Floating in a frozen lake wearing a dry suit sounds impossible. Here's what really happens when you step into the ice, why it's one of Lapland's most popular experiences, and how to prepare.
The moment your body leaves the ice edge and settles into the water, something unexpected happens. You stop thinking. The dry suit holds you buoyant, the cold presses gently against your face, and the sky opens above you in a way it never does from land.
This is ice floating: one of the most talked-about experiences in Finnish Lapland, and one of the hardest to explain until you've done it.
How Ice Floating Works
You wear a specially designed thermal dry suit that covers your entire body except your face. The suit is waterproof and insulated, which means you stay completely dry and warm even as you float in water just above freezing.
A rectangular opening is cut into the lake ice. You sit on the edge, swing your legs in, and lean back. The suit's buoyancy does the rest. Within seconds you're floating on your back, arms out, staring straight up at the Arctic sky.
There's no swimming involved. No skill required. You simply float.
What It Feels Like
Most guests describe the first 30 seconds as a rush of adrenaline followed by a deep, unexpected calm. The cold air on your face creates a tingling alertness while your body stays warm and supported. Sound changes: the water muffles everything except your own breathing and the occasional crack of ice shifting somewhere across the lake.
After a few minutes, the sensation shifts into something meditative. Time slows. The sky feels enormous. Many people close their eyes and simply drift.
We've watched guests who were visibly nervous beforehand refuse to get out after 20 minutes. That transformation, from apprehension to complete peace, happens almost every time.
Ice Floating vs. Aurora Floating
We offer two versions of this experience:
- Ice Floating Experience runs during daylight hours and includes a traditional Finnish sauna session afterwards. The contrast between floating in icy water and warming up in a lakeside sauna is extraordinary.
- Aurora Floating takes place in the evening during aurora season (September to March). You float under the dark sky with the possibility of northern lights directly overhead. When the aurora appears while you're in the water, it's one of those moments that stays with you permanently.
Who Can Do It?
Almost everyone. You don't need to be able to swim. The suit keeps you floating regardless. We've taken guests from age 10 to 75, from athletes to people who haven't exercised in years. The only requirements are that you can get in and out of the suit and are comfortable with cold air on your face.
Guests with claustrophobia sometimes worry about the suit, but it's loose-fitting and open at the neck. Most people forget they're wearing it within minutes.
What to Bring
- Swimwear or thermal base layer to wear under the suit
- A towel for the sauna afterwards
- Warm clothes to change into after
- A camera (your guide can take photos while you float)
Everything else is provided, including the dry suits, neoprene gloves, and warm drinks.
The Sauna Afterwards
Every ice floating session ends with a traditional Finnish sauna by the lakeside. After floating in near-zero water, stepping into an 80°C sauna creates a rush of warmth that spreads through your entire body. Many Finns consider this contrast, cold water followed by intense heat, to be the core of the sauna experience.
The sauna is wood-fired, the steam is soft, and the lake is right outside if you want to cool down and go again. This cycle of cold and heat is genuinely good for you: it stimulates circulation, releases endorphins, and leaves you feeling deeply relaxed for hours afterwards.
Book Your Float
Ice floating runs throughout the winter season at our base near Pyhätunturi. Sessions last 2 to 3 hours including preparation, floating, and sauna time. Get in touch to check availability or book directly through our activity pages.
If you're visiting during aurora season, we strongly recommend the evening version. There are very few places in the world where you can float in a frozen lake and watch the northern lights at the same time. Pyhätunturi is one of them.