send me a message. Thanks!

*This site uses affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission.