The Lapland Lowdown: Resorts, excursions and what's included

...First things first: location, location, location!

When people talk about Lapland, they often picture one big destination. In reality, there are several different resorts and areas, each offering something a little different.

Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and one of the best-known destinations for families. It’s a proper city, with shops, restaurants and shopping centres, as well as the famous Santa Claus Village.

Here’s a fun fact: Rovaniemi sits directly on the Arctic Circle!

It’s also home to the Arctic SnowHotel, a little way outside the city. Built from snow and ice each winter, it’s an incredible place to visit, and you can even stay overnight in one of its snow rooms.

Rovaniemi is a great option if you want a mix of organised winter activities and a little more going on around you.

Kittilä: Levi and Ylläs

Further north, you’ll find Kittilä, which is the gateway to popular resorts such as Levi and Ylläs.

Levi is a lively resort with plenty of restaurants, shops, accommodation and winter activities. It’s particularly popular with families and those wanting to combine a snowy escape with a bit of skiing.

Ylläs has a more peaceful, nature-focused feel, with beautiful fell landscapes and access to the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.

Another little fact for the skiers: Ylläs is home to Finland’s longest ski slopes, with some runs stretching around 3km!

Both are fantastic areas for winter activities and, if you’re lucky, spotting the Northern Lights.

Ivalo and Saariselkä

Head even further north and you’ll reach Ivalo and the resort of Saariselkä.

This is a popular choice for families, with activities such as reindeer and husky experiences, snowmobiling and plenty of winter fun.

One of Saariselkä’s biggest attractions is its toboggan run, which is actually the longest in Finland! It starts at the top of Kaunispää, where you can take in the snowy scenery before making your way back down.

It’s also a fantastic area for getting away from the brighter lights and enjoying the Arctic surroundings.

Kuusamo and Ruka

You’ll also find Kuusamo and Ruka in northeastern Finland. With national parks, beautiful scenery and fantastic ski slopes, this is another brilliant option for a winter escape.

Ruka is a particularly popular ski resort, with 41 slopes and plenty of facilities for winter sports.

One thing worth knowing is that Kuusamo is technically in the North Ostrobothnia region rather than the administrative region of Lapland. You’ll often see it included in wider Lapland holiday searches, but it’s useful to understand exactly where you’re travelling.

A little word of warning about Kajaani

Some tour operators have started including Kajaani in their Finnish winter holiday offerings.

It’s a lovely part of Finland, with snowy scenery, a frozen river and historic castle ruins. But it’s worth knowing that Kajaani isn’t actually in the Lapland region. It’s in Kainuu, further south in Finland.

The castle ruins are particularly interesting. Kajaani Castle was built in the early 1600s before being blown up by Russian forces in 1716.

That doesn’t mean Kajaani isn’t worth visiting. It simply means you should understand where you’re travelling to and what kind of experience you’re booking.

Who you book with can make a big difference

One of the things I love about Lapland packages is how much effort some tour operators put into making the experience magical.

You can have elves welcoming you at the airport, Christmas magic on the flight, festive food and entertainment, and sometimes even elves joining you on transfers. For little ones, the magic can start before you’ve even reached your hotel!

But it’s important to look beyond the festive extras and check exactly what’s included in your package.

Some operators include short ‘taster’ sessions for activities. These give you a little taste of something, perhaps a short reindeer or husky ride, before you decide whether to book a longer excursion at an additional cost.

Others include a selection of excursions in the overall package price, meaning you pay more upfront but have more activities covered.

Some offer different package levels, so you can choose how much you want included.

Thermal suits and boots are commonly provided, but always check what’s supplied and what you’ll need to take yourself. Don’t assume that every operator includes the same things.

I’d look closely at:

• Which excursions are included, and how long they last.
• Whether longer activities cost extra.
• Whether meals are included, and which ones.
• Whether thermal suits and boots are provided.
• Whether transfers and airport experiences are included.

The headline price doesn’t always tell you the full story.

And one other thing: while being further north can improve your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, they’re never guaranteed. Cloud cover and solar activity play a part, so it’s worth managing expectations.

A little tip for families

Buy your little one a brightly coloured hat!

When you’re surrounded by snow, lots of children are wearing similar-looking thermal suits and winter clothing. A colourful hat makes it much easier to spot your little one in a crowd, especially when everyone is wrapped up from head to toe.

It’s a small thing, but a really useful one.

Don’t let the hotel pictures make the decision for you

We all know how tempting it is to look at a hotel photograph and picture yourself there. A beautiful pool under a blue sky can sell a summer holiday, and a snow-covered hotel decorated for Christmas can do exactly the same for Lapland.

But take a little time to look beyond the pictures.

Check the hotel facilities, restaurants, meal arrangements, what’s included and what’s nearby. Some accommodation is more remote than others, and that can make a real difference to how you spend your time and what you need to budget for.

Think about what matters to your family. Do you want somewhere with restaurants and facilities on site? Would you prefer to be close to a resort centre? Are you happy being out in the wilderness, or would you like a little more choice nearby?

The right hotel can make a big difference to your overall experience.

Thinking about Lapland?

I’ve got clients travelling next month, and I’ve also got enquiries open for families already looking ahead to their own winter adventure.

I also work with around five different suppliers, which means I can compare different resorts, hotels and package options rather than being tied to one particular holiday.

If Lapland is on your family’s wish list, give me a shout. I’d love to help you explore the options and find a winter escape that works for you.