Summary
1. Embracing Winter in Lapland
The optimal approach to fully enjoy winter is to engage with it. Rather than remaining indoors awaiting its conclusion, don your snow boots and warm jackets, and set out to explore. Winter offers abundant fun, making it one of the premier seasons for travel.
This does not entail retreating to warmer locales to escape the season; rather, it suggests venturing into the coldest regions to experience winter at its zenith.
Last year, we surprisingly had no genuine winter excursions planned, prompting the immediate desire for a chilly adventure as the new year commenced.
Shortly thereafter, we found ourselves scheduled for an Ingram’s Holiday trip to Finnish Lapland, situated in the Arctic Circle, where we would enjoy several days of snow-centric fun.
Further details on our trip, including itinerary organization, essential packing items, and additional insights will be discussed in a forthcoming post. For now, I wanted to convey all the remarkable activities we undertook during our adventure.
2. The First Day Arrival
Upon arriving at Ivalo Airport from London to Finnish Lapland, we were immersed in a snow-covered wonderland with temperatures dropping to -27C.
That first day, we had no elaborate plans, opting instead for a leisurely ride to our accommodations, which included evening drinks and dinner, all in eager anticipation of an early start the following day.
However, upon checking into the Muotka Wilderness Lodge (our residence for the initial nights), the allure of the sauna was enough to distract us, leading to an evening indulging in the Finnish tradition of heating up in the sauna, quickly followed by a leap into the fresh snow for cooling off.
3. Exciting Activities
Awakening early the next morning, we were set to explore Finnish Lapland via snowmobiles, a thrilling transformation from the previous day’s relaxation.
Snowmobiling provided an exhilarating opportunity to traverse locations otherwise unreachable or requiring significant time to navigate on foot through the snow.
4. Culinary Delights
The day’s snowmobiling adventure culminated in an unexpected hunger that caught me off guard. We were fortunate enough to stop at Kaunispään Huippu Oyrestaurant located atop the hill, where we relished a surprisingly hearty salmon stew (creamy and perfectly paired with potatoes).
After indulging and finding ourselves thoroughly satiated, we returned to our snowmobiles and navigated the afternoon, exploring the stunning Finnish landscape.
5. Evening Adventures
At the Muotka Wilderness Lodge, we embraced the tradition of sauna again, this time involving a plunge into the icy river (the ice publicly broken each morning to make way for brave guests).
The invigorating contrast between the heat of the sauna and the cold water was a unique and refreshing experience. For those without private sauna access, designated communal smoke saunas are available, offering privacy options for guests.
Invigorated and surprisingly warm, we prepared for dinner and drinks before embarking on an evening pursuit for the Northern Lights. Due to strict regulations regarding drink driving, guests are safely transported via snowmobile-driven sleighs, allowing for relaxation during the ride.
Unfortunately, snowfall obscured the Northern Lights during our search. Nevertheless, we warmed ourselves in a cozy cabin, with an outdoor fireplace available in case they decided to emerge, while enjoying warm beverages and socializing with other travelers.
After a couple of hours of waiting, we left the location, returning to the hotel with hope for sightings in the near future. Despite the lack of lights, Lapland itself was a picturesque haven that exceeded my winter getaway expectations.
