Ice Karting in Levi, Finland: What to Expect and How to Book

Why ice karting fits a Levi winter trip

Finland's rally culture is the frame for this activity: controlling a slide on ice is a national skill, and ice karting is the most accessible way to try it. Studded tyres give enough grip to accelerate and turn, but the surface still moves under you, so the appeal is in the correction rather than raw speed.

It also fits neatly around aurora plans. Sessions run in the morning, daytime and evening, so you can drive before dinner and still be out under a dark sky later if conditions look promising. Levi sits far enough north that clear nights between September and March regularly show aurora, though no activity operator can promise a display.

Where the track sits relative to Levi centre

The track is about five minutes from Levi centre by shuttle. Departure is from Hissitie 11, in front of Kotipizza Levi and across the road from Zero Point, which makes it easy to reach on foot from most village accommodation without a car.

If you prefer door-to-door transport, a private transfer from your accommodation is available at an extra charge. The return shuttle is included in the programme, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back after the session.

How a session runs

The programme starts in the drivers' pit zone with a safety briefing and driving tips, then you suit up in the provided racing gear. You drive two sessions of roughly 15 minutes each, with a 15-minute break in between. The break is outdoors by an open fire, with hot berry juice served.

That structure is the point: two timed stints give you a chance to find your feel for the track and improve on the second run, rather than one quick lap and done. Wear warm thermal base layers underneath the racing overalls, because the break between sessions involves standing outside.

Karts and track

The karts are four-stroke machines fitted with studded tyres, driven on a prepared outdoor ice track. The quiet engines respond clearly to throttle input, which makes the basics of driving on ice straightforward to learn, and the same karts and track are used by beginners and more experienced drivers alike.

Who can drive: height, weight and rules

No driving licence is required. The physical requirement is a minimum height of 145 cm, which is needed to reach the pedals safely, and a maximum driver weight of 100 kg. Driving is not permitted during pregnancy or with relevant injuries.

Zero alcohol tolerance applies, and every driver must pass a breathalyzer test before getting on the track. Anyone who does not pass will not be allowed to drive, and no refund applies in that case, so keep the session clear of any drinking beforehand.

What is included and what costs extra

Included in the programme are the return shuttle from Levi centre, the safety briefing and driving instructions, a full set of winter racing gear (helmet, balaclava, shoes, gloves and overalls), the two driving sessions, hot berry juice by the fire during the break, and the fuel surcharge and parking.

Meals are not included, but a café at the track sells a soup lunch with bread, butter and coffee or tea. Snowtubing on two illuminated slides of different lengths is also available as an add-on, sold as a two-hour ticket from the departure time. Prices for these extras are confirmed at booking or on the day at the track.

If you want an aurora-focused overnight after a day on the ice, the northern lights village levi sits outside the village centre and pairs glass-roofed cabins with aurora alerts, while glass igloos in levi offer a similar idea closer to the resort.

Spectators and private transfers

Non-drivers can come along as spectators, subject to available transport capacity, and a supplement charge applies. Ask at the time of booking so the shuttle has room for everyone in your group.

Private transfers from accommodation are available at extra charge if you would rather not walk to the shuttle stop. For most travellers staying in Levi centre, the included shuttle from Hissitie 11 is the simplest option.

How ice karting fits around aurora nights and other Levi activities

Book ice karting for a morning or early afternoon and keep the evening free. Aurora viewing depends on solar activity and clear skies, and the best odds come from being flexible: if the sky clears, you want to be able to head out rather than be midway through a fixed dinner. For a full picture of dark-sky spots and how the season works, see Seeing the Northern Lights in Levi.

Husky safaris, reindeer farm visits and snowshoeing are the other daytime staples in Levi, and ice karting slots in alongside them as a shorter, higher-adrenaline option. If you are weighing up a glass-roofed night, Levin Iglut (Golden Crown) and Northern Lights Ranch Near Levi both offer aurora-oriented accommodation with different settings and price points.

Booking timing and cancellation terms

The programme runs daily in morning, daytime and evening slots, and it is worth booking ahead in peak winter weeks when shuttle seats fill. Cancellation terms are tiered: a 100% fee applies if you cancel seven days or less before the event, 50% if you cancel 21 days or less before, and 10% if you cancel 365 days or less before.

Scandinavian Travel Group, the incoming company that runs ice karting at Levi, may adjust the programme if a participant is considered a danger to themselves or others or fails to follow safety instructions, and it is not responsible for changes or unavailability affecting the track or third-party venues. That is a reason to book ice karting early in your trip, so a rescheduled session still fits before you leave; check current prices and dates with Scandinavian Travel Group when booking.

What to expect from the cold between sessions

The racing gear keeps you warm while driving, but the 15-minute break is spent outdoors by the fire. Thermal base layers under the overalls make that break comfortable, and the hot berry juice helps. The track is floodlit, so evening sessions are not dependent on daylight, which matters in December when Levi's days are short.

Plan Your Visit

Ice karting in Levi is a compact, well-organised activity: a five-minute shuttle from the village, full gear provided, two timed sessions and a fire break. It suits beginners and groups, and it leaves your evenings free for aurora chasing or a night in an aurora cabin. If you are comparing tracks across Lapland, ice karting in Saariselkä shows how the same decision plays out further north.

Book a morning or daytime slot, confirm spectator and transfer arrangements when you reserve, and keep the breathalyzer rule in mind. For the aurora side of the trip, the levi northern lights guide covers season, dark-sky spots and how many nights to allow.