Winter holiday in Finnish Lapland, tailor made

Planet

Located so close to the edge of the Pallas National Park, the hotel is acutely aware of the impact it can have on the such a pristine environment and ensures that any impacts are mitigated to the best of its ability. They do this in numerous ways as outlined below.

The hotel restaurant sources its produce locally where possible with reindeer meat being sourced from traditional herders as well as fish from the lakes of Lapland. These products are highly sustainable and support traditional industries in this remote region, whilst offering guests the chance to enjoy delicious produce.

The hotel’s waste water is managed in the rooms and guests are encouraged to reuse towels and linen for their stay. In the winter cottage accommodation the linen is typically replaced mid week.

All of the activity guides who operate from here have a strict leave no trace policy which they adhere to. They ensure that the routes that they use are impacted upon in as a little as little as possible. The routes used for snowmobiling are well managed and maintained and are restricted in order to minimise the environmental impact of any safaris, although the frozen ground is resilient and protected by the permafrost in winter. This also applies to dog sled trails. The snowmobiles operated are four stroke engines which are much cleaner and they are expertly maintained to ensure they are as efficient as possible. Snowmobiles are not allowed within National Park areas to protect them from the noise pollution which could disturb animals.

The reindeer used in the safaris are all traditionally herded and looked after to the highest welfare standards. Jeris utilises its sister hotel’s huskies typically and they are renowned for their dog sled operations. The working dogs’ welfare is of paramount importance and all veterinary standards are met and welfare standards are excellent. The dogs’ training schedules and safari schedule is carefully managed to ensure their welfare throughout the season.

As the hotel is part of a group of locally owned hotels they will utilise shared transfers where possible in order to minimise the vehicle useage and lower their carbon footprint.

People

Hotel Jeris is part of a family-owned and operated group of hotels in Finnish Lapland. They have no overseas share holders and therefore the economic benefits of any clients staying at this hotel are prevented from leaking from the local economy.

Jeris and its sister hotels employ local people and their guides are typically local experts. As a group these hotels are a significant local employer and have very much helped to stem the flow of young people from this area to larger urban centres in search of jobs. Tourism has filled a hole in the regional economy which has been left by more traditional industries which are in decline and Hotel Jeris, although relatively small scale, is a part of this.

The menus here highlight typically local dishes and ingredients where possible and the food is locally sourced where possible. Reindeer is always sourced from the Lappish herders and it is great to understand that such traditional ways of life can intertwine with the modern hospitality industry.

The hotel is exceptionally keen to promote the Lappish Sami culture and local handicrafts are present throughout the hotel and are for sale in the small gift shop.