Lapland is the place to go if you find yourself looking through lists of winter holiday destinations. The home of Father Christmas is known internationally for its stunning beauty, the friendly people who live there, and the fantastic fun opportunities that await visitors of all ages.
1 – Husky sledding
There’s nowhere better in the world to go husky sledding than in Lapland. The dogs are adorable, they’re fast, and they were born to run through the countryside like the wind. One of the best ways to experience the winter wilderness of Lapland, the dogs will pull you across the snow-topped landscapes at surprising speeds.
You can get wrapped up and let somebody else be in charge of navigation, or you can take over yourself and learn how to guide your own husky team. An instructor will show you exactly how it’s done, so there’s no need to worry about being in charge of a boisterous pack of dogs – you’ve already managed to get the family organised on holiday, so you’ve handled a rowdier bunch!
2 – Take in the icy architecture
In Lapland there’s a lot of snow and ice, so there’s no shortage of building materials for constructing massive sculptures and ornate structures. One popular tourist activity amongst visitors to Lapland is to visit a bar entirely made from ice, or to stay in one of the many ice hotels. The Icium in Levi, for example, is an art gallery mixed with a theme park, and the Snowcastle in Kemi has attractions suitable for all the family.
3 – Go snowshoeing
If you’d rather not get pulled a long by a pack of dogs at high speeds, then you can experience the countryside in a slightly more relaxing manner. Snowshoeing allows you to take in your surroundings at your own pace whilst still feeling the crisp Lapland air on your face. The snowshoes you wear allow you to stay above the snow even in the deepest of areas – this lets you reach pretty much anywhere without having any trouble.
Snowshoes have been worn since ancient times, and today they are considered to be a great fun adventure activity, whilst also keeping you energetic and active. When the snow is at its deepest, your poles will come in handy, giving your upper body a workout too. Suitable for people of all ages, the difficulty of the walk can change from route to route – just consult an expert before you head off in to the wild.
4 – See the Northern Lights
One of the world’s most spectacular sights, the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, fill the sky with colour between January and April over the Finnish Lapland. Although it’s impossible to tell you exactly when you should go in order to catch a glimpse of this incredible phenomena, you should keep your eyes peeled whenever the sky is clear at night.
Looking for the Northern Lights can make for a romantic adventure with a loved one, or be a truly inspiring and magical experience for children. No matter how old you are, it will be an experience you’ll never forget.
Featured images:
Image courtesy of Smart photo stock
Artem van Doren is a Lapland native and tourism blogger. He organises winter experiences and blogs about anything new and exciting in his field.