For a long time, Finnish Lapland was a bucket list destination for me. A true winter wonderland of pink skies, husky sledges, frosty fir trees, steaming hot chocolate and northern lights – Finnish Lapland is where all your snow-filled fantasies come to life. So when I was offered an opportunity from Visit Finland Tourism Board in the early winters of 2020 to visit this winter wonderland, I grabbed the chance.
What's it like to visit Lapland in winter?
The two questions you would have about visiting Lapland in January are how cold it is going to be and is it going to be dark all the time? Well, the sun rises around 11 am and sets at 2.30 pm in early January, but that doesn’t mean it’s pitch black the rest of the day. It’s twilight between 9.30 am and 3.30 pm so you can still see and there are beautiful long sunrises and sunsets (read the complete blog to see breathtaking pictures of sunrise and sunsets).
Lapland’s weather can hit an icy -25°C at some places (sounds bone-chilling), but daytime temperatures are usually around average with highs of -10°C and lows of -18°C at night. So, if you are covered in a good set of winter clothing, it's bearable. I always suggest wearing layers and invest in a good quality thermal for this climate.
The notable destinations in Lapland consists of Rovaniemi, Saariselka, Yllas, Levi and Kemi. During winters, there are regular domestic flights from Helsinki to destinations such as Kittila, Ivalo, Kuusamo, Kemi, and Rovaniemi.
The route that I followed:
India----->Helsinki----->Rovaniemi----->Kemi----->Helsinki----->India
My first introduction to Lapland was the visit to Rovaniemi, which is also the capital of Lapland. This is a good starting point for any Lapland itinerary. Thankfully, the team at Visit Rovaniemi and the Visit Finland India team planned everything for us to the tee. Most visitors to Rovaniemi stay in one of two main areas. There’s the city centre which has a good selection of hotels, holiday rentals, stores and restaurants. Or you can head outside the city to Santa Claus Village or nearby locales, which is where you’ll find that snowy forest scenery, and where there’s less light pollution so you’re more likely to see the Northern Lights.
My accommodations in Rovaniemi was at two separate places to get the flavour of both kinds. The first one was at Golden Circle Suites. These are nicely done service apartments in the heart of the city and within walking distance to all major places. What's best, they have a private sauna in every room. The second half of my stay was at Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle at Santa Claus Village. The USP of this property is their glass-roofed air-conditioned/heated igloos for experiencing Lapland's ever-changing nature while enjoying the comforts of your room. One thing that I would like to mention here is their food. The gastronomy experience at Arctic Eye restaurant is mind-blowingly delicious. You must try one meal here (thank me later ;) )
Things to do in Rovaniemi
1. Santa Claus Village
Santa Claus Village is the epicentre of all things festive in Rovaniemi and there are a ton of wintery activities you can do on-site, making it an easy place to base yourself if you’ve got a few days in Lapland.
My Top Picks:
Meet Santa and cross the Arctic Circle- An activity you can't miss when visiting Santa Claus Village. Visit Rovaniemi arranged a private meeting with the big man himself and it was an emotional moment for me. You also have the chance to visit the Santa Post office and send a postcard back home. And of course, there is the opportunity to pass across the Arctic Circle or 66° North. The Arctic Circle runs directly through Santa’s Village, Lapland and is marked, as you can see in the picture below. You can even get a certificate of crossing the circle to prove you’ve done it.
Visit the Snowman World and try the local Vodka at the Ice Bar and Ice Gallery- A winter wonderland playground with Snowmen, ice-skating and lots more for family winter fun. There is also an Ice Bar and Ice Restaurant which you could visit which have beautiful ice and snow sculptures. Why not try some local vodka shots in ice glasses? And if you have some time in hand, definitely try snow tubing. it's so much fun (Check my reels on Instagram for the same).
Go for a Reindeer sleigh ride- In Santa Claus Village, there is the opportunity to not only meet Santa, but you can also take short or longer reindeer sleigh rides. If you want to see the scenery, a reindeer sleigh ride is a lot more sedate and relaxed, and a chance to get up close to these amazing creatures.
Hunt for the northern lights in a guided tour- The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis are one of the big reasons that people come to Lapland. But it’s also the one thing you can’t guarantee you’re going to see. You need the right atmospheric conditions, which happen around 150 days a year on average in Rovaniemi – but unfortunately not while we were there (I guess it gives me a reason to go back).
2. Visit Artikum
A science centre and museum that lets you experience northern culture, art, nature and history up close. It’s split into two sides, with natural history on one side and cultural history on the other, so you can find out about the people and landscapes of the Arctic Circle.
3. Visit a local artisan workshop at Kangasniemi
I always ensure to include some authentic local activities on my trip. The visit to the home of Mrs Irene & Mr Ari Kangasniemi was an incredible experience. There are long traditions of making arts and handicrafts out of local materials like wood and reindeer antlers in Lapland. Get a deeper understanding of the local way of living and having a chance to make your own souvenirs.
4. Try Husky Safari with BearHill Husky Kennel
Bearhill Husky are a family operated husky kennel just outside of Rovaniemi, Lapland. Experiencing a Husky Safari in Lapland was always on the top of my bucket list. When we arrived at Bearhill Husky, we were greeted by our guide and the noise of barking dogs. We were then led into a large log cabin and given arctic over-suits, boots, gloves and neck warmers. And believe me, you need the over-suits. Before the excursion, there is a proper demo given on how the brakes work and how to drive the sledge. We followed a path through the wintery forests and frozen lake and witnessed jaw-dropping scenery.
5. Drive the Arctic Ocean Highway
If you have some extra days in hand, definitely do this- unfortunately, I couldn't do this due to lack of time. Linking Rovaniemi to the Liinakhamari port on the northern coast of Lapland, the Arctic Ocean Highway opened in 1931 and became the world's first highway to stretch all the way north to the Arctic Ocean.
The next stop in my Lapland adventure was Kemi. At the northern end of the Gulf of Bothnia lies Kemi, home to the largest snow castle in the world. Only 90 minutes south of the Arctic Circle, this town is the port to the last great wilderness of Europe. The Pearl of the Bothnia is one of the most accessible towns by car in all of Lapland.
We started in the morning and drove to Kemi. The driving duration was approximately 1.5 hrs. Our stay here was booked at Seaside Glass Villas. There can't be anything better than this in Kemi. Most of their villas have incredible views of the frozen Gulf of Bothnia. All activities from Icebreaker Sampo Cruises to aurora floating and midnight sun activities are available from here.
Things to do in Kemi
1. IceBreaker Sampo Cruise and Ice Floating
Sea Lapland is one of the few extraordinary places where the sea completely freezes over in the winter. Enjoy an unforgettable sea, snow and ice adventure on a cruise over the frozen Gulf of Bothnia. This real icebreaker ship was used for 27 years before becoming an attraction for the town of Kemi. Witness the arctic sunrise on a morning cruise or experience the elusive blue moment as the sun starts to set in the evening. Take it easy and enjoy the ride through the icy waters. Feel the arctic freedom on the deck or relax in the warm indoors sipping hot beverages in Icebreaker Bar. The best part of this cruise is Ice Floating (as crazy as it sounds), this was definitely the highlight of my trip. The ship will make a one-hour stop to enable each visitor to participate in the ice floating event, comfortably dressed in survival suits.
2. Drive a Snowmobile on a frozen sea
We did this experience through SeaLapland Safaris in Kemi. They have their office inside Experience365. This tour will give you a chance to ride by snowmobile on snow and ice-covered Bothnian Bay. You will enjoy the arctic scenery while driving on the beautiful large ice field.
3. Experience Snowshoeing in the deep forests of Kemi
Snowshoes are the way to get deep into the forest without going down deep into the snow. When walking on the snow you can enjoy the healing power of the forest around you. This is the tour to get to know the Finnish nature, forest, and wild animals by the stories you will be told. Finish the activity with some hot berry juice inside a Kota (Finnish log cabins).
4. Visit SnowCastle365
Step into a winter wonderland any day of the year. As you walk on the snowy floors and admire the amazing ice sculptures in this fairy-tale-like attraction, you will be spellbound. Have fun in the ice slide, sit on the ice throne (like me :) ) or by the ice tables in a restaurant built entirely from ice.
5. Visit a Reindeer Farm and enjoy an authentic Finnish lunch
I finished my Lapland adventure with a visit to Arkadia Reindeer Farm. Arkadia has a nice winter hustle and bustle for the whole family. Feed the reindeers or take a reindeer sledge ride in the snowy forest. In the yard, there is a Lappish Hut restaurant. Meals can be enjoyed in the hut by the campfire or in the Four Winds Shelter in the courtyard.
Do share your views on what do you think about this winter wonderland. Would you like me to add something else like winter packing tips, travel options etc. etc? Then don't forget to leave a comment below.
Great write up on the Lapland, dream is to visit Artic. Which is as fascinating like Antarctica.
Look forward to such future blogs